I don’t like New Year’s resolutions, so I don’t often make them. I don’t even like goal-setting much, because my desires and needs change so swiftly that to set a goal for anything beyond a few weeks from now usually feels futile.
But something has overcome me on this first day of the first week of the year, and I’m compelled to jot this list of the things I want to cross off my Bucket List in 2015. Worse, I’m compelled to publish it, which most certainly sets me up for anxiety around July April when I’ve completely disregarded the whole thing.
Nonetheless, I’ve got a storm of plans and ideas swirling in my head for the coming year, and the only way I can ever settle a mind-storm is to get it onto the page.
If I stick with these goals, I’ll keep this post updated, and I’ll share my progress on Twitter and Instagram under #BucketList2015. Follow along, and join me with your own Bucket List for the year if you’re also so compelled to make your innermost desires public.
What will you cross off your Bucket List in 2015? Join the challenge w/@danasitar! #BucketList2015
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1. Read essays at open mics.
This is a goal straight out of Bucket List. I’ve done comedy at open mics, and I’ve read my essays and stories at live events. But this year, I want to work harder and focus on honing my performance skills. And become comfortable with standing in front of an audience who doesn’t care about me.
2. Release 2d Editions of my first two books of essays.
These are already ready to go! Welcome to the Shit Show and Strangers are available in the Kindle Store as of January 6. I’ll publish print editions through CreateSpace shortly, and I’ll experiment this year with KDP Select and run some promotions for the Kindle editions.
3. Submit my third book of essays to at least one contest.
I’m polishing manuscript for my third book How to Be a Woman this month. The deadline for the first contest on my list is February 14! This year, I want to take my books further – go beyond having a listing on Amazon and work on truly building an author brand around my creative writing.
4. Publish two DIY Writing Guides for writers.
In my 2014 hiatus, the most important lesson I learned is that I want my business to focus on selling books – not on coaching, courses, events, or other elements of online business. So I’m turning my energy and expertise into guides, instead of services and self-promtion.
5. Host at least one workshop or webinar each month.
‘hem . . . Oh, and workshops. Weekend Workshops are the scaled-back way I’m teaching ebook publishing, blogging, and online community-building. They complement my guidebooks and put everything I’ve learned from coaching and e-courses into a format that’s just the right fit for my audience and lifestyle.
6. Launch a Writer’s Bucket List podcast.
I don’t know what this will be yet! Because we have the equipment, knowledge, and time, Stefan and I are tossing around ideas for additional podcasts to beef up the She Loves Comedy network. I’m brainstorming a solo podcast that can be as varied and sometimes-entertaining and sometimes-useful as the content of the WBL blog.
7. Bring back ManiWriMo.
Remember Manifesto Writing Month in 2013? I didn’t run it again in 2014, and people were asking for it! That’s cool :) So I’ll bring it back in 2015 at least once. Maybe we’ll do a spring or summer edition, so we don’t have to wait until November?
8. Co-host live This Is Temporary podcast shows.
This is absolutely on the horizon for Stefan and me. We just have to see where it fits in our schedule and where we could set up a show. Want us in your city? Let me know!
9. Submit essays for live readings/festivals.
This is a new type of goal for me – instead of just taking charge and setting up my own events, I want to be accepted by and join people already running events.
10. Submit a proposal for one book to publishers.
I’ve got the itch to see what traditional publishing is all about! I may try it with How to Be a Woman, but more likely, I’ll put together a proposal later this year for another nonfiction book for writers I’ve been kicking around.
11. Date boys.
The greater goal here is to work through some of the complications of nonmonogamy with Stefan. I’ve never dated or had casual sex with guys (I’ve just up and fallen in love . . .), and I want that experience. We’re taking steps to manage our inevitable jealousy and envy, and this Bucket List item is all about getting to a place where we’re both happy and comfortable with our “extramarital” activities.
12. Meet more girls.
I also want to keep dating girls! But in addition to experiencing that bit of my identity, I also want to open myself to more friendships with like-minded women. As a result of dating, I’ve been able to meet other queer and poly women; it’s such a relief to share my story with women experiencing the same things.
13. Finish the draft of one novel.
I have hundreds of thousands of words tied up in forgotten novels – it’s embarrassing how many ideas I’ve left to wallow. If I can keep my writing/book focus (and stay away from the distraction of growing a business or making money), I’ll be able to participate in NaNoWriMo this July or November and complete one of those things.
14. Stand up in my youngest sister’s wedding.
It’s already on the books! But this will be a big milestone – the last of my four sisters is partnered up and married off this August. It will be an honor to be part of it, and the pending event makes me more acutely aware of how grown-up we’re all becoming.
15. Take my niece on a tour of Madison.
She’s turning three in June! I’m looking forward to warmer weather so I can take her around to the places I love about this town (er . . . minus the nightlife).
What will you cross off your Bucket List in 2015?
Some of these items are inevitable, some already set in motion, some super easy to cross off, and some are those far-reaching dream-like goals I can’t help but set for myself.
An ideal 2015 is one where we keep the working arrangement we have – Stefan is making the majority of our income for now, and I’m re-building a steady income on my terms through books and workshops.
Let’s see where it goes!
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