Writing goals

I set myself a number of writing goals for 2017 at the beginning of this year. This week I achieved one of them, but is it really an achievement to celebrate?

I've read in a number of articles, when sending out your best work to publishers, to aim for 100 rejections. The premise is that it's tough getting any writing accepted and in aiming to receive 100 rejections, it's likely that there may be a success or two where work is accepted amidst the rejections.

I've defined a 'rejection' as a letter, compliments slip or email saying 'thanks, but no thanks' or an unsuccessful competition entry, or the absence of any response after what's deemed by the publisher/ agent to be a reasonable time.

This week I hit a century and achieved the goal.

So what does it really mean and what have I learned?

• It's confirmed it is indeed tough and difficult getting work accepted.
• It's highlighted to me which publishers and agents actually take the time to read and respond and a few who claim they will - and don't
• It's confirmed I am indeed persistent and resilient. I'm not getting put off when I see the brown SAE tucked through the letterbox, or the 'with regret' email popping into my inbox. I'm pleased they took the time to respond. If anything, it makes me more determined to keep writing and keep submitting.
• I've developed a habit of submitting work on a very regular basis.
• The year is not over yet - there are still three months to keep submitting!

 There have been a few acceptances along the way so far this year - longlisted, shortlisted, published online and in a journal

So all in all it's been a worthwhile goal to achieve - so where is that fizzy pop?????