Finding Balance with Sticky Notes
By Sandra Dailey
I’ve been given many labels; over organizer, micromanager,
nit-picker, etc… I own every one of them. My mother explains it best – I’m a
typical Virgo. Everything around me must be in perfect order.
The clothes in my closet are organized by type of item and
color. Everything stored in my kitchen cabinets that are multiples, (such as
glasses, cups and dishes), are in even numbered amounts. If one gets broken the
set is replaced.
When my children were at home, they’d misplace pictures and
knick-knacks before I came home from work. Then, they’d secretly time how long
it took me to have them back in place.
Yes, I’m the person who will rearrange the dishes in your
dish washer, the bottles on your bathroom counter, and the pillows on your sofa.
I’ll let you know if a picture is hanging crooked and stare all day at one
that’s not hung in perfect line with the others. I don’t get a lot of
invitations.
I use the same principle in my writing. My hero, heroine,
and villain have to have equal page time. My romances must have a balance of
humor, drama, and seduction. My suspense/mystery stories need an equal
sprinkling of clues, red herrings, and threats.
I do envy those people who can open their word processor
with a single idea and write whatever comes to mind, but you can see why this
doesn’t work for me. So, how do I achieve my balance? Sticky notes – several of
them in different colors.
I divide my story into three sections, beginning, middle,
and end. I plan what I want to happen in each one. Then, I start with just the
beginning. Here’s where the sticky notes come into play. I write scene ideas on
each piece with the POV noted.
Example:
·
Clues-pink paper
·
Red herrings-yellow paper
·
Threats-blue paper
·
Heroine-blue ink
·
Hero-black ink
·
Villain-green ink.
Why sticky notes? They are laid out on my large dining room
table on a plastic table cloth and I don’t have to worry that a strong breeze
will ruin my work. I can easily move them around to add, rearrange and achieve
perfect balance. Then, the outline is transferred to a notebook which stays by
the computer on my desk.
This may seem time consuming to some people, but I find it
saves me time. I spend approximately one afternoon planning and outlining each
section. Most of my time is spent filling in the scenes on the computer. I
don’t usually have to go back to do a lot of rewrites. If I do want to add or
change something later, I can quickly find the scene in my outline.
Did I mention that I’m a typical Virgo?
My newest release is COMMON ENEMY.
Jordan Holbrook is the single
mother of a five-year-old daughter. She’s just inherited her Grandmother’s
house in South Florida where she’s hiding from an abusive ex-husband who’s been
released from prison early. A new man in her life isn't part of her plans.
Connor McCrae is a handyman who
lives out of his van. He walked away from a privileged life and loving family
after being badly scarred in a vicious attack. He doesn't believe a woman’s
love is in the cards for him.
What brings them together is a
rundown house, a mutual attraction, and a Common Enemy.
Bobby Ray Butler is cutting a path
of murder and mayhem through south Florida in his quest for vengeance. His
sights are set on his ex-wife and anyone who gets in his way.
Buy links:
The Wild Rose Press - http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=5695
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/common-enemy-sandra-dailey/1119877036?ean=2940149812103
~~~oOo~~~
I also organize my clothes by type and color. If my eye is drawn to a color, that's what I wear. Sometimes the combinations are odd, but then, so am I. I enjoyed reading Common Enemy! Best wishes with your release.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ashantay. I'm glad you liked it.
DeleteI'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of girl, but have found when writing I need a better approach. Thanks for sharing this. I've been struggling with too many rewrites and plot issues. I might try the sticky note thing.
ReplyDeleteOh and the organized thing you do with the closet and dishes sounds like a lot of work
The sticky notes are great. You can move them around. The closets and dishes - it's a habit. Thanks for dropping by, Marlow.
DeleteSandra, an organized closet is good. I'm compulsive that way. Your book sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. Organization is my life!
Delete