Lucky Year ’13: Victoria Musgrave Tackles Memoir, Journaling, + More on Her Bucket List

I have big plans for 2013! I’m one of the few people who believes that the number ’13′ is actually lucky, instead of unlucky. The first time I had an article published, I mailed the manuscript off on a Friday the 13th – so its been a good luck number and day for me ever since.

Here is what I plan to achieve in 2013:

Send my memoir out into the world

I’ve been working on a book length memoir for over 10 years! Okay, there have been multi-year stretches where I didn’t work on the book at all. But throughout this time, whether I’ve been working on it or not, it has been a huge presence in my life, an itch that needed to be scratched. So, in 2012 I took the year off and finally finished writing a complete working draft. This will be the year I edit it and send it out into the world. I haven’t quite decided if I’m going the self-publishing route or seeking an agent/publisher, but either way, it is leaving the safety of my hard drive. It is going to feel scary and amazing to finally finish this project.

My memoir is tentatively titled Against the Currents and tells the story of the year and a half  I spent living on a 35-foot sailboat with my parents and younger sister. We sailed from Nova Scotia, down the east coast of the United States to Florida before spending six months cruising the Bahamas before wintering in Florida and returning to Canada. During our voyage we experienced freezing temperatures, harsh storms and engine failure, only to discover our biggest challenge was learning to live with and love each other.  You can read excerpts from my work in progress here.

Launch an ebook about journaling

I’ve been journaling since I was about 10 years old, and it has been a way for me to sort out my thoughts and feelings, record my dreams and plans, and make sense of challenges in my life. I also kept a journal throughout the sailing trip I mentioned above, and those journals have been an invaluable resource as I wrote the memoir. I’m pulling together an ebook to share tips and suggestions on how to make journaling a transformative practice. I’m looking forward to sharing what I’ve learned with others.

Write more poetry

Like many of us, I wrote poetry as a teenager and even managed to get a couple of my poems published. Then, I stopped writing poetry for years. I wrote a couple of poems last year and wondered why I ever stopped. Poetry is about taking delight in language and sharing thoughts and ideas in way that just isn’t possible in any other form of writing. I plan to write many poems this year and, dare I dream, put together a poetry chapbook or ebook.

Take driving lessons

I actually have a driver’s license, but it has been so long since I’ve been behind the wheel that I need a refresher course. I live in a big city, so I’ve been pretty happy to walk, bike, or take the subway wherever I want to go, but I would like to rent a car to get out of the city. The idea terrifies and thrills me at the same time. The idea of negotiating a car through traffic, streetcars and pedestrians is scary, but I also crave the freedom that would come with being able to jump in a car and go whenever I want to go.

Attend World Domination Summit

I wanted to go last year, but waffled too long on buying a ticket and missed out. I was determined not to lose out this year, so I jumped at the first opportunity to get a ticket. I’m really looking forward to meeting a group of likeminded people.

Go to Paris

I’ve wanted to go to the City of Lights for a very long time. I don’t have any definitive plans yet, but somehow I’m going to find my way there this year. I long to explore the streets of Paris, drink chocolat at a cafe, browse for books at Shakespeare & Company, and explore the art at the Louvre.

This is a pretty ambitious list, so I’ll need to work hard and stay focused in order to accomplish my dreams. I can’t wait to get started!

Wish me luck!

From Dana: Best of luck, Victoria! Way to embrace that Lucky number :)

What will YOU cross off your Bucket List in 2013? Tell us in the comments!

If you’re new to DIY Writing, here’s a great place to start. You can also subscribe to updates to download your free Press Kit Template to help you promote your next book, product, or event.

Featured image: Elizabeth M (Creative Commons)