2021.
Miss Minutes, from “Loki”
1) Finish my novel manuscript. I started work on a novel in late November 2019, worked on it within my writing gang, but also lost my way/interest. I want to finish it this year. Inshallah.
Will it be finished by 12/31/21? No.
Have I made progress on this WIP? Yes, verrrrrrry slow, very minimal progress.
I am proud that I wrote a children’s book inspired by my nephew. We’ll see if it goes anywhere.
2) Submit at least 12 pieces for publication in 2021. There was a time in my life when I was shooting my shot more and I want to return to that. I submitted two pieces the last week of December 2020 because I want to keep that same energy for this year.
I’ve submitted 2 /12 pieces (your girl is 0 for 2, but we move) this year BUT I also submitted an application to Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation - VONA/Voices 2021 Summer Workshop and was accepted! I’m super thankful and really excited to participate in this writing workshop (my 2nd!) and proud of myself for shooting my shot!
In addition to VONA, I applied to and had the opportunity to join a Black Writers Program workshop through the NY Writers Coalition. The workshop, “Creating Community” led by Idrissa Simmonds was a deeply affirming space and time to co-create a beautiful writing experience. I learned a lot about myself as a writer and was inspired to do more.
Finally, I also applied for a We Need Diverse Books’ Mentorship Program using my children’s book draft. On verra. We’ll see. In January 2022.
3) Return my library books in a more timely manner. It’s hard because my (talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular…) library system did away with late fees (which is a great step to address inequity), but I’m actually someone who needs the deadline to get my life together.
I’m going to call this a W. Now that my friendly neighborhood branch is open again (not quite back to pre-pandemic levels) and I don’t have to schlep to the Main branch to return items, I’ve been able to turn in my library books in a more timely manner. Let’s not think about how low the bar was before. K? Thanks.
Please clap gif.
4) Continue checking in with my writing gang. Needs no elaboration, but I love these women. Consistently checking in with them last year was such a blessing and often provided the encouragement I needed to make progress on my projects.
As I mentioned in my last check-in, I mentioned that my OG writing crew (comprised of two super supportive ladies from my bookclub) hadn’t met as frequently, however new writing gangs have appeared when I needed them this year. I was able to feel writing community with my ghost-VONA peers. I also started prioritizing my writing by joining morning writing sessions by A Very Important Meeting-an opportunity to meditate for 15 minutes and then write for 45 minutes straight. It’s been really nice to know that at a minimum (if I wake up in time and don’t mess about on my phone) I can count on 45 minutes of writing progress. I also reconnected with a former colleague over our writing which was nice, so I’m finding a way to build with other writers.
I mentioned the Black Writers Program workshop through the NY Writers Coalition. I fell in love with the people who graced the Zoom room each week and I also got to explore myself more as a short fiction writer and even signed up to read one of my pieces for the first time. I was blessed that my husband and my Flossy Posse joined the reading, as well as, the ladies from my original writing group.
5) ??? One thing I’m learning is to leave room for unexpected good things that might happen. Last year, I had the opportunity to participate in a conference for writers of color which I didn’t even know existed at the beginning of 2021. So I’m leaving room for a serendipitous 5th bookish goal.
So much was lagniappe this year. The ghost VONA class. The Black Writer’s workshop. These earrings I bought to celebrate myself recommitting to writing.
What bookish determinations shall I make for 2022? On verra. We’ll see.