Books Quote by Matt de la Pena
“When I'm there, it's pure silence. There are other writers there, too, and I get super competitive. I have this weird fear that some guy next to me is writing this amazing novel, so I got to compete.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Literary Podcast, 2021
Creative competition can trigger anxiety, but also fuels productivity and artistic growth.
In simple terms: Competition sparks creativity.
Key Takeaway
Channel rivalry into focus.
Themes
creativity
competition
psychology
writing
motivation
Mood
reflective
energetic
Type
motivational
psychological
When to use this quote
- writing workshops
- author meet‑ups
- deadline environments
Key Concepts
performance pressure
self‑doubt
creative drive
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance competition with collaboration?
- What strategies calm creative anxiety?
A Different Perspective
Too much rivalry may hinder collaboration.
![“The second book, which was probably more from a professional standpoint - when I read Junot Díaz's Drown, I was like, Oh my god, you can write these stories and people will actually read them beyond your own little community. This guy's book is blowing up and it seems like [he's writing about] the…” quote by Matt de la Pena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d3b/matt-de-la-pena-15023_big-deal_the-second-book-which-was-probably-more_679824.jpg)
