Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

My Book News & Advocate for the Writing Community ©

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – Organizing My Writing Life

January 21, 2021
mandyevebarnett


As you may know, I have made a goal for 2021 to enter contests, submit articles to magazines and stories to anthologies. This seemed an easy process until I began to look at all the paperwork accumulating. For each submission there is of course, rules, guidelines, email address and accounts to create. On top of that, I have author interviews for this blog to monitor as well as a novel writing workshop with four other authors. Not to mention my freelance writing projects and my current work in progress.

So how should I organize it all?

Each ‘task’ has its own specific process, so I needed to come up with a way to keep track. Firstly, I printed out the relevant contest, magazine and anthology links and highlighted the deadlines for each one. Noted passwords required and any dates submissions were sent.

Now to catalogue them in separate folders. (And yes I use actual physical folders! I’m a hands on type of girl)

Green folder: Anthologies

Purple folder: Contests

Orange folder: Magazines

White Folder: WordPress Interviews

Orange folder : Presentations I will host

White folder: Novel Workshop

Black folder (not shown) Freelance Projects

Then I separated the relevant information for each in date order with the submission dates – first to last. I printed a calendar for the blog interviews so I can mark each one down, so there is no duplication. I have also bought a large desk calendar to mark submission deadlines, writing events, presentation dates, freelance projects, conferences, interviews etc. Having everything there in front of me lessens the panic that I have forgotten something.

How do you keep track of your writing life?

#AuthorToolboxBlogHop – Author/Writer Space Essentials

March 18, 2020
mandyevebarnett


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What do you consider essential for your writing zone? It may not be the same as everyone else, so firstly let’s take a look at my desk (the one above).

Firstly, I have a laptop and second screen – this enables me to utilize two screens for editing purposes with beta-reader and publisher suggestions and edits. It is easier than splitting one screen to read two full pages.

Secondly, there are numerous note books and folders/binders of relevant information, event details, contact sheets, and freelance clients contracts. Yes, I am rather obsessed with organization – I put my hands up to that! As you can see I have several desk organizers for said items all labeled, storage is key to having information at your finger tips.

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Next is ‘fuel’ – water and tea! What do you favour for hydration? 

You may have noticed the propensity for purple – yes it is my favorite colour. Purple wall, crystals and water bottle to name a few. It is interesting that when I looked up the meaning of the colour purple there were key words relevant to my writing. Maybe there is a deeper force at work than we know, when it comes to our colour choices.

Color Meaning: Meaning of The Color Purple. … The color purple is often associated with royalty, nobility, luxury, power, and ambition. Purple also represents meanings of wealth, extravagance, creativity, wisdom, dignity, grandeur, devotion, peace, pride, mystery, independence, and magic. 

Light sources are also an important choice – I have the normal ceiling light and natural light from the window but a spotlight disperses shadows so I have a clean and clear view of my screens.

Storage is key and yes I have several spaces just for it. The storage tower holds business cards, promotional items, paper, filing supplies, and more.

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The cupboard has books, more promotional material, such as an event banner, card holders, table coverings and larger promotion items as well as books.
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Yes, I am lucky to have this space but bear in mind I started using the dining room table as my writing space. It took me nearly seven years to get to this. Maybe you don’t need this kind of writing area – anywhere can be a creative zone after all. When I go on writing retreats I use a folding table and write on the hotel bed or desk. (And even at home). As long as there is room for a laptop or notebook we can write anywhere.

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What are your writing zone essentials?

More Toolbox Blogs here: https://raimeygallant.com/

Keeping On Track – A Writer’s Checklist…

May 21, 2014
mandyevebarnett


reblogToday’s re-blog is from Alec Nevala-Lee. Organzing our plot, character development, writing schedules and a myriad of other creative life demands, this list is well worth keeping.

http://nevalalee.wordpress.com/2014/05/20/a-writers-checklist/

How do you structure your writing time?

Do you have a checklist? Care to share?

Other checklist links:

http://www.be-a-better-writer.com/creative-writing-tips.html

http://www.writingforward.com/writing-tips/the-22-best-writing-tips-ever

 

 top-10-list

 

Commemorating With our AGM…

September 16, 2013
mandyevebarnett


Commemorate – definition: to serve as a memorial or reminder of some event.

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My writers circle – Writers Foundation of Strathcona County held their AGM & Writer’s Luncheon on Saturday. We were lucky enough to hold it in a meeting room within our Council building, with kitchen facilities included.  Once the President began listing our events for the year, it occurred to me just how busy the foundation and its members are. As you can see there is something every month of the year.

September
  • Culture Days – featured weekend participation with interactive writing activities
October
  • Words in the Park hosted with Library in conjunction with LitFest
November
  • National Novel Writing Month – participants writing 50,000+ words in month of November

 
December
  • Member Christmas Party held at Second Cup, Summerwood
January
  • Committee planning for 2013 Conference begins
February
  • Arts Expo weekend participation
March
  • WFSC participation in Adult Learning at the Library – presentations by members – Writing Memoirs, Orchids, and Self-Publishing
April
  • WFSC participation in Active Living conference – presentation by member – Your Lifetime of Stories
  • 4th annual conference “Chapter 8” celebrated WFSC 8th Anniversary in conjunction with kick off for Strathcona Celebrates
  • Display boards show history, projects, volunteers, and membership.
May
  • Regular meetings and Novel Workshops begin for editing NaNoWriMo and books to be published
June
  • WFSC participation at Senior’s Day breakfast held in Ardrossan
  • Members attend grant presentation at County Clothes Line
July
  • Participation in Savour Strathcona with table display
  • Participation in Arts in the Plaza – one day
August
  • Participation in Arts in the Plaza in conjunction with Strathcona Celebrates – one day
  • Writing the Seasons mini workshop at member residence
September
  • Here we are at our Annual General meeting 8 ½ years later
Meetings
  • Board meeting each month with exception of July  =  11
  • Novel writing workshop – 4 participants met at least monthly from May – August = 7 – 8
  • Writing Friends twice per month = 24
  • Writers Circle and sharing meetings = 24 * sometimes scarce of participants for the 3rd Tuesday
  • Committee Meetings – Words in the Park, Conference

 
Projects
  • Never Been Better celebrated 4 years in April – Bethany as editor in charge
  • Monthly Newsletter
  • Member collaboration to write and produce Your Lifetime of Stories Workbook to go with the presentation. Workbook was written over the summer and is at press – ready for release by Words in the Park event.
  • WFSC asked to administer Strathcona Connect online magazine until October this year due to election.

To make the day even better, the members brought pot luck dishes and there were writing games after the business part of the meeting had been completed.

With such a involved, encouraging and supportive group it is no wonder the WFSC is well known and celebrated. We are not limited to local authors either as our website enables virtual members – some as far away as Poland & Australia – to converse with our chat feature and receive critique with a personal blog and news page. And participate in the Saturday morning prompt and download the monthly newsletter – Muse.  http://wfscsherwoodpark.com/

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