Friday, May 20, 2011

Comparison



Comparison is the thief of Joy. ~Theodore Roosevelt

Do you compare your writing to the work of other writers? Is it sucking the joy out of your writing?

8 comments:

  1. God has really been teaching me about this one. I try hard not to. That's part of writing that I enjoy most, having my unique voice come out. I find myself comparing points of the journey more than writing.

    But I'm learning to surrender this again and again.
    ~ Wendy

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  2. I can't afford to go there, Julie. God made us unique, and we need to work with what we have and be true to who WE are.

    Blessings to you! :-)

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  3. I'm with Wendy: I sometimes compare where I am on my path to publication with where other blogger/writers are. But it actually motivates me in my writing to read about others getting published because it reminds me of my goal.

    But I don't really compare my writing to that of others, although I do check out books to see how they are written (POV, etc.)

    Hope you're not feeling discouraged! :)

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  4. I sometimes compare the road, but not the writing, although sometimes I read a really great book and think, "Wow,I wish I could describe like that!"

    Mostly I try to simply be me and let God do His thing! Have a great weekend!

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  5. Yes and sometimes. Yes I'm a compare-bot. Only when I let the comparisons turn into jealousy does it suck out the joy.

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  6. I try really hard not to, but alas and wo is me, yes. Yes, sometimes I do.

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  7. I compare myself - more to challenge myself to be willing to take critiques so I can bring my writing to the level I want it to be at and feel competitive in the market.
    However, I try not to compare myself in a way that says, "sheesh - my writing stinks". Although when I read Colleen Coble, it's hard not to think that! :)

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  8. Usually when I compare, I feel like the better writing gives me something to work toward:)

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