another state (of mind)

photo credit: jsis.washington.edu

I’m behind with my blog (again), but for good reason. I’ve changed time zones with a recent move to the Pacific Northwest. Moving a household across 2500 miles is, to say the least, consuming: mentally, physically, financially, and socially.

We’re still settling in and unpacking. My office has boxes labeled documents, paper, journals and the like that made perfect sense when sorting—a month or so ago—and have proven little effectiveness in determining what documents, which journals. Every day holds a new discovery in revealing pieces of my former life. Things that seemed of importance in an open immediately state no longer seem a priority. Instead, I am focused on finding a butter dish and some stamps, neither of which seem to exist anywhere. Rather, I keep finding items that are most certainly get-to-laters.

Although I’ve been consumed with this life adjustment, I am trying to keep in touch with everyone via social media. I can at least do that and feel a sense of familiarity even as I make yet another wrong turn and end up driving down a ramp to some unknown freeway, adding miles to my day’s errand run. This, too, can pack some surprises. Finding the unexpected cupcake shop or coming upon a scenic view of Mount Rainier isn’t so bad.

I’ve somehow kept up the writing life even in the mess of organizing our lives. During this month of transition, I’ve had a few bits of good news. Some more major bits will come in time, but for now I’m happy to share a new book review in Colorado Review; you’ll find my review of Renée Ashley’s Because I Am the Shore I Want to Be the Sea here. I also had a micro twitter essay published in Creative Nonfiction, Issue 52. And, coming later this year, you’ll find my essay, “The Comfort of Ignorance,” in the fall 2014 issue of Border Crossing, housed at Lake Superior State University.

Mostly, I’m just unpacking: boxes, life, thoughts, and ideas. I’m getting there. One box at a time. 

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all in a day’s mindset: tackling the to-dos

I’m a nerd. A to-do list nerd, especially. I like having a focus—or several—for the day and earning that sense of satisfaction when things get checked off the list.

Yet I’m continually refining the art of to-do list making. I go back and forth between paper and pen lists versus the kind I make in a Word document. Or a bullet point list on my phone. The tactile pleasure of the pen and paper route is great. There’s an added sense of accomplishment in physically striking something off the list. But the computer document has a great function, too, if I don’t let it get out of control: I can amend the day’s to-dos as I move along.

Where the computer doc causes trouble is two-fold: 1) I can continually add to-dos to the day, thus making it impossible to truly accomplish everything and 2) I tend to erase what I have accomplished, so at the end of the day all I see is what I haven’t done.

So I did an experiment this week (as I tend to do such things). I made a new document of to-dos and every time I completed a task, I crossed it out—rather than deleted the item. This was a test to see if I actually found more satisfaction in seeing what’s been done for the day. The result? Sure. There was some joy in seeing checked off items.

The real result, though, is the realization that no matter how I project my day’s activities, I always set overachieving goals. For whatever reason, I can’t bring myself to list just one or two things to do in a day. I aim high, do my best, and push the rest to the next day, or the next. It’s how I operate. And that’s okay. For me, it works. 

I love fantasizing about a super-organized life. One that has a place for everything, and where everything is in its place. One that has a to-do list of achievable goals for each day, and that’s checked off in true Martha Stewart fashion. But I’m not Martha. I’m me. Chaotic, imperfect, organized-in-my-own-dysfunctional-way me. And that’s a good thing.

Just the fax: What do you need to write?

I’ve been catching up on spring cleaning. As a writer, I don’t usually feel bad about being a paper junkie; I have a nice stash of stationery collected from various quaint shops visited during our road trips, a few shelves of media clippings spanning the years, and a small selection of files printed out for reference. Yet, when I was sorting through some dusty file folders, I discovered a displaced expense spreadsheet from 2002 and had to stop the binge/sort process to assess the situation.

In 2002, I was not yet working with my agent who helped steer my first book to publication, but the manuscript was in progress and nearing completion. In 2002, I was doing a great deal of freelance writing—reviews, cultural and event news, and the like—to supplement my more creative ventures. And, apparently in 2002, I earned myself a new computer to get all of the above accomplished.

In examining my expense sheet from more than a decade ago, it’s not the cost of the desktop that stopped me in my tracks. It’s the tiny little line item that shows my purchase of a basic fax machine—for $350.

