How I Organize My Writing/Project Notebooks

[@smdavidson7360]

Love this.. I have the worst habit of buying notebooks, but never using them because they are too pretty/ I dont want to waste pages/ I don't know how to organize/ I don't want to crowd my ideas. Maybe I just need to have one for each thing, like this, and start using them all! Adore you and your channel!

[@Seashelldub]

SM Davidson I make it a point to never buy cute notebooks because of that reason. I do all of my planning and organization stuff in a Bullet Journal, but I buy cheap spirals in which to do my Morning Pages and scratch writing drafts and whatnot. I have a Kate Spade spiral that someone bought me 6 months ago, and I have yet to use it.

[@LifeWithJayde1]

I do that all the time!

[@franziska9260]

SM Davidson My problem with that is making notebooks '•-• I love making notebooks but I have no idea what to use them for

[@languagelover9170]

HAHAHAHAH SAME

[@AllyDoesStuff-ok3ln]

SM Davidson I mean SAME THO

[@xzonia1]

When I was young (back before people had computers in their homes), I kept my poems in a small decorative journal that had about 90 pages in it with 20 or 25 lines on each side (I don't remember exactly now). After I put 100 poems in that journal, I started a new one. If memory serves, I currently have 4 full journals of poems, and I'm working on the next one. I also kept a notebook journal (like the last one you had in this video) for each different book idea I started when I was younger. After I got a computer, I typed up all this stuff and saved it on diskette. Thankfully, I kept my paper journals out of sentimental reasons because these days you can't pop a diskette into a computer any more! Lol. I started saving all my WIPs on my brand new computer in 2009, but that computer died in 2011 after it picked up a virus online, and I lost many poems and some stories I'd only typed up and not bothered to print out or back up. When I got my new computer, I started saving my WIPs on my computer with a flash drive back-up of them. So I have a folder on my desktop for my writings, and folders in it of the different kinds - poems, short stories, and novel ideas (I've only finished one novel to date, so it's mostly ideas). Novel ideas each have their own folder, so I can put timelines and research in separate docs from the story itself. I moved to only using computers because my eyesight had become too poor for me to read the print in my paper journals. I had eye surgery this year, and I can read print again! However, I've become used to having all my works on my computer, so I will probably stay with this organizational approach. I do often still write stuff out by hand, but I will type it up soon afterwards to save it on my computer. I back up at least a few times a month to make sure I have all my progress saved. If this computer dies on me, I won't lose much (if anything). I still add poems to my print journals now for nostalgic reasons, and I like seeing them in my own handwriting. Lol :) Oh! I also do keep a daily journal on my computer. I just open a new Word document each year and name it 365: year 201- as a reminder that it should have 365 entries in it (they rarely do, though). Each entry starts with the date on which it is written. Simple, but effective. I usually forget to write when I'm away from home visiting family or when I'm sick, so I miss a few days here or there most years. It's a nice goal, but I'm okay with taking a break now and then. Thanks for the video, Kristen! You are a whirlwind!

[@noandne0]

Right now I have 6 notebooks. 1) for my originals projects, stories I want to put on paper 2)fanfiction stories. Do you ever watch a tv show or movie and come up with an original character and put him/her into the plot and just think it would be awesome to make a story out of it? Well it happens to me. A lot. 3)contests notebook. I write on Wattpad and I find it fascinating participating in contests. Of course, i need to write down ideas, themes and prompts for them so I choose to have a notebook dedicated to that 4)writing advice notebook. As a non-English person, I sometimes find it difficult to translate thoughts and feelings from my language to English. So I organized this notebook as follows: writing advice, descriptions, character development, vocabulary, movie/tv show/book quotes I would like to use.( being a big fan of some franchises, using some quotes from them is my own little way to pay my respects to them and thank them for the wonderful journey) 5)poems notebook. I like writing poems and I keep all of them in a small, leather-covered notebook. 6) in the last one (pocket sized notie) i put things like upload dates or edit dates and writing events.

[@how_tragic]

SSRaven I relate to 2 so much

[@noandne0]

WoodpekaSimz 😀😀😀 finally found someone who gets it!!! 😂

[@fatimapineda2182]

could you tell me your username? Sorry I just feel like your books would be very interesting since you sound very dedicated

[@noandne0]

Fatima Pineda Sure, although I am very, very new at writing stuff.. 😅 Wattpad name: SSRaven

[@aaaaddddaaa]

ooooo #4 is a really good idea. I'm going to do it.

