--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sure, I have advice for people starting…" description: "\"Sure, I have advice for people starting to write. Don't. I don't need the competition.\" — Robert B. Parker" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/robert-b-parker-2608_advice_sure-i-have-advice-for-people-starting-t_894186.png" --- # Sure, I have advice for people starting to write. Don't. I… ![“Sure, I have advice for people starting to write. Don't. I don't need the competition.” quote by Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/robert-b-parker-2608_advice_sure-i-have-advice-for-people-starting-t_894186.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/robert-b-parker-2608_advice_sure-i-have-advice-for-people-starting-t_894186.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bd/robert-b-parker-2608_advice_sure-i-have-advice-for-people-starting-t_894186.png) > “Sure, I have advice for people starting to write. Don't. I don't need the competition.” [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. New writers should avoid competing with established authors; focus on originality. **In simple terms:** Don’t compete, create your own voice. Key Takeaway Cultivate unique style before seeking competition. Themes creativity writing originality Mood encouraging reflective Type advice motivational When to use this quote - creative writing workshops - self‑publishing - literary criticism Key Concepts literary craft authorial voice Questions to Reflect On - What defines your unique voice? - How can you learn from others without copying? A Different Perspective Competition can motivate improvement if healthy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) [Advice People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice-people/) [Competition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competition/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting/) [Starting Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting-write-632785/) [Sure Advice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sure-advice-1178463/) [Write](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/write/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [He who is surety is never sure himself. Take advice, and never be security for more than you are quite willing to lose. Remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/he-who-is-surety-is-never-sure-himself-take-advice-and-never-be/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [Sure, I could give advice; I could, say, travel the world, listen to music. But all I can really say is do something you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-morris/sure-i-could-give-advice-i-could-say-travel-the-world-listen-to-music/) [Mark Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-morris/) > [Writing is harder than anything else; at least starting to write is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-hunter/writing-is-harder-than-anything-else-at-least-starting-to-write-is/) [Kristin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-hunter/) > [As I tell my intro creative writing students, after reading someone you love, wait at least an hour before starting to write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-healy/as-i-tell-my-intro-creative-writing-students-after-reading-someone/) [Matthew Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-healy/) > [“Unfortunately, many people suffer from BPS - Blank Page Syndrome. Let's face it: starting to write is scary. Seeing the cursor blinking at you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefanie-weisman/unfortunately-many-people-suffer-from-bps-blank-page-syndrome-let-s/) [Stefanie Weisman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefanie-weisman/) > [If you want help in starting to write memoirs, you don't want to fall into the clutches of a famous writer who has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-barrington/if-you-want-help-in-starting-to-write-memoirs-you-don-t-want-to-fall/) [Judith Barrington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-barrington/) > [“When writers who are just starting out ask me when it gets easier, my answer is never. It never gets easier. I don’t want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dani-shapiro/when-writers-who-are-just-starting-out-ask-me-when-it-gets-easier-my/) [Dani Shapiro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dani-shapiro/) > [I get up at 5.30am, sluice myself and have two Weetabix and some mint tea, before starting to write by 6am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-motion/i-get-up-at-5-30am-sluice-myself-and-have-two-weetabix-and-some-mint/) [Andrew Motion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-motion/) > [I was starting to write and I was like, Okay, I'm going to cast myself in my own thing.' You have so many of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-dynevor/i-was-starting-to-write-and-i-was-like-okay-i-m-going-to-cast-myself/) [Phoebe Dynevor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-dynevor/) > [“After reading someone you love, wait at least an hour before starting to write”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matty-healy/after-reading-someone-you-love-wait-at-least-an-hour-before-starting/) [Matty Healy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matty-healy/) > [I'm really interested in starting to write my own songs. I never really did, but hopefully I will because I'm so interested in writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-bradbery/i-m-really-interested-in-starting-to-write-my-own-songs-i-never/) [Danielle Bradbery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-bradbery/) > [It's good for people to be able to see an archive of an artist learning how to write and getting better, especially for teenagers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frankie-cosmos/it-s-good-for-people-to-be-able-to-see-an-archive-of-an-artist/) [Frankie Cosmos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frankie-cosmos/) > [I do have trouble starting books. I have ideas that I have trouble starting to write. But I'm the kind of person who tends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-voigt/i-do-have-trouble-starting-books-i-have-ideas-that-i-have-trouble/) [Cynthia Voigt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-voigt/) > [I start my process hand written, and then I dump it in. It's like you're getting a second draft 'cause when I put it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerard-way/i-start-my-process-hand-written-and-then-i-dump-it-in-it-s-like-you/) [Gerard Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerard-way/) > [I love research so much that I do an enormous amount; it helps put off the moment of starting to write the story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-garner/i-love-research-so-much-that-i-do-an-enormous-amount-it-helps-put-off/) [Alan Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-garner/) ## More by Robert B. Parker > [“I always loved it when I had a story to tell her, because her attention was complete and felt like sunlight.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/i-always-loved-it-when-i-had-a-story-to-tell-her-because-her/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [Writer's block? I've never heard of a plumber complain about plumber's block.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/writer-s-block-i-ve-never-heard-of-a-plumber-complain-about-plumber-s/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [I had achieved the most important things in my life when I married Joan and had the sons. Given the choice between Joan and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/i-had-achieved-the-most-important-things-in-my-life-when-i-married/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [Joan organizes our social life, and on weekends I follow her around.