2024 Writing Stats

As part of my review of 2024, which is mostly a personal thing, I took a look at some *writing stats for 2024 (a big improvement over 2023).

In terms of writing new stories and working on current ones, there wasn't a huge difference, but I had decided last year to be more proactive with my writing and be brave by actually sending out more stories and risking more rejections. After all, if I send out more stories, instead of waiting for conditions to be perfect and instead of letting self-doubt rule, I have a better chance of having more accepted. Zero stories out = zero chances at acceptances, or in the words of Wayne Gretzky, "you miss 100% of the shots you don't take." It makes sense, but sometimes it can be hard to follow through.

So, here are my 2024 stats, along with the previous years (not all the years, just the last six) for comparison.

2024: I sent out 25 stories. I withdrew one, sold four, and am waiting to hear back on three others.

2023: I sent out one story, which was rejected.

2022: I sent out nine stories and sold one.

2021: I sent out six stories and sold zero.

2020: I sent out nine stories and sold one.

2019: I sent out one and sold one.

Hopefully, the number of stories sold this year will be greater than last, and maybe I'll be able to sell some to paying markets as well. That would be extremely helpful to me financially, but even if I don't, I won't stop writing. Whether I'm writing stories, letters, typing up a blog post, scribbling ideas on scraps of paper, making lists, or jotting thoughts in a journal, I am always putting pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard. It's been a constant since I was a child. I can't not write. Even if no one reads or enjoys what I write (and I hope that someone will), even if I'm the only one to read my words (as is often the case - writing only for myself), I won't stop. Writing can be difficult. It can feel like I'm just spitting out random letters and rooting around in them to form what I hope are sensical words. It can often resemble a bizarre word salad, but writing is a part of me. Writing = joy.

That said, fingers crossed 2025 shows even more progress. =)

*Writing, for the purpose of this post, refers to writing stories and submitting them in hopes of publication.

25 in 2025

My interpretation of 25 in 25 - a list of 25 things to accomplish this year. I did one for 2024, which was actually motivational for me and fun to keep track of. In any case, I like making lists so I made another one for this year. I completed five of the 2024 items and came close to completing a few others. Let's see if I can complete more this year!

A happy and healthy new year is wished for all! May this year be an improvement on the last 💗

1. Post 25 blog posts - self-explanatory but posts can be here, LJ, or other blog (6/25)
2. Watch 25 movies or tv series (new to me) - even one episode counts for tv series (16/25)
3. Read 25 (new to me) books (10/25)
4. Try 25 (new to me) foods (17/25)
5. Try 25 (new to me) restaurants/cafes/etc. (8/25)
6. Cook/Bake/Make 25 Meals/Desserts/Snacks - this will be a tough one because I don’t cook or bake - haha (4/25)
7. Visit 25 places (doesn’t have to be new to me) - (11/25)
8. Walk 25 miles - this should be the easiest of the list ✔
9. Write 25 stories of any length (1/25)
10. Edit/revise/finish 25 stories (3/25)
11. Submit 25 finished stories somewhere ✔
12. Post to Instagram 25 times ✔
13. Listen to 25 (new to me) songs and/or artists (4/25)
14. Write and mail 25 letters ✔
15. Try 25 craft projects/crafty things/art projects (doesn’t have to be new to me) (1/25)
16. Research 25 people/places/event in my genealogy (0/25)
17. Review 25 relatives I’ve added to me family tree to make sure everything (dates, etc.) add up (0/25)
18. Make a deposit 25 times to my savings account (17/25)
19. Skip sugar in my coffee 25 times (5/25)
20. Do 25 things for my self-care (4/25)
21. Solve 25 riddles/puzzles (0/25)
22. Make 25 fun things to include in letters to pen pals (0/25)
23. Do 25 of any Etsy shop related task: make, review, sell, post, inventory, freebies/thank you gifts (2/25)
24. Have 25 adventures (4/25)
25. Makes 25 ancestor/genealogy-related posts as part of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks (0/25)

101 in 1001: List Seven

 from Day Zero Project (aka "101 in 1001 Days") 

The Mission: 

Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days. 

The Criteria: 

Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part). 

Why 1001 Days? 

Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities. 

Start Date: April 1, 2024 

End Date: December 28, 2026 

* Completed tasks will be crossed out. 

* Tasks in progress will be in bold (so I can keep track of them easily). 

* Incomplete tasks will be left as is. 

