Writing as a Not-So-Organized Writer

I can't say I'm the most organized writer in the world. I have a mind full of ideas, thoughts, projects, tasks, and so on that at times certainly can overwhelm my capabilities to keep up.

I didn't always have even a semblance of organization skills either. It is something I have been learning over the course of my life to improve on and incorporate new ways to help me stay put together enough to function properly. And I do think as an author--as a writer, it is important to refine that skill. Even if it's just a little bit. Today, I would like to share what I do to keep a good amount of organization when writing with those of you who may be a little something like me...kind of all over the place sometimes.

Keeping a Clean Space

First and foremost, keeping a clear work space is far more important than you might think. If you've every dabbled in the idea of Feng Shui, you have probably heard that the placement of certain things can block the flow of energy. Personally I believe that is true, and I tend to feel that when I haven't tidied up my space in a while. Clutter--especially on your desk or table, tends to hinder your ability to work efficiently and comfortably. Sometimes it can be difficult to realize when you are used to working with a lot of things around you, but once you've cleared that stuff away, you will see how much easier it is to stay productive in a neater work-space versus a cluttered one. Even if you may be really busy, and feel like you can't always keep up with keeping your room or office neat all the time, I at least encourage you to declutter your desk every once in a while. You will feel a lot less stressed that way. I personally can't even function if I have more than five misplaced items on my desk for too long (as someone who gets distracted easily).

Outlining and Notes

There are some people who are fantastic note-takers. Extremely purposeful and clear in what they write. I have seen some amazing things in other peoples' notebooks or note-taking apps. It has made me stop and wonder what is wrong with me and why can't I take such beautiful notes or outline so cohesively?? But I have learned over time throughout school and personal experiences that there isn't any one way to take notes. As long as you can go back and understand what you wrote down, that is enough. But one tip I'd like to encourage is making sure each topic is all in one place instead of everywhere because even if you can go back and understand what you have written, it is easy to miss or forget information you have left for yourself if you cannot readily find it.

For my writing, particularly in my big project(s), I have tons of notes. Everywhere. And in the beginning it used to just be that. Everywhere. I would lose notes because I've written them randomly on some random piece of paper and don't know what I did with it. I had notes in multiple different notebooks, or in random files on my computer or in my notes app on my phone. It was just a mess. And although it was one thing to have a flash drive to save everything on, that was really only one weak way that I could stay organized with such a big story with so much information.

As I have grown I have stopped writing on loose-leafs entirely. And if I just so happen to write something down on a piece of paper because a pen was in my hand and an idea popped in my head, I will transfer it right away to my notes app. I do not use paper anymore because I find it to be not just messy but also a waste. These days I will only use it now if I absolutely have to, like my phone is dead or I'm far from my computer. I do have a dedicated folder for papers related to my writing, but it only holds my old original notes now. I strictly stick to my phone or computer.

Are my notes really neat? ...No...I have a weird way of writing down my thoughts and ideas as well as a weird way of outlining my story. Some writers are skilled at outlining before they've begun writing. Personally, I cannot function that way. I am the type that has to write down what's in my head first and re-work it later. But I have at least learned to implement some outlining. Just not in the traditional sense. First, my phone is really my best friend. I almost don't do anything but brainstorm in my notes app........and doomscroll on TikTok. I at least organize my notes into files for each project. For example, one file for everything related to Ethan Moon. I have one note that entirely serves as a place for brainstorming. I write down everything interesting that comes to mind throughout the day or night, no matter where I am at the time. This also helps me when I am in a rut, experiencing writers block, and or a little lost in the direction my story is going. I'm able to ask myself questions there (like physically write down the questions) and then answer them, and I'm able to toy with ideas this way as well. Come in very handy and is easily accessible.

Other notes I keep in this folder are additions to the story I have been able to think of while away from my manuscript, information on specific characters/backstory/lore, lists of made up names/spells/things that have to do with worldbuilding that I should keep for keeping up with continuity, and sometimes a freshly made outline to help me recount what's going on in what I've currently written and how the story will continue and end from there.

