Organization is Key to Writing Success

Organization is Key to Writing Success

Many students of writing ask me, “If you could tell me just one thing to guarantee my writing will be more successful, what would you say?”

What a loaded question. Just one thing? Wow! Well, honestly, it would be to make sure you are organized.

Honestly, to write an article, a story, a novel and be successful, you must be organized.

What I mean is that not only do you need to have an organized desk, office and notes, but an organized mind as well.

When you first tackle a writing project there are thing you MUST do before you begin to write. You have to decide what your topic will be, how you will approach the subject matter, what viewpoint, what information to back up your points, how to gather your research, where to gather your research, how to apply it, etc., etc., etc...

To keep all this in order you must have an organized mind and a plan. Figure out what is most important first, write it down, and get your priorities straight.

When making notes for your project you need to keep a notebook, on all the inquiry phone calls you make, when you made them and to whom. These organizational notes are important to both the quality of your work and for tax records.

Make notes on the interviews and be sure your quotes are correct. If you have any concerns about your interviews, call the person back and ask them if what you have written down or recorded is correct. Calling back to check a quote is always welcome.

If you drive any place for research (libraries, museums, archives, interviews) record the date, location, mileage and what you worked on while at that location in the SAME notebook. Have a different notebook for each writing project.

If you had lunch or coffee while doing your research, record it and keep the receipts in an envelope marked with the date and the project name on it. (Slip it into your notebook until you can organize your files in your office.) Keep all your receipts concerning the project as proof of your work, time and commitment for tax purposes. You might not be at that stage of writing-off your writing on a Schedule C, but when you are, you will be practiced at being organized.

If you make photocopies, get a receipt and mark on the back the date and project name and amount, put it in the envelope and mark that with the project name. Don’t trust the ink from registers not to fade on you, because it does and you will not have the information you need when you need it.

If you make photocopies, make sure you photocopy the front cover of the magazine, book, manuscript, etc., along with the copyright information page.

With photocopies, arrange them immediately after you return home in labeled folders with the page numbers running in order and the front cover and copyright page starting the file. Mark on the file the date and location where you found the information. If it is from a library make sure the shelf, drawer, or microfilm number and location is listed.

At home make sure all your folders, envelopes, photocopies and notebooks concerning your project are all stored in one location in order. I use a milk crate or plastic crate as it is just the right size for folders and books.

If you are making notes from books, purchase your own copy from an online used bookstore. Create a 3 ring binder/notebook for your notes with side-flagged separators for each subject. Record each book and copyright information at the beginning of the notebook and number your books with stickers (they are removable and will not mess up the book).

After reading your books, highlight all the information you need and record the highlighted information in your notebook, listing information under the side-flagged separators by subject, next by book number, next by page number. Make your notes or make a personal note that will allow you to get directly back to this information when you need it when you begin to assemble your information.

Example: side-flag label “Historic Foods”
1/39 dried fish (book 1, page 39, information about dried fish)

Organize, organize, organize… It is a must to allow you the freedom to write a great article, story or novel. It might take some time to get used to being so anal about your work but it is what is
necessary to put a professional polish on all you do.