Tag: lists

For the love of lists…

I know it’s the 21st of January now and the buzz of New Year’s resolutions has passed.  This has been playing on my mind for a couple of weeks now though, so I’m going to post it, and hopefully my brain will allow me to move on and actually get some stuff done.

One of the guys at work shared his New Year’s resolutions with me when we started back at work on the 3rd.  He had resolutions for every aspect of his life, and he was really serious about them.  He had resolutions for his relationship, for his family, for his work, his hobbies, sports, fitness and diet, money…  He had it all.  He’d covered pretty much every aspect of his life.

We did have a giggle over the fact that one of his goals was to read two books this year.  He about fell over when I told him my goal was to read 120.  *Laugh*

He had handwritten out all his goals, grouped according to the area of his life they related to, with headings and what-not.  He said he was going to frame it, to symbolise its importance.  Then, he was going to make to do lists, with each resolution broken down into a series of tasks required to accomplish it, so that he could tick them off.

I’m not really interested in setting New Year’s resolutions.  But if you know anything about me by now, it should be that I love lists.  Lists are my thing.

So I thought that the new year would be a good time to review my lists, cross off things I’d accomplished and remind myself of things I still wanted to achieve.  Maybe make some plans to cross them off.  Because a goal without a plan is just a dream, or some shit like that, right?

So I gathered up all my lists and sorted them into groups that made sense to me.  Then I reviewed them and updated them.  Then I made mini ‘2018’ lists for each grouping.  Some of the items are from various challenges I’m doing or would like to do.  So here’s what I have…

Family 2018

*Box* Make a photo book for my sister (wedding gift)
*Box* Write a speech for my sister’s wedding
*Box* Meet my niece
*Box* Teach my daughter how to edit her own Youtube videos
*Box* Teach my son how to drive

Family bucket list

*Box* Take my kids to the theme parks on Australia’s Gold Coast
*Box* Do these things with my kids (which means participating, not watching them do them!):

*Boxcheck* Go camping (in a tent, with sleeping bags!)
*Boxcheck* Draw
*Boxcheck* Go on a picnic
*Box* Go possum hunting (note to non-NZers, possums are an environmental pest in NZ)
*Boxcheck* Go ice skating
*Box* Snorkel
*Boxcheck* Go to a music concert
*Boxcheck* Cook
*Boxcheck* Watch a sunrise
*Boxcheck* Watch a sunset
*Boxcheck* Show them where I grew up
*Boxcheck* Point out constellations in the night sky
*Box* Roast marshmallows over a campfire
*Boxcheck* Volunteer for a charity or help someone in need
*Boxcheck* Take a road trip
*Box* Ride in a hot air balloon
*Box* Have a no-reason, not-because-they’re-sick, Bueller-caliber free day off school
*Boxcheck* Take them trick-or-treating
*Boxcheck* Write, post and receive handwritten letters in the mail
*Boxcheck* Care for a pet
*Boxcheck* Swim
*Box* Sew
*Box* Play hopscotch and elastics
*Boxcheck* Watch a big fireworks display
*Boxcheck* Write and send a letter to Santa
*Boxcheck* Make a video
*Boxcheck* Watch a movie
*Boxcheck* Go ten pin bowling
*Boxcheck* Play miniature golf
*Box* Host a dinner party
*Box* Plan a surprise party
*Boxcheck* Go hiking
*Box* Climb a tree
*Boxcheck* Jump on a trampoline
*Box* Roll down a really big hill
*Boxcheck* Skim a stone
*Boxcheck* Dance
*Box* Dance in the rain
*Boxcheck* Sing really loudly along to the car stereo
*Boxcheck* Fly a kite
*Boxcheck* Catch a fish
*Boxcheck* Eat fruit straight from the tree
*Boxcheck* Pick berries
*Boxcheck* Hunt for bugs
*Boxcheck* Play a board game
*Boxcheck* Have a snowball fight
*Boxcheck* Build a sandcastle
*Box* Make a mud pie
*Box* Pick watercress
*Boxcheck* Bury someone in the sand
*Box* Race snails
*Boxcheck* Slide down a waterslide
*Box* Feed a bird from your hand
*Boxcheck* Call an owl/morepork
*Boxcheck* Investigate what’s living in a rock pool
*Box* See glowworms
*Boxcheck* Plant it, grow it, eat it
*Box* Find your way with a map and a compass
*Boxcheck* Finish a puzzle
*Box* Have a food fight
*Boxcheck* Write a poem
*Boxcheck* Write a story
*Boxcheck* Explore a cave
*Box* Do the World Vision 40 Hour Famine
*Boxcheck* Ride a bike
*Boxcheck* Travel on a train
*Boxcheck* Visit a farm
*Boxcheck* Have a treasure hunt
*Box* Learn how to tie a tie
*Boxcheck* Ride a roller coaster
*Boxcheck* Dine in a restaurant
*Boxcheck* Accept – and execute – a dare, double-dare or, best of all, triple-dog dare.
*Boxcheck* Experience one unplugged weekend without cell phones, computers or TV
*Boxcheck* Sell something at a stall
*Boxcheck* Conduct a science experiment
*Boxcheck* Take photos
*Box* Ride a horse

Work 2018

(I haven’t posted these publicly since this is public and I’m not stupid!)

Work bucket list

*Box* Wear makeup to work every day for a month
*Boxcheck* Have my own business cards
*Boxcheck* Travel for work

Adulting 2018

*Box* Save $1,000 each month until July

*Box* January
*Box* February
*Box* March
*Box* April
*Box* May
*Box* June

*Box* Set up individual bank accounts for:

*Box* Rates and water
*Box* Car expenses
*Box* Petrol
*Box* Software
*Box* Insurance
*Boxcheck* Savings
*Box* TV
*Box* World Vision
*Box* Power & LPG
*Box* Gymnastics
*Box* School stuff
*Box* Groceries
*Box* Haircuts
*Box* Ancestry & Writing.com
*Box* Lawnmowing

*Box* Refix mortgage rates for 1 year when they expire in November

Adulting bucket list

*Box* Regularly deposit savings and make no withdrawals for one year
*Box* Create an emergency survival kit, including at least three days’ worth of water, food and pet supplies
*Box* Establish Enduring Powers of Attorney (a living will)
*Boxcheck* Write a will
*Box* Set up a family trust
*Box* Be debt free

