20,000+ Reads and Counting - Reflections

“Always celebrate your wins. Big or small.” – Leigh Shulman

So, I am not even sure what to say. I had been aware it was getting close…like four months ago…so then the heat died down on the potential excitement. I knocked past 20,000 reads recently and Vocal may just be one little hovel, little hole the internet to which we can't help but fall in, but I am proud and pleased as punch. That is from March 2021 when I first joined up until today when I published this.

I think beyond the obvious thank-you's (20,000 and more to be precise) I want to just say how much it means to me.

I actually, even if it often does not seem that way, put a lot of effort into my work. Some of my poems and stories fly from my brain through my fingers quickly, but others take their time. Ferment, simmer, grow their own legs and agendas.

There's always a reason behind every little thing in my pieces. I strive to do my best work for myself, for the challenges (cos fame, acclaim and money baby), and for anyone who chooses to click on one of my poems or stories. There is a lot of background work that goes into everything. Even my laziest poem, had something motivating and pushing it out from me.

So, the fact that 20,000+ individual reads have been given across my work on Vocal, is itself an achievement which makes me feel pride. The kind of pride that keeps me going.

Let's be clear, I would never stop writing. Even if even less people gave my work attention. I am stuck being a writer for writer’s sake. I enjoy it and hate it in equal measures. That being said, the fact that people enjoy my writing gives me extra incentive to keep going.

Some people might think it's a ridiculous thing to get excited and feel happy about reaching 20,000+ total reads, particularly as that's shared out between (as it stands at time of publication) 828 (not including this article). Don't worry, I am not good with the maths and not going to work out the percentages of that.

While some might not understand the joy in this milestone, it's important to celebrate every achievement, big or small. Writing, whether your output is confined to this hovel of the internet known as Vocal, or other places too, is often a hard artform to get those wins in. It takes a lot of losses or misses or just...bleh moments, to get to those little glories. So yes, you should at least give yourself a pat on the back when you do well. Even if it's not "Man Booker Prize" or a "Pulitzer". It all counts and is all worth highlighting and taking a pause to appreciate what you've done.

So, if you, like me have reached a milestone recently, should take a moment at least to acknowledge it. Even if you don't want to post a piece about it. Take it in. You did it. You. Did. It. Yourself. It wasn't by chance. It wasn't through anything but your own mind, hands and work. No matter how small an achievement. You did it. I did it. You did it. We did it. And to anyone that has ever read anything I’ve ever written here and the repeat offenders – Thank you again!

"If his destiny be strange, it is also sublime." - Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

Author’s Notes: Just a wee bit of mumblings because I am very happy with the 20,000+ total reads. Also I wanted to use it as a chance to celebrate and also encourage others to celebrate their wins and successes, no matter the size or scale. Also...I don't really say "innit" much.

Here are some other things: