“Comparison is the thief of joy.” You all have heard this quote before. But why do so many writers do it? Does this sound familiar? You love to write. And one of the biggest tips you get is to read read read read read to get better at writing. So you start reading. And after a while, you start thinking, “Maybe I’m not so good at this writing thing.” “Not compared to Jane Austen!” “Not compared to J. R. R. Tolkien!” “Not compared to [insert favorite author here]!” And then you lie in bed at night thinking that your writing is bad, and you don’t touch your manuscript for DAYS because you think “I’m not really a writer!” You’re not alone. This is a very real struggle every writer faces. But here’s the hard truth: Voices like that are what’s KILLING your creativity. And if you keep on listening to them, your book won’t ever see the world. So what do we do about it? Well, I’ve got news for you, my friend. What you’re writing is a FIRST draft. And what you’re reading is a FINAL draft. They can’t be compared, because published novels have underwent TONS of edits and revisions, and it might have taken months for the author to get the story right. Imagine your favorite book. Now, imagine the author of that book writing the first draft. Imagine him comparing himself to other published and polished books, and giving up on ever publishing his own book because he thought he wasn’t good enough, and his writing was bad. And so your favorite book was never published, and it never saw the world. That’s what your book can be to someone else. Your book can be someone else’s future favorite book. Your book can change someone’s life. So pick up your pen, and start writing. Just make it exist. Don’t pull up a chair and listen to fear. Someone in the world is waiting to read your book and be changed. You got this. I believe in you <3 #creative #motivation #help #author
