💎 Writing
Edit my mystery thriller play.
The one I wrote for NaNoWriMo. All I’ve done thus far is a re-read. And it’s a total mess. I want the two acts to line up but right now they’re at odds; I’m not sure I’ve set up the killer sufficiently so that needs fixing. As does the end, I think it’s a bit too abrupt to be satisfying and I want the audience to leave feeling they’ve seen a full story and not just been left hanging. So … a lot of work to do on that.
Submit The Fall of the Virgin.
I don’t have a lot of options for this one. Very few theatres that accept unsolicited submissions will accept historical plays. And there’s no way I can spin something set in Ancient Rome into the 21st century. The setting of the Temple of Vesta is vital to the plot. It does have resonance with the current political and religious situation though.
Work on my first novel.
The one I started way back in 2001! Before I let self doubt crushed it, or me. But I’m sure it’s stayed in my mind all these years for a reason. I only wrote 5000 words I could easily have forgotten about it but I haven’t so I reckon that’s a sign I should work on it. At least get the draft out before I decide whether or not I can write a novel. Although since I’ve never written a whole novel before I have idea how long that will take me so I’m not expecting to get that done in twelve months. I do intend to write more of it, at least get an outline and a few chapters down.
Write my second short story.
I really enjoyed my first effort in November (NaNoWriMo again!) and I’ve got a number of ideas for short stories I’d like to get written. It’ll be a good way to work my storytelling chops and practise the arts of finishing and receiving feedback.
Use Reedsy Prompts and enter at least one.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the it, Reedsy is a writers resource site that among other great things such as advice and tips, offers weekly writing prompts with short story competitions. It’d be wonderful to think a story I’d written was good enough to enter.
💎 Acting
Finish singing course.
I’ve been stuck for about 10 months. It’s not due to the content of the course, it’s fabulous, and I’ve been getting measurable results from it. I’m not sure why I’ve slipped up in my daily practice. I know I can still hear my old school singing teacher telling me to sit down and mime in future. I’m wondering if that’s got anything you do with me dragging my feet. I need to revisit the mindset section!
Increase my consistency in performing
… Even if no one else sees or hears.
Overall I need to uplevel. I’ve been languishing at this level too long, letting other things take priority. It can’t go on.
💎 This site
Blog regularly. If you’ve dropped in here at any time before you’ll know this one may well be pie in the sky. But I am going to work hard, I promise.
💎 Other Creative
I’ve decided I want to bring more fun into my life and the following things bring me great joy. I aim to make them part of my daily routine but if that proves to be too much pressure I’ll be happy with once a week.
Movies
I always join the 50 Film Challenge. In 2019 I set myself the personal goal of 200. I’ve written about my 2020 Movie List here. But this year I aim to watch 100 films.
Reading
I’ve been in a reading slump for a while and I want to tackle that this year. I’m setting myself a super low goal of 15 because I really don’t want to ruin climbing out of my rut with feeling pressured.
Sketching
I haven’t drawn for nearly 20 years but started again in October (thank you Inktober) and am loving it. So my aim for this year is to set aside a little time to draw every day. Even if it’s only a few minutes.
Guitar
I want to learn to play the electric guitar. Obviously, I’m not going to accomplish that in one year. But I want to have enough skills to be able to play one song by December. And I’m going to have to learn to tune the thing properly too.
There are other things, of course, that I’d love to get done in the next twelve months, such as set up a website for my shop and start a podcast on writing but since most people vastly over estimate how much they can do in one year and underestimate what can be accomplished in three years, I’ll leave those goals for later.
What’s one goal you’re going to be working towards in 2020?
The Facts: Writer. Actress. Creatrix. Classic Movie Lover.
The Feels: I'm a cat person who deals in the feels. 