Intentions for 2019

It’s a DGF Writing Challenge:

Quick! Grab a pen and paper (or open a blank note on your desktop!) Choose one of the following words and free write for 2 minutes on the role it will play in your 2019: 

Live. Perspective. Fear. Joy. Limits. Flow. Play.  

How was that experience for you? Were you surprised by the word you chose or by your response to it?

In an effort to profile more of the writer’s experience and to kick off 2019, we invited our community to share their intentions and inspirations for the new year. We sent a prompt to our community of fellows, grant recipients, and volunteers.

This was an open invitation: whether you love New Year’s Resolutions or loathe them; what you’re committing to creatively or personally; share a something that’s inspiring you. As you may have experienced in the above writing challenge, we didn’t know what to expect from the assignment. And as usual, we were surprised and delighted by the wide array of responses we got. Upon closer reading, however, we saw some common themes in the lives of these writers. You guessed it– Live. Perspective. Fear. Joy. Limits. Flow. Play.

Though each of us have different formations, creative processes, taste in art, we are all connected and committed to telling stories that matter. Below you’ll find some of the responses we received from writers in our community. And we invite you to share your intentions with us in the comments below. It may be the end of January, but the year is still very new, and February 1st is as good a time as any to challenge and stretch yourself.

We’ll do the same!

Commitments:

“What I am committing to personally and creatively this year is being in a spirit of ‘YES.’ Yes opens doors and from yes, all blessings flow!”  

 – Nambi E. Kelley, Playwright and DGF Fellow

“In the new year, I’m committing to perspective. It’s so easy in this industry, in this city, in this time, to get swept up in the urgency of joy and pain close at hand, when the fact of the matter is that life can’t exist on a single dimension. Perspective makes the impossible feel doable, the wonderful feel sustainable, and the confusing seem less threatening. Perspective is the engine of change. I am committing to perspective in love, life, and my writing, because none of these things is ever done becoming the most complete version of itself.”

 – Rae Binstock, Playwright and DGF Fellow

 “I’d like to do a cartwheel (aka have more fun in everything I do including writing musicals) in 2019!”

– Kit Yan, Playwright, Lyricist, and DGF Fellow

“In 2019, I’m committed to continuing to fight white supremacy, capitalism, and the patriarchy, by telling honest and joyful stories of the lives of women of color, queer, and trans folx. To challenge myself while acknowledging my limits. And to also drink more water.”

– Melissa Li, Playwright and DGF Fellow

“In 2019 I am committed to using my superpowers as a playwright to wrestle all my fears to the ground.”

– Charles Gershman, Playwright and DGF Fellow

“This year, I’m starting to write my first musical. I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but that’s okay. I’m entering this year with an open heart and improved time-management skills.”

– Adrianna Mateo, Composer, Actress, and Music Hall Volunteer

Inspiration:

“I’ve been really loving 35mm, the song cycle by Ryan Scott Oliver based on the photos of Matthew Murphy. I take it not only as very listenable music, but also a call to let interest and curiosity be the lead in artistic endeavors.”

– Ethan Hardy, DGF Marketing Manager

“I’ve only seen the movie Blade Runner once, but the line delivered at the end by Edward James Olmos is constantly floating around my head these days. ‘It’s too bad she won’t live…but then again, who does?'”

– Rae Binstock, Playwright and DGF Fellow

“I’m so inspired by this Emily Dickinson poem. It has been ringing in my ears every time I sit down to write:

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant–

Success in Circuit lies

Too bright for our infirm Delight

The Truth’s superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased

With explanation kind

The Truth must dazzle gradually

Or every man be blind–

Oh. And I saw The Favourite and The Ferryman. Neither are to be missed!”

– Hannah Kloepfer, Artist, Music Hall Volunteer, and DGF Marketing Assistant

Everything Marie Kondo says is currently inspiring me, but especially “When we really delve into the reasons for why we can’t let something go, there are only two: an attachment to the past or a fear for the future.”

– Kit Yan, Playwright, Lyricist, and DGF Fellow

Thank you to all who have contributed to this list. Have anything to add?

Tweet @DGFound and let us know what’s inspiring you this year or leave a comment below!