Feelings of competition with other writers?

[Luiglin]

Personally, whilst I thoroughly enjoy my time on Chrons and the occasional tweet conversations, I feel more inadequate rather than competitive in relation to other writers. I've found that the process of writing is a double edged blade, privately rewarding and publicly soul destroying. Building confidence and jerking it away. I suspect it's the same for any creative effort.

I'm certainly not envious of anyone who gets into print or racks up a digital sale. There are enough words for us to use and bright enough imaginations for us to play with to satisfy the hunger of all sorts of readers. If there is any competition it is to get our tales out there and in that respect the battles to be won are with the agents and publishers. Certainly not with each other.

For example, I recently won a short story competition that got published in the Judge Dredd Megazine, the sister comic of 2000AD, which I've read since 1978, both British based but published internationally. The immediate boost to my confidence was enormous. However, I certainly didn't feel in competition with the other writers who entered. I did though feel intensely lucky when I read one of the runner up entries which I thought was far superior to my own effort. As you can see I have enough competition with my own personal demons.

I'll support anyone who picks up a pen or taps on a keyboard those first words. In some ways they've won already.

 

[Steven Sorrels]

I'll support anyone who picks up a pen or taps on a keyboard those first words. In some ways they've won already.

Here, here!

 

[Cory Swanson]

In a certain way, the Internet is a great place for this. Let's make the Chrons the tide that raises all ships. You may end up elevating someone else, but who cares? Let's work towards great art together! I would personally feel great pride if I read something wonderful that I helped someone make better.

 

[Dan Jones]

Brilliant post, Luiglin.

 

[Ronald T.]

All I can say is this. Don't let the feeling that you're in competition become a stumbling block to the primary goal of improving your own writing. Instead, use it as the motivation to work harder, so that you'll be as good as, or even better than, the writers you enjoy and respect. As you improve, you'll be surprised how fast that sense of competition seems to fade. Just make sure that your desire to improve never does.

All my best to you, DZ.