So, as I’ve mentioned before, I set the goal of being published five times while I’m 28. Why did I set this goal? I did it because I’m typically HORRIFIED by rejection.

My whole life, I’ve intentionally avoided confrontation as well as neglected my gut instincts because I’ve feared failure. Which probably sounds oxymoronic coming from me, considering I’m one of the most competitive people on earth. I love a challenge – but only when I know I stand a fighting chance of winning.

Physical strength? I can train for it.

Knowledge? I can study for it.

However, this – writing – this is something very different. Writing isn’t all about preparation. It takes creativity. It takes TALENT. You can’t train for it. I can’t prepare myself for a test of talent. I either have it or I don’t. Yes, I can read books and prompts and I can hone my skill through writing exercises, but that’s all. When it comes down to it, I’m either accepted or I’m rejected – there isn’t a second place.

With all of that in mind, I set this masochistic goal for myself. So, where do I stand now?

I’m about six weeks into the year and I’ve already had two pieces accepted into a literary magazine called The Aviator. I’m only counting this as one publication, as it’s my University’s magazine and the pieces were accepted simultaneously. So that’s one down, four to go.

This evening, I submitted a piece of flash fiction to Tenemos, a graduate literary journal that was founded in 2000 by Central Michigan University. Another school literary magazine! Let’s hope I have similar luck.

You can’t fall unless you jump. So here’s my second leap of 28!

Get jumping, my friends.

– Tori