Goals four V.38!

I think this is only the second time I've entered all four quarters in a year! The stories weren't all new, but I'm content with that--two were written for the contest (one of those being as an expansion of a previous Flash story), and the other two very heavily revised for their entry. And I got my first finalist berth in Q1, which is going to be my PB right up until I finally manage to win this thing...

So, all in all, I'm calling this year a success for me. I didn't intend or expect to write all brand new stories this year--in fact, my Q4 entry was one that I had planned to revise for resubmission as far back as Q1. But I'm in for all four, and I'm happy with every story that I entered.

Posted by: @axeminister

With less than 7 days remaining, I thought I'd check in on the Goals! four folks.

I’ve exceeded my goals for V38 of writing fresh each quarter. I didn’t find WotF until Q2, so I couldn’t get in all four quarters, but I’ve submitted a fresh story each quarter and felt pretty good about them.

I’ve exceeded my goals by writing and submitting ADDITIONAL stories to other markets. In this quarter alone I’ve gotten three additional fresh stories out there gathering rejection slips. Another one going out when a specific anthology opens next month.

Thanks to everyone in this forum for motivating me to push myself! Y’all rock!

@lost_bard Well done, David! 

This is the way.

My goals were modest. I met my v38 goals by submitting all 4 QTR.

I started to write KYDs as well.

I think I am improving craft with exchanges and workshops. I hope this is shown with results in 3rd and 4th QTR.

I'm waffling between two stories. One is in the 5k range, the other is less than 2k. The shorter of the two is the one I like the best.

Is bigger better?

@storysinger Best is better. ?

Posted by: @storysinger

I'm waffling between two stories. One is in the 5k range, the other is less than 2k. The shorter of the two is the one I like the best.

Is bigger better?

Definitely recommend going with the one you like best. That's the one you care about more, so theoretically that passion will have found it's way into the writing.  

I'm halfway to four submissions in v38 - Q3 and Q4, the latter a mere few minutes ago!

It's definitely a great goal to have and better to achieve, something to hit and get you writing even when you don't feel like it. Aiming for more than one submission this year was a bonus and I am already working on Q1 v39, so perhaps 2022 will be a 4/4 year?! Or does Q3,Q4(v38),Q1,Q2(v39) count too  

Posted by: @joel-c-scoberg

I'm halfway to four submissions in v38 - Q3 and Q4, the latter a mere few minutes ago!

It's definitely a great goal to have and better to achieve, something to hit and get you writing even when you don't feel like it. Aiming for more than one submission this year was a bonus and I am already working on Q1 v39, so perhaps 2022 will be a 4/4 year?! Or does Q3,Q4(v38),Q1,Q2(v39) count too  

Sure it counts! These are your goals. You’ve stretched yourself by doubling your writing this volume year. Pushing for 4-in-a-row is a great next goal. Then you’ll be halfway to 4/4 for V39, so that won’t be too much of a stretch either. Just keep writing!

Posted by: @storysinger

I'm waffling between two stories. One is in the 5k range, the other is less than 2k. The shorter of the two is the one I like the best.

Is bigger better?

Ah, the age old question...   

(LOL)

Posted by: @disgruntledpeony

Posted by: @storysinger

I'm waffling between two stories. One is in the 5k range, the other is less than 2k. The shorter of the two is the one I like the best.

Is bigger better?

Definitely recommend going with the one you like best. That's the one you care about more, so theoretically that passion will have found it's way into the writing.  

Though a little redundant given the stature of the folks preceding me, I echo Wulf and DP here--go with the one you like best all the way.  

The story I didn't send has me so far ahead of where I'm usually at, I have time to work on the map for a novel.

I did submit 4 stories for V38, but I was only half-successful in my V38 goal, which was essentially to draft early, so I could spend more time polishing/revising. That worked for Q1 & Q2, but not so much for Q3 & Q4. But the good news is that I have plans already in place for Q1 & Q2 of V39 (of course, they're the plans that I had for Q3 & Q4 of V38, but still...) and I'm excited about both of the stories that I'll be working on so I'm hoping that will motivate me to get started on them right away ?

Now that I'm officially in for Q4, I'm pleased to say that I met my goal to submit a fresh story every quarter!

As for writing at least five hours a week... not so much. Some months were good, others pretty much didn't exist. I'm seeing a positive trend, though, and am content with that for now.

Unfortunately, I didn't submit to any other markets this year, much less four. This year was just--too much. Too insane. However, I feel like I'm getting really, really close to being ready to send a couple of my stories out.

It's been great to see how all of you have been progressing on your goals as well. Onward to V39!

I successfully submitted in all four quarters for v38. I have a story I could sub just to have three in the system, but I like choosing closer to the deadline.

I got in new stories for all four quarters this year, but I'm starting off V39 with a revision.  I'm telling myself I've improved enough over the past year to make it worthwhile to revisit my rejection.