Mile Marker #24: On Hold Notices and 10K

About an hour ago, I got my first ever hold notice from a literary magazine!!! I am so pumped!!!!

One of my short stories made it to the final round of consideration at a quarterly print publication. (I’m allowed to say this if I’m vague, right?) OMG I’m jumping up and down!

I did get my first response from a grad school and it was, unfortunately, a rejection. Luckily though, it was #8 on my 9 applications, so I’m not too heartbroken, just naturally stuck in my own head about whether I’m a talentless slug or worthy of riding this rollercoaster. (And that hold notice PROVES I AM THE ROLLERCOASTER KING!!!)

This feels like such a massive win. Even if I don’t make it to final publication this is a huge victory. AHHHH

Okay, okay, I’m good.

AHHHHHHHHHHH

ANYWAY.

In Squirmle news, I recently passed the 10,000-word mark on this project, which I believes kicks it up to official Project™ status. My friends in my smaller writing circle have been so helpful for brainstorming and keeping me hype about the characters and the universe. I’m not making fast progress, but I’m making progress, and that’s what matters!

Work’s been keeping me really busy, and I’ve messed up my sleep schedule. I also took a fun detour to the ER over the weekend (I’m fine). Suffice to say my brain hasn’t been in a very good writing vibe this month, but man, just that one email is totally turning my life around.

I have two short story contests to submit to by the end of the month (one technically by the 19th). I’m hoping to spend this weekend working on those drafts, but every time I’ve tried to devote a weekend to writing so far in 2024, something drastic has happened and foiled my plans. So, we’ll see how that goes.

Man, I REALLY needed a win, and here one is!! Huzzah!!!

Off to scribble to my lil heart’s content!

Til next time,
Mags