Moving Forward - 2026
This year is going to be amazing - let it be!
I’ve been working on my priority list for 2026 for a couple of weeks. Thinking about what I want to accomplish. The list is long. I’ll be 60 this month and the thought of that seems to put a little more pressure on my “someday” list. But if you read through my post yesterday your reaction may have been like mine was - wow, that was a lot! I even woke up this morning thinking about a couple of things I forgot to add to that post. I taught screenwriting classes, helping other writers get their stories on the page with dreams of the screen. I consulted on two projects in Paris - yes Paris. I didn’t go to Paris but I helped a friend with a music video that was shot in Paris in the spring of 2025 - hoping to share that soon. This friend also connected me with an amazing filmmaker in Paris who she has worked with. He needed an American script consultant to help with dialogue and story flow for his second short film. His first short film had no dialogue and has won many awards around the world. I was honored to work with him and help on his script. The short has been filmed and should be available soon.
So on to 2026 . . . As I thought about my priorities I realized that my real priority is how I want to feel about the things I want to do. So while I have a list of goals for the year, I also have a list of how I want to feel during that process and what small things I will do everyday to have these feelings and to work toward accomplishing the goals.
Maybe it’s because I’m getting older but I want to enjoy the process of the daily work. Paying attention to the results of the daily work and how it makes me feel. How the act of having done the work affects how I show up in the rest of my life. Moving forward calmly amid the noise and haste of the days and remember what peace there can be in silence. I suppose a lot of people describe this as being more present in the moments. But it isn’t about being more present, it is about enjoying the moments. Enjoying the work.
I want to feel healthy, light, calm, rested, safe, loved, stable - both emotionally and financially, informed, educated, accomplished, inspiring and inspired, encouraging, supportive and supported, acknowledged. I want to make more connections, sometimes the random meetings are the best connections, so more of those. I want to connect those connections, giving back to the community. I want to feel creative.
So of course there is a list of what I want to accomplish while I’m feeling these feels.
Writing - I have so many stories I want to write. So continue working on those, both here on Substack and screenplays, but also my novel. At the end of this year I want to look at my completed first draft of There Was A Star - The Dorothy Starr story. I’ve been saying this for a few years but I feel 2026 is the year. I want to eventually make this as a film and that will take some time. It is an epic historical biography. I’ve applied for a fellowship and if I’m selected that will be an exciting step forward in my writing path. I will teach more screenwriting classes, both in person and online this year, helping others feel confident in their writing. My mantra this year - The world needs your stories.
I’ve joined the team at Broadway World Portland as a writer. I’ll be attending more stage plays and writing reviews to encourage others to support our local theater community. I’m very excited about this writing opportunity.
Filming - I will film my psychological mystery screenplay, currently titled Someone is Listening. I am in pre-production to produced a Traditional Western Feature for another writer. I will finish editing my portion of Literally Lost and work with the others on this project to get through post production and onto the screen.
Podcast - Some exciting things are developing for Oregon Indie Film. I will continue to meet amazing filmmakers and interview them to share their stories via my podcast.
Purging - We have reopened our antique store and the big purge will take some time but this is a big priority for 2026.
Time with good friends - train trips to Seattle, dinners, shows, films, beach trips, coffee time, happy hour. We have the first train trip scheduled for January 13th - also helping me meet my writing goals.
Connections - Continue and expand my work with the nonprofit POV Filmmakers. I’m scheduled for a presentation at a Book & Media fair this summer. Monthly networking, more collaborations, helping filmmakers connect with one another and meeting some good people along the way.
Reading - Making time each day to read. Spending time reading and consuming things that inform and educate. Keeping involved in the world’s happenings as well as reading to educate myself professionally and for enjoyment. I’m always open to good thriller, mystery, and true crime book recommendations.
Painting - Watercolor painting has been on my “someday” list for a very long time and 2025 was the year. I will continue my practice of painting and add to it some urban sketching. I’m also picking up my calligraphy practice that I haven’t done for years but will be a good compliment to my painted greeting cards. I’m focused on practicing these things instead of the mindless scrolling. Being creative is so much more relaxing.
I am open for more consulting on scripts, filmmaking, indie film budgeting, writing, career advice, and since I’m back in the game, antique appraisals. Also, voice over work which I have discovered I really enjoy.
Health - although this is last on the list it is at the top of the priority list. Last year I developed an overuse injury and had to take time away from my daily walks. It really affected not only my physical health but also emotional health. I’m already back on track with daily walks and am easing back into it to avoid another injury. I’m feeling better and these daily walks really help me show up in the rest of my day. It also helps me get better sleep. I’ve continued teaching yoga twice a week and my students are bright lights on those days. More time beside the ocean, walking on the beach and painting seascapes. Protect my vision - I have the beginnings of cataracts (WTF!) so I need to wear sunglasses more regularly which here in the Pacific Northwest I don’t really think about them when it is cloudy everyday. I have a genetic autoimmune disease that I don’t really talk much about but as I age it is imperative I stay healthy, positive, and strong - not only for myself.
Happy New Year - LFG!
