My list of positive events (and in no particular order, given they are all important to me) include:-
- First print publication - A Helping Hand in Bridge House Publishing's Alternative Renditions
- First online publication - Cafelit
- Setting up this website and also my Fairytales with Bite one
- Setting up my Facebook page (and later author page).
- Finally getting the hang of Twitter!
- Setting up my Word Press summary of what I'm writing where blog.
- Going to my first writing conference (on the Isle of Wight many years ago).
- Going to Swanwick Summer School for the first time (this year)
- Being asked to judge a short story competition (and being asked back again! Many thanks, Southampton Writers' Circle).
- Seeing my "news" appear in a national magazine - Writing Magazine Members' News pages. (And I must write to them again soon).
- Being shortlisted in a national short story competition - Writing Magazine
- Having my first blog post appear on an outside source - Chandler's Ford Today
When all that seems to come in are rejections (or you find you're not listed for a competition - as happened to me today), it is nice to remind yourself there are positives. And for those starting out, the positives will come if you don't give up, get feedback on your work so you know what is working and what is not, and you submit regularly to suitable markets. Good luck. I love my high days. They give me a real boost. I hope yours do too (or will do so in the future).