[MR] reactions to competitions

[William Fleming]

Noble artisans and merry cousins,

The gentle Lady Rebecca the Contrary has raised a rather interesting topic.
Why are so many folk unwilling to compete in A&S contests?  Is it the desire
for victory that discourages those who have not won a competition?  Is it
fear of embarrassment that discourages the inexperienced?  I admit that I am
incapable of answering this question for others but I may easily answer it
from my own experience.

I am by nature a passionate and competitive person, as those who know me can
attest.  When I create a work of art I become emotionally attached to it
through the process of creation.  If I choose to place that creation before
the public I wish for them to appreciate it as I have come to appreciate
it.  It is my best work and should, I feel receive the plaudits of those who
see it.  Alas, that praise is not always forthcoming.  Indeed, I receive
more criticism than praise.  The more skill and knowledge I acquire the more
critique I receive.  WHY?!? --- because my knowledge has grown beyond that
of some of those who are standing in judgment and my skill has made my
efforts seem effortless.  This is why thorough documentation is so
important.  My judges may have a great knowledge of the works of Chaucer but
this does not necessarily mean that they are familliar with the Scottish
poets who used Rhyme Royal in their poetry or the subtle cultural
differences between the themes and styles in English and Scottish verse of
the 15th and 16th centuries.  I have also gotten to a point where I can
compose tales, tunes, and verse quickly (sometimes on the spot) though this
has taken me decades of study and practice others are not aware of it unless
I document my methods.  I love to win but victory is not the true goal of
competition.  Competition is a way of assessing the strengths and weaknesses
in our work, even if that weakness is that we did not adequately explain the
nature of our work.  The judgement of others can guide an artist toward the
unattainable goal of perfection even when that judgement is misinformed.
Judged contests are like philosophical dialogs in which knowledge and
ignorance discourse to reveal truth.

Though I am known mostly for my performance of tales and tunes, I have
dabbled in many arts in which my confidence is low.  I have created potent
beverages, wooden carvings, garments, jewelry, weapons, scrolls, and verse
and entered them all in competition.  It is true that I have lost more than
I have won and defeat has hurt me often and comments of judges have made me
feel shame but every contest has taught me something (even if it was that I
never want to dabble in a particular art again).  There are two pieces of
advice that any novice artisan should follow if they feel disapointed in the
results of a competition.  First, see if it is possible to speak with one of
the judges who reviewed your work.  It is sometimes very hard for a judge to
write what they mean in the limited space on a competition form.  Also, by
speaking to the judge you can get a better idea of the reasoning behind the
comments.  Second, either act as a judge in an A&S competition or ask if you
can assist the judges by taking notes or such.  In this way you will see the
contest from the perspective of the judges.

Even If you really stand no chance in a competition, you should compete!
Look at the Crown Lists,  there are many honorable warriors who are doomed
to be clubbed like a baby seal, yet they compete!  Are the artists of this
fair realm any less couragious than the warriors.  Are we not often one and
the same!  Then raise your pens, your swords, your chisels, your poleaxes,
your voices and enter into the list or A&S competitions.  You have nothing
to lose but your ignorance and glory can be yours!

--Lord Ruaidhri an Cu, Royal Bard of Atlantia (not because I am the best but
because I tried)