24 Comments
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Allison Ink's avatar

We hope this post will inspire you to follow your own voice and your own path to success. Readers want to hear your unique approach to storytelling. Happy writing! ✍️

Mark Armstrong's avatar

I try not to compare myself with myself-- the egos involved are much too big, you see... 😅

Kate Tremills's avatar

Such an amazing post! Comparison really does sneak in at every stage. I loved your examples and relate to so many of them. I also loved that you wrote this as a collab. Brilliant! Thank you. 🧡

Author Gold's avatar

Thank you Kate! It was a great collaboration, I thought, which brought in soe great synergy to the content. The takeaway is that comparison is inevitable, but we can be mindful and proactively address its influence on our voice and publishing choices.

Allison Ink's avatar

Thanks so much, Kate! We’re so glad this was helpful and relatable. Thank you for reading! :)

Maxim Spasskiy's avatar

Great article! I agree that comparison steals the joy from the writing process. Also, it distracts you, draining your energy and harming your progress. I discovered that leaving the comparison game in the online world is a huge step forward that boosts your results significantly.

Author Gold's avatar

Yes!! 👏 a that’s a great accomplishment and surely helps your writing AND your joy in doing it!

Caitlin A. Smith's avatar

A really great read and reminder about how comparison can truly be a negative influence. It’s hard to tune out all the noise but this is a good reminder to stay true to my own voice.

Author Gold's avatar

Yes agreed. It's impossible not to be subjected to comparisons these days, especially in our online social culture. But, like you say, you can keep the effects of it in check, and make sure you stay true to your voice!

Andrea 🌄's avatar

Really great information! I’m hoping to publish this year and working to research to ensure I do it in the best way for me!

Allison Ink's avatar

Amazing! Congrats on the big step. I know how much time, effort, and creative energy has gotten you this far. Happy to help however we can. :)

Bill Posner's avatar

Nice article. I went through this with my photography and image creation work. Never thought I was good enough, compared to other's work. Took me a long time to confidently call myself an Artist. Took less time to call myself an Author. :) When people new to photography ask my advice I give them two things, 1. capture everything all the time and 2. shoot for yourself, not other people. These basics transfer to writing as well.

Author Gold's avatar

That’s really sage advice Bill. 💜

Bill Posner's avatar

Thanks...Your style emerges in spite of yourself. :)

Erin Pyper, MSW's avatar

Comparison also makes people lose their individual voice. Such competition makes copies of voices out there.

Allison Ink's avatar

Absolutely, Erin. Readers crave authenticity.

Erin Pyper, MSW's avatar

I also try to use my social work voice balancing trauma-informed care and accountability. I want to stand out from other social workers and writers.

Allison Ink's avatar

I love that. And since you're passionate about this work, your energy will come through and build that connection. So much of what we see online is fake these days; we're all craving real humans.

Christopher Phipps's avatar

This article is wonderful. Comparing is the biggest thief of joy. Each of us grows at our own pace. The sooner we realize it, the better we become.

Allison Ink's avatar

A lovely way to frame this - we grow at our own pace. Thanks for being here!

Alyssa Reynoso-Morris's avatar

Timely post especially as the ALA award winners are announced

Allison Ink's avatar

Yes - great point! Thanks for reading, Alyssa.

Josie Thames's avatar

Thank you. I *needed* this today. I've felt like I was circling the same beats in my manuscript and I had to remember this is *why* we edit.

Allison Ink's avatar

So glad this was helpful, Josie! Editing definitely helps us recenter on the truth of our work. Thanks for reading. :)