On my laptop it is pretty much the same. I keep a specific folder for my writing projects on my desktop. Individual folders for each project. Then individual folders for manuscript, notes, brainstorming, and additional information (i.e. lore, backstory, character files). My phone serves as the mobile, easy access way of note-taking. Eventually this information (the information I have decided is what I'll go with) get's put into the notes on my computer where it is clearer, more concise, and kind of...set in stone type deal. (...unless I've had a better idea). I usually do all of this using Microsoft Word. But recently I have fallen in LOVE with this application called Obsidian (not sponsored). Somehow it has made taking notes fun as it has this linking system that allows you to connect information with specific topics and organizes it for you. It also creates this super cool webbed graph that shows you everything that is connected as if you've made one of those red string boards to figure out a crime or something.

I have been busy entering in all the information I have as well as new info too, and I am super excited to see what it looks like once all of it is in there.

I seriously recommend this app if you are a writer, professional or not. It's a bit of a learning curve for how to use it, but it's pretty worth it to me.

Now to specifically talk about the way that I outline, I think it's important to say that if you are someone who isn't that good at making outlines like I am and prefer to just write out what's in your head first, It's okay to do things that way, and it's okay to not be the best outliner in the world. I used to never outline, but even though I said it's okay to not be the best at outlining, outlining is still important, even if it's super basic and simple.

I mentioned it earlier, that I write and then outline to recap what I've written as well as to write out my plans for the rest of the story. When I write, one of my weaknesses is moving the story along as well as pacing. I have learned in recent years that making an outline is one of the best ways to get a handle on that issue. So, if you tend to just go at it with writing first like I do, and you get stuck, the first thing you should do is outline what you have just written. Brainstorm. And then outline how your story will progress and hopefully end. This keeps not only your thoughts but your story organized as well. If you're not sure what that could look like, what I do it write out the major key events in chronological order, then a quick blurb about what happens. Now if you're also outlining because you're not quite sure what happens yet, list the major events, then underneath ask a question. Now you can see what you're missing, and you can answer the questions once you've figured it out. Doing it this way makes sure that you are filling in the important parts of what's missing in your story, forcing you to focus on how the story progresses, your pacing, more than little other side things. Example:

You're writing a story about the adventure of a dog that ran away.

Dog Escapes

how did he escape?

Dog was in the back yard when his human was mowing the lawn. Dog saw a squirrel, forgot he shouldn't leave the yard and ran after the bird away from home.

Dog gets lost

what happened that he lost his way?

Dog chased the bird so far, too excited to pay attention to all the twists and turns he made that once he lost sight of the bird, he realized he was no longer home and didn't recognize any of his surroundings.

Dog get's trapped

How did he get trapped?

An evil animal control guy snagged him up and caged him, preparing to bring him to the pound for not wearing any leash or identifying collar. Dog needed to break free.

Dog finds help

Who helps him and why?

Dog see another group of dogs when the animal control guy made a stop to capture another animal. He left the back door to his van open, and Dog howls to the other dogs. The other dogs recognizes him and know who he belongs to. They help him escape.

Dog Makes it back home

How did he find his way back home?

Once he escapes, the dog friends help Dog get back to his home because they were familiar with the area. Dog is now safe and happy that he was able to break free and reunite with his owner.

Extremely simple, easy, and you don't have to worry about doing that A. B. C. I. II. III. kind of stuff. This method is still organized, and you are able to follow along with what is going on. Of course, this is just my way, and you don't have to do things this way. You should find ways that work for you! My example only serves to show you that outlining can look all kinds of ways, and they don't have to look super fancy and cool. Just do what helps you and make sure to keep it all in one place!

Being organized is certainly a skill, and it's a skill that can always be built on and refined. As a writer, having your notes and ideas organized is important, especially if you don't want to be like me and lose hours of research because you've misplaced your...everything! I hope I was able to give some useful tips about making your life a little easier with how you store your work and such. If you have some tips you'd like to share, I'd love to see them in the comments :)

Thank you for reading~