My favorite time of year

[pbray]

Ah, it's the end of summer. The favorite time of year for any writer, due to four little words...

Sale on office supplies! (I know, you thought I was going to say "kids back in school.") And for some, that is indeed a blessing, but for those of us without rugrats, now is the time to pick up pocket folders, notebooks and all those other necessities of the writing life. Indeed, I'd been distressed when I ran out of pocket folders earlier in the month, but now I have a fresh new supply which instantly makes me feel more organized and efficient, even if all I've done with them so far is to pet them.

I don't actually have to do the research, I just need a folder labeled "Story Research" and I feel as smart as if I'd stayed in Holiday Inn Express last night. While the folder labeled "STORYNAME - WORKING COPY" starts off pristine, then becomes satisfactorily worn as completed chapters begin to bulge out both sides, until ultimately it's held together by rubber bands.

Is this story worthy of the rare purple folder, or is a blue one good enough? Should the research be in the same color folder as the completed manuscript pages, or in a complementary color? Do I want to make notes in a notebook or on a yellow legal pad? Decisions, decisions. It's these crucial nuances of the writing craft that they don't teach in school, but that can nonetheless make or break you as a writer.

And let's not even get started on the pens.

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

Oh, stationary. I love new stationary....

[pbray.livejournal.com]

And as a writer I completely and totally *need* everything I buy. Honest!

My favorite time of year

[davidkeck.livejournal.com]

Having chosen "teacher" as my day job, I find that back-to-school sales are somewhat outweighed by the fundamental back-to-schoolishness of the season. (What with the light, time and freedom being squeezed out of the universe and all).

Re: My favorite time of year

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Commiserations! My friend jpsorrow shares your pain, and there was much mourning last week when SUNY Oneonta went back in session.

Re: My favorite time of year

[davidkeck.livejournal.com]

Yup. I find that full time jobs in stressful fields can create quite a distraction.

[jandersoncoats.livejournal.com]

The kid being back in school is awesome enough. But to combine that with the purchase of low-cost file folders in primary colors?

Priceless.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

:-) Not to mention Transformers lunchboxes (looks shifty-eyed)

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

I took purple pens to Worldcon for my signing. A ballpoint and a Sharpie. One person commented they'd never seen a purple Sharpie before. But purple rules. Based on that (it's a universal rule, like Never Get Involved In a Land War In Asia) you must get the purple folder.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Yes, upon reflection I think it is a purple-worthy idea.

[jjschwabach.livejournal.com]

And I do apologize for getting started on the pens.

[dynastic-queen.livejournal.com]

Let's not get started on the pens.

Yep, the pens, the sticky notes, the whole darn she-bang. You do know me. :)

[pbray.livejournal.com]

And yes, the reason why people become writers... so office supplies are tax deductible.

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

I have been using the same folders the entire time I have been in grad school (er, this time around). (I am on my 3rd notebook). So I don't buy office supplies, really.

Yet, I still get a bit of "back to school" glee everytime I see the sales in place. Its sort of sad really.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I like those stiff paper folders where I can write the project name on the front. The laminated or plastic ones just won't do, they need to be manilla or that textured cardboardy stuff.

And there's nothing wrong with back to school sales glee... as long as I can walk by the Halloween candy display with nary a twitch, I count myself a woman of willpower.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Mead Neatbook®Combo 4"/5" Quadrille Notebook, 8.5" x 11 available at Staples has 4x4 front, 5x5 back, perforated, bound and hole punched. Tricksy with 4 spi front and 5 spi back.