I’ve found it much easier to write when I have a focussed entry or competition to write for. Sure, I still really enjoy writing outside of those circumstances, but ultimately my focus is drawn to kids, work or the other day to day aspects of life.
It doesn’t even really matter what type of competition it is. Recently I’ve submitted a microfiction entry to NYC Midnight and a 500 word article to World of Interiors. I had to pay for the NYC Midnight one and the WoI one was free. I’ll post both stories when I’m permitted to. Likely it will be after I have been confirmed as unsuccessful.
This doesn’t bother me though. The prompts from each spurred me to write something. I’m not sure if I’m any good at writing and yet it’s something I very much enjoy doing and have tried to do for decades now. So, I’m happy.
I would encourage others to do the same. There are tons of competitions out there.
Paid, free, published, unpublished.
It’s all out there.
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I find it almost impossible to write without a gun to my head, and very difficult to write with a gun to my head.
My competition results are sad proof of this sad reality
Not any success myself but I do like the prompts and the motivation! Someday, maybe.