A.C.E. Writers

As a writer, corralling your ideas and thoughts can be the most difficult part of getting a book out. Everyone struggles with organization, but it doesn’t have to be a total battle. There are ways to corral the mess and become organized.

Get a planner.

The first step to becoming organized as a writer is to have a planner that corrals your writing appointments, information and details in an organized fashion. I often recommend a project planner (Franklin Covey offers a nice one) with a zipper so the extra slips of paper don’t fall out. It helps to have a way to organize your projects within a larger organizer, so be sure  your organizer offers project pages, or design some for yourself on the computer.

Prepare a file box, cabinet or drawer.

Depending on how far  you are into the writing lifestyle, your file components may be relatively small to relatively large. I’ve graduated to four full size, four drawer file cabinets for contacts, projects, work completed and works in progress. I do however, manage to maintain only one drawer for “works in progress” which helps a great deal with my time management. I’ve learned to keep that drawer mobile (I use a cute pink file box for mine) so I can carry it with me. I take it on the plane too. I know the security loves searching my file box with staplers, scissors and pens by the dozen. I call it my office in a box. Some people just carry their laptop. I do that too, but seriously my file box goes everywhere I go.

Laptop, desktop and an assortment of notepads.

I write ALL the time, so I always have access to paper and pens, my laptop and my desktop (when I’m at home). It’s a requirement. I have a nifty spiffy little secretary who loves typing my notes into the computer when I get done writing them, and she’s even learned the importance of putting them in the RIGHT book.

The very best part of being a writer is having time to do what you want to do, knowing that you can write about it later. My latest ventures have been becoming a grandmother (I have stacks of notes about what kids say, what grandbabies do, and my reactions). Children’s books are my next venture, I feel it coming.

My work has changed dramatically over the years and I find I’m still working toward my own education. Criminal Justice courses fall right into my Action and Adventure Stories for Youth. I love the work I do and how well it plays into my writing career.

Don’t give up.

Find a way to organize those tidbits of information that works for you.

1 – corral them into a shoe box
2 – organize them into files
3 – use them in your writing

Next article — finding an agent that suits your writing style.