Checklists

Introducing ... So it turns out that I really don't know how to 'launch' anything. Rather, I pretty much phase into things. My alter ego, Jennifer Brooks, has existed for some time now, but she's been making her appearance step by step, instead of bursting onto the scene. In this stage of my life, I'm not about bursting. I'm lucky if I just pop a little.

The other J.B., as I like to refer to her, has now joined Twitter and is following people left, right and center. Everything seems to be new to me again as far as this business of writing is concerned. I'm learning things I didn't know I didn't know. On the plus side, the manuscript - in its revised, improved condition - is on submission again, and I'm working on the next one. Hence, the checklist craze.

Check. I like checklists. To-do lists, if you will - you know if you've been here any length of time that I love my to-do lists. They keep me straight. Remind me of things I need to do that I might otherwise forget all about until it should've been done an hour ago.

I have different lists for different days of the week, depending on whether I'm working the day job. On those days, WORK is pretty much the only thing on my list. On my free days, the lists vary.

For example, today's list looks like this:

1) J.B. - blog
2) Jennifer Brooks - blog
(tweet links)
3) newsletter
4) write - 1,500 words?
5) kitchen
6) closet
7) laundry
8) table
9) banks

Now, that list may look a little strange to you, but it makes perfect sense to me. In looking at that list, I know exactly what I wish to accomplish today. I won't do all the items in order, of course - even I'm not that O/C. But my reward for getting everything done will be a girls' night out with Little Bit - we're going to see Sorcerer's Apprentice, which I've heard mixed reviews about but think looks great. Hello? It's Disney and Bruckheimer. How could it not be good?

Numbers 1 and 5 are now complete. Number 7 is in process, as are numbers 6 and 8. And number 4 is looking very, very promising. Little Bit has loaded some tunes onto my iPod Shuffle, which has been rocking away in my ears (currently with Bon Jovi's You Give Love a Bad Name), and my fingers are becoming reaccustomed to this keyboard. Time to switch to the instrumental stuff and get some serious work done.

Read a book. It's good for you.

=) JB