My 101 

1. Leave an inspirational note in a book for someone to find. 

2. Take a cruise. 

3. Complete the 2024 NaNoWriMo challenge. 

4. Complete the 2025 NaNoWriMo challenge. 

5. Complete the 2026 NaNoWriMo challenge. 

6. Finish a Work in Progress. 

7. Read 100 books (audiobooks count). (29/100)

8. Make a short film. 

9. Go apple picking. 

10. Renew my passport. 

11. Get my permit. 

12. Learn to cook something. 

13. Write about my aunt's need for a kidney.

14. Share the above (#13) in least three places. (0/3)

15. Take the MENSA test. 

16. Host a tea party. 

17. Visit 5 places in New England I've never been to before. (2/5) 

18. Attend a film festival. 

19. Get certified in CPR. 

20. Pay off one credit card. 

21. Make a medical family tree. 

22. Attend the Portuguese Festival (Madeira Fest) in New Bedford 

23. Publish an article in a magazine or newspaper. 

24. Spend 45 days without going online (doesn't have to be consecutive) (2/45) 

25. Visit the Peabody Essex Museum. 

26. Finish "Who Killed Robert Prentice?" by Dennis Wheatley. 

27. Complete 25 creative writing prompts from Toasted Cheese (0/25) 

28. Visit Coney Island. 

29. Visit Old Orchard Beach, ME. 

30. Donate 100 items to charity. (0/100) 

31. Post about my 101 in 1001 progress 5 times. (0/5)

32. Participate in an armchair treasure hunt. 

33. Do the Walk to Rivendell Challenge before my 101 in 1001 challenge ends. 

34. Write 30 blog posts. (8/30) 

35. Visit a city or town I've never been to. 

36. Get reacquainted with my local library. 

37. Host a Game Night. 

38. Make 5 things inspired by Pinterest (0/5) 

39. See 5 movies in the theater. (0/5) 

40. Watch 10 new-to-me movies (theater, at home via whatever method, etc.)

41. Try 20 new things no matter how small.

42. Visit Rockport again. 

43. Visit Canada. 

44. Try audiobook narration. 

45. Take a tour of the Boston Public Library 

46. Review at least 30 relatives in my family tree (to check for dates, etc.) (8/30)

47. Lose 25 lbs. (0/25) 

48. From Learning to Love You More Assignment #53: Give advice to yourself in the past. 

49. Post the result of something inspired by The Soul Food Café. 

50. Create 10 new items for my Etsy Shop.

51. Make a list of 101 quotes that inspire me (0/101). 

52. Identify 100 Things That Make Me Happy. 

53. Organize dad's photos into an album. 

54. Write a letter to myself to be opened when the 1001 days are over. 

55. Make a list of 50 places I'd like to visit in my lifetime. 

56. Be able to do 10 pushups. (0/10) 

57. Submit 50 stories - or 50 times. It doesn't have to be 50 individual stories. (47/50) 

58. Send a query to a literary agent. 

59. Make a bucket list (100 things I want to do before I die). 

60. Purchase a first aid kit for the house. 

61. Answer the "50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind" 

62. Finish the list of books I own (LibraryThing). 

63. Visit Plymouth by train.

64. Be an extra in a movie. 

65. Make a family history book. 

66. Go on a day hike. 

67. Do Escape the Room. 

68. Do 5 Wits. 

69. See a live flamenco performance. 

70. See a live show (play, musical, concert, comedy, etc.), in addition to the flamenco performance in #69.

71. Try foods from five different cultures or countries.

72. Take a surfing lesson. 

73. Go to a scifi con.

74. Introduce Beanie to Farscape and The X-Files. (0/2)

75. Make a will.

