By Caroline Clemmons
Confession time—I can’t help comparing myself to other authors. Not the ones who quit, that would be too simple. No, I compare myself to the super-successful indie writers who make six and seven figure in royalties each year. Idiot. I started out in the writing business wanting to be the next Nora Roberts. Ha ha. To say I haven’t made it is an understatement.
This past Sunday, our minister said that
comparing ourselves to others is a form of vanity. Ouch! It isn’t the fame or
financial success I envy (although that would be wonderful), it’s the ability
to sell books. We pour our hearts into the books we write. If they don’t sell
well, the rejection stings. More than stings, it’s a knife to the heart of our
creativity.
Recently, I released a new book which I
was certain would be a success. It’s heroine is feisty and hero is strong and
successful, and there's an HEA ending. But, it isn’t selling very well. I’ve done all the
usual things to promote it, yet it still isn’t selling. How does this make me
feel? I can’t help feeling like I’ve failed somehow. It’s personal.
The thing I (we) have to remember is
that each of us is a unique being with special gifts. Not just one gift, but
many. Perhaps one stands out most and/or brings us the most fulfillment, but we
have many talents. And, we aren’t competing with others—we are in competition with
ourselves to keep improving, to feel fulfilled, to accomplish our personal best.
I don’t like boxing, but I remember
Mohamed Ali’s mantra, “I am the greatest!” If I’ve done my best and written the
best book I can, then that is success, the greatest I can be. How can I do
better than my best?
I challenge you to say the same to
yourself: I am the greatest I can be!
By
the way, my last release is Sidney and the Mail Order Bride, Book 6, Texas Hill
Country Mail Order Brides, a sweet western historical romance. Sidney Garton wrote a matchmaker and requested
a bride who could cook, keep house, and help him in his mercantile store. Antoinette
Fournier has been trained to be the wife of a wealthy man and knows only how to
manage servants. She proves she’s made of tougher stuff than she or Sidney
imagined when Sidney has a serious accident and she must take charge of the
store. She’s able to confront a would-be robber, but the criminal has sworn
revenge.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNTP95FD
Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy our April showers.
I could have written this. I feel the same way and my books have the same results. But, yeah, we are the greatest! Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteI read Sidney and it was a great book! You will always be the greatest in my eyes and my heart- you know that. One of the things I learned a long time ago- "Comparison is the thief of Joy." but we all do it. <3
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