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/joan-organizes-our-social-life-and-on-weekends-i-follow-her-around/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [“Sandy’s face was very close to mine in the crowded room. She had a wide mouth and a lot of teeth. She had turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/sandy-s-face-was-very-close-to-mine-in-the-crowded-room-she-had-a/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [“And Quirk’s a captain now,” he said. “Captain Quirk?” The motorcycle cop grinned. “Captain Quirk,” he said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/and-quirk-s-a-captain-now-he-said-captain-quirk-the-motorcycle-cop/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [Both our opinions are rooted in our experience," I said. "Both of them are true, it's just that we've had different experiences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/both-our-opinions-are-rooted-in-our-experience-i-said-both-of-them/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [“I think you’ve never quite altogether forgiven yourself for that woman in Los Angeles all that time ago.” “Candy Sloan,” I said. Susan nodded.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/i-think-you-ve-never-quite-altogether-forgiven-yourself-for-that/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [If you want to write, write it. That's the first rule. And send it in, and send it in to someone who can publish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/if-you-want-to-write-write-it-that-s-the-first-rule-and-send-it-in/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [“Susan had decided to sit by the pool at the hotel with a copy of a book by Alice Miller called The Drama of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/susan-had-decided-to-sit-by-the-pool-at-the-hotel-with-a-copy-of-a/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [“called Evan Malone at the number Epstein had given me and got his wife, and made an appointment to come up to his place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/called-evan-malone-at-the-number-epstein-had-given-me-and-got-his/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [I have reached the point where I know that as long as I sit down to write, the ideas will come. What they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/i-have-reached-the-point-where-i-know-that-as-long-as-i-sit-down-to/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [“Can you analyze our relationship in the light of Silvermanian pragmatism?” I said. “I love you because I find it compelling to be loved…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/can-you-analyze-our-relationship-in-the-light-of-silvermanian/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [“Pearl eyed a man and woman walking by in funny hats. Her whole body stiffened with the desire to bark at them. Mine too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/pearl-eyed-a-man-and-woman-walking-by-in-funny-hats-her-whole-body/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) > [“I’m sleeping with a Harvard grad,” I said. “The Emory of the North,” Becker said.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-parker/i-m-sleeping-with-a-harvard-grad-i-said-the-emory-of-the-north-becker/) [Robert B. Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) [Explore all 151 Robert B. Parker quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-parker/) ## More Advice quotes > [The sensible person is always serious about sensible advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-sensible-person-is-always-serious-about-sensible-advice/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) > [I ask for tips, for advice. What I have also learnt is that I need to do things that are good for me. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthijs-de-ligt/i-ask-for-tips-for-advice-what-i-have-also-learnt-is-that-i-need-to/) [Matthijs de Ligt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthijs-de-ligt/) > [Don't get too attached to someone you know you can't be together with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/don-t-get-too-attached-to-someone-you-know-you-can-t-be-together-with/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [A low-minded person should not be given good advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/a-low-minded-person-should-not-be-given-good-advice/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The worst advice? 'Don't listen to the critics.' I think that you really ought to listen to the critics, because sometimes they're telling you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/the-worst-advice-don-t-listen-to-the-critics-i-think-that-you-really/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [When I was in my twenties and just so sexually prolific, the first time I went to Machu Picchu, this guy, a spiritual teacher,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/woody-harrelson/when-i-was-in-my-twenties-and-just-so-sexually-prolific-the-first/) [Woody Harrelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/woody-harrelson/) > [The best way to succeed in this world is to act on the advice you give to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-best-way-to-succeed-in-this-world-is-to-act-on-the-advice-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Time is priceless. You have it, but you don't own it. You spend it, but you can't keep it. And once it's gone, there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/time-is-priceless-you-have-it-but-you-don-t-own-it-you-spend-it-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You don't need to take a persons advice to make him feel good, just ask him for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/you-don-t-need-to-take-a-persons-advice-to-make-him-feel-good-just/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) > [Some of the things that we hold onto the most, are the things that we need to let go of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryaj-ablando-catayas/some-of-the-things-that-we-hold-onto-the-most-are-the-things-that-we/) [Ryaj Ablando Catayas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryaj-ablando-catayas/) > [“If your clothes are enough to drive would-be friends away, they're not the kind of friends you want." Typical mother advice. Sweet, honest, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aprilynne-pike/if-your-clothes-are-enough-to-drive-would-be-friends-away-they-re-not/) [Aprilynne Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aprilynne-pike/) > [“My kingdom not for a horse, but for a good piece of advice!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/my-kingdom-not-for-a-horse-but-for-a-good-piece-of-advice/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I always advise people not to act upon the advice that I give them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/i-always-advise-people-not-to-act-upon-the-advice-that-i-give-them/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-fare-that-s-darned-good-advice/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [My relationship with Ibrahimovic was completely neutral. He is not the type of player to approach the younger players and give them advice. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kingsley-coman/my-relationship-with-ibrahimovic-was-completely-neutral-he-is-not-the/) [Kingsley Coman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kingsley-coman/) [Browse all 8,535 Advice quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/advice/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sure, I have advice for people starting to write. Don't. I don't need the competition.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert B. 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