76. Sign up for life insurance.

77. Complete 10 on my The Ultimate Reading Challenge list on Day Zero Project.

78. Go to a show at the Norwood Theater. 

79. Visit with my dad at least 5 times.

80. Complete all the items on my 24 in 2024 list.

81. Participate in the 21 Day Challenge to becoming a better you. 

82. Create a nice looking pedigree chart for myself. 

83. Create a nice looking descendency chart from whichever family I choose. 

84. Research at least 4 generations back on Beanie's side. 

85. Participate in MoreLoveLetters.com 

86. Take the train to Washington, D.C. to see the cherry blossoms. 

87. Bake chocolate chip cookies. 

88. Make ice cream from scratch. 

89. Bake some scones. 

90. Take five continuing education courses (online or in person). (0/5) 

91. Learn a new skill. 

92. Finish visual phasing of my siblings and my DNA. 

93. Write 100 letters. (64/100) 

94. Complete the 52 Week Money Challenge. (39/52) 

95. Bring Beanie to NYC for a day trip. 

96. Day trip to Providence. 

97. Get ice cream at Taikyaki. 

98. Transcribe 10 genealogy records for my research. (0/10) 

99. Put $10 into my savings for every completed item on this list. (7/101) 

100. Finish writing another 101 things before the end of the 1001 days. 

101. Complete all the items on this list. (7/101) 

Tasks Remaining: 101 

** previous lists: 

list one 

list two 

list three 

list four

list five

list six

24 in 2024

 My interpretation of 24 in 24 - a list of 24 things to accomplish this year, and each item on the list has 24 items because I thought that'd be a fun little extra challenge for myself. I'd already completed one item before I'd posted this (see #8):

1. Post 24 blog posts - self-explanatory but posts can be here, LJ, or other blog (3/24)
2. Watch 24 movies or tv series (new to me) - even one episode counts for tv series (13/24)
3. Read 24 (new to me) books ✓
4. Try 24 (new to me) foods (22/24)
5. Try 24 (new to me) restaurants/cafes/etc. (12/24)
6. Cook/Bake/Make 24 Meals/Desserts/Snacks - this will be a tough one because I don’t cook or bake - haha - (5/24)
7. Visit 24 places (doesn’t have to be new to me) - (4/24)
8. Walk 24 miles - this should be the easiest of the list (and it was)   ✓
9. Write 24 stories of any length (5/24)
10. Edit/revise/finish 24 stories (11/24)
11. Submit 24 stories somewhere ✓
12. Post to Instagram 24 times (6/24)
13. Listen to 24 (new to me) songs and/or artists (8/24)
14. Write and mail 24 letters (18/24)
15. Try 24 craft projects/crafty things (doesn’t have to be new to me) (4/24)
16. Research 24 people/places/event in my genealogy (1/24)
17. Review 24 relatives I’ve added to me family tree to make sure everything (dates, etc.) add up (6/24)
18. Make a deposit 24 times to my savings account ✓
19. Skip sugar in my coffee 24 times ✓
20. Do 24 things for my self-care (9/24)
21. Solve 24 riddles (3/24)
22. Make 24 fun things to include in letters to pen pals ✓
23. Do 24 of any Etsy shop related task: make, review, sell, post, inventory, freebies/thank you gifts (2/24)
24. Have 24 adventures (5/24)

101 in 1001: List Five

from Day Zero Project (aka "101 in 1001 Days")

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: September 20, 2018
End Date: June 17, 2021

* Completed tasks will be crossed out.
* Tasks in progress will be in bold (so I can keep track of them easily).
* Incomplete tasks will be left as is.

