I can't stop comparing myself!

[sinnerforgiven]

Ok.. so I have tried and tried to formulate a chapter... yes.. just a chapter... in a novel I am attempting to get started... Everytime I attempt to come up with ideas and outline a plot ... I always end up comparing my plot to my favorite fantesy (Harry Potter.. yes.. HP).. I want to write fiction fantasy in some way .. which would some way would probably involve magic but I always compare myself to these books that I love and really feel like I can't ever measure up like that so why try.. I also find myself comming up with "new" ideas only to read, google, or realize that its too close to ideas already used.. do i just not have the imagination for this? any advice?

 

[Lessien]

That happens to me all the time. My suggestion would be, while you're writing, to just ignore any other fantasy books out there. Just write. When you're done, you can compare all you want, but remember: Unless it's thinly veiled plagerism (yes, Paolini, I'm talking about the Inheritance trilogy), readers won't really notice if you inadvertantly copied the extreme basics of a plot or character.

 

[sunstruckdream]

just do your thing. if you focus on comparing your work, then it's more likely to pick up aspects of the work you're comparing it too. yeah, there's a lot of written work out there, but there's also no one else with your mind. just do your thing and have fun, and you'll come up with something that's truly yours.

 

[FriarErasmus]

In music, it has been said that there is no new song ever written, only rehashes of the old ones. The same can be said of literature, and pretty much all things in life. In Ecclesiastes 1:8-10(NIV) the Teacher says:
8 All things are wearisome,
more than one can say.
The eye never has enough of seeing,
nor the ear its fill of hearing. 9 What has been will be again,
what has been done will be done again;
there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which one can say,
"Look! This is something new"?
It was here already, long ago;
it was here before our time.



Just write what is in your heart, knowing that it is yours and yours alone, and know that it isn't just possible that it will be similar to another's... its almost inevitable. The key point is that it is new to you, it is yours, and your reader is very very unlikely to ever read the other book that is out there somewhere that tells the same or similar story, so it will be new to them as well.


I agree with sunstruckdream, in that the more you compare yourself, the more you are influenced by the work you are comparing yours to, and the less original yours will be.

Finally, I want to say this: even with all of what I said above, there is still hope for a completely original piece of work. Christ is the Creator, through him all things are created, therefor seek the creator for your inspiration, worship him with your gift of writing, and see how he births something new in your heart and mind.

Also, don't be afraid to throw out a few starts... I've thrown out 4 now on a book I've been writing for 7 years. Be encouraged in this: With Christ, all things are possible. He will guide you and lead you and show you the way to go.

 

[Tariel]

That happens to me all the time. My suggestion would be, while you're writing, to just ignore any other fantasy books out there. Just write. When you're done, you can compare all you want, but remember: Unless it's thinly veiled plagerism (yes, Paolini, I'm talking about the Inheritance trilogy), readers won't really notice if you inadvertantly copied the extreme basics of a plot or character.

I totally agree. Just remember....you are a unique person. As long as you focus on making your work your own, it will be unique. And neverever worry about "measuring up." It's something all writers go through. Constantly. You don't need to be the next Rowling to be great. You don't need to be the next anybody. You simply need to be yourself.

My friend has a quote on her door (I'm not sure where it's from) that says, "There's no dishonor in failing, there's dishoner in failing to try." Don't be afraid to write because you don't think your books are as good as other peoples. Never.