I know some of my regular readers partake in the  Top Ten Tuesday. I think it’s a great idea, but I have stopped shy of introducing the feature here because I’m concerned about getting sucked in a little too much when I have work to do. Sort of inspired by this week’s prompt, I’ve decided to compile a list of three goals for me to achieve before the Winter Solstice on 23rd December 2015.

Without further ado, here they are.

1. Wrapping up Salmonweird

My big WIP at the moment is not my Romans, it’s a short novel (I suspect it will be around 50,000 words) called Salmonweird. It’s a supernatural crime-comedy about a retired detective – the only living human in a fictional Cornish village. He’s not alone though, because the other 299 residents are ghosts. There is a medieval monk, a Civil War era preacher, an Iron Age warrior queen, a Roman naval officer, a failed Elizabethan poet, a pirate captain and his crew, a 19 year old girl who died of cholera who has become a little too in tune with the 21st century for her father’s liking, and many more. Someone is “killing” the ghosts and it is down to my detective to find out who and why. I started writing this in June and it is 27,000 words at the moment so I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to think I might have it finished or near finished come Christmas.

2. Read These Books from my TBR Pile

Shutter Island – Dennis Lehane. Autumn is the time I like to sink myself into a good thriller and this, the original book on which the Leo Di Caprio film was based, looks to be the perfect read.

Ash – James Herbert. This, the final book of the Ash Trilogy and the final book released before his death, will also complete my reading of James Herbert’s novels. A little poignant to think there will be no more work penned in his name, and I hope this rounds off the story of (I think) his only recurring protagonist. Even his Rats trilogy were set many years apart and featured different characters

The Twelve – Justin Cronin. More horror, and I’ve waited eagerly to get my hands on this, the sequel to his hit The Passage, a tale vampire apocalypse and the survivors eking out a living decades later. I know the third is out now and I am keen to crack on with this now. I’ve had it for about two years, but held off since decided to clear my TBR in order of date acquisition to make sure books don’t languish on my pile for a decade.

The Language of the Genes – Steve Jones. Autumn is also a time for popular science books. The man who referred to himself as “the one they ask to do these public engagement talks when Richard Dawkins is unavailable” at Uncaged Monkeys (the stage tour of Radio 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage) proved himself an interesting speaker. I’ve seen him referred to as an “entertaining writer” and this will be the first of his works I’ve read. I’d also like to read Y: The Descent of Men.

The Accusers – Lindsey Davis. It wouldn’t be cold, wet, windy, autumn nights without a little fun and Davis is one of my favourite writers in a genre of which I am incredibly picky (crime). What’s so great about Davis is how she blends gripping story with humour and edutainment. What can be better than learning about ancient Rome while having a good laugh? I tend to read these in the summer, sit in the garden with a beer or cider on a hot day and put my feet up but Davis is for autumn too.

3. Expand

Not my waistline as I certainly that doesn’t happen before Christmas. No, I mean my work scope. I’ve had a lot of contracts through Elance and Upwork but in light of the technical problems the main site has had in the last few weeks, coupled with the impending closure of Elance, I know I should be looking outside of these sites to expand my business. Now that I know what my business is about, what I can and can’t do and especially the areas where my clients most value my skills, I need to take that to another level.

What are your goals for the next three months? Hmm, you know… I think I might make this a regular feature!