I stared with just basic word counts, but it was boring. This was supposed to be fun! An incentive to help me want to hit my goal! So I poked around the internet and found some cute ideas I tweaked to fit my needs. My favorite is where I made a page where I fill in tetris pieces if I hit my word goal. It was so fun and cute and it made writing feel less like work and more like fun. I've started a new one now, and I'm incorporating more of my daily activities into it so I can fill it up faster.
This is my basic weekly planner spread. It's a bunch of blank pages (kind of like my latest work in progress!) My usual method of having post its all over the place with ideas for my story isn't the most organized, so I try to keep anything I'd scribble on a post it in here. I keep things like what music I write to, any plot ideas, and my word count.
This is what it looks like after I've gotten the stickers out.
As you can see the stickers add some color and personality. I don't go wild, although if you look up planners online you will find some amazing works of art that I'd be too afraid to write in!
I try to keep all of my writing tasks and blog tasks in this planner. I've learned some tips and tricks along the way, and color coding certain tasks helps me the most. I can quickly scan the pages to see which things need my attention most.
I even keep track of what I read!
I'd love to hear if you're a planner addict or if you prefer some other method?
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The small town was supposed to be safe...
Kate Landry is tired of running. Thinking she's safe, she settles in the small logging town of Chester, California to manage a cafe. She may be keeping a low profile, but she's hoping to return to a normal life.
When FBI agent Kyle Donovan visits to Chester to stay with a friend, and to recover from his latest case, he never expects to meet sexy barista Kate.
But someone is following Kate...
Kyle worries he brought trouble to her door, while Kate worries her dark past is coming after her.
With danger lurking around every corner, her safe haven isn't as safe as she'd thought. Kate will finally have to trust someone enough to tell him her secrets. Secrets that may just get them killed...
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What great ideas. my planning is a notebook but totally unorganized. I'll even write upside down on it. Yup, only I know what the heck is going on on my pages. I love color. This could convince me to change and get organized.
ReplyDeleteI love that you write upside down and all over it :) I had (still have lol) post-its all over my nightstand. The trick for me is making sure I stick the post its in my planner or else I'll forget them!
DeleteI use a small planner currently though want to get something that has more space every day so I can be more organized and get more done daily. But as much as some of those fancy planners are very cute, I know me, and I'd spend more time trying to find adorable stickers and colored pens to use. I do put a small line next to each action item so I can check it off. There's nothing quite as satisfying as checking off something you've accomplished.
ReplyDeleteLOL I had to force myself to stop spending so much time (and money!) on all the cute stickers, so I totally get that! Some people go all out on their planners don't they? Youtube and Pinterest are full of amazing planner spreads.
DeleteI'm always trying to get more organized. I was just thinking about how I would go about it. I love the idea of using a planner! I never thought about creating one of my own. I'm absolutely starting one today!
ReplyDeleteI love romantic suspense! This is going on my TBR list!
Thanks! :) I started using a blank journal at first before I saw this planner at Michael's. I like that I can add blank pages as I need to. It's so much easier than I thought it would be!
DeleteI have a planner from Polestar that I love. I get one every year. There's tons of room for notes, plans, correspondence reminders...all of it. I give myself gold stars when I jot down my wordcount for the day. Lately, though, I've forgotten and they matter! So thanks for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteYou should share pics on facebook or twitter if you get the chance!
DeleteAnd hey, nothing wrong with giving yourself a gold star when you accomplish something :)
I love your planner idea. I'm also realistic enough to know I would not follow through on using it. You are correct. Writing is supposed to be fun, so whatever we can do to make it that way. I do log my word count in a calendar book. I never know what to put down when I'm revising or doing admin stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Do you keep everything strictly on your computer? I feel like writing it down helps me remember it.
DeleteI love the idea of a planner, and even tried it this year. Didn't work for me. :-( I'm lucky to get appointments written down!
ReplyDeleteLOL my memory doesn't retain info unless I write it down. I'd miss every appointment!
DeleteWhat a great post. I love your planner, especially the idea of keeping track of the books you read. It looks like the BuJo (bullet journal, hottest trend going) my daughter keeps. I keep a planner every year. I'd never keep up with stuff if I didn't. I also have a large blotter size planter on one of my kitchen counters where all appointments get noted (that's for my hubby to see) and then I notate those in my personal planner too. There are a lot of Instagram, FB, and blog posts about BuJo if anyone is interested.
ReplyDeleteThanks! :) Bujos are amazing but I just dont feel artistic enough for them lol
DeleteThis brand has pre-made inserts and also blank ones I can do my own thing with. I also love that I don't have to buy a new planner every year. I just buy new months for it.
My daughter is a single working mom and recently started college, do you think a planner would work for her? I've been buying her journals for years and its time for a new one, maybe a planner is a better way to go...
ReplyDelete@msredk at aol dot com
I definitely used a planner for college. I tried using my phone, but one of the apps crashed and I lost everything! I'm a paper only gal now lol
DeleteIf she likes journals, she'll probably love a planner. Try the Happy Planner (at Michaels, or on amazon) and fingers crossed it works for her!
I buy a new appointment book every year to write down my books read and my appointments, but then I forget to look to see what my appointments are! I do write down my books read, but I stay way behind on that too! Terribly unorganized. Your books sounds great.
ReplyDeletemarthalawson8 (at) gmail dot com
Thanks Martha :) I primarily use goodreads to keep track of my books that I read and want to read, but I really love writing them down too!
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ReplyDelete