*Box* Pay off our mortgage
*Box* Pay off our credit card
*Box* Pay off our travel card

*Boxcheck* Own a bottle of alcohol worth more than $100
*Box* Own a bottle of alcohol worth more than $500
*Box* Own a bottle of alcohol worth more than $1,000
*Boxcheck* Own a bottle of Royal Dragon Imperial vodka
*Box* Own a bottle of Samurai vodka
*Boxcheck* Sponsor a child in a third world country
*Box* Own a holiday home
*Boxcheck* Pay for a stranger’s petrol
*Box* Pay for a stranger’s meal
*Box* Do jury duty

Writing 2018

*Box* Write at least one poem a month

*Box* January
*Box* February
*Box* March
*Box* April
*Box* May
*Box* June
*Box* July
*Box* August
*Box* September
*Box* October
*Box* November
*Box* December

*Box* Write at least one short story a month

*Box* January
*Box* February
*Box* March
*Box* April
*Box* May
*Box* June
*Box* July
*Box* August
*Box* September
*Box* October
*Box* November
*Box* December

Writing bucket list

*Box* Handwrite all my poems into journals
*Boxcheck* Finish, edit and print Grand & Epic Adventures
*Box* Write a short story based on one of my ancestors
*Box* Write a short story based on my own life
*Boxcheck* Write a poem about Boxing Days
*Box* Write a poem about each of my family members

*Boxcheck* My dad
*Box* My mum
*Box* My older sister
*Boxcheck* My younger sister
*Boxcheck* My husband
*Boxcheck* My son
*Boxcheck* My daughter
*Box* My father-in-law
*Box* My mother-in-law

*Box* Complete National Poetry Writing Month
*Box* Complete National Novel Writing Month
*Box* Fill a journal with writing
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my younger sister in the UK
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my godson in Australia
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my goddaughter in Australia
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my grandmother in Australia
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my great uncle in the UK
*Box* Send a snail mail letter to my uncle in Australia
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my friend Beth in the US
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my old next door neighbour
*Box* Take a poetry writing or appreciation class

Reading 2018

*Box* Read 120 books in 2018
*Boxcheck* Read a book with the first letter of the title being “A”
*Boxcheck* Read a book written in first person POV
*Boxcheck* Read an author’s debut book
*Box* Read a book set in a country I’d like to visit, but never have
*Box* Read a book published in 2017
*Box* Read a book by my favourite author
*Box* Read a non-fiction book
*Box* Read a book with punctuation in the title
*Box* Read a book with a number in the title
*Box* Read a book from Amazon’s 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime list
*Box* Read a book with a colour in the title
*Box* Read a book with the first letter of the title being “N”
*Box* Read a book that’s been made into a movie
*Box* Read a book I chose because I liked the cover
*Box* Read a book written before 1950
*Box* Read a book written by an author whose name starts with E
*Box* Read a book that is also a play/musical
*Box* Read a book that has been adapted into a TV show
*Box* Read a book with more than one author
*Box* Read a book with a weather element in the title
*Box* Read a book with a title that doesn’t contain the letters “E” or “A”
*Box* Read a book with a long title (5+ words)
*Box* Read a book with a one word title
*Box* Read a book set in a fictional location
*Box* Read a book set in New Zealand
*Box* Read a book with an animal on the cover
*Box* Read a book set in the future
*Box* Read a New York Times bestseller
*Box* Read a book originally written in a different language
*Box* Read a book with one of the five W’s or H in the title (Who/What/Where/When/Why/How)
*Box* Read a book guaranteed to make me happy
*Box* Read a book with a person’s name in the title
*Box* Read a romance book
*Box* Read the first book in a series I’ve never heard of
*Box* Read a book not set in the US or UK
*Box* Read a book with food or drink in the title
*Box* Read a book I’ve wanted to read for a while, but haven’t gotten around to it
*Box* Read a book with a date in the title (day, month, year etc.)
*Box* Read a book with a title that starts “The”
*Box* Read a book with horror elements
*Box* Read a book with an element in the title (earth, air, fire, water)
*Box* Read a book with a cover that puts me off
*Box* Read a book published in 1980
*Box* Read a book with the first letter of the title being “H”
*Box* Reread one of my favourite books
*Box* Read a book published in 2018
*Box* Read a short book, less than 200 pages
*Box* Write at least one book review a month

*Boxcheck* January
*Box* February
*Box* March
*Box* April
*Box* May
*Box* June
*Box* July
*Box* August
*Box* September
*Box* October
*Box* November
*Box* December

Reading bucket list

*Box* Read every book in my Kindle library

Blogging 2018

*Box* Post at least once a week

*Boxcheck* Week commencing 1st January
*Boxcheck* Week commencing 8th January
*Boxcheck* Week commencing 15th January
*Box* Week commencing 22nd January
*Box* Week commencing 29th January
*Box* Week commencing 5th February
*Box* Week commencing 12th February
*Box* Week commencing 19th February
*Box* Week commencing 26th February
*Box* Week commencing 5th March
*Box* Week commencing 12th March
*Box* Week commencing 19th March
*Box* Week commencing 26th March
*Box* Week commencing 2nd April
*Box* Week commencing 9th April
*Box* Week commencing 16th April
*Box* Week commencing 23rd April
*Box* Week commencing 30th April
*Box* Week commencing 7th May
*Box* Week commencing 14th May
*Box* Week commencing 21st May
*Box* Week commencing 28th May
*Box* Week commencing 4th June
*Box* Week commencing 11th June
*Box* Week commencing 18th June
*Box* Week commencing 25th June
*Box* Week commencing 2nd July
*Box* Week commencing 9th July
*Box* Week commencing 16th July
*Box* Week commencing 23rd July
*Box* Week commencing 30th July
*Box* Week commencing 6th August
*Box* Week commencing 13th August
*Box* Week commencing 20th August
*Box* Week commencing 27th August
*Box* Week commencing 3rd September
*Box* Week commencing 10th September
*Box* Week commencing 17th September
*Box* Week commencing 24th September
*Box* Week commencing 1st October
*Box* Week commencing 8th October
*Box* Week commencing 15th October
*Box* Week commencing 22nd October
*Box* Week commencing 29th October
*Box* Week commencing 5th November
*Box* Week commencing 12th November
*Box* Week commencing 19th November
*Box* Week commencing 26th November
*Box* Week commencing 3rd December
*Box* Week commencing 10th December
*Box* Week commencing 17th December
*Box* Week commencing 24th December
*Box* Week commencing 31st December

