Organize Your Writing Life: Tips for Storing Writing Ideas and Labeling Computer Files

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

As a writer, I’ve come to realize the value—and the elusiveness—of writing ideas. They come and go like beautiful blossoms in spring. And just like flowers, if we don’t pick them and save them, we lose them. So today I’d like to share some tips for storing writing ideas, especially when it comes to computer file names.

Every single writer should have a system of keeping track of ideas. I have several. I also save the same ideas in multiple places to make them easier to find. Here is an overall peek at my storage system.

Organize Your Writing Life: Learn to Capture, Catalog, and Retrieve Writing Ideas

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Part of being organized as a writer means we have to be able to capture, catalog, and retrieve writing ideas. That can actually be harder than you think. 

Writing ideas are illusive things. Just when you're certain you'll remember, the idea vanishes without a trace. Beyond that, inspiration is a fickle thing. And while we all need to keep writing whether we’re inspired or not, that rush of creativity is nice. What's not nice is not being able to capture it when you're away from your computer.

Organize Your Writing Life: Goal Setting and 10 Overall Organization Tips

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

I'm starting a new series here on the blog. I'm going to share what I've learned from other writers and my own experiences about writing organization. I'm going to cover the big-picture stuff and the nit-picky details of day-to-day organization. I hope you find a few tips to help and—most of all—I hope you'll chime in with the things you've picked up that help you!

Social Media Monday—Tips for Managing Social Media Along With a Full-time Job

by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

Social media choices for those who don't have time to spare.

Last week I shared How to Do Social Media in 30 Minutes aDay. In the comments for that post, several of you mentioned that, in addition to writing, you also work full-time. First, let me say you have my respect and admiration! As my grandmother would say, that’s a tough row to hoe.

Today’s post is for those who—either by choice or necessity—don’t write on a full-time basis. I salute you and hope you find this helpful.