Comments on: Quick Guide to Creating an Efficient File System

By: files, filing,

files, filing, — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:25:39 +0000

[...] some people are. John Hewett at PoeWar is not only a writer he’s got a dandy article called: Quick Guide to Creating an Efficient File System The thinking makes sense and I might even get some of it done that [...]

By: 10 Steps to a Freelance Writing Career | PoeWar

10 Steps to a Freelance Writing Career | PoeWar — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:11:15 +0000

[...] more information try Quick Guide to Creating an Efficient File System and Getting Things Done: How to Take Control of [...]

By: J.C. Hewitt

J.C. Hewitt — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:10:34 +0000

I understand the dilemma Anne. If it becomes a daily habit though, it usually doesn’t take much time. it is only time consuming if you le things go.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:07:57 +0000

John, great system but how the heck do I ever learn to sort paper every day? sigh. Anne Waymans last blog post..1001 Ways to Market Your Book by John Kremer - A Review

By: J.C. Hewitt

J.C. Hewitt — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:43:33 +0000

I agree that many people don’t think months ahead about what they will be doing. I’m not sure that this is a good thing though.

By: Silke

Silke — Wed, 20 May 2009 12:01:51 +0000

I use OneNote (Microsoft) in conjuntion with email reminders, as I don’t drag around much paper these days.
A free program that is very similar to OneNote is Evernote (Evernote.com)
I found this a great way to store my (computerised) research.
For other things, I have a great diary (I use the QuoVadis Minister this year, and am very happy with the size, layout and quality of it.)
For paper reseach, I use a big fat Lever Arch file with dividers.
Your daily/monthly tickler files sound great, but I think for most of us one folder with 1-31 and monthly dividers will suffice.

Great ideas though!

By: Brian at ArcticLlama

Brian at ArcticLlama — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:03:25 +0000

My first reaction was to say that is WAY too many folders. Then I thought about how many folders, notebooks, text documents, scanned images, etc, line the walls and floor of my writing business office, and maybe it would work.

By: J.C. Hewitt

J.C. Hewitt — Sat, 16 May 2009 21:47:24 +0000

I am all for eliminating the excess. My files are remarkably tight, but I still prefer that they be organized.

By: LIllie Ammann

LIllie Ammann — Thu, 14 May 2009 04:47:28 +0000

John, This sounds like an excellent system, but I try to eliminate paper as much as possible. Most of the paper files I have are old ones. Today if possible I save an electronic file. Most of what I do is on the computer, and what isn't, I try to scan. I know a lot of people prefer paper files, but I use paper as little as possible. I just have to backup regularly and make sure the files are still in a readable format as programs and versions change. LIllie Ammanns last blog post..Guest Post at Confident Writing