200 - and Counting

Two hundred.

That will be the number of stories I've published on Vocal if this one is blessed by the curators. I wouldn't have realized it if I hadn't thought about checking my profile after congratulating another creator about #150. (congrats again, Savannah:)

I started a poem for the Unfiltered Challenge about it, and it was going pretty well, when I realized I don't want this to be a challenge piece and I don't want to think about it that hard. It feels like this should be genuinely focused on how I feel about that number up there. So, maybe it's a stream of consciousness piece, but it's not going to be part of any challenge, official or otherwise.

So let me just start by being honest. I thought I'd be more excited about this milestone. I know, that's not the attitude I should have and it bothers me a bit. The thing is, it comes at a time when things have been a little “off” for me on Vocal. I'm not fully up to speed after my last hiatus and I'm still harboring the belief that there's some sort of bad blood between me and Vocal. Maybe it's my imagination. Maybe not.

Naturally, I had to take a look at my stats to see how things shake out:

There are 8,837 all-time reads. Based on a count of 199, that's an average of a little over 44 reads per story. Not a record-breaker, but not too bad, especially considering how little time I've spent on promoting what I write here. I'm ok with it.

The next 2 stats, I'm more than ok with. +202% means I've been doing something right in the eyes of the other creators and readers on Vocal, recently. A few Leaderboard placements have also confirmed that I still have the support of my friends here, and quite frankly, that's a huge part of why I'm still here.

On the minus side of the equation, Top Story awards have been few and far between and my last placement in a Vocal challenge was in March, as a runner-up. I know, I know, there are a lot of amazing writers on the platform and to have a couple of wins under my belt is a decent achievement. A six-month dry spell isn't.

So, have I whined enough yet? Are you feeling sympathetic? No? Good!

Thanks to those of you that read and discuss my stories, not to mention those who leave insights and the occasional, greatly-appreciated tip, I've published my first book and I'm writing the second. There's a third in the planning stages. That accounts for some of the falloff in my writing here. It also says a lot about the importance of the Vocal community in relation to my motivation. (Yes, I'm giving myself bonus points for rhyming there.)

At the same time, I'm determined to build my readership and the increase in reads. I've paid close attention to some subtle hints from readers on and off the platform. I've reread some of the more successful pieces I've written and noted some important points. I'll be making a few subtle adjustments. I have no intention of changing my style. In fact, it may be more a matter of recovering it. For better or worse.

So, my friends and fellow creators, I am proud to be writing my 200th story here. I'm also acknowledging that I have some work to do, and promising to do it. I owe it to you in return for all the support you've given me. Thank you for being an important part of my journey! I hope you'll hang on for the rest of the ride!

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