Back in September I told you that we were renovating our office (the hubby and I share.) If you don’t remember what the space looked like, I’ll refresh your memory…

Since then, I’ve been working to find a place for everything so I could take a few nice, uncluttered pictures for you. Yeah, that’s never going to happen. If Pig Pen from Charlie Brown has a little cloud of dust that follows him, then it’s fair to say that I have a little pile of clutter. I’d be naked without it. Plus–I try–I really do. So, I’ve pretty much got it down to one little pile of “stuff” in the corner and I’m just going to get that picture out of the way first so we can move on to all the stuff that looks really, really nice and almost neat. *deep breath*

Phew! I feel better now that that’s over. 😮 Some day there will be a cozy chair in that corner for reading. Just use your imagination. LOL!

This is my hubby’s pristine side of the room. Can you see why he gets annoyed with me? Oh, and those couple piles of paper? I did that while he was at work today when I was trying to print out the Christmas card letter. Sorry!

See, not so bad. I’ve got at least one cat at all times and honestly the rest in motivational, inspirational. I’m surrounded by stuff I love.

We’ve got a bookcase too!

And I love my white board calendars!!!!

Things that matter to me

I found the perfect wall decals. <3

Wonderful messages and notes from people who matter to me. My favorite…

                                                                           Kim,

Congratulations!!! Grandma always said you were a dreamer. Lots of people just dream

and never do anything about it. Not you. When the time was right you took a

huge leap, sprouted wings and landed safely in your dreams. You were blessed with such a 

wonderful talent and I am so proud of you. I’m sure Daddy is busting his buttons telling everyone 

how proud he is of his “beautiful baby!”

You are always in my heart.

Mom

More things that make me smile.

Agent and editor love. <3

More awesome stuff and my trusty time turner. :o)

See, who cares about that one messy corner when I’ve got all this LOL! What’s your favorite trinket sitting in your office or writing space? How does it inspire you? Any tips for making that last pile disappear?

Tags: Clutter, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, Office, Office Space, Writing Space

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As I mentioned earlier, my husband and I are redoing the office. I promise there will be pictures when everything is in place. But as I’ve been sneezing and sorting, I realized that there are a lot of positive changes I’d like to make about how I handle all things writing related. I figured the earlier you learn from my mistakes and experiences the better off you are. So here are some good things to know before the dust settles. *achoo*

*If you blog, you’ve heard me talk about the need to blog regularly. (preferably 2-3 times a week) I completely balked at this when my agent suggested it and yup, I was wrong and she was right. It is harder to have a party when no one knows when to show up. It’s also embarrassing if people stop by and you’re in your pajamas–the lumpy, cozy ones that make you look like a giant Build-a-Bear.

My organizational suggestion is to get a calendar and keep a running log of your blog posts. It’s a good habit to get into–maybe it’s not necessary when you’re only blogging M-W-F every week, but as things kick up in your career, it’s very helpful. I now have to keep track of my blog, guest posts for The Class of 2k12, my monthly blog for YAOTL, coordinating posts for teamTEENauthor and lots of guests posts request from bloggers. Every little bit of built in organization helps. Visual helps.

*I am now keeping a blank notebook at the side of my desk in order to jot down a tangible to-do-list that does not get moved around as I shuffle things on my computer screen. This doesn’t have to be pad and pen–it can be whatever works for you. Something on your phone perhaps, but I just miss pens and notebooks some times, so I’m going old school. The pad is also good for throwing down potential blog ideas. I know this works because I took the topic for this post, right off of that new list! Yup, I’m feeling good.

*Get yourself personalized notecards and use them.

They don’t have to be expensive, I get mine at Vistaprint, or it is easy to make your own. I’d love to do that, but I’m the girl who has a Pinterest page titled…Crafts I’ll Never Do Even Though I Want To. *makes note in new note book to add “making note cards” to list of crafts I’ll never do–even though I want to* Moving on. Back to the purpose of the notecards.  They are perfect for writing a thank you note to the editor who gave you a critique and they’re great for writing a quick note when you’re sending out a package of swag. Just let your imagination run wild.  And let’s face it–it feels good to get a little old fashioned mail that isn’t a catalogue. I LOVE when my editor and agent send me little love notes in the mail. Come on–where do you think I got the idea from?

