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January 2, 2011

Slapdash Sunday Topic: Organization

SUNDAY


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Hosted by Kayla at The Eclectic Element
Slapdash Sunday is a day for your proverbial week 'leftovers.' Is there something you wanted to say, but just forgot? Is there something you want to write about, but isn't worth a whole page? Do you have a random thought, funny or otherwise that needs to be written down?
That is what Slapdash Sunday is for!
The New Year is here and the Challenges have begun!!!  And yes, I said I wasn't going to sign up for many in 2011, but did I listen.....NO!!!   Not only did I sign up for 15, one of those I am cohosting.  So my question today is:  how do you organize everything to do with your blog.  Examples:  Challenges, ARC's, Giveaways, Memes, Visiting blogs, Cataloging books that are delivered from publishers, etc, etc,.  I feel that I have so many spread sheets, calendars, post-its, notes, notes to find notes lol.  I have tried different ways of trying to organize myself this past year but can't seem to fine tune it.
So my question today is:  How do you stay organized with all of the above?  Are you like me, with so many duplicate lists?    How do you keep track of future ARCs that are due, giveaways, Guest Authors, etc etc.  Do you have a one stop organizational tool that you would like to share?  Any suggestions of being organized when it comes to blogging? 
Would love to hear your thoughts!!!  Let's have a Slapdash discussion!!! 

11 comments:

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I always think I am not as organized as I'd like to be. Lots of spreadsheets make me crazy, so I only have (1) for the books I own, and update that every few months as I acquire and donate books.

I do always have a notebook by my side when I blog or read, and have lots of lists, including new book titles suggested by other bloggers.

Hope you find a perfect system, the patent it (you could become rich) :)

bermudaonion said...

I keep a calendar for my blog, a spreadsheet for books, a notebook for challenges, etc. I try to stay organized, but sometimes something will fall through the cracks.

CMash said...

Diane: Thank you for my morning laugh...perfect system? me? lol!!!

Kathy: hmm then maybe I am on the right track. I have a spread sheet for books, calendar for Guest Author/giveaways dates and a blog page for calendars, however, I have notes all over my desk with reminders. Not sure what category that falls under.

Thanks for the tips!!!

Misha said...

I am not as organized as most bloggers but I do try to be :D I keep track of the books via Goodreads. I have a zillion reminders on my cell phone regarding giveaways, author interview dates, Memes etc because I am VERY forgetful. I have a notebook for noting down my thoughts about the books I read.

Julie P said...

I keep various spreadsheets on my laptop. I don't know of any other way to do it....

CMash said...

Misha: Now that sounds like me. I have notes to remind me of notes. I am so afraid I am going to forget something or lose something.

Julie: I do have spreadsheets but am so afraid if my computer ever crashed, I would be lost. And as far as dates, I have 2 calendars, one written, one computer so its double work. I need to learn how to do an online spreadsheet.

Nise' said...

Everything is on the computer. So if I crash, I'm done! I try to print out the list of books read monthly, but I usually forget. I do, however, remember to print out a list of books read for the year. When ARCs come in I lightly pencil when the tour is and then write it on my book calendar. Last year I only accepted books with a tour deadline and only a couple a month and that helped with the stress and unread books! If I am offering that book for giveaway I put a sticky note with the deadline/draw date on the front.

Gigi Ann said...

Oh my goodness you all make this book reading a job. I'm afraid I only read for the fun of it. When it becomes a job, I don't think I could enjoy it. However, I say to each his own.

I have a private blog I keep track of all the books I read with a review, to help me remember what the books are about. I am thinking of maybe this year. posting some of my reviews of the books I read. But, I am just not the writer that most of you pros are.

I got brave the last few months and started publishing my poetry on my one blog. So if I can overcome my shyness about posting my reviews I may start this year. Anywho....

Happy Reading in 2011.

Unknown said...

Very timely post as this is what I'm working on today! Organizing my blog and computer.

I print out monthly calendar sheets that have room for me to write notes on each date. I jot down where I got the book & if it's just a review, tour, giveaway, etc. I keep the emails about each book with the other pertinent info such as links to the publisher and other stuff in folders on my computer.

I also have a notebook to keep track of books that come in each week. I jot down where the book came from.

This is only the start of my 6th month of book blogging, but so far this simple system seems to be working ok. I'll be curious to see how others are tackling it.

Happy 2001!
Jules

CMash said...

Nise: Aren't post-its great!!! I just feel that I am duplicating records because I am so afraid that if something ever goes wrong with my computer, I wouldn't know what to do or where to begin.

CMash said...

Ann:
I think, well at least for me, how we all started. Writing personal reviews so that remember our thoughts on books we had read. I have read your postings, and believe that your reviews would be fantastic. Give it a try!!! Maybe starting off with one review a month, bimonthly or weekly. You will see how other bloggers will then use your reviews as guidelines as to whether to put the book on their tbr lists. I hope you decide to give it a try!!!

Jules: My system is similar. The other thing I do is also put a post-it on the book as soon as it comes into the house with the date received, from who, if there is a giveaway, etc etc. I also have a folder for each agent I work with. Instead of a notebook, I have a spreadsheet that I keep on my desktop but after reading all the comments, Imight have to start a notebook, even tho it would be double the work, just in case the computer crashes.

Thank you all for your thoughts and tips!!!