Resolve 2013: Organizing my organization

art-resolve2013

So I’ve had eight days to contemplate a lot of great advice on how to GET ORGANIZED in 2013. (I’d like to point out that eight days is only two days more than it took God Almighty to organize the universe; just sayin’ that, considering the state of MY universe, trying to GET ORGANIZED in a few days less than a year seems a wee bit ambitious…)

Jessa Slade organizational tools

I’m composing this post a few days before the end of the 2012 (See how I’m TRYING to GET ORGANIZED?) because I’m frantically busy at the moment. I’m finishing one book (Sheerways #2), starting another (Steel Born #3), and organizing the launch of a third (Steel Born #2) first thing in January, like, as you are reading this right this second. I’ve already marshaled my tools to keep me on tracks. Here you can see:

  • My calendar with days slowly fading away
  • Sticky notes
  • Lined notecards
  • Print-outs of checklists
  • My color-coordinated pens (alternating black and red for “needs to be done now” and “OMG needs to be done right now!!!”)
  • Mini bottle of J&B… How did that get in here?!?… Ooh, look, there’s still a little left

Already, I’m seeing a failing in my resolution to GET ORGANIZED. I have too much to do. It’s not even 2013 and I’m already doomed. THIS IS WHAT THE MAYANS WERE TRYING TO WARN US ABOUT!!!!

No, no, calming breath. If we can survive the ending of one epoch, certainly we can survive the beginning of another. But I am going to think smaller, with more bullet points. Instead of trying to organize my universe, I am going to organize my office. There, that sounds more reasonable. My office is where I spend most of my time and it directly impacts my writing, which is what I love, so I should be most motivated to do this, at least to start.

Organizing my office lends itself nicely to bullet points and checklists:

  • Organize desk drawers and filing cubbies
  • Organize armoire
  • Organize bookshelves 1-3
  • Organize closet

Okay, this I can do. As soon as I finish my current projects in February…

All my author friends will be posting their wrap-up thoughts on their chosen resolutions — including procrastination and shrinking closets. How convenient! I think maybe we should reconvene on December 31, 2013 and see how we did!

Stops on the “Resolve 2013” tour: January 1-9, 2013

Maggie Jaimeson – Take a Vacation
Jessa Slade – Get Organized
Paty Jager – Volunteerism
Linda Mercury – Creating a Literary (or Creative) Life
Jenna Bayley-Burke – Eat Healthier
Cassiel Knight – No More Procrastination
Cathryn Cade – Take Time for those OTHER Creative Passions
Su Lute – Reduce Stress: Find and Follow Your Bliss
Jamie Brazil – Shrink My Closet

Busy as a…

I looked at my calendar the other day and shrieked in dismay. July is half over! The YEAR is half over. What have I done? WHAT HAVE I DONE?!?! (Like it’s my personal fault the year is half over. Sheesh.)

That said, at least I know what I’m doing next.

Later this month, I’m off on an epic road trip/family reunion where we will be driving from Chicago to Arlington Cemetery to bury my grandfather with honors. And then go crab finishing with chicken heads. Since it was always PopPop’s job to put the chicken heads on the crab line, I am uncertain who will draw the short straw for that particular honor now. But I know we will be missing him. And not just because of the chicken heads.

Then in August I will be attending romance reader conventions.

August 4-7 RomCon in Denver

  • Blogger/Reviewer Party
  • Paranormal Mixer
  • Build-A-Hero Workshop

August 10-14 Authors After Dark in Philadelphia

  • I have no idea what I’m doing. Having fun, for sure!
  • Wait, I know I’ll be at the Authors After Dark Booksigning, open to the public, Saturday, August 13, 2-4 p.m., at the Doubletree Hotel (Broad & Locust) in Philadelphia