*Boxcheck* Post the interview with Norb Aikin
*Box* Post the Versatile Blogger Award
*Box* Approach at least one author/blogger/publisher re interview once a month

*Box* January
*Box* February
*Box* March
*Box* April
*Box* May
*Box* June
*Box* July
*Box* August
*Box* September
*Box* October
*Box* November
*Box* December

*Box* Read and comment on other blogs at least once a week

*Boxcheck* Week commencing 1st January
*Boxcheck* Week commencing 8th January
*Boxcheck* Week commencing 15th January
*Box* Week commencing 22nd January
*Box* Week commencing 29th January
*Box* Week commencing 5th February
*Box* Week commencing 12th February
*Box* Week commencing 19th February
*Box* Week commencing 26th February
*Box* Week commencing 5th March
*Box* Week commencing 12th March
*Box* Week commencing 19th March
*Box* Week commencing 26th March
*Box* Week commencing 2nd April
*Box* Week commencing 9th April
*Box* Week commencing 16th April
*Box* Week commencing 23rd April
*Box* Week commencing 30th April
*Box* Week commencing 7th May
*Box* Week commencing 14th May
*Box* Week commencing 21st May
*Box* Week commencing 28th May
*Box* Week commencing 4th June
*Box* Week commencing 11th June
*Box* Week commencing 18th June
*Box* Week commencing 25th June
*Box* Week commencing 2nd July
*Box* Week commencing 9th July
*Box* Week commencing 16th July
*Box* Week commencing 23rd July
*Box* Week commencing 30th July
*Box* Week commencing 6th August
*Box* Week commencing 13th August
*Box* Week commencing 20th August
*Box* Week commencing 27th August
*Box* Week commencing 3rd September
*Box* Week commencing 10th September
*Box* Week commencing 17th September
*Box* Week commencing 24th September
*Box* Week commencing 1st October
*Box* Week commencing 8th October
*Box* Week commencing 15th October
*Box* Week commencing 22nd October
*Box* Week commencing 29th October
*Box* Week commencing 5th November
*Box* Week commencing 12th November
*Box* Week commencing 19th November
*Box* Week commencing 26th November
*Box* Week commencing 3rd December
*Box* Week commencing 10th December
*Box* Week commencing 17th December
*Box* Week commencing 24th December
*Box* Week commencing 31st December

Blogging bucket list

*Box* Have the courage to share my blog with family and friends on Facebook
*Box* Get 100 followers on this blog
*Box* Get 500 followers on this blog
*Box* Get 1,000 followers on this blog
*Box* Catch up on missing blog posts on my Livejournal blog

*Box* 2013
*Box* 2014
*Box* 2015
*Box* 2016
*Box* 2017
*Box* 2018

*Box* Convert my Livejournal blog posts (including private posts) into printed books

*Box* 2001
*Box* 2002
*Box* 2003
*Box* 2004
*Box* 2005
*Box* 2006
*Box* 2007
*Box* 2008
*Box* 2009
*Box* 2010
*Box* 2011
*Box* 2012
*Box* 2013
*Box* 2014
*Box* 2015
*Box* 2016
*Box* 2017

Photography 2018

*Box* Edit the photos from my UK trip
*Box* Do a photography daytrip with Mum
*Box* Share a new photo on Instagram
*Box* Share a new photo on Facebook

Photography bucket list

*Boxcheck* Take photography lessons
*Boxcheck* Go to Tiritiri Matangi Island to photograph the birds
*Box* Photograph all New Zealand’s endemic birds

*Box* Antipodes Island parakeet
*Box* Auckland Island shag
*Box* Auckland rail
*Box* Auckland teal
*Box* Banded dotterel
*Box* Black-billed gull
*Box* Black-fronted tern
*Box* Black robin or Chatham robin
*Box* Bounty Island shag
*Box* Buller’s albatross
*Box* Buller’s shearwater
*Box* Campbell Island shag
*Box* Campbell snipe
*Box* Campbell teal
*Box* Chatham albatross
*Box* Chatham gerygone
*Box* Chatham Island oystercatcher
*Box* Chatham Island snipe
*Box* Chatham Island warbler
*Box* Chatham parakeet
*Box* Chatham pigeon
*Box* Cook’s petrel
*Box* Erect-crested penguin
*Box* Foveaux shag
*Box* Great spotted kiwi
*Box* Grey-headed albatross
*Boxcheck* Hihi or stitchbird
*Box* Hoiho or yellow-eyed penguin
*Box* Hutton’s shearwater
*Box* Kaka
*Box* Kakapo
*Boxcheck* Kākāriki or red-fronted parakeet
*Box* Kākāriki or yellow-crowned parakeet
*Box* Kaki or black stilt
*Box* Kea
*Boxcheck* Kererū or New Zealand pigeon
*Box* Kermadec storm petrel
*Box* King shag
*Box* Koekoea or long-tailed cuckoo
*Boxcheck* Korimako or New Zealand bellbird
*Box* Little spotted kiwi
*Box* Malherbe’s parakeet or orange-fronted parakeet
*Box* Matata or fernbird
*Box* Miromiro or tomtit
*Box* Mohua or yellowhead
*Boxcheck* New Zealand dotterel
*Boxcheck* New Zealand falcon
*Box* New Zealand scaup
*Box* Ngutuparore or wrybill
*Box* North Island brown kiwi
*Box* North Island kōkako
*Boxcheck* North Island saddleback
*Box* North Island robin
*Box* Okarito kiwi
*Box* Otago shag
*Boxcheck* Paradise shelduck
*Box* Parekareka or spotted shag
*Box* Parkinson’s petrel
*Box* Pāteke or brown teal
*Box* Pihoihoi or pipit
*Box* Pipipi or brown creeper
*Box* Pitt shag
*Box* Piwauwau or rock wren
*Box* Popokotea or whitehead
*Box* Pycroft’s petrel
*Box* Ranguru or Chatham petrel
*Box* Red-billed gull
*Box* Riroriro or grey warbler
*Box* Rock wren
*Box* Royal albatross
*Box* Shore plover
*Box* Shy albatross
*Box* Snares penguin
*Box* Snares snipe
*Box* Southern brown kiwi
*Box* South Island kōkako
*Box* South Island oystercatcher
*Box* South Island robin
*Box* South Island saddleback
*Box* Subantarctic snipe
*Boxcheck* Takahe
*Box* Tawaki or Fiordland penguin
*Box* Taiko or magenta petrel
*Box* Titipounamu or rifleman
*Boxcheck* Tui or parson bird
*Box* Tuturuatu or shore plover
*Boxcheck* Variable oystercatcher
*Box* Wandering albatross
*Box* Weka
*Box* Westland petrel
*Box* Weweia or New Zealand dabchick
*Box* Whio or blue duck
*Box* Wrybill