My 101
1. Leave an inspirational note inside a book for someone to find
2. Take a cruise
3. Start a genealogy blog
4. Bring my laptop in for repair (4/19/19)
5. Complete the 2018 NaNoWriMo challenge
6. Complete the 2019 NaNoWriMo challenge
7. Complete the 2020 NaNoWriMo challenge
8. Finish a Work in Progress
9. Read 50 books (audio books count)
10. Start an IRA
11. Make a short film
12. Go apple picking
13. Renew my passport
14. Get my permit
15. Take the MENSA test
16. Learn to cook something
17. Host a tea party
18. Meet 5 new people
19. Visit 5 places in New England I've never been to before (0/5)
20. Attend a film festival
21. Participate in a charity event
22. Get certified in CPR
23. Complete all the items on this list (11/101)
24. Pay off one credit card
25. Keep a diary for a year
26. Go on a road trip
27. Get an article published in a magazine or newspaper
28. Keep a journal for this Day Zero Project (journal started on 9/22/18)
29. Attend the Portuguese Festival (Madeira Fest) in New Bedford
30. Spend 45 days without going online (doesn't have to be consecutive) (0/45)
31. Visit the Peabody Essex Museum
32. Finish "Who Killed Robert Prentice?" by Dennis Wheatley
33. Do 10 Random Acts of Kindness (8/10)
34. Complete 25 creative writing prompts from Toasted Cheese (0/25)
35. Visit Coney Island
36. Visit Old Orchard Beach, ME
37. Donate 100 items to charity (43/100)
38. Participate in an armchair treasure hunt
39. Do the Walk to Rivendell Challenge within the timeframe of 1000 days
40. Attend the 2018 Boston Book Festival
41. Write 30 blogs posts (14/30)
42. Visit a city or town I've never been to
43. Get reacquainted with my local library
44. Host a game night
45. Make 5 things inspired by Pinterest (1/5)
46. See 5 movies in the theater (0/5)
47. Try 10 new things, no matter how small (10/10)
48. Visit LaSalette
49. Visit Canada
50. Visit Rockport again
51. Try audiobook narration
52. See one of Beanie's games or performances
53. Take a tour of the Boston Public Library
54. Take Beanie to Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
55. From Learning to Love You More Assignment #53: Give advice to yourself in the past
56. Post the result of something inspired by The Soul Food Café
57. Create 10 new items for my Etsy shop
58. Make a list of 101 quotes that inspire me (0/101)
59. Identify 100 Things That Make Me Happy
60. Organize dad's photos into an album
61. Lose 20 lbs (7/20)
62. Write a letter to myself to be opened when the 1001 days are over
63. Make a list of 50 places I'd like to visit in my lifetime
64. Be able to do 10 pushups
65. Send a query to a literary agent
66. Make a bucket list (100 things I want to do before I die)
67. Purchase a first aid kit for home
68. Answer the "50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind"
69. Finish writing another 101 things before the end of the 1001 days
70. Finish the list of books I own (LibraryThing)
71. Be an extra in a movie
72. Take Beanie on the ferry to Salem
73. Make a family history book
74. Go on a day hike
75. Do Escape the Room
76. Do 5 Wits
77. See a live flamenco performance again
78. Attend a formal dress event
79. Try foods from five different cultures or countries (0/5)
80. Take a surfing lesson
81. Go to a show at the Norwood Theater
82. Visit my dad at least 5 times (0/5)
83. Say "hello" to and/or smile at 20 strangers
84. Participate in the 21 Day Challenge to becoming a better you
85. Create a nice looking pedigree chart for myself
86. Create a nice looking descendency chart from whichever family I choose
87. Research at least 4 generations back on Beanie's side
88. Participate in MoreLoveLetters.com
89. Say "yes" to something I would not normally do
90. Take the train to Washington, D.C. to see the cherry blossoms
91. Bake chocolate chip cookies
92. Make ice cream from scratch
93. Bake some scones
94. Learn something new
95. Finish visual phasing of my siblings and my DNA
96. Go to a festival
97. Go to a concert
98. Learn calligraphy
9. Complete the 52 Week Money Challenge (52/52)
100. Put $10 into my savings for every completed item on this list (13/101)
101. Take 5 continuing education or enrichment courses (5/5)

Tasks Remaining: 89

** previous lists
list one
list two
list three
list four

101 in 1001: List Four

from Day Zero Project (aka "101 in 1001 days")

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as new year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: June 16, 2014
End Date: March 13, 2017

* Completed tasks will be crossed out.
* Tasks in process will be in bold (so I can keep track of them easily).
* Incomplete tasks will be left as is.