During a holiday sale last year, I picked up a new fax machine for ten bucks after rebate. The ‘Brother 575’ isn’t fancy, but it does the job, particularly when there are so few demands for its use. It’s rare an editor sends a document over the landlines anymore. I have used this machine perhaps two or three times since its purchase, and mostly for cross-border business.

That original machine from 2002? I somehow felt I needed that on account of the contracts that were coming through by fax transmission way back then. Back then? Heck, that’s a mere decade ago. Yet it’s amazing how fast technology changes and how what was once a prime (and pricey) piece of communication now seems so archaic.

We all have artifacts collected during our writing and personal lives. We all have items we once considered necessities for our respective paths. Just last week, during a community writing workshop I offered, a student asked me what kind of computer she should buy. She had a pen and notepad ready to document what software, what brand of computer, what size of memory and capabilities would serve her best as she set out to write her first novel. I told her she had all she needed to complete the task, right there in her hands.

Paper. Pen. Write.

Yet sometimes we busy ourselves with ‘needs’ to distract from the real task. We wait for the perfect idea, the right time, when our schedule is clear, when our office is clean, when we have a better computer, or a more comfortable chair. Yes, environment is somewhat necessary to write in comfort. But we don’t need gadgets. We don’t need what will inevitably become artifacts on a shelf. We need only a pen and a stack of paper to get started.

Whenever I commit to the task of cleaning my office, I inevitably come across a piece of my own personal history that reminds me that no matter the gadgets or the fancy pens and cute stationery, regardless of software and hardware or even the style of font used, the one thing that is consistent, the one thing that remains the same over the years is my joy of writing. The writing continues with or without the ‘right’ utensils. Everything else is clutter on the shelf.

nerd alert: the queen of to-do lists

I’ve just finished organizing my to-do list. Perhaps I should be embarrassed to admit this list is five pages long. However, within these five pages are some really great opportunities to follow up on, projects I am working on that require attention, and well… it’s like five pages of hopes and dreams awaiting my focus.

Someone who doesn’t know me very well may be inclined to think such a list is out of control and unmanageable. Yet, here’s the thing: it’s totally organized and I am not the least bit panicked. Why not? My list is very straightforward, managed, and easy to work with. Because I made it with me in mind. Meaning… I know how I work, what I respond to, and what sort of structure I need to see on paper in order to get things done.

Thus, my list contains headers such as the following:

• to-do today
• to-do tomorrow
• to-do this week
• to-do next week

…and then, after the immediate attention items, I have broken down other ongoing projects and tasks into categories such as submissions, projects, website updates, etc. By breaking down the task into its category, when I need to refill my ‘today’ to-dos it’s easy to see where work needs to be done and in what order of priority.

Okay, so maybe it seems a bit much to have five pages of headers staring at me. But the thing I have learned about to-do lists is that they are only useful if they mean something to the owner. For me, it’s a matter of keeping everything in its priority sequence, with actual dated assignments next to each task. Maybe this doesn’t work so well for deadline-oriented folks or anal taskmasters, but it’s what works for me. So, I shall continue to relish in my nerdy glory.

What about you? How do you keep the to-do list in check?

calm amidst chaos

You know that moment when you think it’s a great idea to completely overhaul a room or a section of the house that has been desperately needing attention… and then ultimately end up with a bigger mess than you started with?

Somehow, I thought it was a smart idea to finally get around to organizing my office – a space I have occupied since I moved in to this house this past February. I thought (silly me) it would be an easy task. I’m an organizational nerd, you see, and I was soooo looking forward to making sense of the final few bookshelves that needed attention, the pile(s) of to-be-read books waiting for open hands, and an assortment of to-be-sorted stacks. Well… my mistake. This is no small task.

The grand scheme was to finish up what I started months ago so that I could finally say my office was perfect; that my mental space and my writing space were in sync. The grand scheme is over-rated. Or maybe I’m just delusional. Now, not only have I created a bigger mess than I started with, I have certainly delayed my writing work for a day or two. Or at least focused writing. Oh sure, I am jotting things down, but my brain can’t seem to focus like it usually does with chaos piled knee-high beside me. But am I freaking out? Nope.