*Box* Take a scenic shot of New Zealand’s South Island
*Box* Take a classic shot of cows or sheep blocking the road
*Boxcheck* Photograph a wedding
*Box* Photograph the Northern or Southern Lights
*Box* Do a newborn baby shoot
*Box* Photograph penguins in Antarctica
*Boxcheck* Photograph a professional model
*Box* Take a frame-worthy photo of Auckland’s skyline
*Box* Complete a 365 project
*Box* Get 100 followers on Instagram
*Box* Get 500 followers on Instagram
*Box* Get 1,000 followers on Instagram
*Box* Get 100 followers on Facebook
*Box* Get 500 followers on Facebook
*Box* Get 1,000 followers on Facebook
*Box* Take a photo of a geyser
*Box* Go on an African photo safari
*Box* Do street photography of strangers in a major city
*Box* Take a photo of a thunderstorm or tornado
*Boxcheck* Photograph an ancient stone circle
*Box* Photograph a field of flowers
*Box* Photograph a named waterfall
*Box* Photograph waves crashing around a lighthouse
*Box* Take a frame-worthy photo of fireworks
*Box* Take a frame-worthy photo of a rainbow
*Box* Take a long exposure photo of the stars
*Boxcheck* Photograph an abandoned house or barn
*Box* Effectively use panning to photograph a moving vehicle
*Box* Photograph someone jumping a skateboard or bike
*Box* Take a well-exposed photo of a live band
*Boxcheck* Take a well-timed sports photo
*Boxcheck* Take a macro photograph of a flower
*Box* Take a macro photograph of a snowflake
*Boxcheck* Take a macro photograph of a bug, spider or insect
*Box* Photograph someone crying
*Boxcheck* Photograph someone laughing
*Boxcheck* Photograph a couple kissing
*Boxcheck* Take a frame-worth photo of food
*Box* Own a professional level Canon camera
*Box* Own a macro lens
*Box* Own a super-telephoto lens (over 300mm)
*Box* Take a photo that is so abstract it is impossible (or hard) to tell what the subject is
*Boxcheck* Take a photo that freezes motion and shows a person (or object) in motion
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of a building
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of something in space, eg the moon or a star
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of a plane
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of a bird
*Boxcheck* Take a photo using only black and white
*Boxcheck* Take a photo that shows a person acting naturally, where they are unaware they are being photographed
*Boxcheck* Take a photo that focuses on the clouds in the sky
*Boxcheck* Take a full colour photograph
*Box* Take a photo that focuses on what someone is wearing, rather than the person wearing it
*Box* Take a photo of a fire
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of fireworks going off in the sky
*Box* Take a photo using the flash on my camera
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of food
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of a landscape
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of someone that shows an important part of their life, eg their occupation or hobby
*Box* Take a photo using a slow shutter speed
*Boxcheck* Take a close-up photo of something small
*Box* Take a photo that shows motion blur as something in the photo moves
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of a plant or animal
*Boxcheck* Take a photo at night
*Boxcheck* Take a panoramic photo
*Boxcheck* Take a photo or series of photos that tells a story – Rugby World Cup #1, Rugby World Cup #2, Rugby World Cup #3, Rugby World Cup #4, Rugby World Cup #5, Rugby World Cup #6, Rugby World Cup #7, Rugby World Cup #8, Rugby World Cup #9
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of a person
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of the rain
*Box* Take a photo of a rainbow
*Box* Take a selfie
*Boxcheck* Take a photo that shows an aspect of modern life that concerns you, eg poverty, littering, etc.
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of someone playing a sport
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of an inanimate object (or objects)
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of a stranger on the street
*Box* Take a photo of a sunrise
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of a public place
*Boxcheck* Take a photo of something ordinary or domestic

Family history 2018

*Box* Add a new person to my family tree
*Box* Interview a family member

Family history bucket list

*Box* Complete my wedding scrapbook
*Box* Complete my family recipe book
*Box* Create and print family history books

*Box* for myself
*Box* for my husband
*Box* for my mum
*Box* for my dad
*Box* for my mother-in-law

*Boxcheck* Get my DNA tested
*Box* Get a DNA test done for my mum
*Box* Get a DNA test done for my dad
*Box* Upload all the photos on CDs and store them online in the cloud

Travel 2018

*Box* Renew my passport
*Box* Apply for passports for my kids
*Box* Go to the Orkney Islands in Scotland
*Box* Go to Hyde Park in England

