Today I hit the half-century mark for birthdays and so far it feels great. I've never been one to take much notice of age, nor act it. But I expect you want an update on that target I set? Hmm, in two months I've had one more story accepted for publication (not a great average), taking me to 46. I'm still blaming the novel for taking my attention away from short stories. One more week and I reckon it will be ready to submit in earnest. Then I'm looking forward to reading and writing more short stories (and I need to get on with my MA dissertation, but that's another story...).
Also I've been wondering about the goal I'd set ... I was aiming for 50 stories published by today. What I should have aimed for was 50 publishing credits. A number of stories have been published in several places ... so if I use that criteria then I've already exceeded 50 credits. That's not cheating is it?
(LitPig: "Yes, I really think it is!")
No, it isn't!
ReplyDeleteI always count each publication as a separate hit - it's someone else who thought it was good enough to publish, so that's good enough for me.
Happy Birthday!
Thank you, Bernadette. I'm glad you agree.
DeleteDoes it matter? In my experience, working towards a goal is more important than achieving it; I trained for a half marathon last year, but got injured 3/4 weeks before and couldn't race, but without the goal I would never have improved my fitness and enjoyed the psychological benefits of running. I was disappointed at the time, but now I realise the race didn't matter and I've no plans to enter a race anytime soon — but I am running again and intend to keep improving. Would you have published so many stories without your goal? Would you have felt as motivated and excited about writing? If not, the goal did its job regardless of whether you decide you've achieved it or not.
ReplyDeleteWise words, Hayley. I think you've hit the nail here in that the setting the goal & working towards it is more important than achieving it. This is what works for me. I don't achieve half as much without a target.
DeleteI reckon you've achieved that goal, Tracy - and happy birthday! Great to even do that while you're studying and doing dissertations etc.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosemary :)
DeleteI'm with Hayley on answering this one...having a goal in the first place has spurred you on to do so much that you may not have done, had you not set the goal.
ReplyDeleteWell done, and Happy birthday!
Thanks, Maria. Yes, I think she's right too. I need goals otherwise I just faff about!
DeleteI don't think it's cheating. Actually I think you deserve extra credit for having some pieces published more than once.
ReplyDeleteAh bless you oh wise, Patsy. I have mini targets of getting into certain publications so the more credits the better.
DeleteNot cheating at all!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Wendy. Though I thought I'd get my trotters slapped from you for shifting the goal posts!
DeleteIt definitely isn't cheating, I'm sure. The person who sets the goal also retains jurisdiction over necessary adjustments.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a lovely birthday. xxx
Thank you, Joanna. What sensible words. I had a terrific birthday with my family - was spoiled rotten. :) x
DeleteDefiniltey not cheating. Take success wherever you can. Now, what's next?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Julia. Yes, now onto the next goal :)
DeleteStories published more than once proves how good they are, Tracy. Well done, you're working hard.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. That's a good point.
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