My goals for this year are similar to ones that I've had in the past, but I have learned one lesson: make the goals concrete. As in, if you know what you want to get done in the next year, don't list "write more." Your goal would be "write the comedy project that could star Kristen Wiig (SNL sketch)."
It's also important to reflect on what you've done over the past year. Even simple things, like generating a list of story ideas, or querying one film company, can be thought of as successes, because you're moving toward your objective. It's a lot easier to stick with something if you feel like you've actually made some progress toward your goals.
With these things in mind, I thought I'd share this year's screenwriting goals and successes with you.
1. Rewrite drama.
2. Write (the potential) Kristen Wiig project (yeah, I was serious about that!)
3. Query 12 film companies.
4. Have three short films made.
Number four might sound pretty ambitious, but I'm thinking of my work project, the short documentary my friend and I are making, and I'd love to write for the 48 Hour Film Fest this year...
2012 Accomplishments:
1. Finished Jessi Hart, Alien Photoblogger; it placed in three competitions.
2. Wrote first draft of first drama.
3. Started ScreenwriteHer.
4. Wrote first corporate screenplay for work.
5. Got my butt to the Austin Film Fest.
6. Ran PowerWriters (this is my writing group).
7. A short film that I co-wrote, The Ride, won a competition and placed in several others.
Blast from the past: Goals for 2012:
1. Do website for female screenwriters (Done!)
2. Finish Jessi Hart, Alien Photoblogger (Done!)
3.Make my own short (This didn't pan out, but I did give it a try. Maybe this year, with the documentary project?)
4. Sell or option a screenplay (Didn't happen. However, notice that my goals for this year include querying? A smaller step, but probably a more concrete goal to reach for.)
I hope this post will help you to set your own goals for 2013. Leave a comment, if you'd like, and let me know what your plans are! I'd love to hear about your projects and ambitions.