Clean Your Writing Space

This is a slightly modified version of a swap @AndreaJ did a couple years back. I need some extra incentive to get my desk in order and keep it that way throughout the year. So I thought maybe doing a few of these throughout the year would he helpful.

In this swap, you will take at least one before photo of the space where you write. Then you'll clean the space up somehow--organize, tidy, completely revamp--it's up to you. Then take one after photo of the space. Send to your partner:

• Before & after photos
• A short write-up or list of what you did to improve the space

Here are some of AndreaJ's great suggestions from the previous swap:

• Clean off the top of your desk, throw away/give away/put away clutter items that don’t belong there, file or throw away papers, dust desktop.

• Gather all your office supplies in organizing containers, put them in handy places out of sight or neatly stored.

• Put reference books you use often on a shelf neatly near your desk.

• Keep on top of the desk only those things you need at your fingertips during a work session: pencils pens, paper clips, staplers, etc. Everything else find a different place for.

• Tame those power cord lines! Wrap them, untangle them, get a better power strip.

• Create a binder to file papers you use often near your desk top.

• Organize your filing system and file some of the backlog.

• Put a recycling bin for paper near your desk.

• If you use this desk for more than one purpose--i.e. household mgmt. in addition to writing—find some way to separate the different purposes. Don’t want to get distracted from your writing during writing time. (A simple timer might be useful for that.)

• Put a calendar on the wall. And USE IT.

• Put up a bulletin board or white board near the desk.

• If you don’t have a desk, think about setting up a dedicated substitute. Like a board across two file cabinets, a tray table beside your arm chair, an old vanity table recycled. You don’t want to have to clear off the kitchen table every time you get ready to write.

• Add a pretty touch to the area that will inspire and encourage you: a poster, picture, a live plant, a pretty figurine. But don’t let it become clutter!

Let's help each other start the year off organized and ready to write!