[@melissa_evans]

I have a binder for each of my WIPs and also for my blogs. I love using binders since I can add in pages and rearrange as needed. I also use a bound notebooks/journals for on the go (ideas, to-do lists, etc.), and also a writer's journal, and personal journal. But if I'm being honest I have a notebook addiction and have extras that are lined up for later uses.

[@werelemur1138]

I have five notebooks that I use regularly. One is the tiny bullet journal/organizer (small enough to fit in the pocket of my jeans) that goes with me EVERYWHERE. Basically, it's my external brain. It's where I keep my appointments, reminders, and next action lists, and since I always have it, I can jot down random ideas I have so I don't forget them.. The second is the latest in a long line of 9 1/2 x 6 plain spiral bound notebooks that I use for general writing, including brainstorming, writing exercises, and general journaling. I've been keeping writing notebooks since I was in High School (I don't remember exactly when I started keeping them, but I graduated in 1992. I've recently taken inspiration from bullet journaling, and now I start them with an index, which lets me easily find every entry about (for example) potential blog posts. Random ideas I write down in the bullet journal get expanded in this one. My third notebook is where I keep my yearly, quarterly, and monthly goals, habit trackers, and anything like a daily log or grattitude journal, if I'm doing that month. This is where I indulge myself with any "pretty planning" I want to do. The fourth notebook is a junior size discbound notebook with a list of my projects, and what my current "next action' is on it, to reference in my weekly reviews. Finally I have my reading journal, which is the same kind of hardbound journal with large rings as you're using, because a friend gave me one for Christmas.

[@CareyHAuthor]

I have a few pretty journals. To stay organized with my author stuff, I use the Happy Planner system. I have 2. One is my writing one. It's kinda DIY. A lot of paper o trimmed down to fit the size where I do brain dumps, outlines, character profiles, and stuff like that. Then I have my "Boss Lady" planner. It has a calendar for a few months at a time (going to get another just calendar/planner because I'm running out of room), social media trackers, blog planning, Patreon, sales tracker once I'm published. I found all kinds of printouts between Pinterest and Etsy which have been very helpful.

[@CalvinPBerast]

The Seven Notebooks of Highly Effective People

[@LifeWithJayde1]

I'm so glad im not the only one in the world who has tons of notebooks! I love it though because it keeps me organized

[@HaleyBascom]

I love notebooks but was using one at a time for everything. This is a great idea to break it up and stay organized. Thank you for this!

[@jennifergregson]

I use notebooks too! Usually I just use cheap spiral bound ones that I buy from Staples or Target during back to school sales, but you've got me wanting to go to TJ Maxx or Marshall's for some cuter ones now. HA I have one for each novel idea (so right now I have three of those) and I have one for my short stories/newsletter and blog. I just write the title or idea on the cover with sharpie, but again - I now really want some cuter ones.

[@alexandrashine7490]

Serious notebook goals! Thank you! I purchased heaps and had no idea how to organize them! So glad I found this!

[@yanettemantro]

I love note books...I tend to buy them when I see one that I really Iike...lol

[@rivermay109]

I have a horrible memory, but if I write down my ideas, I will not be able to reflect on them later without looking at my notes. It's sounds weird but that's the way it works for me. I wish I was as organised as you.❤

[@legendaryreader39]

I have 54 WIPs right now and a notebook for each one. My tower of notebooks is about to fall over, because I don't have any shelves for them. I do plan to get a bookshelf for them :-)

[@legendaryreader39]

Charles Fetters if it would let me post a picture, I would prove it to you that I have 54 projects. I'm even working on them all at once, jumping back and forth between them.

[@legendaryreader39]

Charles Fetters Hard to get bored when the ideas just keep coming. I have another project to add to the pile. I'm planning to finish four by the end of the year next year. I tell my friends that I'm pretty sure I will be busy for the rest of my life. 😂😂😂

[@a_noelles]

Holy cow! I have 7 WIPs and I feel like that's too much!

