I’ve been reading a series of articles over at Georganna Hancock’s website, A Writer’s Edge. The posts have dealt with professional writers, or, rather, professionalism in writers.Those posts have gotten me to thinking and have created a wave in me that I hope continues to expand into a tsunami.
The posts are:
Are You a Professional Writer?
Paid Professional Writer Signs
Good Writers Get Organized
The first one is what really got me to thinking. In it, she says:
A general description of professionalism I once heard was that a professional does not let his or her emotions interfere with getting the job done. Being a pretty emotional person, that gave me pause! Here are some signs I look for to determine if a writer is professional:
* works regularly
* keeps records
* has business cards
* continues education
* progresses in quality of work
* interrupts schedule only for emergencies
* gets dressed daily
* designates a work space
* builds a network of professionals
Gets dressed daily and designates a work space were the two that jumped out the most. Perhaps this list should be looked at like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. What are the basics that need to be in place before the rest can happen? Removing talent and ability from the equation is a good place to start. Breathing and heartbeat are not included on Maslow’s chart. Thinking this over, I decided I needed to first designate a work space. The rest fall into place from there. Can’t keep records or work regularly if there’s no place to do either.
Taking a step back now for a second. One of the first things that must happen when a problem exists is to first admit that it exists. No elephants in the room or gorillas on the couch. Most addiction support groups have members start by admitting who they are. So, here goes.
Hello. I’m Paula. And I’m an unorganized pack rat who feels clutter is not a problem.
Hello, Paula.
To demonstrate this problem, and to not just SAY it, but to SHOW it so that I (and you) can see how far I have fallen. It will also serve to show how far (or how little) I have climbed up.
WARNING! Do not click “read more” if you have OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) or feel that dust is a sign of the devil. The following images are not pretty. Hell, they border on unsanitary.
This is my work space. It is also my play space, my eating dinner space, and, if I turn and face the left, it is my television watching space.
This is my laptop stand that has been turned into a printer stand until I get another laptop with a working monitor.
This is the bookshelf to my right. It is full of Nat’l Geographics, odd stuff like stones, and actual books (most of my ham radio and computer books). In front of it is….more stuff.
To my left on the desk is the snail tank. Say hello to Crash, Sage, Jade, and Annie (who is in the net). Oh, and say hello to the newborn and soon-to-be newborn snails in the little container sitting on top my box of brand new business cards.
And what pack rat’s desk is complete without a desk dog?
There. Out in the open for the world to see. And no, I don’t dust. With 12′ ceilings, 6 dogs, 3 cats, and wood floors, why bother?
I’ve decided that tomorrow I will work on one section of the desk and go from there. This is what I will work on:
This is where my paperwork is, mostly mail, and other “stuff” is. My camera is in there, my magnifying glass is in front of it (for viewing baby snails). My laptop is on top. It’s monitor is dead so it is connected to that huge honkin’ CRT thang. Lorna’s desktop has been moved to another room and is sitting on the floor I think.
I have some plastic storage boxes that I can label and toss stuff into. Personal mail, professional mail, pens, etc.I think I can easily fit two in there. That will leave room for my notebook (paper version) which I have recently started to use for notes and stuff.
Tomorrow, at about this time, I will post photos of my progress. How can I sit here and write if I first must shuffle “stuff” around to find the keyboard??
I’m a bit concerned about my radio. Is it UNDER all that stuff?
And, having seen all that stuff — I’m never going to tidy before you come to visit ever again!
I’ve told you that yours can’t ever be as messy as mine.
And no, MY radio is not under that. It is safe elsewhere.
That was a really interesting post. Treating writing as a job is something that I keep forgetting to do – it just slips into being a comfortable, work-from-home, casual thing. But getting dressed up smartly definitely shifts something in my mind. I’ll read through the links you’ve given.
I’m wondering whether when you get everything cleared up, it will make a difference to you. I look at your photos and feel almost claustrophobic; if I was in that space, I’d feel burdened and would need to get out of there or sort it out before my head felt clear. However, if you relationship with it is viewed more in terms of familiarity and closeness, then clearing it out might make you feel exposed and uncomfortable. Post about the outcome, would you?
The rest of the room is huge. This is just one 8′ section of wall.
This house has never been organized. It started as a mistake when we first moved here and we’ve been trying to fix it ever since. It’s been 15.5 yrs now….
I worked on that one section some today. Now I need to clear out between the crate and the monitor then figure out what to do with all the cords.