Travel bucket list

*Boxcheck* Fly business class
*Box* Fly first class
*Box* Apply for a UK passport
*Box* Do a motorbike tour of New Zealand’s South Island with my husband
*Box* Go to Larnach Castle in Dunedin, New Zealand
*Box* Go to Ireland
*Box* Go to Wales
*Box* Go to ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli
*Box* Do a fishing trip in Niue with my husband
*Box* See the Northern or Southern Lights
*Boxcheck* Drink wine on Waiheke Island, New Zealand
*Boxcheck* Go to Gretna Green in Scotland
*Boxcheck* Get my photo taken crossing Abbey Road in England
*Boxcheck* Camp in the Australian outback
*Box* Drive the Glossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria
*Boxcheck* Go inside St Matthews in the City, Auckland, New Zealand
*Box* Go to Dunfermline Abbey in Edinburgh, Scotland
*Box* Go to the Isle of Skye in Scotland
*Box* Go to Antarctica
*Boxcheck* Drink Lemon & Paeroa in Paeroa, New Zealand
*Box* Eat a Black Forest gateaux in the Black Forest, Germany
*Box* Eat a Chelsea bun in Chelsea, England
*Box* Eat a Cornish pasty in Cornwall, England
*Box* Eat Shrewsbury biscuits in Shrewsbury, England
*Box* Eat Turkish delight in Turkey
*Box* Eat Welsh rarebit in Wales
*Box* Eat Yorkshire pudding in Yorkshire, England
*Box* Eat Baked Alaska in Alaska, America
*Box* Eat bolognese sauce in Bologna, Italy
*Box* Eat Boston baked beans in Boston, America
*Box* Eat Buffalo wings in Buffalo, America
*Box* Eat a frankfurter in Frankfurt, Germany
*Box* Eat a hamburger in Hamburg, Germany
*Box* Drink Mississippi Moonshine in Mississippi, America
*Box* Eat Brussels sprouts in Brussels
*Box* Eat French fries in France
*Box* Eat French onion soup in France
*Box* Eat French toast in France
*Box* Eat Bavarian cream in Bavaria, Germany
*Box* Eat Madeira cake in Madeira, Portugal
*Box* Eat brie cheese in Brie (now Seine-et-Marne), France
*Box* Eat camembert cheese in Camembert, France
*Box* Eat parmesan cheese in Parma, Italy
*Box* Eat Gruyère cheese in Gruyère, Switzerland
*Box* Eat Emmental cheese in Emmental, Switzerland
*Box* Eat cheddar cheese in Cheddar, England
*Box* Eat stilton cheese in Stilton, England
*Box* Eat colby cheese in Colby, America
*Box* Eat edam cheese in Edam, Netherlands
*Box* Eat gouda cheese in Gouda, Netherlands
*Box* Drink a Long Island iced tea on Long Island, America
*Box* Drink a Manhattan in Manhattan, America
*Box* Drink a burgundy wine in Burgundy, France
*Box* Drink a chablis in Chablis, France
*Box* Drink champagne in Champagne, France
*Box* Drink Madeira wine in Madeira, Portugal
*Box* Drink port in Porto, Portugal
*Box* Drink shiraz in Shiraz, Iran
*Box* Drink armagnac in Armagnac, France
*Box* Drink cognac in Cognac, France

Experiences 2018

*Box* Go on at least one really big rollercoaster
*Boxcheck* Try something new
*Box* Eat haggis in Scotland (again)

Experiences bucket list

*Box* Meet my friend Beth (I met her on Livejournal in 2001 and she lives in the USA)
*Box* See the Exponents perform live
*Box* Go to a strip club/show
*Box* Go to the Last Night of the Proms in England
*Box* See Oliver! performed live on stage
*Box* See the Phantom of the Opera performed live on stage
*Box* Try Pernod Anise
*Box* Try Ricard Pastis
*Box* Experience a medieval feast
*Boxcheck* Eat pumpkin pie
*Boxcheck* Buy and wear a pair of knee high boots
*Box* Learn sign language
*Boxcheck* Ride a horse
*Boxcheck* Take dancing lessons
*Boxcheck* Go camping
*Boxcheck* Make cheese
*Box* Make soap
*Box* Make candles
*Boxcheck* Make wine
*Boxcheck* Go canoeing
*Box* Build a house
*Box* Have a psychic reading
*Boxcheck* Volunteer for a charity
*Box* Dance at a ball
*Boxcheck* Do one tramp or walk a month for a year
*Boxcheck* Eat at one of Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants
*Boxcheck* Get my colours done
*Boxcheck* Do Auckland’s Coast to Coast Walk
*Boxcheck* Do the Round The Bays Walk
*Box* Do the Colour Run
*Box* Do all of New Zealand’s Great Walks

*Boxcheck* Lake Waikaremoana
*Box* Tongariro
*Box* Whanganui Journey
*Box* Abel Tasman
*Box* Heaphy Track
*Box* Routeburn Track
*Box* Milford Track
*Box* Kepler Track
*Box* Rakiura Track

Writing.com 2018

*Box* Send a letter to someone in The Snail Mail Group
*Box* Write a blog entry for the 30-Day Blogging Challenge each day in January

*Boxcheck* January 1st
*Boxcheck* January 2nd
*Boxcheck* January 3rd
*Boxcheck* January 4th
*Boxcheck* January 5th
*Boxcheck* January 6th
*Boxcheck* January 7th
*Boxcheck* January 8th
*Boxcheck* January 9th
*Boxcheck* January 10th
*Boxcheck* January 11th
*Boxcheck* January 12th
*Box* January 13th
*Box* January 14th
*Box* January 15th
*Box* January 16th
*Box* January 17th
*Box* January 18th
*Boxcheck* January 19th
*Box* January 20th
*Box* January 21st
*Box* January 22nd
*Box* January 23rd
*Box* January 24th
*Box* January 25th
*Box* January 26th
*Box* January 27th
*Box* January 28th
*Box* January 29th
*Box* January 30th
*Box* January 31st

*Box* Update the 2016 Quill Awards nominations with winners & honourable mentions
*Box* Send out rewards for donations to The Quill Awards
*Box* Set up the 2018 Nomination Form for Quill Awards by end of January
*Box* Organise judges for 2017 Quill Awards
*Box* Collate judging results to find out finalists, winners and honourable mentions for 2017 Quill Awards
*Box* Host live pre-Quills evening to reveal finalists for 2017 Quill Awards
*Box* Host live Quill Awards to reveal all winners
*Box* Update the Quills 2017 Nominations with winners & honourable mentions
*Box* Update Matters of the Heart Forum at least once a month

*Box* January
*Box* February
*Box* March
*Box* April
*Box* May
*Box* June
*Box* July
*Box* August
*Box* September
*Box* October
*Box* November
*Box* December

*Box* Update The Snail Mail Forum at least once a month

*Box* January
*Box* February
*Box* March
*Box* April
*Box* May
*Box* June
*Box* July
*Box* August
*Box* September
*Box* October
*Box* November
*Box* December

*Box* Send out Snail Mail rewards at the beginning of each month

*Box* January
*Box* February
*Box* March
*Box* April
*Box* May
*Box* June
*Box* July
*Box* August
*Box* September
*Box* October
*Box* November
*Box* December

*Box* Respond to received reviews
*Box* Enter at least one official Writing.com site contest
*Box* Write an editorial for at least one official Writing.com site newsletter

