Set Up Your Very Own Writer's Nook by Cindy Rushton

Excerpted (and twisted into an article JUST FOR YOU–writers DO that (HINT OF THE DAY!) to be most prolific!) from Cindy’s NEW book, HOMEMADE BOOKS! YES! YOU CAN BE A WRITER TOO! See our SPECIAL on this book! It is NOT just for writing with your KIDS!

Does chaos kill you? It sure gets me every time! I simply cannot think, concentrate, or create in a big mess. Also, I found early on that organization and having everything in one spot (a welcoming one) was one key to doing anything creative whether sewing, baking, or writing. Otherwise, I never get around to doing it.

Want to make the most of each minute so YOU can write as much as possible? Want to know MY secrets to writing TONS?

Or…Homeschooling and want to encourage your young writers to write and create books during those moments that they can steal away?

Why not set up your own Writer’s Nook? Nothing can make writing more DOABLE. Nothing can encourage your children to write like having their own spot for writing where they can settle in without distractions to get lost in their work.

Interested? Just want an easy way to create your own publishing center? It’s easy as ABC…

Ready? This is EASY as ABC…

FIND A GOOD NOOK FOR YOUR SPOT! It does not have to be huge. Certainly does not need to be expensive. All that is needed is a place that invites the writer to think, work through the manuscript (writing, proofing, and setting up), print, and produce the book. Ask, “Where do they gravitate toward to read…to research…to write…to print?” Keep in mind that each and every writer in your family will be very different during the writing process, but most will appreciate having all of the supplies and equipment in a safe place for production. When deciding on a spot, make sure that your spot has good lighting and a good, solid, clean, work surface. Make sure it is a good spot for you to think AND work on the book set up. Set up your area with a nice table or desk with plenty of work area…comfortable chairs…shelves for your books and notebooks…space for your computer and printer…convenient power supply…and a specific spot for your organizational bins that will hold your supplies.

GET YOUR SUPPLIES TOGETHER! You probably have supplies ALREADY in your home. Use our list to remind you of which supplies you will need while creating homemade books. Gather them and organize them in the publishing area so they will be ready to use when your children can snatch time to write.

KEEP AN “IDEA NOTEBOOK” IN YOUR WORK AREA (OR CARRY IT WITH YOU!). I have a journal that is completely dedicated to being my spot for brainstorming book and article ideas. Keeping it where I write and read keeps it accessible when I am drawing a blank! PLUS! I know where to look for it!

KEEP AN “IDEA FILE” IN YOUR WORK AREA. This is a bit different than your Idea Notebook. When you begin, you will need only one file, but as you find research information, you may grow to need a few files on topics that you are wanting to possibly research and develop. I keep files for smaller collections and notebooks for ideas that grow too large for my file folders. When I work on a topic, all I have to do is pull my file/notebook to carry with me in my tote. Everything is in its spot, not wandering aimlessly around the house.

KEEP “HARD COPIES” OF YOUR BOOKS THAT YOU WORK ON… As you work on a book, whether you are setting it up like a scrapbook (for your hard-copy) or you are setting it up on the computer, keep updated copies in a file/box/notebook in sheet protectors/gallon plastic bags. Keep away from reach of little ones or pets.

PRESERVE YOUR ORIGINALS… After your project is completed, keep the original manuscript safe. Make an extra good copy of your original if possible to duplicate for your bound copies. EVEN if your book is saved on a computer. If you have your book manuscript on a computer, print your original copy and save the manuscript on a CD-ROM and a floppy disc. Keep your original manuscript and your CD-ROM/floppy safe. On a regular basis, make sure to update your saved version—my first articles are inaccessible because my first versions were published on a program that is no longer available. Although I still have hard-copies of my manuscripts, the ideal way to have access to those articles would have been to transfer them into newer programs along the way. Yep, only 13 years ago and they are inaccessible!

HAVE A BLAST!! The tough part is over and the rest will be a blast! Have fun…you are NOW in the publishing world!

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