Snowflake challenge - 4

[antuhsa]

Challenge 4: In your own space, set some goals for the coming year

Personal
2017 en 2018 were difficult years, because during them I discovered that university wasn't the right place for me anymore. The Master's programme I was in was perfect for me on paper, but in reality it wasn't remotely challenging and I was bored out of my mind for the 1,5 years I was in it, until I finally dropped out. As a result, I became very depressed, which forced me to reflect on life and what I wanted from it. Figuring out what you want is hard though. It was much easier to figure out what I didn't want, and throwing those things out of my life was the theme for 2019. I got rid of a lot of things that no longer worked for me. Hobbies, clothes, books, clients, friendships. Some of it painful, some of it a relief, but I like to think that all of it was necessary. I don't think I need to get rid of anything anymore though. I feel like I've stripped my life to the bare bones already. Everything I've left, at least the things I have control over, are things I'm happy with. So in 2020 I'd like to build my life back up. I have room for new hobbies and new friendships now and I intend to actively go looking for those. To be succesful in that, my goals for 2020 are to keep an open mind and not dismiss new opportunities out of fear.

Fandom
-  Writing: I've had this fanfic idea in my head for almost 5 years and in 2020 I finally want to write it, dammit. I know the concept has a lot of potential. I have loads of plans for it and I just want to get it all out of my head. I always thought I needed to be much better at writing before I could do this story justice, and that's probably true, but the reality is that I don't want to write anything else. Every other fic I've written in the past few years has been half-hearted at best, because my fingers were secretly itching to write different words. So done with the excuses. In 2020 I want to see this story on paper.

-  Bookbinding: There are two books I want to make. The first one will be a collection of my favourite short fics, bound in leather and handwritten, because these fics deserve nothing less. This is going to be a ridiculously time-consuming and ambitious project, but one I'm very excited about. Unfortunately, the binding I have in mind is above my current skill level, so I won't be able to finish it until I'm more confident with leather. The calligraphy, on the other hand, I can already do. I still have a lot of planning and designing to do for this project, but I hope to get started on the calligraphy this summer.
The second book, which is a binding of a wonderful fanfic I read last year, will be much more doable. The design for this is already done; I've had it sharp and clear in my head for months. I'm going to get started on this project tomorrow and want to have it finished in April.

Comments

[fadedwings]

Good luck with your goals!!!

[buggyfiction]

I always stick to one story at a time when writing. When it doesn't want to flow, I step back for a few days and I won't allow myself to start something else. The muse usually comes back and the words flow again.

As far as 'wanting to be better before doing this story justice', screw that. That's likely fear talking. You can do this. You can write the story. Maybe find someone who's knowledgable of the fandom to read while you're working on it to feed you ideas or maybe to tell you how to do things differently, but you can do this.

[williamsnickers]

YOU GOT THIS!

[paulamcg]

I’m arriving here a bit late but I want to chime in and say I trust you’ll reach your wonderfully-crafted goals. You truly must be a crafter and an artist.

I’m not sure if I understand correctly, as I’ve never known any bookbinder or anything really about bookbinding before. But the way you describe the patient preparation needed for your exquisite bookbinding projects made me think that maybe here’s one reason – besides any fear – for your hesitation to start actually just writing your long fic. You’ve got wonderful advice and wonderful ideas of your own above, and I, too, want to encourage you by saying that you – as you are now – are the right person with just the right skills and spirit to write the story you are passionate about.

As for not writing other fics at the same time, myself I – while in the long process of writing my Remus novel – ended up writing short stories set in the same reality but in different eras, because I wanted to get something completed and shared with new readers. This made the process of writing the novel slower but also inspired me and deepened my understanding of my characters(s).