Like an overstuffed closet, writer brains are often bursting with colorful ideas, story starters and overdue assignments. I know I am continuously shifting between pitching, researching, writing and then following up to see when the check will be sent. Focusing on our WIP can be difficult when we can't find out desk.
That is why my writer's group asked an organizational consultant, Christine Giri of Time Tamer Consulting, to share secrets for turning that jumble of notes and files into the building blocks of the next Great American Novel.
Giri's presentation was inspiring and practical. She did not advocate one tool over another or mandate that everyone move from paper to digital. Instead, she encouraged each writer to find what works best and stick to it. The stick to it part seemed to be important.
A couple of other tips she shared included:
* Turn off email/Facebook/Twitter notification beeps. They distract even if you don't go look and interrupt blocks of creative writing time.
* Leave no emails in your box at the end of the day. Delete or take action immediately instead of putting of decisions. Again, making decisions seemed to be important.
* Schedule your time. That includes writing, paperwork, going to the gym, date night, whatever is important should be scheduled to ensure it gets done.
Whether you keep a spreadsheet like my Twitter friend Liana Brooks, scribble deadlines on a white board or post it notes on the monitor (an efficiency no-no according to Giri), find the system that turns your literary pile of shoes and sweaters into a compartmentalized haven where there is a place to preserve every thought and every writing project is in it's place.
How do you keep your creative juices organized? Share with your MasterMind Group and us. We love to celebrate success.
Yours in Writing,
Promptmasters
Jennifer Sander
JT Long
0 comments:
Post a Comment