[@legendaryreader39]

fit_ me It can be overwhelming at times, but I am actually glad I got stuck with this brain. The creative juices are always flowing. 😉

[@legendaryreader39]

Charles Fetters Don't forget them. Write down every single idea and just go back to them later.

[@LeeAnneRMT]

In your writing notebook, do you break it up into sections? I tried that but then I ran out of room and things still ended up jumbled when I decided to go back and add or change things.

[@suzzer19]

Thank God I found your channel. You are a breath of fresh air! I have been struggling with my novel for years now and I can't seem to get into the rest of the chapters. I'm using first person POV rather than third because it seems too distant from the main character. Instead of having various open pages on MS Word....I have recently gotten into using notebooks which helps to go through them quicker. Also, I like to write down a bunch of questions I like to answer along the way to solve some issues I'm having with the story line. Amazing channel, keep up the great work!

[@lifestylecoach1869]

Love this . . . thank you for sharing. I am currently in the process of redesigning my note taking routine. I love your tips about the several notebooks, I am going to TJ Maxx right now! xoxo

[@alisonf.haring3411]

So many beautiful notebooks :) A dream came true

[@ejwrites1]

I have absolutely NO organization skills whatsoever unless my college classes are involved-where I have each class in a different notebook and a different pen and highlighter color-because I’ll get ideas written in separate notebooks and never follow through over half of those ideas. I also cannot stand writing in notebooks that are written almost half way through and that said idea inside notebook flopped and died... Sometimes I’ll even write with different colors for the days if I’m doing something long hand. But I am FAR from being as organized as you. Love this video and I love the notebooks you shared! Never been to TJMax before but now I think I’ll give it a look through just for notebooks. I’ve always gotten mine from either Staples or Walmart.

[@livingalife68]

I live in Ontario, Canada. Not sure if we have TJ Max, I don't think so, but I get my notebooks from the dollar store. They have some really pretty ones with great paper for less than $5 a notebook. I have loads of them. I used to jot things down wherever and the n save stuff. I have boxes of notes and ideas. I just started to sort through and consolidate my notes and ideas (some apply to my many WIP). I am hoping once everything is organized I will be more productive and get a couple of my WIP's done.

[@Just_Sal206]

I have separate bullet journals for each of my writing projects that keeps track of settings, characters, ideas, notes, and weekly/monthly tracker of words written and a brief summary of the last thing I wrote. Extensive but so helpful

[@maramiller3741]

I’m getting organized. I keep a large Leuchtturm1917 notebook that is for some basic outlining/random chapter writing and a dot journal from the same company that I use for bullet journaling. That’s where I keep track of my writing projects and the like. I love the company because I can use my fountain pens and they won’t bleed through. I’m about to buy a slimmer version of my 250-something page beast so I can start the last book in my Cheap series. Fountain pens are also just FUN to write with...I think I’ve got five different inks I write with regularly? I’m about to start journaling, too, for 2018. I also have a little A5 sized leather notebook where I just idea dump when I have a dream or random line to a story I can’t get to immediately.

[@rwaggs2623]

Hmmm... I used to have different notebooks for different things, and then my job required me to travel. A lot. And, as a wimpy-girl, I didn't want an extra suitcase just in case I had a thought. Do you bring your's with you? Or do you have one that travels, and part of unpacking is also transferring notes into the individual notebooks?

[@Duckie008]

I have two notebooks. One is for my novel that I am currently brain storming. My other notebook for notes on writing, mostly tips and information I have gathered from books and videos on writing.

[@jacintahudson9252]

I love how cite and organised your notebooks are. My current system is a bit of double handling. I have a 'writing' note pad or notebook for all writing notes, and every now and then I go through it all and type it up, spliting it up per story, and using a bulldog clip to hold all story notes/outline/etc together. It's more work (and I think I might like to change to a more organised system) but this way helps me remember stuff I forgot, and find errors/inconsistencies in my notes before adding them to the rest. It's an odd approach, and a bit of a mess.... I should do something about that. Haha

[@barbarajackson4085]

Hi Kristen , I have already started writing my book. At the moment I write it in to a notebook then type it onto the computer. From Barbara Jackson.