Writing.com bucket list

*Box* Complete the Comma Sense class at the New Horizons Academy 
*Box* Complete The Challenge
*Box* Complete a project at the Merit Badge Projects
*Boxcheck* Complete a challenge at a very Wodehouse challenge
*Box* Complete the October NaNoWriMo Prep Challenge
*Boxcheck* Complete an ‘I Write’ challenge
*Boxcheck* Complete a full month of the Construct Cup
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for each official site newsletter

*Boxcheck* Action/Adventure
*Boxcheck* Comedy
*Boxcheck* Contests/Activities
*Boxcheck* Drama
*Boxcheck* Fantasy
*Boxcheck* For Authors
*Boxcheck* Horror/Scary
*Boxcheck* Mystery
*Boxcheck* Noticing Newbies
*Boxcheck* Poetry
*Boxcheck* Romance/Love
*Boxcheck* Short Stories
*Boxcheck* Spiritual

*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the unofficial Blogging Bliss newsletter
*Boxcheck* Earn a Product Reviews merit badge at Angel Product Reviews
*Box* Earn a Rockin’ Review Artist merit badge at the Paper Doll Gang
*Boxcheck* Enter every official site contest

*Boxcheck* Dear Me: Official Contest
*Boxcheck* Short Shots: Official WDC Contest
*Boxcheck* What a Character! : Official WDC Contest
*Boxcheck* Rhythms & Writing: Official WDC Contest
*Boxcheck* Journey Through Genres: Official Contest

*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for The Prompt Me Contest
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for Picture a Story
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for Dark Dreamscapes Poetry Contest
*Boxcheck* Submit an entry to Shadows and Light Poetry Contest
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the Monthly Poetry Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry for The Weekly Quickie Challenge
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the WDC Teen Contest
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for The LGBT Writing Contest
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for HONORING OUR VETERANS
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for Precious Gifts Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry for Thrice Prompted
*Box* Write and submit an entry for the Paradise Cove Writing Challenge
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the Night & Day Poetic Prose Contest
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the Verdant Poetry Contest
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the We Write for Kids Contest
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for The Writer’s Cramp
*Box* Write and submit an entry for the Magic Words Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry for the Rebel Poetry Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Distorted Minds Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Bite Size Poetry Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to No Dialogue Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to DreamTime Dragon’s Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Supernatural Writing Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Pretty Pesky Prompts
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Folklore Monthly Writing Contest
*Box* Submit an entry to Support a Fellow Poet
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Write From the Heart Story Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Tales of Seduction
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Zodiac Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Fabulous Fantasy Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Elizabeth’s Poetry & Short Story Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to A Story-Poem Contest!!!
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Open Expression
*Boxcheck* Write a blog entry for Blog City and submit it promptly
*Boxcheck* Write a blog entry for Blogging Circle of Friends and submit it promptly
*Boxcheck* Complete an official month of the 30-Day Blogging Challenge
*Boxcheck* Participate in a full month of unofficial camping activities with the 30-Day Blogging Challenge
*Box* Complete a full month (20 or more entries using prompts from a single month) for Welcome To My Reality
*Box* Write and send a snail mail letter, card or postcard to every member of The Snail Mail Group

*Boxcheck* SirSchemingSerpent
*Boxcheck* Angel
*Boxcheck* Ann
*Boxcheck* Cobe
*Boxcheck* Fran
*Boxcheck* Jellyfish
*Boxcheck* blue jellybaby
*Boxcheck* Osirantinous
*Boxcheck* Ash
*Boxcheck* LostGhost
*Boxcheck* Roni
*Boxcheck* Jessica
*Boxcheck* sisterofmercy
*Boxcheck* Kittiara
*Boxcheck* WhoMe
*Boxcheck* Gaby
*Box* Elizabeth 
*Boxcheck* Robyn
*Boxcheck* Lyn
*Boxcheck* Elfin Dragon 
*Boxcheck* Fivesixer
*Boxcheck* Sonali
*Boxcheck* Diane
*Boxcheck* Dragon
*Boxcheck* Jyo
*Boxcheck* dragonwoman
*Boxcheck* The Milkman
*Boxcheck* Alexi
*Boxcheck* Prosperous Snow
*Box* Humming Bird
*Boxcheck* MissTique
*Boxcheck* Aqua
*Boxcheck* Katzendragonz
*Boxcheck* Happy Spring 
*Boxcheck* Ally 
*Boxcheck* Lynda Miller
*Boxcheck* Elycia
*Boxcheck* Min
*Boxcheck* Bikerider
*Boxcheck* MM
*Boxcheck* Darleen 
*Box* zoomsqrd
*Boxcheck* SandraLynn
*Boxcheck* A Faith
*Boxcheck* innerlight
*Box* plainsue
*Boxcheck* Kate
*Boxcheck* Roseanne
*Boxcheck* Stephanie Ferguson
*Boxcheck* Jenny
*Boxcheck* Callie
*Box* Magicmama
*Boxcheck* Amanda
*Boxcheck* Endless Scary Girl
*Boxcheck* Fhionnuisce
*Boxcheck* Andy
*Boxcheck* Zoey Rae
*Boxcheck* Sally
*Boxcheck* Patrece
*Box* Regina
*Box* Carol St. Ann
*Box* Fyndorian
*Boxcheck* Jessica M. Chittester
*Box* Lorraine
*Boxcheck* Cadie Laine 
*Box* Mare 
*Box* CJ
*Boxcheck* Aly
*Boxcheck* Hanna Smith
*Box* hruns
*Box* Ladee Caid
*Box* Purple Princess
*Box* everyjones
*Box* Krysha
*Box* Relanka
*Box* Chris Breva

