You would think I’d be an expert on this but needs change and so does organization. Looking around the piles of files and notebooks around where I’m working, I wonder if this is something I should be giving advice on. I think that most of us, while not great at taking our own advice, are in fact, great at giving it. Some of the following suggestions are things that I’ve done and have worked, and some are things that I’m planning on implementing. It’s still January, so there’s still a bit of time before those New Year’s Resolutions go the way of the mastodon. Or Dodo Bird, whichever fits your fancy.

ONLINE

When I say online, I’m describing, storage whether that’s cloud, external hard drive, laptop, etc. Basically, a non-paper filing system.

Your online filing system should mirror your hard copy filing system. If you have a file or folder for TRAVEL on your computer, you should also have a paper file for TRAVEL in your file box (more on hard copy later).

For my needs, I have one folder that is labeled WRITING and under that are subject folders. These are specific by topic: BUSINESS, CONTINUING EDUCATION (this is a class I’m teaching, not my attended classes), GGS (this website), IN PROGRESS, MEMOIR, PHOTOS, SOCIAL/POLITICAL, SPIRITUAL, TRAVEL, and each book I’m working on has its own folder.

In the photos folder, there are further divisions based on subject: food, labyrinth, churches, shrines, writing, nature, objects, art, etc.

For organizing your writing projects, I highly recommend Scrivener. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work on Kindle or Chromebook. It is a paid program, but you only pay once and it’s yours. I received a discount from the NaNoWriMo website, but even at full price it is well worth it.

For notes, like something you would keep in a writing notebook or on bits of scrap paper at the bottom of your bag, I have used Evernote since forever. I really loved it; however, they have changed the free program that limits you to one notebook and 25 notes. This is not sufficient for me (or most writers).

I have changed to Microsoft One Note. So far, this is working out very well, but I am in the early stages of using it and will be able to review it in a few months. It is a free app, so I would recommend trying it out, but don’t delete whatever notetaking app you’re already using.

Writer P is also very good. You type in what you want to remember or refer to later, and then back out of it. Your note is saved automatically.

Currently, I use Microsoft Word. That’s because it came with my computer, and I opted to buy it the second year. For years, I used whatever came on the Kindle Fire and that worked quite well. I think if you go back through my website there will not be any significant differences between the two programs.

When I’m taking a class and I take notes or write those thousands of ten-minute free-writes, I try to transcribe them into a Word (or your favorite program) document and save them. Many of them are jumping off points for longer writings and many can be pasted into other writing. Those ten-minute free writes are like little scraps of paper that I still find in the backs of notebooks and the bottoms of file boxes.

For networking, I use MailChimp. I use the base account which is free to send out a monthly email to my former students. This is new to me, and it is working well so far. Like Notes, it’s too early to write a proper review, but I’m always game to try the free programs (as long as they’re safe for my computer).

On the business side of things even if writing is your hobby, keep track of your expenses, mileage driven that can be classified as working/writing, submissions, published writing.

Ninety-nine percent of my correspondence is done by email. I have a dedicated email for my writing submissions, classwork, etc. Recently, I contacted journalist Connie Schultz about using one of her pieces as a handout in my classroom. She gave me permission. This is something that I printed out and put in a folder. At the moment, that folder is labeled CORRESPONDENCE, but other appropriate file labels could be PERMISSION TO USE, COPYRIGHT, RESEARCH (for correspondence with sources). You will find your own way as to what titles/headings work for you and your particular line of work.

HARD COPY

As I said earlier, if I have a file on my computer called TRAVEL, then I have a paper folder in my file box labeled TRAVEL. This would include maps, pamphlets, magazine articles. Photos would probably be kept in a separate folder/s. For the books I’m currently working on, they have their own folders which would include any travel that are appropriate for that book: i.e., Wales, St. Kateri’s Shrines, Labyrinths.

Photos for writing, I often don’t have hard copies since they are primarily published online. If I have hard copies, they get their own folder for photo references, or they go by subjects with the same labels as the online folders.

GENERAL ADVICE

You don’t need every notebook ever sold. I know that is anathema to writers, but it’s true. I have finally whittled down my books to one folio and one calendar/planner. I also have a sketchbook but that is more of a conscious choice to bring along rather than an everyday supply.

I have a document holder for travel (which includes trips to the coffee shop and library).

I have a keyboard that bluetooths to my Kindle so I am always able to type up what’s on my mind.

I have a pencil case, which is pictured below with some of its “necessities.” The most important of these are: pen, pencil, fine line inker, eraser, correction tape, plug in headphones in case the batteries in my ear buds die, Post-it flags, magnetic page markers, and a couple of business cards in the outside pocket.

I have a tech pouch. I do not bring it everywhere with me unless I’m going to use it. (This will receive a separate post in a few weeks.)

Take it a little at a time. Remember the objective is to create the space that allows you to write and to find those notes and information you’ve saved to use in your writing.

Good luck.

*Travel will be the next in the organizing series.*