Pebblepup's Writing Den

Have you ever been working on something and you can’t find something you’re looking for? You find yourself wasting time trying to find a file or document? I know I have. Don’t you hate it when that happens? The best way to avoid it is to become organized. Since I used my computer to. Since I use my computer to write on, I have files everywhere. I have a main file where I keep most of my stories my work in progress. Inside that I have subfolders for each work that I’m working on or have worked on. I’m not always good about moving the completed things out of there.

I have a file for the rough draft. I also have a file for the revised draft. Then I have subfolders holding the notes. these notes are character sketches, setting descriptions and world building. I find that useful. It means that when I’m working on something I can look it up. Since I use cloud storage, I can look it up on the phone and be able to read my notes while working on the computer. I can also work on the phone if I dictate.

In this instance, organization is very useful. I also organize my writing by time of day. I find I am more productive in the mornings. That’s me, you may be different. I also like to have a very broad outline. It gives me some idea of where I’m headed in the story, and I don’t have to keep that in my head. That’s particularly useful because I am a planser, not a plotter or or Pantser. By keeping the outline very broad, I still have plenty of freedom of movement within the confines of the. Outline. Your process is, no doubt, very different. For me, though, the organization is necessary.

How much organizing you do is up to you. I like having all my notes in one place. I find it very useful and helpful when I’m looking for information that I know I wrote down. And knowing where to find it is good. That’s one of the reasons I use my To Do List the way I do. I use it to remind me to do things. That’s another way to beciome organized.

Some people think of organization as a dirty word. It’s a tool. It’s adaptable. How you use that tool is up to you. The framework of the tool is up to you. I guess my point here is that organization can help you be a better writer if you let it. If you’re a Panther, you don’t have to worry about the outlines, but I do. You might want to have some background work done. This would be somethin, like character development and charts and such. I use maps too. I’m no artist so I don’t draw them well. But I do work on them. It fixes locations in my head and that helps. To me, an outline is another map. My outlines are not set in stone, and that often helps too. Often, I find a shortcut to get from point A to point B in the story. I’m not above taking shortcuts like that.

No matter howyou do it, organization is a tool, and it’s very helpful. It’s also very important if you want to keep things together. So consider starting a project by setting up an organization for it, a framework if you will. Then take it from there, Adapt what you need to adapt, discard what you need to discard, and keep what you want. Good luck and keep writing.