So last Monday I mentioned that I was “clearing out all of the “important” papers in my computer hutch. All of the stuff that I shove under my monitor – and beside my monitor when I run out room under it – because it’s important and I need it and need to refer back to the information on it.”
I ended up with a plastic bag full of random scraps of paper and partially used notepads and I’ve been taking it to work with me to sort through during down time.
So, what all did I find in my “important” papers? Here’s a brief list:
a work schedule from a year ago
pages of potential Wednesday Words prompts
the phone number of a guy that a co-worker recommended to fix my laptop
several lists of names to use for characters (now consolidated into one list)
plot bunnies
quotes I’d saved
lists of goals, writing and other
a lot of notes about stuff I’m writing
a couple snail mail addresses
and a lot of miscellaneous because “Everything can be filed under Miscellaneous.”
I wrote anything important in a notebook and tossed the papers, except for stuff that I had printed out for novel-writing – story starts, outlines with handwritten notes added, etc. It’s much neater and more organized now.
So now my next step is to decide what sort of permanent home the notes go into. Some are goals to work on so they’ll go into my 2017 planner. The writing stuff will go into appropriate folders and notebooks.
And the rest… I’m not quite sure yet.
I think once I get the big categories done I’ll be able to get a better handle on the small stuff.
And then I’m going to try to keep just one notebook or notepad by my computer and sort out its notes on a weekly basis.
And meanwhile, I’ve rediscovered a dozen or so feral plot bunnies that need taming.
*wanders off to find a whip and chair*
Novel Notes 