My 101

1. Put $10 into savings for every completed item on this list (1/101)
2. From Learning to Love You More assignment #53: Give advice to yourself in the past
3. Post the result of something inspired by The Soul Food Cafe
4. Make a list of 101 quotes that inspire me
5. Identify 100 things that make me happy
6. Write a letter to myself to be opened when the 1001 days is over
7. Make a list of 50 places I would like to visit in my lifetime
8. Leave an inspirational note inside a book for someone to find
9. Write a book
10. Donate my hair to Locks of Love
11. Send a card or flowers to someone going through a tough time
12. Get my driver's license
13. Take a cruise
14. Complete the 2014 NaNoWriMo challenge
15. Bring my laptop in for repair (completed 7/23/14)
16. Finish a Work in Progress
17. Read 30 books
18. Start an IRA
19. Make a short film
20. Complete two of the items on my 43 Things list
21. Go apple picking
22. Renew my passport
23. Make a bucket list (100 things I want to do before I die)
24. Purchase a first aid kit for home
25. Take the MENSA test
26. Learn to cook something
27. Meet five new people
28. Host a BBQ
29. Make a treasure map for my niece to follow
30. Visit 5 places in New England I've never been to before (1/5)
31. Don't log into Facebook for a week
32. Answer the "50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind"
33. Attend a film festival
34. Participate in a charity event
35. Get certified in CPR
36. Make a list of 100 things about me
37. Make a list of my 50 favorite movies
38. Finish writing another 101 things list by the end of 1001 days
39. Complete all the items on this list
40. Take three continuing education or enrichment courses
41. Organize Ella photos
42. Finish the list of books I own
43. Pay off one credit card
44. Go kayaking
45. Keep a diary for a year
46. Go on a road trip
47. Get an article published in a magazine or newspaper
48. Keep a journal for this Day Zero Project
49. Attend the Portuguese Festival in New Bedford
50. Spend three days without going online
51. Visit the Peabody Essex Museum
52. Finish "Who Killed Robert Prentice?" by Dennis Wheatley
53. Do 10 random acts of kindness (2/10)
54. Complete 25 creative writing prompts from Toasted Cheese
55. Try contact lenses again
56. Be an extra in a movie
57. Try a new breakfast place
58. Go on a harbor cruise or take a ferry ride somewhere
59. Visit Coney Island
60. Donate 100 items to charity
61. Update my genealogy research
62. Plan a family reunion
63. Make a list of 100 books I would like to read
64. Go on a day hike
65. Participate in a scavenger hunt
66. See a live Flamenco performance
67. Participate in an armchair treasure hunt
68. Do the Walk for Rivendell Challenge
69. Attend the 2014 Boston Book Fesival
70. Attend a formal dress event
71. Write 10 blog posts
72. Dye my hair
73. Try foods from three different cultures
74. Visit a city I've never been to
75. Take a surfing lesson
76. Visit my Dad (completed 7/20/14)
77. Go to a show at the Norwood theater
78. Say "hello" to and/or smile at 20 strangers (4/20)
79. Get reacquainted with my library
80. Start a birthday calendar to help me remember when to mail cards
81. Have/host a game night
82. Start a Smash! book
83. Participate in the local film community
84. Make three things inspired by Pinterest (1/3)
85. Complete the 2015 NaNoWriMo challenge
86. Complete the 2016 NaNoWriMo challenge
87. Do a craft show
88. See 5 movies in the theater
89. Visit a bookstore
90. Take a day trip to NYC
91. Visit Canada
92. Have coffee or lunch with three friends I don't see often
93. Try 10 new things, no matter how small (3/10)
94. Buy a lottery ticket
95. Say "yes" to something I would not normally do
96. Participate in the 21 Day Challenge to becoming a better you
97. Visit La Salette
98. Go on a whale watch
99. Visit Rockport again
100. Send a message in a bottle
101. Participate in MoreLoveLetters.com

Tasks Remaining: 93

** previous lists
list 3
list 2
list 1

My 2011 Review - The Good, The Awesome, The Bad, The Ugly

In no particular order, here are some of 2011's highlights:

* major face failure in January; one year later, and I’m still haunted by the mystery person
* I took a chance. Twice. Both times it paid off in the short run but not the long run. I don’t regret taking either chance at all. :)
* I sold a lot (for me) on etsy. :) Unfortunately I didn’t make enough new items to sell. All my crafting/creating plans seemed doomed to remain .. unfinished.
* Walk for Hunger! :)
* reconnected with old friends :)
* made a new friend :)
* met new people :)
* attended a film screening for P7D :)
* said goodbye to NHS
* went hiking on Blue Hills :)
* realized I was falling into the old oubliette/limbo/holding patterns and tried unsuccessfully to break the patterns before it was too late
* spent too much time online
* my writing suffered; it was basically nonexistent for 2011
* got my copy of P7D! :)
* gave up coffee for awhile :) but drank too much coffee for the remainder of the year
* got into a Facebook habit in February because I had a reason to play on there
* long walks in the nice weather :)
* went on an actual date (go me!) :)
* failed NaNoWriMo
* enjoyed the beautiful weather as much as possible :)
* realized early on that my crush wasn’t crushing on me after all and that he was just being nice because he’s a nice person; of course, it didn’t make the realization any easier and so I lived in hope & denial for a while; “Nothing takes the taste out of peanut butter quite like unrequited love.” (Charlie Brown)
* saw a movie at Legacy Place (holy cow! that place is big!)
* was disappointed to discover I wasn’t as high on someone’s friend list as I thought I had been and spent too much time trying to figure out if I was a friend, a sometimes friend or just an acquaintance
* was amazed to meet someone who was actually excited to spend time with me :)
* was called cute (yay!) :)
* Duck Tour! :)
* visited with family, including a visit with my Dad :)
* Found two pairs of pants that actually fit! :)
* Joined PostCrossing :)
* Got some pen pals! :)
* won a gift basket :)
* had a visit from Missy :)
* NYC! :)
* was beyond tired (exhausted!) in the beginning of the year and in the end of the year
* had lasagna (December) :)
* too many strange, random comments made to me than I can recall
* 101 in 1001 failure! but I made a new list so it’s all good
* cancer in the family .. again :(
* R.I.P. Ray LaPierre - December 23, 2011 - sad Christmas :(

I think that was pretty much it.