Editorial Op-Ed | Writing Competitions
Illuminating My Thoughts on the Writer’s Challenge and Whether We Should Consider Competing
In life, our decisions are everything
Dear Writers,
You must have read about the writer’s challenge by now. If you haven’t, here is the link.
Many senior editors of ILLUMINATION, such as Agnes Laurens and Liam Ireland, have sounded their war bugle.
They have my utmost respect.
I have decided not to participate.
These are the decision variables I have taken into consideration:
- Time-Energy equation.
- Respecting the competition.
- Why I am here in the first place and staying focused.
Zulie Rane and David Majester have written their opinion-piece on this topic. There are some viewpoints I echo. I will not repeat them. Feel free to read their stories here and here.
Instead, this story focuses on my personal thought processes. It might be of use to you for making your decision to compete or not.
Time-Energy Equation — Make a Choice and Go All-In
I am a simple bloke.
There are things I want to achieve. Once I set my mind to it, I will go and do it. It applies to my work, personal development, and the medals I want to accumulate and bring with me into the afterlife.
Competitions, in my opinion, require hefty investments measured in time. We have to be thoughtful in making such decisions.
I was the silver medallist in the 2015 National Competition for the non-professional relay category in Triathlon and Duathlon. I had to forsake my marathon training to train for intensity for these 2 competitions.
Piling a marathon training block on top of a competitive-based regime is a guaranteed formula for burnout and physical injuries.
I might be injured even before I start. I don’t want to go there because I have been grounded for a year because of Achilles Tendonitis.
Not a good feeling.
So, I chose to take marathon training out and insert a competition-intense training regime into my day.
We do not get physical injuries from writing. However, we do suffer from burnout.
Especially when we attempt to write for daily income plus the competition.
Make a choice.
Respecting the Competition
Simply put — I am not good enough.
Every young upstart in sports dreams to be an Olympian. It is what they think about, and this is how they carry themselves through grueling training.
It takes 4 years to stand on the biggest stage in sports. For competitors in Tokyo Olympics, it was 5.
Many superstar writers took months and years to get to where they are. Battle-scars have to be respected, in my opinion.
This Writer’s Olympics is by entry, not selection or qualification. Everyone can participate, just like events for the masses such as marathons and triathlons.
These are the odds I am dealt with if I choose to compete:
- The win rate is going to be low, maybe around the ballpark of 1/500,000.
- The podium rate is going to be low, maybe around the ballpark of 3/500,000.
- The odds of getting into the Top 10 is about 10/500,000.
Note: 500,000 is an arbitrary denominator just to illustrate the vast pool of competitors from this platform.
I have no doubts many A-Listers will compete and therefore spend more time on sharpening their entry pieces.
Agnes Laurens and Liam Ireland will disappear into the woods to sharpen their axes and appear when they are ready to decimate the competition.
I will focus on my regular writing and have readers read my stories while the A-Listers disappear to compete.
Those who move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out.
Why I Am Here in the First Place and Staying Focused
I am here to write better so I can crave a potential future career from writing.
- No doubt, winning the Writer’s Olympics will propel my career ahead.
- No doubt, winning the Writer’s Olympics will supercharge the traction of my stories.
- No doubt, winning the Writer’s Olympics will get me more gigs.
That is not why I am here in the first place.
I am here to learn how to write, express my ideas coherently, and learn to build an audience base with my words.
Although I have been invited to editorial boards and have a couple of Top Writer badges under my name, I have yet achieved what I set out to in the first place.
Therefore, I pass.
For Our Writers at Illumination
Do choose your focus.
Many of us write on top of our day jobs. Me included. It takes a lot of energy to compete, to write daily, and to juggle life.
We have to choose our sacrifice.
- Jordan Peterson, 12 Rules for Life
It is okay not to compete, especially when you are not ready. Take time to sharpen your axe, learn from others, eat some mushrooms to level up before throwing your hat into the ring.
Achievement requires a heavy time investment. Invest wisely.
And of course, for those who choose to wrestle the bull in the ring — All the best to you!
If you need support, feel free to reach out to our senior editors (Agnes Laurens and Liam Ireland) for competition preparation tips.
They will be the best candidates to guide you along.
Summary
I hope you enjoyed this editorial op-ed.
I write this piece for the benefit of ILLUMINATION’s writers, and all the best should you choose to compete in the Writer’s Olympics.
No matter what the results are, stand tall and be proud of your achievements.
Happy Writing, People.
Aldric
Dr Mehmet Yildiz Liam Ireland Agnes Laurens Maria Rattray Terry L. Cooper Carol Price Dr. Preeti Singh Josh Balerite Acol Claire Kelly Karen Madej Britni Pepper Geetika Sethi Noorain Hassan, BMS Tree Langdon The Maverick Files Esther George
As a content contributor, I write my observations from daily life and my business exposure. Because our life experience is the bedrock of our unique perspectives.
