As a newbie writer, it’s easy to feel like you're in over your head. You see the success of other writers—their polished books, their huge followings, and their perfect sentences—and you can't help but think, “Why bother? I’ll never be that good.” Sound familiar? It’s a tough situation, and you’re not alone in feeling this way. But let me tell you: comparison is the thief of joy, especially in writing. It's time to shake off those comparisons and start writing like a pro, on your own terms.
In this article, I’m going to show you why comparing yourself to other writers is hurting your creativity and how you can start writing with confidence. We’ll break down some mindset shifts, practical tips, and a healthy approach to your writing journey. So, take a deep breath, set those comparisons aside, and let’s dive in!
The Dangers of Comparing Yourself to Other Writers
1. The “Imposter Syndrome” Trap
Let me take a wild guess: You’ve probably told yourself at least once, "Who am I to write?" If you’re nodding along, welcome to Imposter Syndrome—the sneaky feeling that you're a fraud, no matter how much you’ve accomplished. It's common for newbie writers to look at successful authors and think, "I’ll never measure up." But guess what? Everyone has felt like this at some point.
I remember, in the early days of my own writing journey, I couldn’t help but compare myself to well-established authors. I’d think, "They’ve been doing this for years! What do I have to offer?" This kind of thinking only holds you back. Imposter syndrome makes you believe your ideas are “less than,” and you’ll hesitate to even put pen to paper. Trust me, it doesn’t do anything but make you miserable.
2. The Perfectionism Paradox
If you're waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect idea to get started, I’m going to tell you right now: it doesn’t exist. Perfectionism is a trap. When you compare yourself to someone else, you tend to focus on how perfect their work is and think you have to measure up to that level right away. It can lead to writer’s block, frustration, and quitting before you even start.
I’ve had my fair share of trying to write the perfect sentence, only to delete it again and again. But here’s the thing: writing is about progress, not perfection. If you’re constantly trying to measure up to someone else’s "perfect" work, you’re stalling your own progress. So let go of the idea that everything has to be flawless from the start.
3. Creativity Stifled by Comparison
The more you compare yourself to other writers, the more you stifle your own creativity. Here's why: when you’re constantly looking at others, you’ll start to mimic their style or approach, thinking that’s what will get you noticed. But here’s the catch: people want your unique voice. If you’re copying someone else, you’re not showing the world what only you can offer.
Back in the early days of my writing, I made this exact same mistake. I admired a writer’s clean, minimalist style, and I tried to write just like them. The result? My writing felt forced and unnatural. It wasn’t until I embraced my own voice that I started to write with ease. Don’t make the same mistake! Let your authenticity shine through.
Why You Should Embrace Your Unique Writing Journey
Your Writing Journey is Yours Alone
It’s easy to think that everyone else is ahead of you, but that’s just not the case. Everyone has their own unique path—and it’s okay if your journey doesn’t look like someone else’s. Whether you’re writing your first blog post, a novel, or a personal essay, your experience, perspective, and voice are what make your writing special.
I’ll be honest: I wasn’t always confident in my writing. I spent years feeling like I wasn’t as "good" as the professionals I admired. But one day, I realized something: they had their own journey, just like I had mine. You don’t have to run the same race. In fact, the only race that matters is the one you’re running right now.
Success Isn’t Instant
The best writers didn’t get to where they are overnight. I know, it’s tough to believe when you see someone like Stephen King churning out bestsellers year after year, but everyone started somewhere. King’s first book, Carrie, was rejected over 30 times before it was finally published. J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series was rejected by 12 different publishers. If they had compared themselves to other writers and given up, we wouldn’t have the iconic works we enjoy today.
Success isn’t about being perfect right away. It’s about persistence and patience. The more you write, the better you’ll get—trust the process.
Practical Steps to Stop Comparing and Start Writing Like a Pro
1. Set Personal Writing Goals, Not Standards
Instead of comparing your progress to someone else’s, set goals that are about your own growth. Write 500 words a day, or complete a chapter by the end of the month. Celebrate those milestones! As you hit those goals, your confidence will grow, and you’ll start to realize that the only person you need to compare yourself to is who you were yesterday.
When I was first starting out, I found that I got the most satisfaction from looking back on my progress, not obsessing over how my writing stacked up against others.
2. Focus on the Process, Not Just the Product
It’s easy to get obsessed with the end goal: publishing that first book, getting that first big contract, or receiving glowing reviews. But the key to sustained success is learning to enjoy the process. Writing isn’t just about the product you create; it’s about how you grow as a writer with each word, paragraph, and chapter.
Give yourself permission to experiment, fail, and learn. Don’t rush to finish the first draft—embrace the messiness of it. If you’re writing with the mindset of “I’m learning and growing,” you’ll be much more at peace with the whole process.
3. Create a Writing Routine
Professional writers write regularly, not just when inspiration strikes. You can too! Establish a routine that works for your lifestyle. This could mean writing early in the morning, setting a timer for 20-minute writing bursts, or jotting down ideas during lunch breaks. A solid writing routine is what separates aspiring writers from professional ones.
When I first started writing seriously, I set aside just 30 minutes every morning before work. It didn’t seem like much at the time, but that routine was the foundation of my writing career. Small, consistent efforts compound into big results.
4. Read, But Don’t Compare
Reading is a vital part of any writer’s journey—it fuels inspiration, teaches new techniques, and sharpens your skills. But when you read, be careful not to fall into the trap of comparison. Don’t think, "I’ll never write like that." Instead, read as a student. Ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” Use other authors as inspiration, not a benchmark.
5. Surround Yourself with Supportive Writers
It’s easy to fall into the comparison trap when you’re isolated. That’s why it’s essential to surround yourself with a supportive writing community. Whether it’s a local writer’s group, an online forum, or even a close friend who understands the writing process, being around others who are on the same journey will remind you that you’re not alone. Plus, they’ll cheer you on when you hit those milestones.
Mindset Shifts for Writing Like a Pro
1. Accept Your Imperfection
Perfectionism is a tough habit to break, but as a writer, you must learn to embrace imperfection. Your first draft doesn’t have to be perfect—it just needs to exist. Let go of the need to “get it right” from the start. It’s much more important to get the words on the page and refine them later.
2. Trust in Your Voice
Your voice is what sets you apart. Trust it, and write in a way that feels true to you. Don’t get caught up in trying to be like anyone else. The world doesn’t need another version of someone else’s writing—it needs YOUR words. Lean into what makes your perspective unique, and let your writing reflect that.
3. Consistency Over Perfection
Let me repeat: consistency over perfection. The more you write, the better you get. It’s as simple as that. Don’t wait for the “perfect” conditions to start. The perfect time to write is right now. So write every day, even if it’s just a few sentences. The more you write, the more your voice will develop, and the easier the process will get.
Final Thoughts: Writing Like a Pro is About Confidence and Consistency
The bottom line? Stop comparing yourself to other writers. Your journey is uniquely yours, and there’s room for your voice in the world. The more you embrace your imperfections, stay consistent, and trust in your process, the sooner you’ll find your stride.
Remember, even the most successful writers had to start somewhere. They didn’t reach their level of success by obsessing over how their work stacked up against others—they did it by writing, learning, and staying true to their own voices.
Now, go ahead—stop scrolling, stop comparing, and start writing. The world is waiting for your story.
Bonus Tip: Take the first step today. Set a timer for 20 minutes and write without worrying about it being perfect. See where it takes you!
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