January Clean-up for Writers

 The Christmas wreath in today’s photo is still on my front door, but for all practical purposes, Christmas is over. It’s time for January things. 

I usually advise writers to spend some time the first week of January cleaning up their writing world. In phases. 

First, attack that pile of papers in your writing space. You might find notes you wrote yourself last summer. Or story idea notes you jotted down so you wouldn’t forget. 

Next, do some physical cleaning of your writing space. A good dusting, wiping off keyboard keys, maybe mopping the floor or vacuuming the carpet. How about the window closest to the place where you write? Could it use a little windex? At least the inside if the weather is too cold to clean the outside. 

Now, it’s time to move in to the files on your computer that pertain to writing. Delete duplicates. Then check the projects that are unfinished or need revision. Make a list so you can check them off as they are completed. 

Do you keep a record of your submissions? I hope you do. If not, 2022 is a good time to start. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or something an accountant would set up. Mine is pretty simple. I start a list at the beginning of the year with the year stated at the top. Every time I submit my writing somewhere, I put the date, title of the submission, and the name of the publication or contest sent to. I occasionally add a note like ‘will hear within six weeks.’ I keep each year’s list to refer back to if needed. 

If you make hard copies of what you have written, now is a good time to check and see what you need to print from the past year. It’s easier to do it as you move through the year, but time gets tight, and we don’t always get to it. I keep large three ring binders with hard copies in sections like poetry, family stories, essays, fiction etc. 

If you are a writer who journals, this is a perfect time to begin a brand new journal. If you journal on your computer, start a new section for this new year. Did you receive a new journal for Christmas? This is the week to open it and write in longhand. Don’t forget to date it. 

Now that your writing area is neat and organized, your files cleaned up, and hard copies organized, you’re all set to begin your next writing project.