I will not, will NOT, WILL not, WILL NOT, WILL NOT, WILL NOT make detailed comparisons of myself with authors who have been nominated for or who have won the Hugo, Edgar or Pulitzer.
Not in terms of daily word count.
Not in terms of blog readership or number of followers.
Not in terms of name recognition or respect.
Not in terms of books published.
Now all you have to do is believe it.
ReplyDeleteThis is actually an improvement for me. I used to habitually compare myself with fictional characters who never made serious mistakes and didn't need to sleep. Bruce Wayne, Sherlock Holmes and the like. Comparing myself to actual human beings is progress.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's ever productive to compare oneself to another, in any context.
ReplyDeleteHowever it *can be* productive to attempt to emulate another writer, but resist the temptation after doing so to compare. Compare your work to your work - are you improving? Are your characters stronger, your voice more authoritative, your plots more engaging? Read great writers, but focus on you and your work.
The world does not need another Zadie Smith, but it just might be looking for a Tony Noland.
The world does not need another Zadie Smith, but it just might be looking for a Tony Noland.
ReplyDeleteTerrific line! I think it'll get me, looking for me or not. With some luck, it'll be happy I showed up.