2012 - 2013: Making Good Art, and Making Life an Adventure

For me, 2012 was a year of keeping steady. In 2011 I started several projects, including my Professional Writing program, so 2012 was all about finishing those projects and passing my first year. I’m happy to say I’ve accomplished many of my goals, and even exceeded my own expectations. 

Looking back on it I’m more than happy with what I’ve done so far, but 2013 is going to be all about pushing it even further, and taking more risks. Last year I was so focused on just making sure I could finish things that I avoided too much excitement with my projects. This year I’m going to make more, make different things, and do things with them I’ve always been afraid to do.

Source

 

I didn’t make a list of goals or resolutions last year, but I think if I could sum up my direction last year, it would be “Make Good Art.” That’s a quote from a commencement address from one of my favourite authors and personal heroes, Neil Gaiman. You can read the whole thing here. Last year, I wanted to make as much and be as proud of it as possible, and I think I accomplished that. Ultimately, I think the best art anyone can make is something they can be proud of.

So here’s a quick recap of what I did in 2012:

• - I finished my first year of Professional Writing with straight A’s both semesters, and finished the first half of my second year. 
• - Finished my first graphic novel.
• - Finished the second draft of my novel.
• - Completed my Spineonline blog.
• - Wrote scripts for two more graphic novels.
• - Started this blog.
• - Went to some awesome parties (very important)
• - Made good stuff for my portfolio.

In 2012, I made:

• -          3 comics
• -          7 scripts
• -          8 short stories
• -          2 poems
• -          5 essays
• -          3 interviews
• -          1 letter to the editor
• -          1 (second draft) novel

This year, I’ll be finishing my second year of Professional Writing and finally graduating from college. After that comes the daunting task of getting a job and finding a new place to live. This is going to be a huge change for my life, but it’s an adventure I’m ready to go on! This year, I want everything to be an adventure. I want to do more than just make more stuff, I want to make stuff I’ve always been afraid to make, and put it out there in ways I never have before.

So to sum up my direction for this year: It’s Adventure Time.

With Leah P!

My goals for 2013:

• -          Graduate
• -          Finish the final touches on my novel
• -          Finish two more graphic novels, completing the first arc of my comic
• -          Send out at least 1 short story to a literary magazine
• -          Find a place to live outside my home town
• -          Get a job and make some money

In 2012, I want to make:

• -          10 short stories
• -          5 poems
• -          5 comics (2 graphic novels in all)
• -          1 completed novel

In addition to that, I’m going to do more interviews, essays, and make more cool posts for this blog. But every time I make something, I’m going to make sure it excites me, that I’m not just playing it safe, and that every day I’m making life a new adventure.

December 6th and the White Ribbon Campaign

For a school assignment I was given a template for a newsletter and asked to write about a charity/NGO of my choice. I chose the White Ribbon Campaign, a Canadian started campaign to end violence against women. For my newsletter I was asked to provide information about the organization as well as write a number of articles about it.

Today is December 6th, the National Day of Remembrance for Violence Against Women. The White Ribbon Campaign begins on November 25th, and ends on this day. In Canada, this day is meant to commemorate the victims of the Montreal Massacre, which is the event that first sparked the campaign. This is usually the day the WRC and other charities have their campaigns set up, or hold demonstrations or memorial services. I first became involved with WRC in highschool, when my school would hold memorials. Ending violence against women is a very important cause to me. I think the WRC is a very important campaign because not only does it support women's programs and shelters, but it also educates men and gets them involved.

I wrote my newsletter for school as an assignment only, to learn how to use a template and to write about and for a charity/NGO. My newsletter is not endorsed by the White Ribbon Campaign.

 

 

 

 

If you click on the images, then right click "view image" you should be able to see them full size.

For more information about the White Ribbon Campaign please visit their website at http://www.whiteribbon.ca/

My Letter to the Editor got Published!

So for a school assignment I was required to write a letter to the editor and send it in. I really didn't think anything would come of it, but the National Post actually published it online! I've never been professionally published like this before, so this is very exciting. It's also about an issue (breast cancer) that's very important to my family and friends, and I've received a lot of support from them on this, which is really the best thing ever. I couldn't ask for more.

The original article I was responding to was featured online, and it was about a woman who had suffered from depression following a double mastectomy. A lot of it came from body image issues and some ill-treatment from society following her operation. That combined with some of the breast cancer campaigns I'd seen around my school and at home, and in the past working with my mom in campaigns myself, inspired me to write this.

You can read the original article I was responding to here.
You can read my featured letter here.

But in case that link expires, here's my letter. It's been edited by Paul Russel, the Comment editor at the National Post. Since this is a letter to the editor, it's got a lot of opinions in it. As always, I am open to discussion in the comments section!

Reading Thandi Fletcher’s heartbreaking article about the psychological effects of mastectomies got me thinking about the way breast cancer treatment is viewed in Canada, and especially about the way it’s supported. Having worked at breast cancer support charities myself, I’ve seen quite a variety of ways charities are handled. And while I’m sure every single one of these charities, fundraisers and events has good intentions, there’s a very dangerous problem with putting all the focus on a woman’s breasts, and their value.
I’ve seen far too many of these fundraisers advertised with phrases like, “Save the boobs” or “Support for boobies!” etc. The problem with that is, we’re not trying to save the boobs — we’re trying to save a woman. Mastectomies are a reality some women undergoing breast cancer treatment have to face, and when we put the emphasis on her breasts rather than on her character, we contribute to the poisonous society that sees a woman’s body as something belonging to society rather than to her, and to the psychological scars women face. Women who bear the scars of breast cancer should feel triumphant about beating a disease and living another day, instead of ashamed of the battles they’ve faced.
Leah Powell, Ottawa

So, I want to extend a big thank you to everyone who read it, and everyone who's supported me. But more importantly I want to extend an even bigger thank you to all the women among my family and friends who inspired me to write it. They are the some of the strongest women I know.

And I just handed it in a little while ago, so I hope I get good marks on this assignment!