Yep, that's been my goal for this year. Has it worked out??
Well, somewhat.
I don't know how many of your are pantsers or plotters. Me, I'm a bit of both. I seem to find that my writing flows better if my life is not cluttered. So for that reason, I purchased a large bound notebook from Barnes and Nobles. Yeah, you know the pretty ones with the designs on the covers. (Writers OCD differently kicked in) I spent time creating a grid calendar for each month complete with notes section, what I should be working on, what I submitted, and process of edits.
I keep it laid out on my desk and consult it daily to make sure my progress is being made. Sometimes I make notes to remind myself to stop chasing squirrels and keep on target. Usually I note each day my daily progress on manuscripts. For me it works.
Then, a writer friend introduced me to Microsoft's One Note. Can I tell you I fell in love. You can create you own Notebooks, link it to an email, and retrieve it on laptops, tablets, even phones. Notebooks can contain a multitude of pages, excel sheets, maps, drawings....for those of you with surface tablets it can be a life saver when looking for your character descriptions or working on that dreaded synopsis. I love the ease of the program. I'm not very tech savvy so something simple makes it better for me. Best of all, the program was free. Yep of course they want you to try another product, but that's your choice.
Will I still keep my paper/pencil notebooks? For sure. I need that constant touch, but I'm digging these electronic feature. Each of my future stories will have their own color coded notebook filled with pictures and descriptions able to be retrieved at a moments notice. Which reminds me, time to go to the Sunday paper and look at the ads, I'm sure there's a tablet just waiting for me, so I don't have to lug my notebooks to work. :o)
Happy Writing...
Nan
For information on One Note, please feel free to use the link below and check out their tutorial video.
https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Video-Start-using-OneNote-8013b7e7-2071-4a11-81a3-e32b6274ba1f
I still haven't quite figured out onenote... I lost something in it and can't find it.
ReplyDeleteGood idea, Nan. I feel so much better knowing I am not alone! However, I was born with the words Miss Organization across my forehead. I'd much rather be in charge of a group and tell everyone else what to do than sit back and take orders.
ReplyDeleteSo,I'm always looking for a better, cleaner way to stay organized. Mainly I use spiral notebooks...different sizes for different topics.
I'm more comfortable seeing my handwritten notes right at my fingertips.But now I'll check out One-note.
I'm still in a bit of learning curve with everything Windows 10 plus a new Samsung smart phone, so I'll add OneNote to the next list to check out.
Thanks! Good post.
That's a great deal of work. but whatever works for you is right for you. I am a planner. I write the synopsis first--in detail so I know exactly what's going to happen next.
ReplyDeleteI do keep a notebook with all the details about characters, maps of Wyoming, or in the case of some of my older paranormals, maps I drew myself from another dimension. I included a family tree for the Wildings. All of this is in pencil in my notebook.
When a phrase or bit of dialogue comes to mind, I write it on my dictation pad. I use a dictation pad because I can stand it up beside the computer when I transfer what I've written in long hand. Most of my first draft is in long hand. Maybe that's why I'm kinda poky--but hey, whatever works.
I do have a notebook of job descriptions for my characters and special terminology. I inserted my own pictures I cut out of magazines on the front and back of the notebook under the plastic sleeves.
See, we all have our little ways to get where we need to go in our special creative ways. I work better with my books and lucky things (like my Minions)on my desk. If I decluttered, I'd be lost.
Loved your article. I'll check out OneNote, but I am not so certain it's for me. I have techno-idiocy.
Nan, you sound like a very organized person. I admire that. I used to think I could be defined as organized but lately I seem to spend more time misplacing things! I think technology had caused me more frustration than help. I need more tangible material than technical. But I like what you are doing and I'd say you are definitely a plotter and planner and not a pantser.
ReplyDeleteNan, you sound like a very organized person. I admire that. I used to think I could be defined as organized but lately I seem to spend more time misplacing things! I think technology had caused me more frustration than help. I need more tangible material than technical. But I like what you are doing and I'd say you are definitely a plotter and planner and not a pantser.
ReplyDelete