Embracing Your Unique Voice: The Pitfalls of Comparing Yourself to Established Authors

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If there’s one reason why aspiring writers stop short of becoming first-time authors is the feeling that they are not “good enough” to complete a manuscript and publish a book. This feeling can be detrimental particularly when beginning writers compare themselves with established authors and believe that they should be successful right from the start.

Every writer has a unique voice and style. However, if you are a writer and want to imitate the writing style of your favorite author, you are taking time away from developing your own style. What’s more, it’s easy to develop self-doubt and become discouraged when you believe your writing is not up to the same level as another author. 

The Downside of Comparison 

Comparing yourself to others when you're just starting out isn't fair to yourself. After all, you are at a different stage of your writing journey. James Patterson, J.K. Rowling, and Stephen King did not become best-selling authors overnight. These—as well as other well-known authors—have been honing their craft for decades. While they are successful now, chances are they have faced numerous rejections and setbacks along the way. 

Keep in mind that success in writing is subjective. What works for one author may not work for another. The measurement of success—be it book sales, critical acclaim, or personal satisfaction—is different for everyone. 

So, instead of worrying about whether you can measure up to another author’s success—before you have even published your first book—focus on developing your skills, learning from feedback, and refining your craft. 

Define success on your own terms and work towards that, rather than comparing yourself to other, more established, writers. What's more, comparison can cause you to become discouraged and you can, inadvertently, stifle your creativity and productivity. 

Tips to Avoid Comparing Yourself With Others 

Here are some ways you can avoid comparing yourself to other authors:

• Accept that your journey will look different from other writers

• Learn as much as you can about the writing and book publishing process. 

• Learn how to build an audience of loyal readers once you publish your manuscript. 

• Remember why you want to write in the first place. 

• Believe that you are "good enough" to write and attract an audience.

Writers are generally supportive of each other, want to learn from each other, and celebrate each other’s success. So, use the success of other writers as inspiration rather than a source of insecurity.

Focus On Yourself

There may be qualities you admire in other authors and there is nothing wrong with analyzing their style, determining why their writing appeals to you, and how this can benefit your writing style. However, it shouldn’t get to the point where you are plagiarizing or imitating the author’s work. If you spend most of your time trying to write like another writer, you are in for certain disappointment.

Ultimately, focus on your own journey as a writer, keep honing your craft, learn from your failures, and find others who will encourage you to achieve your goal of becoming a published author.