If you’re like most freelance writers and authors, you write on fairly specific topics. You have your pet subjects and you are always on the look-out for related information, facts, statistics and other resources to enhance your writings. But how do you manage the material you locate online, in publications, from live media, through interviews and so forth? Do you have a good filing system or are you still cluttering the top of your desk with print outs, hand-scribbled notes and tear sheets?
Or worse yet, do you avoid conducting research and collecting data that might augment your articles or book manuscripts because you can’t stand the clutter?
Then maybe it’s time to get organized. How?
There’s the old-fashioned method of filing stuff—the sturdy metal (or lovely polished wood) filing cabinet. Some of my colleagues use cardboard boxes that are designed to store material in hanging file folders. My office grew rather quickly from a two-drawer filing cabinet to two four-drawers and three two-drawers and now I have one filing cabinet. It measures 5 feet tall, 3.5 feet wide and I had it painted bright burnt orange. The 5 large drawers are full.
Some people use computers for storing their research material. If you go this route, be sure to implement a reliable backup system. I actually saw a paperless office once. Unbelievable! Wish I could achieve this, but I’m afraid that I’m a bit of a hoarder. And, despite what the original Heloise used to say, I often do need something even years after I’ve thrown it away. (For those of you who don’t remember, I believe it was Heloise who said, “If you haven’t used it in a year, you don’t need it.”)
When I was heavy into freelance article writing, I was always in research mode. I scoured magazines and newspapers for interesting new topics, material on subjects I was already writing about and experts in these fields. I am constantly researching now on subjects related to writing and publishing so I will have the most updated information and resources for you and for SPAWN members reading my incredible SPAWN Market Update. (Visit SPAWN at http://www.spawn.org). And I maintain systems that seem to serve me well.
I have a “SPAWN Market Update” file folder, which I add to throughout each month. I discard the printouts, notes, etc. once I’ve used them. Or I might transfer the information to my “Writing and Publishing” file folder, which I tap into when I need help coming up with a new article or blog topic.
When I’m working on a book, I will use one of those cardboard boxes designed for hanging file folders to store data chapter by chapter. And I can tell you that it pays to somehow document where each fact, figure and quote came from—especially when you’re dealing with nonfiction. Some publishers want access to taped interviews, for example. They may want their staff to do some fact-checking. Or you might want to double check a figure or get more information from a certain source.
The more organized and thorough you are with your research material, the easier your life will become.
For assistance with research techniques and bookkeeping tips for authors as well as information about distributors, wholesalers, publishers, agents, booksellers, writing a book proposal, self-publishing and practically everything else related to publishing and marketing a book, be sure to order your copy of The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book today. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
I get wonderful comments about this book regularly. You’ll read some of them at Amazon.com and at my website. I received one last week from a woman who claims my book is much better than that of another well-known author. I won’t mention the name because I’m actually not in competition with anyone. I attempted to write a book that is different enough from anyone else’s books so that you would have access to all of the information you need on writing and publishing topics. So I like to think that books by the major players in publishing complement each other, not compete against each other.
Buying good and useful books by authors you trust is another excellent way of accumulating the research material you will need in order to write, publish and sell your book. Books, especially those with indexes, can be incredible resources and they are easy to store. Just build more book shelves. That’s what I do.