While undertaking some therapeutic displacement activity I discovered a whole new genre of planners. Planners designed specifically for writers. I felt that my heart should have leapt, but instead it sank.
Surely the planner junkie in me would be whooping (much like the way the Inner Goddess cartwheels through Fifty Shades). But instead it sighed and clicked somewhat despondently on the link. It was not disappointed.
What do writers need in a planner that engineers, dancers, doctors and flower arrangers do not? Answers on a postcard please, or you could just write on the back of a stamp. When was the last time you saw a planner dedicated to the needs of a butcher? I rest my case. We all have appointments, commitments both one off and regular. We all have to do lists (even if those of my husband are always, without fail, on the back of an envelope) and some of us have goals and monthly targets both practical and emotional.
Most of us need planners. Actually we all need planners, but sadly some people believe themselves to be exempt from this rule. They are the ones whose necks have been wrung on a regular basis (in fact I could even schedule the neck wringing in my own planner). What we do not need are twee quotes “to encourage you along your journey”. I’d love to see what would be selected for a planner dedicated to an abattoir manager. Okay so I am edging on the edge of facetiousness but I hope you get my point.
There are a lot of things that as a would be author I need to know. I can find them all in the wonderful Writer’s Yearbook, or on any one of the excellent blogs and websites dedicated to the writing process. I do not need them in my back pocket or taking up valuable space in my planner.
So here is a sample of the Hall of Shame.
A working writer’s daily planner – your year in writing I note this is the 2011 version ……
Mslexia Writer’s Diary I love Mslexia but why oh why did you stoop so low and why does it have to have a twee yellow flower on the front ……
Writing World Fortunately I suspect that most people would have lost the will to live just trying to find the link to the planner.
Personally I find it all bit condescending.
skybluepinkish 
Thanks for commenting on Tea and Talk for Two! And yes you can sketch. You really can. If I could, you can! And you get better. It astonishes me every day, how i’m really learning to do this. I think it’s the just DOING it that makes a difference. Perhaps you can dedicate a section of your planner to sketches?!
You are right. I can if I try. I think there is a problem with those of us brought up in the seventies when “art” at school was still life and drawing. If you couldn’t do it you were “not good at art” and so didn’t keep it up. SInce then (I am now almost 50) I have discovered an artistic side to me I never knew existed and tried all sorts of different things. I am still, however, crap at still life 🙂
I love planners. All types. New, empty ones full of possibilities. Once I start writing in them though, and erasing, and crossing out and…. well they just kind of get abandoned. I like word docs or spreadsheets cus you can always delete the clutter.
Oh I love the evolution of the planner. The changes of mind, the crossings out, the little notes to myself. I couldn’t be doing with an electronic planner at all.
Diane ( my other TeaforTwo Half) is right. She got me trying to draw and I was amazed what I could do, although I have not yet got as organised as she is with the equippment! However, what is interesting is that she naturally drawns buildings. I say I want to draw buildings but when I set out to a building I then draw the people in it! She says people are scary to draw! So if you hate still life, draw something else! BTW I am also using a filofax for sketching .. Blog post coming up very shortly to show how.
I tend towards “scenes” I usually only draw on holiday in a little holiday sketchbook (a sort of holiday album i suppose). I usually draw at quiet times, lunch, early evening and just try to sum up the feeling of the moment. I know what it’s meant to be I’m never sure anyone else does!
I just use a large calendar in the house. But mostly I just try to remember. I try to declutter and I don’t plan to do a lot. I’m too busy 🙂 Loved your post!
There is a growing industry that rides on people’s desire to be writers, I think these planners are just another sign of its existence. It riles me, too.
I feel the same about targeted Bibles – why do surfers and homeschooling mums need their own twee little Bible editions?
Quite.