[@cassieann3702]

I love notebooks. I would rather plan in a notebook then on my laptop. I love getting cute journals but the way I outline is kind of messy and always leaves me blank (which is prob a reason why I never finished a novel in my life. Plenty of novellas though.) So this is such a great thing for me so thank you!

[@OlenaSketches]

You are so inspiring, Kristen! I also have many notebooks where I write and draw my ideas and inspirations. It's great to see that i am not the only one who is so passionately organised :-)

[@charly2080]

Its nice to see someone as crazily organized as myself. Go type A

[@celestialskies-covers]

I liked this video and it really gave me inspiration to keep my stuff organized. To be honest, I have no notebooks for writing purpose. And now I'm going to make one. Since it is my first book I'm writing, I had no idea what to do with it. But now, you've helped me a lot. Though I'm writing in my laptop but keeping the ideas and plots and character profiles in a separate notebook is more important than it seems. ;-)

[@Kedap83]

I love notebooks as all writers seem to. I am currently changing things to keep my notes in my planner binder as I like having the notes with me but my back doesn't like me to carry all my project notebooks with me.

[@violagary125]

Girl you are soo hyped and organized and I am proud to know you. I have scattered my writings several places and now have a clearer platform for organizing my thoughts, etc. Keep it coming because you have inspired me and I don't want to lose focus. My question to you which has nothing to do with organization of subjects. I noticed a small section of your talk where you do a "Carol Burnett" offing at least that is what appeared to me. You have a comedic way of delivery and that is refreshing. One thing would you pleease slow down a tad bit so we older "ears" can grasp your info clearer. Thanks much.

[@ghostdreamer7272]

Wow I wish I was this organized!

[@Maiya307]

Great post on organization! Now I've been reminded to do some for my own life. :)

[@binflynn1]

Thanks some great advice 👍

[@shadylady0225]

Wow i have a bunch of notebooks too.. I actually had two suitcases filled with them, I have a bit of an addiction. Love your videos, oh I finished NaNo yesterday, 1st time winning... I think it was because of all the great advise you've shared. so thanks

[@xzonia1]

Congrats on finishing NaNoWriMo, Nancie! :)

[@shadylady0225]

thanks , I'm glad I got it done... if your doing it too.. I hope you do well too.. good luck

[@xzonia1]

Thanks! I started strong, but I got really sick earlier this month and let it fall to the wayside. So I won't come close to finishing this year. Still, it's good practice! :)

[@shadylady0225]

ohhh that's to bad, yeah I'm sick now glad I got as much done as I did. yes its good practice, :) I'm planning on doing the camps too.. I vow to finish, I wish you luck with your's as well

[@xzonia1]

Thanks so much, Nancie! :)

[@heathernelson5318]

Paper...Notebooks. GENIUS! I'm buying notebooks....now. RIGHT NOW.

[@troybowman8651]

I love Writing in Top Flight 3 Subject college ruled Notebooks I get most of notebooks from family Dollar

[@marwarochay]

Absolutely brillant ! I love notebooks so much, I buy them all the time and dont always use them. I don't know if you're still using this method in 2019 but I am definitely going to try it out ;) It will give me more excuses to buy notebooks haha

[@AuthorKristenMartin]

Yep, I'm still using it and it's working great! 🤗🤗

[@EmilyBourne]

this video was amazing!!

[@martinaarmstrong]

Love your videos so much

[@thatonegirlinthebackofthec4933]

I love you and your channel

[@languagelover9170]

Hey!!! Awesome video, very nice organizing!!! You have beautiful eyes and awesome hair!!!!!

[@angell504]

Love your hair.

[@tinaf.6797]

GREAT VIDEO!!!

[@HxneyViolet]

Your eyeliner in this video is amazing and your hair looks even better than usual, which is saying something. Slay girl ❤

[@christyjohnson1799]

I'm not sure how many notebooks I have. It's on my list to get them consolidated into some kind of order. There's an etsy shop with notebooks that look just your style: www.etsy.com/shop/TheAnastasiaCo?section_id=14507181

[@stingthescribe3681]

Your handwriting looks like a font!

[@VietnameseGlobal]

Onenote, evernote.

[@wayaoh997]

🙏🏻👍👍

[@AllyDoesStuff-ok3ln]

I wish I had an imagination to actually write a book 😭

[@RajuGTumkur]

I want about you