Writing Resolutions for 2020

Manahil Bandukwala

1) Write more short stories

“Dye Me in the Colour of Spring” was the first short story I completed and published since high school. My mother and older sister both told me they thought it was really good. They said this in a tone that went beyond just “you’re related to me so I’m obligated to say I like it.” Hearing this, as well as having a group to workshop stories with again, is pretty good motivation to start writing short fiction again. I loved crafting a bizarre world where the supernatural and real-world met, and I can’t wait to keep doing this in 2020. 

2) Complete a poetry book manuscript

By the end of 2019, I had an almost-finished poetry manuscript. It’s an exploration of the historic figure, Mumtaz Mahal. The poems involve a lot of research, and sometimes I feel like I’m repeating the same thing across poems. But I’m pretty happy with some of the threads in the collection.  My 2020 goal is to finish editing the poems and have a complete manuscript ready to submit to publishers. 

3) Keep exploring mixed art forms in Reth aur Reghistan

Another project that has been in my life for as long as You Hit Me With Your Car is Reth aur Reghistan. It’s a multidisciplinary project that uses literature, sculpture, workshops, and any collaborative art form that fits to share folklore from Pakistan. I entered 2020 making sculptures, and will keep seeing where the project is going.

These are three writing resolutions for 2020. What are yours?