Because as a writer I know chaos. I know that half the job is getting things down on paper, but the other half is making sense of it all. Organizing my office is like editing a first draft. It’s all there, scattered around the room; I just need to zero in on the big picture, tidy up the details, and somehow it will all start to resemble something real. Like life, writing is messy. But with a calm approach and a strong cup of coffee, the horror of chaos gradually begins to make sense. It’s a challenge that can be won, and one that is almost immediately gratifying.

So, just as I do when tackling an editing marathon, I am brewing up a fresh cup of coffee every hour, stepping back for a moment now and then to reassess the big picture, and focusing on the baby steps that will gradually take shape into something fresh, orderly, and a definite reflection of me. Like editing, cleaning this office may seem like a pain in the butt right now, but in a day or two I will be very grateful for having gone through the experience and more than happy to see the results of my labors.

After all, it’s not the simple reason of cleaning my office that has me motivated. It’s the fringe benefit of clearing some mental space and cleansing the creative palate in preparation for some fun writing projects that has prompted me to purge and restore order to my workspace. A few hours of crazy chaos in exchange for a fresh start in a calm working space? Not a problem. It’s worth it.

What about you? Do you prefer to work amidst calm, chaos, or a combination? Before digging into a big new project, are there any rituals (like cleaning marathons) you do to get yourself ready? What about your workspace? Is it tidy, disorderly, or pleasantly messy? How do you keep calm amidst the chaos? How do you keep your to-be-read piles in check? Considering I’m knee-deep in books, papers, and everything else office-related, I can use all the tips I can get.

Speaking of being knee-deep in books… I’m feeling generous (and came across more postage than I can deal with). Share your stories on organizing your workspace, keeping up with clutter, or various tales from your chaotic workspace. I’ll pick my favorite posted comment today and offer up a signed copy of my latest book, stains: early poems, just because. Yup. Just because. So go on. Share. And I’ll gladly help add to your to-be-read pile. If you miss out on a signed copy today, fear not: I have something special coming up on Friday, so stay tuned for more info. Plus, everyone who clicks to follow this blog will be entered automatically in my end-of-September giveaway. Aren’t free books fun?

Next week we return to our regularly scheduled Wednesday author Q&As. Until next time… happy reading!

falling for fall & critique mania

Now that August is wrapping up and we’re making the transition into fall, I find myself thinking about organization, setting goals, and clearing my desk for the working months ahead. Maybe it’s the relation of fall to school that always has me thinking autumn is such a great time for working on writing tasks and getting a few big projects from my to-do list accomplished, or maybe it’s just the change in season. But I always feel like fall is the start of something new. A new book; a new collection of poems; a new start….

Summer is such a time of play for me. The workload seems lighter, more playful, and social with readings, festivals, and other events. This change in season brings on a new schedule of events, sure, but it is also one of cracking down and getting to work. I’ve sharpened my pencils, I’ve reorganized my computer files, and I have a nice list of to-dos awaiting my attention as I segue into the next season. What about you? Do you start new projects in the fall? Do you reflect on your progress and set goals for yourself? Do you start drooling at the to-be-read pile, knowing you’ll get around to reading more during the fall than in the busy social months of summer?

Perhaps you’ve been working on something and are eager to receive feedback. If that’s the case, I have to let you know that Aug 31st is the last postmark day to register for the 2009 Critique Mania. This is a fundraiser for Soundings Review, which stems from the Whidbey Island Writers Association. Not only is this a great way to support a fantastic organization for writers, but for a mere $25 a writer can submit 1,000 words of prose or one poem (50 lines max) to be professionally critiqued and reviewed by one of many writers who have volunteered their time to support emerging artists through this fundraiser.

The response is fast – critiques will be returned by October 7th. And, if you have more than one piece you would like critiqued, or wish to have more than one author look at your writing, that’s possible too. So you can pick and choose what you’d like to receive feedback on, select which author(s) you would like to review your work, and all the while you’ll be supporting one of the best writing organizations I have come across.

You can find out more about Critique Mania here and there is detailed info about the participating authors here. Go on, check it out, and if you have something you want critiqued, make sure you get your submission postmarked today!

