The Goal And The Flag Pole!

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Run it up.
Run it down.
A frisky pup.
A psycho clown.

Could be more.
Could be less.
Come ashore.
Avoid the mess.

Make it work.
Make it stick.
A silly jerk.
Take your pick.

Who or what.
What or who.
Make the cut.
Or just boo hoo.

Boo the hoo.
Who's the boo?
Maybe the hoo?
I'm asking you.

Reach the top.
Reach the middle.
Start to stop.
Hey, diddle diddle.

Raise it high.
Raise it low.
Do or die.
Not really though.

Stakes aren't dire.
Death won't fly.
Pop a tire.
I might lie.

Next to top.
Next to middle.
Just don't stop,
Keep that diddle.

Words will flow.
Words shall come.
How many? Don't know.
But it'll be some.

News Flash for the IWSG bash. Winners of the anthology contest below as many gave it a go.


Oddly Suited by LG Keltner
Sea of Sorrows by AV Brown
Behind the Catcher’s Mask by Jennifer Lane
A Diver’s Ball by Angela Brown
Fearless Heart by Deborah Solice
The Dark Charade by CD Gallant-King
The Cog Prince by Elizabeth Mueller
Flower of Ronda by Myles Christensen
Remedy by Chelsea Ballard
Charleston Masquerade by Carrie-Anne Brownian

The top story has the honors of being included in the title. LG Keltner’s story came out on top! The official title of our next anthology – Masquerade: Oddly Suited. Congratulations, LG. (She was also in the top spot for our first anthology, Parallels: Felix Was Here.)

The IWSG Admins spent many hours reading the entries and fourteen were sent to our special judges. We certainly wish to thank them for taking time away from their own work to read the entries:

Kelly Van Sant, agent at Red Sofa Literary Agency
DL Hammons, Write Club founder
Gwen Gardner, author and previous IWSG anthology winner

Look for Masquerade: Oddly Suited late spring!

Ever set your goals too high? Think they should go to the top of the flagpole in the sky? Do you see what you do get done? Do you go all nuts thinking you'll die if they aren't given a run? Unless you have this or that, like a disease where you're at, that won't come due. So don't hoo the boo. Or boo the hoo? Hey, again, I asked you. Trying and realizing what you have done is the best way to come to pass. On that you can trust my little rhyming ass.

Enjoy your winter, smash a printer.

Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Comments

  1. Alex J. CavanaughJanuary 2, 2019 at 7:00 AM

    IWSG Ninja attack!

    ReplyDelete
  2. kaykualaJanuary 2, 2019 at 7:00 AM

    1

    ReplyDelete
  3. nashvillecats2January 2, 2019 at 7:05 AM

    Goals are important in our lives some get achieved others not. I'm "Flying The Flag".
    Happy New Year Pat.

    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Alex J. CavanaughJanuary 2, 2019 at 8:08 AM

    I am for the middle so I'm not disappointed.

    ReplyDelete
  5. BrianJanuary 2, 2019 at 8:22 AM

    I aim high, in life and in the litter box!

    ReplyDelete
  6. T. Powell ColtrinJanuary 2, 2019 at 8:25 AM

    Every day I set my goals to high and fail at most, but I keep trying.

    BTW, Is there a clown that isn't psycho? :)

    Teresa

    ReplyDelete
  7. JoanneJanuary 2, 2019 at 8:44 AM

    I used to have loftier goals. Now I stick with get up, go to work, and see what happens as a goal. So far, so good

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jennifer HawesJanuary 2, 2019 at 9:31 AM

    I set a goal to finish my WIP this past month. HAHAHA. But I'm still pleased with the direction it's going, so I guess that's good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat HattJanuary 2, 2019 at 5:52 PM

      Well there you go
      A direction that isn't a low

      Delete
  9. L. Diane WolfeJanuary 2, 2019 at 9:37 AM

    I try to make the goal just above what I know I can reach. I still don't hit them sometimes, but I get close.

    ReplyDelete
  10. SnowcatcherJanuary 2, 2019 at 9:40 AM

    New goals I have set for the year
    Helps me keep pushing with less fear

    ReplyDelete
  11. S.A. LarsenッJanuary 2, 2019 at 10:48 AM

    Still mastering the art of rhyme, I see. Have a wonderful new year, Pat! I'm hoping to simply build upon my accomplishments of last year and challenge myself to push a little more out of my box.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat HattJanuary 2, 2019 at 5:53 PM

      A little more out is grand
      As one enjoys things at their land

      Delete
  12. The Angry LurkerJanuary 2, 2019 at 10:54 AM

    Low goals are the way to go!

