Writing: Why You Are Your Own Competition

 Writing:

Why

You

Are

Your

Own

Competition

The worst you can do is look at other writers and think they are your competition. No one learns like you or becomes inspired like you. I have been pounding this truth into my head like a chef tenderizing veal. And I want you to do the same in whatever way works. 

You want to produce the best story you can. A story that represents you or tells a story powerful enough to take the reader away from their troubles. That is a lot to ask but with enough hard work its possible. Remember, its you that is writing the story and comparing it to say A Song of Ice and Fire is unfair to you. It was a book series that took me away from my troubles and told a good story but I will never compare my stories to George RR Martin's.

To help in not comparing yourself to other writers make visits to social media short. And when you see other writers celebrating their successes congratulate them and keep scrolling. Its also good to remember that few people will post bad news and thus may be struggling like you despite what is online.

Another strategy you can you use is to write where no other books are present. It removes the wish to demand how the authors did what they did. Its unfair of you to compare your first or fifth draft to a final product. Plus, even in some fully put together books a grammatical or spelling error can exist. Why? Because no one is perfect and as a person with creative talent that is key to remember.

Above everything else there is no time limit to success and remembering this will go a long way.