September Writing Goals

Typical task/goal lists

As I said in a previous post, September is a fresh start for me in a lot of ways, some of which have to do with my fiction-writing life. As a result, I've set some goals for myself this month that will help me get the collection back on track. Here's what's on my list for September:

• Finish the character biographies for the coffee house book.
• Write the outlines for at least two additional books in the collection.
• Begin the character biographies for one additional book in the collection.
• Begin the chapter-by-chapter outlines for the coffee house book.

I know it looks like a short list, but each component has a separate list of things that have to be done for that particular item to be done. So it's more than it appears. (Isn't that usually the case?) And as each task is crossed off this list, it will be replaced with a new one so I'll be able to continue pushing forward in the collection.

I think September is going to be a good month.

Formal Friday: an Explanation

At the esteemed offices of NaNoWriMo, the general dress code is casual for employees except the last Friday of every month when the staff dresses up to celebrate the fact they don't have to dress up.

Clever, yes?  Here's a picture.

Since I am a self-employed, work-from-home freelance writer, I've decided to incorporate Formal Fridays into my own office dress code policy.  (Ha!)  I'll dress up on the last Friday of every month and post a picture for you.  This month is a bit of Bohemian formality.

Caribbean Elite Set to Set Sail

EP--As the sailing date for the maiden voyage of the Caribbean Elite nears, passengers are being reminded to have all their paperwork in order on or before Friday, September 26th in order to be admitted to the ship.

Captain NP has been unavailable for comment since her recent statement to the press, and is rumored to be doing walk-throughs with the crew of the ship to ensure everything meets the high standards that have been set for the ship.  There have been no leaks about the current passenger manifest.

The ship is the first luxury liner to be designed exclusively for the elite, and even press coverage has been limited.  The maiden voyage sets sail Saturday, September 27 out of Port Canaveral.

Captain NP Speaks to the Press

EP--NP, Captain of the Caribbean Elite, first luxury liner catering exclusively to the elite of society, issued a statement today to explain the importance of the no-press policy to this point.

NP said, "We are proud to be certified by the [Elitism] Board, and the commendation we received from them even prior to the christening are taken very seriously by myself and the crew of the ship.  [That's why] we have avoided speaking with the press until now."

She went on to explain, "We have done rigorous background checks on all our passengers to prevent non-elites from 'slipping through,' and there will be absolutely no press allowed on board before or during the maiden voyage."

The first actual photo of the Caribbean Elite (shown right) is now available, taken by Jay W. of EP.  He managed to snap the shot during some routine tests of the ship shortly after its christening.

The maiden voyage of the ship is scheduled for September 27th, and all passengers are reminded by Captain NP to ensure their boarding passes are in order by September 26th.

EP will continue to provide coverage of this controversial cruise with amusing alliteration for all.

Caribbean Elite Captain NP Attends Red Carpet Event

EP--NP, captain of the new luxury liner designed exclusively for the elite, was seen at a red-carpet fundraiser on September 12 for the Typo Eradication Advancement League (TEAL).

Though the ship's guest list is still being finalized, NP declined to comment on the upcoming maiden voyage of the Caribbean Elite, and it is unclear whether or not any of the ship's guests were at the event.

The Caribbean Elite will be sailing out of Port Canaveral on September 27th.

Caribbean Elite Guest List Created, Staterooms Decorated

EP--The Caribbean Elite, a new luxury liner catering exclusively to the elite, is being prepared for its maiden voyage on September 27th.

Captain NP, unavailable for comment, is creating the guest list for the first voyage. She has been meeting with various elitists to discuss the cruise, as well as their qualifications for being admitted to the ship. It has been rumored the guest list will need to be finalized by September 26th for the voyage the next day.

The elitists who have met with NP declined to comment on the impending maiden voyage of the controversial luxury liner.

Writing Goals for September

There is a lot I would like to accomplish in my writing career, and it's helpful for me to create specific goals and task lists, breaking down my large, long-term goals into smaller steps that can be accomplished as short-term goals. These are my goals for September.

• Complete approximately half of the draft of the coffee house book
• Increase my freelance writing work by 5-10 hours a week
• Research at least one new freelance market to which I can submit
• Look for local writing opportunities