Kait Gets Lit

2013 will be my year. I’m guessing that’s what a lot of people are thinking right now as they sit on the precipice of another new year. We’re feeling nostalgic for things past and looking forward to adventures to come. We’re making resolutions whether we want to or not because inevitably at a New Year’s party or in our office someone is going to ask us what they are. I’m through making resolutions about my health and workout plan (I’m quite okay with it) or relationships (no matter if I swear them off, I’ll still fall for the next asshole in a pair of skinny jeans anyway). This year, 2013, is the year of my writing.

Here I am celebrating New Year’s Eve last year. Since then, I’ve placed three stories and written my first novel.
You hear that, 2013 Kait? Gauntlet thrown.

Make More People Cry:
I recently read a new story of mine to my mom and when I finished and looked up, she had tears in her eyes. That was pretty cool. Not that my mom was crying, but that something I had written affected her enough to cause an emotional response. I’d like to do that again. I’d also like to make some people laugh. I think that’s even harder than making people cry.

Take up Chess:
I need a hobby. Aside from television and movie watching and reading, writing is my go-to. It’s my pastime. Honestly, I think it’s time I drop that mentality. I can’t treat writing as a leisurely activity if I want to be taken seriously as a writer. If NaNoWriMo taught me anything (besides writing at bars is fun), it’s that I need to be more disciplined with my writing and make myself follow a writing schedule. Also, if I take up chess (seriously, I want to play more chess; I love it even though I’m terrible at it), I could write some kind of cat-and-mouse thriller and use chess metaphors. The possibilities are endless…

Look Back at my NaNoWriMo Manuscript and Figure out if it’s Anything:
I wrote a book. Now what? Let’s answer that question in 2013.

Meet More Awesome Writers and Suck out Their Powers:
Portland is an awesome community for meeting writers. Lately I’ve been cozying up to (stalking) Chloe Caldwell, Lidia Yuknavitch, and Kevin Sampsell, all badass writers with a book or two under their belts. They all represent small presses, uncensored writing, and that ever-inspiring Portland DIY attitude. They are all mentors and heroes to me. I interviewed Chloe for a piece on women writers and will do the same soon for Lidia. I met Kevin through my internship at Tin House. Whether or not they know it, they have all inspired me to keep trying because they have proved that you can be a writer in Portland. They have also shown me how welcoming the Portland literary community is. Plus, they write some pretty amazing things.

Dream Big:
I’d like to win an Academy Award for best adapted screenplay when I adapt my novel into a movie and have it directed by Lynn Shelton and have Aubrey Plaza star in it and have the Cave Singers record the soundtrack. I’d also like to be name dropped in a rap by either Kanye West or Drake because who doesn’t? I’d also like to be interviewed by Conan O’Brien. And just maybe have dinner with Bob Dylan and Woody Allen at the same time. It doesn’t hurt to have some crazy dreams in order to make your other goals seem more achievable. I’m not saying that these things will or won’t happen in 2013. I will save them for 2014.