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Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Tame the paper beast
Do you suffer from author's mess or is it just me?

When I’m researching a novel I end up with paperwork and clippings and photos etc all over the place. Add to that the fact that I also have artist's mess and well, I’m sure you get the picture.

It’s not that I don’t try to be organized, it’s just that I don’t have much room and when I need something, I need it NOW. lol

Today, I needed to find some info that I had collected to help with keeping my facts straight for my novel and it took 15 minutes and a few clumps of hair before I found the papers I wanted.

I need a filing system, some way of bringing order to the chaos and keeping track of all my research notes and story ideas. I have folders, but they are now full and overflowing.

Are there any fellow writers and or artists out there with great ideas for overcoming the chaos?

What method do you use to tame the paper beast?
 
posted by Rulan at 1:04 PM | Permalink |


18 Comments:


  • At 2:21 PM, June 13, 2006, Blogger David Meigs

    They make an ointment (Prep. H) that’s supposed to help cure writer’s mess. Just apply it liberally to your toothbrush and scrub your tonsils and tongue.

     

  • At 2:26 PM, June 13, 2006, Blogger Rulan

    lol David. Man, if I'd of had a mouth full of tea when I read that I would have needed a new PC.

    You nutter. yuk yuk

     

  • At 2:59 AM, June 14, 2006, Anonymous Anonymous

    Can't compete with David's marvelous sense of humor (made a stormy day much brighter!)..so on a more serious note. I am fortunate to have a home office. However, it also accomodates many of my diverse interests. I find every three days or so i am digging myself out of piles..on my writing desk and on what I call my "creative genius" table. The only system that works for me are my three file cabinets and my extensive use of those big plastic drawers on wheels. Then I LABEL, LABEL, LABEL!! One whole file cabinet is exclusively for "reference material". Another is designated as "Current Projects" and the third is my largest which is exclusively for my teaching curriculum. Personal opinion...just narrow your filing categories down a little more and invest in some heavy duty file folders that have the little pockets inside. current project information...like your novel material can be put in those rolling drawers....hmmm..perhaps I should write an article on this :)Need more paper to feed the beast :)

     

  • At 11:01 AM, June 14, 2006, Blogger Rulan

    sissy. David's humor even brings warmth to a frosty morning. Such a blessing.

    wow Those are cool ideas. Thanks for that. If you do write an article, please let me know so I can read it.

     

  • At 1:35 PM, June 14, 2006, Blogger Bonnie S. Calhoun

    No muss, no fuss. With the Windows XP bundle come Microsoft OneNote.

    It's soooooeasy to use and has notecards and you can write on the screen with a pencil pointer, and draw circles around things freehand!

    I have all writing notes laid out in little folders with thier own colored tab....

    Very cool!

     

  • At 1:43 PM, June 14, 2006, Blogger Rulan

    Bonnie, hi there. I have XP but where is OneNote? How do I find it?

     

  • At 6:19 AM, June 15, 2006, Blogger Godwyn Lim

    Hey, Sister,

    I haven't been actively blogging or surfing for the past few weeks as well, was busy & just fell really sick...I am down with gastric flu & ulcers in the throat that boils me down with fever & pain...

    Yet, I know I am healed in Jesus name, not trying to be...manage to wrote a new entry just on my blog after a long fiasco...pray for me the Devil is trying to deceive me with the pain...

    Thank you for your concern, really appreciate your thoughts!

    May the Lord keep you & bless you!

     

  • At 5:02 PM, June 16, 2006, Blogger M. C. Pearson

    BIG blue binder, hole puncher...and vacuum to get all those little hole droppings up. LOL

     

  • At 6:55 AM, June 17, 2006, Blogger Rulan

    godwyn, nice to have you visit. Sorry to hear you are sick. That sounds painful. I pray you feel better soon.

     

  • At 9:09 AM, June 17, 2006, Blogger Rulan

    Cowboy, hi there. You let the mess beast free? gasp shock horror. lol That's a good idea. I think I might do that to and if anyone complains, I'll let you straighten them out.

    No, you didn't tell me that you are not a writer or artist, but you're forgiven. Muahahahaha

     

  • At 9:16 AM, June 17, 2006, Blogger Rulan

    M. C, howdy. Those blue binders sound dangerous with their little hole droppings. ;)

     

  • At 1:37 PM, June 17, 2006, Blogger jel

    hi friend

     

  • At 2:07 PM, June 17, 2006, Blogger Rulan

    Janice, hi there my friend. Long time no see. It's good to have you back. :)

     

  • At 3:48 PM, June 17, 2006, Blogger Curious Servant

    I use the geologic method for organizing my stuff. Chronological. The older stuff is in the lower strata.

     

  • At 3:53 PM, June 17, 2006, Blogger Rulan

    curious servant, hi there. LOL Nice one.

     

  • At 4:49 AM, June 18, 2006, Blogger Bernita

    Thank you, Rulan, for your kind thoughts on Bonnie's blog.
    All is well.
    P.S. See your a mess-maker - like me...

     

  • At 5:47 AM, June 18, 2006, Blogger Rulan

    bernita, hi there. nice to have you visit. Good to hear that all is well.

    God bless.

     

  • At 6:33 PM, June 19, 2006, Blogger Bonnie S. Calhoun

    Rulan...did you get the Microsoft Office with your software bundle...Microsoft Word would be in it! Email me!

     
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