    ReplyDelete
  13. TruedessaJanuary 2, 2019 at 10:56 AM

    You should have reasonable goals
    hopefully you won’t hit a pothole
    and your project continues to roll

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TruedessaJanuary 2, 2019 at 10:58 AM

      Ps I was always told to aim for the sky
      If only I had wings then I could fly

      Delete
    2. Pat HattJanuary 2, 2019 at 5:54 PM

      Potholes can suck
      And cost many a buck
      Real or not
      Wings may be a fiction plot

      Delete
  14. bettyJanuary 2, 2019 at 12:26 PM

    Nope, don't set goals too high these days
    Like to keep things simple at my place :)

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  15. da tabbies o trout towneJanuary 2, 2019 at 12:28 PM

    orlin N cassie

    a may bee knot sew much post ree lated commint 😊

    stopping bye with a new yeerz toon
    wood sure bee nice if this waz joon
    coz oh everee thing we bee a wishin…
    weed bee ona boat N due in sum fishin

    happee new yeer frum de frozen tun dra ~ !!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat HattJanuary 2, 2019 at 5:55 PM

      Fish and see
      What comes to be
      Burds may show
      They like fish, you know

      Delete
  16. J.Q. RoseJanuary 2, 2019 at 2:33 PM

    I always aim high I said with a sigh. Disappointments may come, but I'll never run, from a challenge to try.
    JQ Rose

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat HattJanuary 2, 2019 at 5:55 PM

      Never running away
      Sure works at the end of the day

      Delete
  17. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2019 at 3:08 PM

    Expectations set too high?
    To that I say bye-bye.
    I live in the land of calm
    no longer in alarm.
    I like when it's a quiet day
    over here at my bay.

    Elsie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat HattJanuary 2, 2019 at 5:55 PM

      Quiet and charming
      That can be alarming
      For the one eye may wink
      Oh, calming, nah we don't think

      Delete
  18. Mary KirklandJanuary 2, 2019 at 3:35 PM

    I usually set my goals where I might be able to reach them.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Natalie AguirreJanuary 2, 2019 at 3:38 PM

    I try not to have too big goals right now. Just doing good day by day is more important. Not feeling the pressure to get a certain number of words out either.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat HattJanuary 2, 2019 at 5:56 PM

      Day by day in the end
      Can sure be a fine trend

      Delete
  20. Susan KaneJanuary 2, 2019 at 5:33 PM

    I also set goals and don't beat myself up over failure. There is always another day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat HattJanuary 2, 2019 at 5:56 PM

      Will still be there tomorrow
      So why bother with the sorrow

      Delete
  21. Chrys FeyJanuary 2, 2019 at 5:58 PM

    Who's the boo?
    Certainly not you!

    ReplyDelete
  22. WeaverJanuary 2, 2019 at 6:01 PM

    If you can't attain your goal, it's a dream. You have to break it into smaller steps that you can achieve.

    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Susan Gourley/KelleyJanuary 2, 2019 at 7:27 PM

    After a few years of being a full time writer, I've gotten pretty good at knowing how much I can get done in a year. Being a grandmother takes some time, but I'm staying on target.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Theresa MahoneyJanuary 2, 2019 at 10:27 PM

    My only goal last year was to get my basement cleaned and organized. I failed terribly. Looks like I have a new goal for 2019 now. Happy New year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat HattJanuary 3, 2019 at 4:08 PM

      haha easy way to have one
      Just do a repeat run

      Delete
  25. Fundy BlueJanuary 2, 2019 at 11:15 PM

    A post that provoked lots of comments on the value of low, medium, and high goal setting, Pat. I'm quite pleased with what I accomplished last year. I've made steady progress on my ongoing goals. They're big and high. I believe in reaching for the stars and maybe I'll hit the moon which is much higher than reaching for the treetops. I think 2019 is going to be a good year. Wishing you all the best, my rhyming friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat HattJanuary 3, 2019 at 4:09 PM

      The moon you say
      Could be higher at one's bay
      Unless another full moon is what you seek
      That could be sleek or send you up the creek

      Delete
  26. BirgitJanuary 3, 2019 at 1:49 PM

    If I had my goals set too high
    this would mean the smokey-smoke worked..oh my!
    So I aim for the middle
    and just sing hey Fiddle-diddle
    as I watch the spoon and fork fly
    jeez...that smokey-smoke tells no lie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat HattJanuary 3, 2019 at 4:09 PM

      No lies are had
      The middle is rad
      There you can diddle
      And even fiddle

      Delete
  27. Juneta keyJanuary 3, 2019 at 3:04 PM

    My goal usually get me in a pickle,
    But where I hit them is somewhere in the middle.

    As much as I hate setting them
    It feels good to meet them.

    Happy IWSG!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Beverly Stowe McClureJanuary 3, 2019 at 11:23 PM

    My goals this year are just to do the best I can.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Yolanda RenéeJanuary 4, 2019 at 5:27 PM

    I set goals all the time, too high, maybe. I still don't have a PHD. But for the most part I usually get there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat HattJanuary 4, 2019 at 7:57 PM

      Getting there is the win
      Does everything else in

      Delete
  30. Susan Flett SwiderskiJanuary 4, 2019 at 10:48 PM

    I'm ever hopeful of doing something wonderful, but I'm at the point in life where I'm happy to still be moving air in and out of my lungs. Doing my best is good enough for me.

    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat HattJanuary 7, 2019 at 6:44 AM

      haha that is the best way
      Breathe in each day

      Delete

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