*Box* Review something in each of Writing.com’s genres

*Boxcheck* Action/Adventure
*Boxcheck* Activity
*Boxcheck* Adult
*Boxcheck* Animal
*Boxcheck* Arts
*Boxcheck* Biographical
*Box* Business
*Box* Career
*Boxcheck* Children’s
*Boxcheck* Comedy
*Boxcheck* Community
*Box* Computers
*Boxcheck* Contest
*Boxcheck* Contest Entry
*Box* Crime/Gangster
*Boxcheck* Cultural
*Boxcheck* Dark
*Boxcheck* Death
*Boxcheck* Detective
*Boxcheck* Drama
*Boxcheck* Educational
*Boxcheck* Emotional
*Boxcheck* Entertainment
*Boxcheck* Environment
*Boxcheck* Erotica
*Boxcheck* Experience
*Boxcheck* Family
*Box* Fanfiction
*Boxcheck* Fantasy
*Box* Fashion
*Box* Finance
*Boxcheck* Folklore
*Boxcheck* Food/Cooking
*Box* Foreign
*Boxcheck* Friendship
*Boxcheck* Gay/Lesbian
*Boxcheck* Genealogy
*Boxcheck* Ghost
*Boxcheck* Gothic
*Boxcheck* Health
*Boxcheck* History
*Boxcheck* Hobby/Craft
*Boxcheck* Holiday
*Box* Home/Garden
*Boxcheck* Horror/Scary
*Boxcheck* How-To/Advice
*Boxcheck* Inspirational
*Box* Internet/Web
*Box* Legal
*Boxcheck* Medical
*Boxcheck* Melodrama
*Boxcheck* Men’s
*Boxcheck* Military
*Boxcheck* Music
*Boxcheck* Mystery
*Boxcheck* Mythology
*Boxcheck* Nature
*Box* News
*Boxcheck* Nonsense
*Boxcheck* Occult
*Box* Opinion
*Box* Paranormal
*Boxcheck* Parenting
*Boxcheck* Personal
*Boxcheck* Pets
*Boxcheck* Philosophy
*Boxcheck* Political
*Boxcheck* Psychology
*Boxcheck* Reference
*Boxcheck* Regional
*Boxcheck* Relationship
*Box* Religious
*Boxcheck* Research
*Boxcheck* Reviewing
*Boxcheck* Romance/Love
*Boxcheck* Satire
*Boxcheck* Sci-fi
*Box* Scientific
*Box* Self Help
*Boxcheck* Spiritual
*Box* Sports
*Boxcheck* Supernatural
*Boxcheck* Technology
*Boxcheck* Teen
*Box* Thriller/Suspense
*Boxcheck* Tragedy
*Boxcheck* Transportation
*Box* Travel
*Boxcheck* Tribute
*Boxcheck* War
*Boxcheck* Western
*Boxcheck* Women’s
*Boxcheck* Writing
*Boxcheck* Writing.Com
*Boxcheck* Young Adult

Do you make to do lists?  What kind of things are on your lists?  Do you think I’m missing anything off mine?

 

A writing bucket list

In perplexity,
we make lists
in order to not admit to ourselves
that we’re slaves to our
failing memories,
wishing to not escape convenience.
And forgetting the list
illustrates the primary principle:
we can’t be what
we can’t conceive,
and it mustn’t have been
important if we didn’t
bother writing it down.
Essentially, passing the blame
on to something
profoundly and confoundingly
pointedly pointless.

by Norb Aikin, writing as Fivesixer on Writing.com

I love lists. I have all sorts of lists. I have to-do lists, and bucket lists (yep, plural!), and project lists… Lists for home, lists for work, lists for Writing.com… Lists of things I want to write, lists of books I want to read, lists of prompts I want to answer… Truly I’m just about at that point where I need a list of all my lists! Ha ha!

So, I thought I’d share my writing bucket list with you. This was inspired by a senior moderator on Writing.com who gave some really helpful guidance on creating a writing bucket list:

  • Continue to add to your list
  • Never delete a task from your list
  • Complete tasks as life permits
  • Update completed tasks
  • Shamelessly copy ideas from others

It’s that last point that makes me want to share mine with you.  Because then you can steal what works for you, and build your own writing bucket list.

I created my writing bucket list in 2015. Quite a number of tasks relate back to Writing.com, because that’s where I do the vast majority of my writing. I’ve given links where possible, so you can go and check out what the contest or challenge is all about. Some of the links might be only visible to site members, but if you want to sign up, it’s easy and free.

Personal writing
*Box* Write a short story based on one of my ancestors
*Boxcheck* Write a short story based on my own life – Safely Forgotten (I want to do another one, based on my actual memories, rather than a story someone else told about me)
*Boxcheck* Write a poem about Boxing Days – Boxing Day
*Boxcheck* Write a poem about my dad – Play it again, Sam
*Box* Write a poem about my mum (I wrote one about a hospital visit she had, but obviously that’s not what was intended by this task)
*Box* Write a poem about my older sister
*Boxcheck* Write a poem about my younger sister – Ties of Blood and Water and Childhood Memories of a Younger Sister
*Boxcheck* Write a poem about my husband – Sweet As, Desideratum, In my sleep and From verbose to succinct
*Boxcheck* Write a poem about my son – Parental Time Warp
*Boxcheck* Write a poem about my daughter – My Chirpy, Chatty Invalid
*Box* Write a poem about my father-in-law
*Box* Write a poem about my mother-in-law

Learn
*Box* Complete the Comma Sense class at the New Horizons Academy (Everyone can use more lessons on those pesky commas!)

Step out of my comfort zone
*Box* Complete The Challenge (A list of tasks that include writing, reviewing and interacting with other Writing.com members)
*Box* Complete a project at the Merit Badge Projects (Writing to a particular theme or genre, where you choose from a limited number of possible themes or genres)
*Boxcheck* Complete a challenge at a very Wodehouse challenge – Biff Belfry (Tasks specific to a particular theme or genre, where you don’t know the theme or genre until after you’ve signed up)

Endurance challenges
*Boxcheck* Complete NaPoWriMo (Writing one poem per day for 30 days in April)
*Box* Complete the October NaNoWriMo Prep Challenge (A series of challenges to lay the background work for your NaNoWriMo novel)
*Box* Complete NaNoWriMo (Writing 50,000 words of a brand new novel in 30 days in November)
*Box* Complete my children’s fantasy novel Grand and Epic Adventures
*Box* Edit my children’s fantasy novel Grand and Epic Adventures (Obviously I can’t do this until I’ve finished it!)
*Boxcheck* Complete an ‘I Write’ challenge (Writing at least one poem, short story or novel chapter and one review per week for three months)
*Boxcheck* Complete a full month of the Construct Cup (Writing a poem every day for 30 days, utilising ridiculously difficult and constraining prompts)

