Today we are going to look at a question from a reader that I believe is a universal issue for all writers and can cause overwhelm and stop us from getting started or even cause us to lose important stories and topics we’d like to write about if not considered and planned for right at the beginning.
Leticia asks:
I am currently just writing in one journal. I was thinking of having different journals for different stories or thoughts. Will that be too much or too confusing?
Thank you for submitting this, Leticia! The answer is yes it could be, BUT it doesn’t need to be with good planning. So I’d like to offer some questions and thoughts so that you and others can organize your writing based on your own topics, audience, and purpose.
First of all the most important question to start with is how are you most comfortable writing? Do you handwrite your stories onto paper, or are you more comfortable typing or even voice memo-ing them into an electronic document?
Each of us has a different way to download our thoughts, memories, and musings and knowing your style will help you to determine the most effective way of organizing your drafts and writings. If on paper, which it sounds like this is how you have been writing, then you will want to plan ahead differently than if you are writing primarily in a google doc or other electronic system.
The next question would be what and why you are writing? Knowing this will help you to think ahead on ways you could organize these stories.
Look at what your writing will include. You can then organize by audience you are writing for, the person you are writing about, the topics you are writing about, or even the purpose for your writing.
So for example, if you are writing a collection, specifically for one person to gift them, then all of those stories could be done in one place. If you are writing about one family member or friend, then all of the stories about them could be in one file or notebook. Look at the purpose of your writing and the topics and decide ahead if it would make sense to keep in their own “container.”
And remember, this would look different depending on whether your stories are electronic or handwritten. If electronic then create different folders or tags based on those topics. If handwritten, then clearly label your journals ahead of time and keep them where you can reach them when you are ready to work on that topic.
Another question to ask yourself is, how will you publish your writing? Will it be a single story or a collection? Is it for one person or several?
Will you want a special notebook just for rough drafts? These could be anywhere, but when thinking of final drafts you will want to think about how you’d like to publish or pass along your story. If it is a collection of stories, will you write them in a special notebook or journal? If it is one story you’re writing as a gift, will you be handwriting on special paper, in a greeting card, or typing it out electronically? And if you are going to be needing several final copies will you be photocopying, printing, or handwriting each one?
Finally, how will you organize and store your stories so that you can find them when you want them?
Tags work really well in electronic documents. Using searchable words that organize your stories by audience, topic, age, and main character can help you when you are looking for a specific story to share. You can also create specific folders by topic to store your work.
Even if you are writing in physical notebooks colored post-its or highlighters can help tag topics. Organizing your journals in one place allows you to find what you’re looking for more easily. Again these can be organized by topic or even chronologically. I also like to create a word doc of story topics I’d like to write and those I have written. Noting in this document where they are written is also a great way to keep them organized.
So Leticia, thank you again for your question. I hope all of these questions and thoughts are helpful. Please feel free to let me know which you like best.
And to all of you readers, I’d love to hear what you found helpful or any tips you may have for organizing your stories!