The Manifestation of 2024... Maybe...

As 2024 began, I knew I wanted to find my creative community. I had been more of a silent lurker over at KidsComicsUnite.com and their mighty network. I say silent lurker, but I did submit to their Pitchfest Event and was thrilled to voted into the top 50! You can see all of the amazing pitches here: https://kidscomicsunite.com/kcu-pitchfest-showcase-2023/

The first step to being more active in their community of comics creators was becoming a member of their Kids Comics Studio. For 2024, they had decided to tackle the endeavor of creating an anthology of kids comics. By joining, I was committing to interacting with other creatives, and working towards my own personal goal of becoming a published author. This was a logical step. Along with the anthology project, there were monthly challenges for studio members.

January's Challenge

Vision Board

With 8 months behind me, I am shocked to say that only 2 things have not happened yet - my house it not organized and I have not gotten THE CALL from an agent. There's still 4 months to go! I have never made a vision board prior to this challenge, but I'm officially sold on the power of manifestation now.

One of the things I was hoping for 2024 was more theater, and I specifically wrote down "auditions" and "performing." In February, I auditioned for a local community theater, Magenta, with the hope of maybe securing an understudy role. I was offered the role of Truvy in Steel Magnolias. After 15 years away from the stage, I landed my first role and it was a HUGE one. Performing and being a part of the theater community again felt incredible. Breaking down my walls and leaving my comfort zone continued when I auditioned for a musical! That one took a ton of courage, and while I didn't make the cast, I did get a callback! The next audition was a lot of fun since I convinced the hubby to join me and turn it into a date night adventure. I didn't land a role, but he did! His first time on stage since high school. As his performances wind down in October, I'll be starting up rehearsals. How? I auditioned for a tight-knit, talented, and wonderful theater community at Love Street Playhouse in Woodland and was cast!

Two theater productions in 2024! Sometimes, my brain struggles to process it because it does not align with the stories my inner-critic has repeated for years. It is easy to believe I'm not good enough. It is much harder to believe that notion this year. Two different directors saw my potential, and a third noticed at least a glimmer of it. I cannot wait to start the rehearsal process again!

February's Challenge

Four-Panel Comics

Other Monthly Challenges

• March - Scriptwriting

• April - Silent Comic

• May - Daily Practice

• June - Limited Color Palette

• July - Lettering

• August - Linework

• September - Outline & Synopsis

Due to my theatrical endeavors, I pulled back a bit on these monthly challenges. Still absorbing all of the workshops for the monthly topics, I followed along with what others were creating. During this time, there was also a ton of work happening towards the anthology project. As a "newb" and still listening to that inner-critic saying, "not good enough" on repeat, I cautiously joined the marketing committee and worked towards figuring out my submission for the actual anthology. Between critique group shares, and imposter syndrome, I narrowed down my story concept - but that's a different blog post.

After sharing with the anthology group a sketch inspired by one of our early meetings, I turned it into a four panel comic to be included as we document the history of the anthology making process. Imagine my surprise when another creator and committee leader reached out and asked me to work on a logo and some graphics to be used in marketing the anthology. The mixture of shock and honor resulted in a week of hyperfixation. My creations were going to be shared with and potentially represent all of the other amazing creators in the project. I created something I'm proud of making. It was shared with the initial committee leader that made the request... then the art director for KCU... then the leader of the marketing committee... then the founder or KCU - who happens to be a major agent in the industry. Intimidation joined shock and honor. So far, these individuals that I admire and respect have liked what I've shared. Next week, I will have the opportunity to share them with the whole marketing committee. Naturally, I put together a slide show presentation.

The next few months are going to fly by, and maybe I'll manage to get the house organized and maybe the updated pitch of VEXED & HEXED will gain some traction in the #KidLitGN pitch event in October. If those things happen, everything from my vision board will have manifested. If those things don't happen, it will still have been an incredibly fulfilling creative year that has me thinking...

…maybe I am enough.