| Organizing your writing space is one hurdle to | | | | lot done in a short amount of time. Using the |
| productivity that is easily overcome. Whether you | | | | clock to race against helps you to be more |
| need to clear your desk or get your notes in | | | | productive and more organized. |
| order, consider these simple ways to get | | | | For instance, if your desk is in disarray and the |
| organized. | | | | whole this is overwhelming you, set a timer for |
| File Folders | | | | five minutes and do as much clearing as you can |
| Files seem like a no-brainer way to organize your | | | | in that time. Then walk away. When you are |
| writing. However, they are not the only way to | | | | ready, come back for another five minute race. |
| go. You can also use index cards to take short | | | | In this way, the clock is not only your friend, but |
| notes or manage research materials. You can use | | | | your biggest cheerleader. It keeps you motivated |
| them for contacts and for tracking submissions, | | | | to move forward regardless of feelings or level |
| as well. But let's take a look at the humble file | | | | of inspiration. Those come later. |
| folder. In it, you can keep clippings, printed | | | | Index Cards |
| research materials, notes or any number of other | | | | Index cards are amazing little tools. Carry them |
| paper-based materials. In fact, you can even put | | | | with you to take notes. Use them for research. |
| burned CDs and DVDs in these folders. Label | | | | They are easy to file and manage. Get a recipe |
| them properly and what you need is immediately | | | | card box, some tabbed dividers and lined 3x5 |
| at your fingertips when you open the filing cabinet. | | | | cards to get started. Your financial investment is |
| A Clock | | | | small but the payoff can be enormous. |
| Another great tool for organizing your writing and | | | | So, in addition to your computer, with all it has to |
| your time is the clock. This much maligned tool | | | | offer, you have plenty of tools to get and keep |
| gets a bad rap because people always think in | | | | organized while you write and submit your work. |
| terms of how much needs to be done in such a | | | | Don't underestimate the value of being organized. |
| small amount of time. The thing is, you can get a | | | | |