Newsletters
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the Writing.com Action/Adventure official site newsletter – Epic Journeys and Adventures
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the Writing.com Comedy official site newsletter – Performing on Command
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the Writing.com Contests/Activities official site newsletter – Read The Rules and Something For Everyone
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the Writing.com Drama official site newsletter – Bringing your drama to life
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the Writing.com Fantasy official site newsletter – Fantasy For The Uninitiated
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the Writing.com For Authors official site newsletter – Stepping out of your comfort zone
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the Writing.com Horror/Scary official site newsletter – Darkest Verse
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the Writing.com Mystery official site newsletter – Life’s true mysteries
*Box* Write an editorial for the Writing.com Noticing Newbies official site newsletter
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the Writing.com Poetry official site newsletter – A Perpetual Poetry Pupil, Expanding My Horizons, What makes a winner? and It’s not true!
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the Writing.com Romance/Love official site newsletter – What is a romance novel?, Heroes and Heroines with Impairments, LGBT in Mainstream Romance, Romance in Real Life and Paranormal Romance
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the Writing.com Short Stories official site newsletter – Fact is stranger than fiction
*Boxcheck* Write an editorial for the Writing.com Spiritual official site newsletter – Learning about other religions and A Burden Shared
*Boxcheck* Write an article for the Writing.com Blogging Bliss unofficial blogging newsletter – July 2015 Blogging Bliss Newsletter

Reviews
*Boxcheck* Do 30 book reviews at Angel Product Reviews
*Box* Do 7 item reviews each month for three consecutive months for Writing.com’s Paper Doll Gang

Contests
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the Short Shots: Official WDC Contest – Short man on a power trip
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the What a Character! : Official WDC Contest – A Dark Art
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the Rhythms & Writing: Official WDC Contest – Rise Up
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the Journey Through Genres: Official Contest – Knowing Her
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the Try Something New Contest – A Haunting Sweetness
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for The Prompt Me Contest – Flower prompt
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for Picture a Story – Striking A Chord
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for Dark Dreamscapes Poetry Contest – Time Is Slipping Away
*Boxcheck* Submit an entry to Shadows and Light Poetry Contest – The Scene Is Set
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the Monthly Poetry Contest – Christmas Magic
*Box* Write and submit an entry for The Weekly Quickie Contest
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the WDC Teen Contest –
My Job Is Done
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for The LGBT Writing Contest – The Phoenix
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for Honoring our Veterans – Waiting
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for Precious Gifts Contest – Caitlin
*Box* Write and submit an entry for Three Prompts
*Box* Write and submit an entry for the Paradise Cove Writing Challenge
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the Night & Day Poetic Prose Contest – Waiting
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the Verdant Poetry Contest – The Scene Is Set
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for the We Write for Kids Contest – Thunderstorm
*Boxcheck* Write and submit an entry for The Writer’s Cramp – This Night
*Box* Write and submit an entry for the Magic Words Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry for the Rebel Poetry Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Distorted Minds Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Bite Size Poetry Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to No Dialogue Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to DreamTime Dragon’s Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Supernatural Writing Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Decade Dash
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Pretty Pesky Prompts
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Folklore Monthly Writing Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry to Mysteries of the Mind Contest
*Box* Submit an entry to the Support a Fellow Poet Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry for the Write From the Heart Story Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry for the Tales of Seduction
*Box* Write and submit an entry for the Zodiac Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry for the Fabulous Fantasy Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry for Elizabeth’s Poetry/Short Story Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry for A Story Poem Contest
*Box* Write and submit an entry for Open Expressions: A Poetry Contest

Blogging
*Box* Catch up on my outstanding 2013 blog entries
*Box* Catch up on my outstanding 2014 blog entries
*Box* Catch up on my outstanding 2015 blog entries
*Box* Catch up on my outstanding 2016 blog entries
*Boxcheck* Catch up on my outstanding 2017 blog entries
*Boxcheck* Write a blog entry for Blog City and submit it promptly – I’ve always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library
*Boxcheck* Write a blog entry for Blogging Circle of Friends and submit it promptly – Childlike Wonder
*Boxcheck* Complete an official month of the 30-Day Blogging Challenge
*Box* Participate in a full month of unofficial camping activities with the 30-Day Blogging Challenge
*Box* Complete a full month (20 or more entries using prompts from a single month) for Welcome To My Reality

Handwriting
*Box* Fill a journal with writing.
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my sister in England
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my godson in Australia
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my goddaughter in Australia
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my grandmother in Australia
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my great uncle in England
*Box* Send a snail mail letter to my uncle in Australia
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my my friend Beth in America
*Boxcheck* Send a snail mail letter to my old nextdoor neighbour
*Box* Write and send a snail mail letter, card or postcard to every member of The Snail Mail Group

Top ten books

Prompt: If you were creating a list of top ten books, what would you choose and why? Is there an ongoing theme?

A Restored Man by Jaime Reese
A Sorceress of His Own by Dianne Duvall
Keep Me Safe by Maya Banks
Love Comes in Darkness by Andrew Grey
Love Comes Silently by Andrew Grey
Morganna by Jackie Ivie
Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks
The Harder He Falls by Lynda Aicher
The World As He Sees It by A M Arthur
Whispers in the Dark by Maya Banks

Putting together a top ten of books was crazy hard. They’re not in order of preference, by the way, that would have been even harder! I started off with all the books I’ve rated five stars on Goodreads, and then removed the ones that didn’t immediately leap out at me. Then I went with the ones that I’ve either re-read the most often or the ones where the story or characters have stayed clear in my mind over time.

It’s interesting to analyse.

  • 100% are romance. Duh.
  • 30% of my top ten are by Maya Banks and 20% are by Andrew Grey. That speaks highly for both those authors.
  • 70% are contemporary and only 30% are historical.
  • 30% are paranormal.
  • 50% are m/m and the other 50% are m/f.
  • 20% involve military or similar. Yep, those are both Maya Banks books. She does the military ones well.
  • A whopping 60% involve disabilities of some sort, whether physical or mental. And I know that some of the ones that I was humming and haaing over whether to include in my top ten did as well. Apparently I like characters with disabilities. If I break it down even further, excluding disabilities arising from the paranormal, it’s 50/50 for physical or mental disabilities. Interesting. And I haven’t included temporary disabilities arising out of injuries that will heal (which you tend to get with the military style ones).
  • I think 70% of them are based in America, which is interesting because I wouldn’t have said that’s my preference. I think there’s 20% Scottish and 10% English.

Yeah, very interesting.