Why I Don’t Enter Writing Competitions

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Why I Don’t Enter Writing Competitions

enter writing competitions

I don’t enter writing competitions because as an Author, I’m too busy writing.

Now that I summed up the “why” for you, let me explain further.

There was a day when bushy hair and a few extra pounds made me feel like the ugliest of all the ducklings. I’ll admit it, I sought acceptance. More than that, I was dreaming of the day that I would wear the proverbial crown. Then something magical happened. I came into my own. I grew taller, lost the weight and learned to tame my hair. I started to see life differently. I started to see myself differently, in that, I wasn’t out to impress anyone, my new goal was to love myself fully and completely.

When I wrote my first book, I was hesitant to let anyone read it but not for the reasons you might think. I was scared that my material would be reproduced. I was unaware that I was protected by copyright laws. At one point, I even mailed myself a hard copy version of the book (that was still written on 8 1/2 x 11 sized sheets of paper!) I was still that insecure, odd duck.

Then, one day, with a little coaxing from my husband, I published it (and ten more books after it). My new goal became to try and share the love as far and wide as possible. Residing in Ottawa, Canada, I don’t consider myself an “Ottawa Author”, I consider myself an Author, period. I want to conquer the world, so to speak, and not just a tiny corner of it. I write my words for everyone to have a chance to read them and enjoy them and take something from them that they can lock in their hearts, forever.

I am not in competition with anyone but myself. I tell myself to reach a certain goal and I do. I tell myself to tackle a new genre and I delve right in. In short, I’m an Author of words and not seeking acceptance, or the kind of popularity that comes with a crown, nor am I writing for the sake of writing to reach a financial goal. I am an Author just as a Brain Surgeon is a Doctor. The doctor’s only mission is to save lives. My only mission is to enrich them.

You might have noticed that I like to capitalize the word “Author”. That is because I consider it a title. Just as the Doctor has earned his M.D., I feel I’ve earned my title as someone serious about the art of word weaving.

A little healthy competition is acceptable, some might argue. I would clarify my stance and tell them, writing is tantamount to uphold my “title” and nary a competition can take that title away from me. I’m no less an Author if I win amongst my peers or lose, for the ugly duckling now reigns in a different realm – one where the quill defines the prize.

I do not know where I stand in the race of life, nor do I care. I am free to write and that is the greatest reward of all.




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5.0 Rating From 4 Reviews.
on 18, Apr 2018
Nicely written.
Alex
on 18, Apr 2018
So interesting to understand the reason behind you being an AUTHOR!!! And a great one at that!
Nicole
on 20, Apr 2018
This is an amazing read. You have the talent that makes you a special Author with a capital “A”. Barbara Avon, you inspire us with every word that you write!! Never let your ink dry!
Colette Brisebois
on 23, Mar 2019
Sorry Barbara, It might have been better if this illogically argued article had not been written. So the reason you don’t enter competitions is because you are too busy writing! Come on; it takes less that 15 minutes to enter most of them. So I am afraid I don’t buy that one at all. You go on to say, “You might have noticed that I like to capitalize the word “Author”. That is because I consider it a title. Just as the Doctor has earned his M.D., I feel I’ve earned my title as someone serious about the art of word weaving.” Nothing wrong in being proud of being an writer, but …. have you earned your title? Our doctor HAS earned his MD. Would you, when ill, be happy going to a doctor who has NOT earned his MD? I suspect not. So I think comparing a doctor’s MD with your self-awarded qualification is perhaps a bit rich. OK, qualifications and awards are not the be-all and end-all, but if one’s work has been judged by at least one’s peers and/or those who have long standing and experience in their field, this is, I would suggest of more value than being judged by non-qualified amateur bloggers. Let’s be honest, both you and I would be chuffed to bits if our work won a “Gold Award for Best ….” And, our would-be readers would have something approaching a literary equivalent to the doctor’s MD with which to judge our work. Good luck.
Leslie

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