*Surround yourself with things that inspire you. (Pictures coming soon.) I’ve always surrounded myself with things that inspire and motivate, but now I’m trying to make sure I can see them. I’m trying to cut back on the clutter. Ironically, several of my inspirational things are personalized notes from people. *grin*

*Organize your emails and files. *groan* I’ll be honest–I’m afraid to tackle this one. I wish that when I started out, I had a clear, concise system for organizing my cyber office. Instead I’m a mutant–just throwing together files and emails willy nilly as needed. This area of my work space needs more attention than I can give it right now, especially since I’m concentrating on the physical purging, but I highly suggest that you start off on the best foot you can. And be sure to think like an author and plan for those future needs. If anyone has any links to any great blog posts about this specific subject, send them my way in the comments. I’d love to know some tricks for this kind of organization for writers.

*Give yourself room to grow. I’m like a fungus. Show me an open area and I’ll crawl all over it and only a good scrubbing with bleach will get me to leave. I AM TRYING to leave room so that I can grow into my space. I’m trying to balance what I need and what I want. This is HARD because of that thing called intermittent reinforcement combined with Murphy’s Law–if I throw something away, that I haven’t used in ten years, I will need it tomorrow. *head thunk* It’s a true story–I swear it happens to me all the time. But, I’m going to do it any way. I think I can–I think I can.

*Keep a box of tissues nearby–cleaning makes you sneeze. A lot.

Okay…must go. *achoo* and do some more purging and organizing. *achoo* While I’m working, feel free to leave me some of your best office organizational tips and feel free to point out all your weaknesses so I don’t feel like I’m all alone with the dust bunnies.

Tags: Dust Bunnies, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, Office Space, Organization, writing

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So, you’ve convinced me that the odds are small that I’ll turn into the Crazy Cat Lady (thank you–I needed that) but I can assure you that I am well on my way to being the Crazy Sticky Note Lady. The upside of this is that there are no sticky litter boxes to clean. See, I’m back to my optimistic ways again. *grin*

So, I’m not the most organized gal on the planet and sticky notes are my friends. I’ve even stuck them to myself–don’t ask. This method of mental place holding has traditionally worked pretty well for me unless the fan is on too high. But with the book launch getting closer, I may have a few more stickies than I can handle.  In fact, it might be getting a little bit out of control. Okay…maybe it’s not this bad…

…but it feels like this isn’t too far from the truth. Swag deliveries, blog posts, requested interviews and furniture orders are just some of my little yellow friends. And don’t forget about that really late anniversary card reminder for my sister-in-law. Yup, I’m at the point where I really feel like I should have better systems in place for organizing my stuff, but I also feel like I’m too far into the sticky note method.  With the launch so close, it would be just as much work to change directions now. Are you wondering why I’m telling you all this? LOL! It’s to let you know that if I owe you something–like swag or an interview–feel free to send me a status query because your sticky note may have been the one blown off by the fan. The good news is that I promise to learn from my debut experiences and be much better with my next book. You on the other hand should learn from me and get your act together long BEFORE your book comes out. I promise a more detailed blog post on this in the future.

But wait–there is hope. I am making some organizational progress and I think you’ll be proud of me. Seriously!  I’m getting a big girl desk!!!! It will have drawers. *sighs with pleasure* That has got to help me with my clutter issues, right? Let me show you how I’m doing…

This was the day I signed my book contract for TOUCHING THE SURFACE. *heart squish* I’ve been writing on a couple of folding tables and sitting in a chair from my mom and dad’s old kitchen table. I’ve got bins and piles EVERYWHERE!!!!

The office was extra loaded with junk from the other rooms we’ve been fixing up. So, not only did I have to empty out the regular clutter, but also the stuff I piled in from the other room too. *head thunk*

This is the middle son’s newly finished bedroom that is the temporary office. He can’t wait to kick us out and get in here.

Gahhh! Making progress but still so much stuff to move and throw out. Isn’t this making you feel better about your own office?

Phew!

In case you were wondering about my crazy walls… The previous owner of the house wall papered with real New Yorker covers about 30 years ago. As cool as they once were–they were no longer holding up to the test of time. I took our favorite and framed it for the house. Then I pulled off as many as I could and gave them to a friend who knows the old owners.

Making progress. Lots of repairs to the plaster walls. And in case you’re wondering–no I’m not doing the work. I get stressed out enough preparing to have the work done LOL! You seriously don’t want to see my lose my mind.

Not done yet, but a sneak peak at the walls. I’m loving the Tuscan Terra Cotta color. Can’t wait for the crown molding to go in.

More to come when it’s all done. I’m so excited to have a new work space–with a nice big wall for all my sticky notes. Just kidding–sort of. Do you have an office? Where do you work or write? What would your dream office look like? What do you hate about your work space now? What color would you pick for your walls?  Are you a hoarder on the verge or did I blind you when you saw my mess? Inquiring minds want to know.

Tags: Behind the scenes, Crazy Cat Lady, Kim Sabatini, Kimberly Sabatini, Office Space, Organization, Sticky Notes

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