I have always told my writer friends about where I submit and upcoming things like contests, conferences and grant opportunities with my writer friends, and for the most part that do the same. But some people see everyone as too much competition and think they will have a better shot if their friends aren't submitting to the same things.
Last year I applied to Tin House's conference, but did not make the cut. (It's okay because I really could have afforded it at the time.) My friend did get in and went. She said it great, and I think her writing did improve. I was the one who originally said we should both apply. While I am a little jealous, I am still happy for her. And it was fun to apply together and make sure we both met the deadline. She has been very helpful with telling me about some of these things. And I want to do the same for her. I don't think we view each other as competition as much as we do friends. And I believe there is space in the literary world for both of us. I believe she feels the same way.
Recently, a different friend told me about a contest he was going to enter. I checked it out, and decided to submit something. After the deadline passed, he told me that he wasn't able to finish his piece on time. I told him I entered, and he seemed a little mad at me. I would like to think I could win, but all writing competitions are tough. I don't think he has any reason to be mad at me, but I doubt he will tell me about things like this in the future.
Why are some writers willing to share leads and contacts and others aren't? Which type of writer are you? And do any of you think I did something wrong by submitting to a competition another writer told me about? This all seems very childish to me. Am I missing something?
Last year I applied to Tin House's conference, but did not make the cut. (It's okay because I really could have afforded it at the time.) My friend did get in and went. She said it great, and I think her writing did improve. I was the one who originally said we should both apply. While I am a little jealous, I am still happy for her. And it was fun to apply together and make sure we both met the deadline. She has been very helpful with telling me about some of these things. And I want to do the same for her. I don't think we view each other as competition as much as we do friends. And I believe there is space in the literary world for both of us. I believe she feels the same way.
Recently, a different friend told me about a contest he was going to enter. I checked it out, and decided to submit something. After the deadline passed, he told me that he wasn't able to finish his piece on time. I told him I entered, and he seemed a little mad at me. I would like to think I could win, but all writing competitions are tough. I don't think he has any reason to be mad at me, but I doubt he will tell me about things like this in the future.
Why are some writers willing to share leads and contacts and others aren't? Which type of writer are you? And do any of you think I did something wrong by submitting to a competition another writer told me about? This all seems very childish to me. Am I missing something?
