Organizing the Tools I’ve Accumulated
For the last 6 years, I’ve been exercising my writing muscle. I’ve also been collecting a rather diverse (or maybe the right word is eclectic) library of resources and tools intended to augment or hone that muscle. But there comes a time when I need to weed through my library to determine which resources will actually be beneficial, and which ones were little more than a whim of the moment.
Some are organized into their own folders, but those I acquired early on are often thrown haphazardly into folders with titles like “Resources” or “Writing”. In some cases, resources I’m now looking for were lost in my last computer crash, victims of my once-haphazard method of saving potentially important things until some nebulous point in time called “later”.
6 years of freedom from the daily grind of Corporate America has given me plenty of time to accumulate, and with that accumulation, a more discerning eye. Even so, some things I acquired early on take on new value when looked at through the eyes of experience.
Overwhelmed by Sheer Volume
I didn’t realize just how much I’d accumulated until I went through my Dropbox folders, in part 
looking for Ara Grigorian’s Novel Intensive which, sadly, perished with my last computer’s hard drive (thank you, SCE). Fortunately, I retained more than I lost as my propensity to save everything to the Cloud seems to have grown stronger with my elevated perception of the value of my files.
The collection of potential tools I’ve amassed appears eclectic at first glance, but in reality, they’re pieces of the same puzzle, but from myriad angles. It looks something like this:
- Creating Websites with Divi by Danielle Fitzpatrick Clark
- Chapbook on improving your writing by Judy Reeves (whose “Writer’s Book of Days” I bought in paperback and use for writing prompts)
- 5-Step Focus workbook by Soul Profit Business
- Free Write Intuitive by Lori Evans
- Gratitude Giveaway 1 and 2 by Diahana Barnes
- The Facebook Plan by Kara Lambert
- Rich Revolution by Kerrie Lent
- Spiritual Sales Style by Diahana Barnes
- Step Up, Be Heard (Confidence Building) by Jen Lang
- Mindset Map for the Artist Entrepreneur by Jessica Ely
- Brain-a-thon by Neurogym whose meditation audios for weight loss and money mindset I still use periodically
- Firebuilders Accountability Worksheet
- Gorilla Marketing’s multitude of resources including
- LeadsLab
- ICA Worksheet
- PCF Course
- How to Start a Freelance Career by Gina Horkey including How to Blog
- How to Blog a Book by Nina Amir
In addition to resources stored on my computer, I also have access to courses including:
- Gorilla Marketing’s LeadsLab and PCF Course
- Holly Lisle’s writing courses
- Martha Alderson’s plot development resources
- Ara Grigorian’s Novel Intensive Facebook Group
- Paul Taubman’s blog challenges
- NaNoWriMo
Fighting Inbox Overload
I’ve intentionally left off a few I either tried but found they didn’t fit my needs or temperament, or lost faith in the developer entirely. Why clutter an already overloaded resource list with tools I feel certain I’ll never use?
It’s funny. Many of the names I’ve listed here have been showing up in my email for ages; so long I’ve forgotten ever signing up for the information in the first place. In some cases, I’ve opted out because I was trying to reduce email clutter. In several cases, it was probably the right choice.
Even though I know there are some I’ll never use for one reason or another, I’m hesitant to actually delete e-books and worksheets. Once they’re gone, they’re truly gone, and as an avid bibliophile, I find it difficult to get rid of any book. After all, I might need it for something someday, right? I even have a stack of books on top of my under-window shelves I keep intending to take to the used bookstore. Though I actually hated a few of them, I can’t quite compel myself to let them go quite yet.
Making New Plans and Schedules
This long ramble about books and resources does have a point. You see, I’m making plans to 
propel my writing career forward another 50 paces or so. I have to assess the resources and tools I have, weed out those which don’t appear useful right now, and organize those which do. I’ve already determined I function best with lists and deadlines so it follows I need to organize my future course work and research in the same manner I organize and schedule blog posts and chapter edits.
In the process, I’ll fill in holes where I lack pieces of crucial information. Areas like:
- Publishing options
- Cover art
- Formatting (in the event I decide to self-publish)
I think I have accumulated sufficient resources to help me learn how to market effectively, but as I still know less than I probably should, I won’t really know what I lack until I better understand what I need vs what I already have.
Giving My Muse A Lot of Leeway
Sometimes I feel like I’m putting the cart before the horse in that I’ve written volumes, and have tons of material, but still lack a clear idea about how to reach enough people to actually make it meaningful to publish any of my work. As one who has often flown by the seat of her pants, I’m inclined to jump off the cliff and simply trust my wings will support me. They haven’t failed me yet!
Even so, the list I’ve included here makes it clear I need to devote some time to lining up my ducks and deciding which ones I’ll be following now, and which ones will return to the shelf until I’m ready to get to know them better. In the process, a few more might even hit the “send them packing” list. I’m not naive enough to believe I can learn everything I need to about publishing, marketing, and all the intricate and minuscule pieces, and constantly changing rules.
At some point, I’ll have to ask for help from someone who’s more talented, and infinitely more efficient than I in certain areas. Frankly, I’d rather sit in my office surrounded by my cats and write, but know that’s not realistic in this day and age. To be honest, I’ve been self-sufficient for too many years to turn everything I dislike over to someone else anyway.
The good news is, my creative juices are flowing freely lately, so I can dash off a few chapters or blog posts in the midst of my organizing, categorizing, and scheduling frenzy. Life is better with a little variety, right?
About the Author
Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri 
believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful and help entrepreneurs touch the souls of their readers and clients so they can increase their impact and their income. If you’d like to have her write for you, please visit her Hire Me page for more information. You can also find her on Facebook Sheri Levenstein-Conaway Author. And check out her new group, Putting Your Whole Heart Forward.
Be sure to watch this space for news of the upcoming releases of ” Rebuilding After Suicide” and “Sasha’s Journey”.