Also, don’t forget about the upcoming contest! At the end of September, I’ll be randomly selecting a name from the list of blog followers; one lucky winner will receive a personally signed copy of one of my books! So click to follow this blog if you don’t want to miss the latest news, interviews, and guest blogs and snag your chance to win a signed book.

Until next time… happy reading!

housekeeping: organization 101

One of the most common questions I am asked is ‘how do you keep up with everything?’ For a writer, it all comes down to time management. While no one ever says it will be easy, I don’t know that anyone ever says it’s this much work either. I have no complaints as a writer, but I do wish I had more than 24 hours in a day. As much as I try my best to manage the time I have wisely, there is just never enough time in a day to get it all done.

So, what’s a writer to do? Prioritize. It’s easier said than done and many days I feel bad for having to move an item from today’s to-do list to tomorrow, but that’s usually the case. A girl can only get so much done in one day, after all. So at the start of each day I run down my list of tasks, designate their order of importance, and get through as much as I can. Whatever is left over at the end of the day moves on to tomorrow’s list, and the cycle continues.

For a writer, it’s not only about writing. That would be pure luxury. In reality, though, there is essentially a whole day’s worth of activities that has little to do with writing – directly at least. It all relates back in some way. A writer has to promote, market, and network in order to stay active in reader’s minds. That means social networks, media releases, bookstore events, and all of those things that involve other people. Then there’s the website updates, submissions to new publications, chats with editors and agents – all very important parts of the business. In order to sell a book, one has to be a sales person in some regard – whether to an agent or editor, or a magazine or store manager. These are necessary tools for success.

How do I keep it all in order? I do. And I don’t. I will admit there is a certain amount of chaos that keeps me working like a frantic person, worried I will never get enough done in a day. In a way, that busy feeling is the adrenaline push I need to make sure I get maximum productivity in for the day. If I were to wake up one morning and only have two things to do, I’d definitely work at a slower pace… and come to think of it, that might actually be nice for a change… but I would likely drag a bit, procrastinate, take my time, and do all kinds of things instead (like watch tv, nap, read horoscopes, etc). Now, I am not saying I am a workhorse, but I think the more I work, the more I work. The more I write, the more I write. That may sound a little silly, but there’s actually some sense to that. If you keep adding fuel to the fire, the fire keeps on burning all through the night, right?

What are some of the tricks I do to keep organized and under control? While it’s demanding to keep up with the social networks, I limit myself to one day a week for posting and responding to my various groups. Maybe that’s not as active as some people, but it keeps me in the loop without sucking up too much time. I clear my email inbox at least every other day; otherwise I’d be drowning in a backlog of replies-to-do. And as much as I am an advocate for attending real live literary events and readings, if I have already been out to three events in one week, I cut myself off so that I don’t spend an entire week away from my desk. The thing about prioritizing is setting limits, saying yes to some things, and – sadly – saying no to other things. Because at the end of the day, I still need to be able to say I did at least one thing – write. Yes, that other big part of being a writer. Making time to write.

Even if it’s a 1,000 word portion of a chapter, even if it’s just a paragraph or a few key sentences, I have to have made time for writing. Or else… why bother with all the other stuff? It’s all too easy for a writer to get caught up in the promotional side or spend a large portion of time networking. These things are important, but only if the writing can back up all the hype. One poem or a paragraph a day will keep you focused and on track. It adds up quickly too. A paragraph here and there soon becomes a chapter. A few chapters later, there’s a book in progress.

No, I have not mastered my time management skills, nor have I figured it all out. I am my own work-in-progress. But I try. I have a silly little to-do list to keep me in check and I strive for balance and aim to have fun in life outside of my working hours. Do I wish I had more time to work each day? Yes, but I also won’t compromise what little sleep I get or the time spent with friends and family. So I do what I can and hope for the best.

What about you? How do you balance your time? Do you make time for play? Do you keep a to-do list or prioritize some tasks over others? I’m curious what works for you and what is a challenge. I hope you’ll share your own plan of attack. It’s always interesting to hear tips from others.

Speaking of tips from writers, there’s a specially scheduled author Q&A on Tuesday, this week, with author Allison Winn Scotch. She’ll be chatting about her novel Time of My Life and share a few tips for emerging writers, her own path to publication, and lots more. So be sure to stop in for this extra Q&A for the week, in addition to the Wednesday feature. You won’t want to miss it!