I wanted to do something different with my Author Blog. Instead of me sharing my ideas, thoughts, and snippets, I invited one of my favorite writers, Karen E. Osborne, to write a guest post. And I have to admit, Karen is one of my favorite people. Caring, supportive, giving, all of my favorite attributes in a person.
Karen E. Osborne is an award-winning and Amazon best-selling author of five suspense novels–Reckonings (family drama), Tangled Lies (murder mystery), Getting It Right (Sibling drama), True Grace (historical fiction), and Justice for Emerson (a dual timeline murder mystery).
She believes in giving back. Every week, she hosts a video podcast, What Are You Reading? What Are You Writing? supporting fellow authors. She is an Elder in her church, volunteers for several professional organizations supporting nonprofits, and feeds the hungry and unhoused.
While she always prayed one day she’d become a published author, it didn’t happen until age 69 following a career in philanthropy, education, and nonprofits that took her to five continents.
Native New Yorkers living in Florida, Karen and her husband, Robert, have two grown children and three grandsons.
Here is Karen’s post: The Lie We Tell Ourselves: The Author Comparison Syndrome.
“If she can do it, so can I.” Perhaps you’ve said this to yourself. I admit I have. A writer friend found an agent. Two others made it into People Magazine. Why can’t I? But here’s the thing. It’s a half-truth that harms authors. A symptom of the author comparison syndrome.
Some writers find comparison inspiring. Motivational speakers use it all the time. “Check-out what I achieved. You can too if you…” It’s a false promise because it ignores context and circumstances. It assumes equal inputs will cause similar outcomes. Worse, it turns success (or lack of) into a judgment about your skills, or commitment, or work ethic.
My friend Cheryl McKissick’s debut memoir came out in August, and she’s already sold 16,000 copies. I’m proud of her. Happy. Are there lessons I can learn from her success rather than trying to replicate? Marketing strategy, using her network for in-person appearances, focusing on the book’s messages rather than the book itself? That’s a healthy response. When you stay curious, you succeed.
Let’s Move from the Author Comparison Syndrome to What the Numbers Say
Less than 1% of writers become bestsellers, and only 10% sell over 2,000 copies. Most authors, according to Nielsen BookScan, sell fewer than 1,000 copies over the book’s published existence. Cheryl beat the odds.
Writing is a joy, and finishing a book is a significant accomplishment. The research tells us, only 3% of the people who start writing a book finish. Of those who complete a manuscript, 1-2% get published by a traditional publisher. Before I received an enthusiastic yes, my second novel, Tangled Lies, had 78 rejections.
Publishing success depends on many factors.
* Timing
* Trends
* Agents and editors’ personal preferences and interpretations of the market
* Luck (yes, luck) among other factors.
More Potential Downside to the Author Comparison Syndrome
Comparisons can steal joy, skew focus, squelch risk-taking, and silence your voice. An author-friend became despondent because someone she thought was a lesser writer received a contract and she did not. She stopped writing for over two years. Another quit submitting manuscripts because rejection hurt, and others received yeses, making the pain more poignant.
Comparison isn’t always wrong. Sometimes the best person to compare yourself to is you. Did you write more pages this week than last? Is this book selling better than your last one? Some people even grade their rejection letters. Did the editor say nice things about your writing even though your submission wasn’t right for them at this time?
The Healthy Alternative and How to Beat Author Comparison Syndrome
Be curious, not covetous. Ask how, not why not me. And protect yourself from conveying negative attributes to the writer who is succeeding (by whatever factors you used to measure success). “She only received that because she…”
Another approach helps me, especially when I slip into the syndrome. I’ve added gratitude to my mix. Gratitude is a strategy. It is the opposite of comparison. Not every book is for everyone. When you are grateful for your micro steps, for whatever success you’ve achieved (as defined by you), you embrace a sustainable model that keeps you going and enjoying the journey.
Consider Reframing Success
Scrutinize how you’re defining accomplishments. Examine your goals. And think about including:
* Writing for 15 minutes a day
* Finishing your manuscript
* Completing a rewrite
* Submitting to magazines, agents, or small presses
* Improving your craft
* Writing the second and third
Be grateful for all you’ve achieved and happy for your fellow writers. Celebrate yourself and others. You can beat the author comparison syndrome. Keep rising and writing!
Wise Words Indeed! I have read and reviewed her book, Justice for Emerson, and I have to say it is one of my favorite books. A great mystery with solid, likeable characters and a twist or two that will keep you guessing.
I want to thank Karen for taking the time to write a meaningful and impactful post. To find out more about Karen, check out her website at:
Karen E. Osborne Bio—www.KarenEOsborne.com
If you are interested in any of my ten books, all thriller-crime-mystery with a coming-of-age thread woven within, check out my website at www.jrlewisauthor.com
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