Defining the Dreaded Pros

Ah, comparisons. I hate them. And yet I fall prey to making them constantly in regards to my writing and writing habits. I’m probably the worst in the case of the terrifying, the unspeakably horrifying…professional writers.

Defining the Dreaded Pros

You might not know who I mean. As someone newer to writing communities and meeting other authors and editors, I’ve encountered this kind of writer a couple of times and been scared to death of them. Whether we’ve even interacted or not, it doesn’t matter; I occasionally get intimidated. They’re the writers who probably have published their work in some way and many-a-time, have a fancy blog that they manage to maintain, have entered and won many-a-contest, are amazing at networking, and with all of this, when you read their content, you’re floored at how natural their words sound. They’re fast, consistent, confident, and just really good at what they do.

I would find these guys a lot—on blogs, in Facebook groups, in writing podcasts, even at times in my writing partner and friend. And when I did, I’d then look at my writing, my workspace, my habits while writing, or just my life. It didn’t feel very encouraging to see people naturally write stuff so well, and then not even see them struggle much with editing. People tell me writers should make time to write, and the pros do it flawlessly, it appears. I end up losing sleep and sanity where the only space I’m really able to make time and find motivation (sometimes) in is during the later hours of the night. I end up sad and writing things I dislike while trying to mature and get more professional with what I’m doing and writing.

The Reality

We ought to confront this issue. I can’t be alone in struggling with the constant comparisons Satan encourages me to make with the writing experts. Let’s start by asking an important question: Are these professionals actually real? Perhaps that’s the mistake I (and possibly you, dear reader who might relate) am making here— assuming these flawless writers with amazing stories/blogs/whatever, healthy habits, and a well-managed life do exist. I’m not saying there aren’t skilled writers, or people more experienced in the field than I. Nor would I dare say there isn’t such a thing as brilliant, talented writers. But what I’m saying is that there’s no such thing as these perfect writers who have it all together. We’re all made by the same Creator in Heaven, and are imperfect humans who’ve all fallen before. This doesn’t make me feel better than pros at all. It just reminds me, we’re in the same difficult boat that is the writing biz. We all have our struggles (sometimes ones that we might not reveal). The only perfect writer I truly know is God with His word and plans for the world. So let’s get down to business and meet with these fellow imperfect writers, and face the fear of professionals.

Fear not; know God’s bigger

First, let’s remind ourselves again, they’re human, just like you and I, dear reader. They aren’t the almighty writing gods who have come to smite us for our lesser-than abilities. They are potential friends, partners, and of course, fellow writers. We can learn from them about what they might be more experienced in, as opposed to feeling too “not-enough” for conversation with them. We’re all imperfect, yet gifted in our own ways by a perfect God.

Second, we forget that writing is an art as we seek to write the best story with the best characters and the best meaning. Best, best, best. We get caught up in things like it’s a contest. Art’s subjective, and to my fellow Christian authors, remember, your book is not the Bible. Only God can use your story by His will to impact someone…and even then! It’s nothing compared to His word. That’s not to say you should write whatever and just hope God uses it, though. Seek to honor Him in what you make, by consulting Him on it.

The best part is, because God is so perfect in our imperfection, He’s glorified. We can put our self-worth not in our own abilities, but in what God’s truth about us is. He wants us to glorify Him in all we do too, so if I try writing to seem more professional, and succeed, but have written something against all God’s called me to do, with complete disobedience to and disregard for Him, have I really succeeded in anything? Is it really about my own success? No! It’s about glorifying my Creator in all I do (Colossians 3:1-4). So know who the real God is, and don’t be scared of men, but seek what God’s calling you to do. He’ll give you the strength to do it, and if you don’t feel capable, that’s okay. I once heard a friend of mine say, “God doesn’t just call the prepared, but He prepares the called.” It’s about God’s ability in completing His will. Not yours (2 Corinth. 3:4-6).

Be led by God in what you write—not your fears of other people.

That’s why I say, have fun, be nice with the other writers, make friends, and remember to listen to God through it all.

How have you dealt with comparisons in the past (or in the present)? What are some ways you try to shift your focus back to God’s perfection and glory instead of what you’re doing in your writing by your abilities?

(Photo cred: Google Images (original source: imgur))

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Heidi Melo is a human being that enjoys pizza and the idea of long walks on the beach (by herself. Maybe with pizza.). 12 years of her life consisted of being a missionary kid in Central Europe, but she now resides in the U.S., scribbling and playing keyboard and ukulele. Sometimes she does the writing thing, other times she does the drawing thing. She does a lot of things.Though she’s often not sure what she’s doing or where she’s headed, Jesus has saved and is teaching her imperfect, human self each day. Heidi has written multiple short stories, worked on a collaborative project in the past, and usually is found in penguin-print pajamas, with a mug of tea, scribbling people, places, things, and ideas to life.