The Letter Project–Letter to Theresa
Check out my latest letter to Theresa where I talk alpacas and share drawings of planets personified.
Goals for 2016
Since 2008 I’ve chosen a word to dominate my goals for the year. Create was my word for 2015, but I would like it to also be my word for 2016, along with Cultivate. I’ve tracked my goal progress for the last two years on this blog. It has helped me see how I’m doing every month. Instead of checking in every month with the numbers, I’ll do a recap of my projects and sketches from the month.
I found No Excuses Art Journaling by Gina Rossi Armfield after the new year started, so it didn’t feel right to start in the middle of the year. Next year I will endeavor to complete my own art journal using her methods as a starting point. I will still work on my writing goals and pursuits, but I want a year of intense focus on improving my art skills.
Using a Bullet Journal daily has confined my to do lists in a bound book instead of scattered on post-it notes. I’ve experimented with different methods, and I’ve found that I can use it for my daily living needs as well as achieving my writing and art goals. This is a method I will continue to use. I love the Leuchtturm 1917 Notebook A5 Hardcover Dotted for my Bullet Journal. I completed 2015 in a black one and 2016 will be in an orange one. Perhaps one day I’ll get through all of the colors.
Organizing my art studio for three weeks made me realize how many art materials I’ve collected and never had the opportunity to use. Now that I have the space to work, I hope to finish some projects and improve my art skills.
Goals for 2015–September Update
Poems Read: 789/365
Poems Written: 238/365
Short Stories Read: 204/365
Short Stories Written: 18/52
Sketches: 546/365
Art Pieces: 82/52
Handmade Books: 16/52
Books Read: 85/52
Submissions: 100/250
Videos: 0/156
Zines: 2/12
The Magnolia Review is open for issue 3 submissions. I’m preparing for NaNo and planning write-ins.
The Letter Project–Letter from Theresa
Look at what I received in the mail from Theresa here.
Reading and NaNo Prep
Preparing for NaNo is almost complete. I intend to read 1984 and Brave New World before November.
Researching diaries and letters for my own graphic novel, Ashes: The Graphic Novel, has led me to interesting diary novels published in the last few years. I’ve collected different diaries and letter collections from writers and artists I admire, as well as some others along the way. So reading the letters and diaries will be my next focus. For a list, check out my post here.
The Letter Project–My Letter to Theresa
Check out my latest letter to Theresa Williams here.
NaNo 2015 Prep
Every year is the great experiment. How should I approach writing a novel? Instead of using loose leaf pages, each project now has its own bound journal. I’ve played with outline or no outline, research or no research, and general idea or specific plot points. I still start every year by handwriting and then move into typing. Last year I did no planning and worked by the seat of my pants. This year I’m hoping to do a bit more research beforehand. If you have a chance, please take this survey and assist with my research (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KDNTHC5). To participate in NaNo yourself, get started here.
Poetry Publication
My poem “Open” is in the Myth + Magic Anthology by Porkbelly Press. For more information, click here.
Suzanna and Writing 