By Penny Reeve

I’ve been de-cluttering lately. Possibly because I find sorting things a strangely therapeutic feeling, and with the whole family learning, working and studying from home, I’ve been in need of some of that! But also because the decluttering is long overdue! My ‘dump-everything-here’ cupboard was nearing the point of disaster. So, I begun at the bottom shelf and began decluttering and sorting my way up. I tidied craft boxes, refolded table cloths and put those tea-light candles in a much more logical place. It took me a few days, but finally I reached the very top shelf. The one where I knew I’d tucked a large cardboard box and a shopping bag tied full of old writing research material and manuscript drafts. This was what I was really after. 

When you’ve been a writer for any length of time it’s likely you’ve collected a stash of writing archives. For some writers these are primarily digital files: folders and folders of first, second, third drafts. Links to research materials or submission guidelines. Other writers prefer hard copies. A lot of us are somewhere in the middle. The amount and type of achieving we do around our writing has a lot to do with personality but also very practically, to do with space.

The box of material I found hidden away at the top of my cupboard was all related to a particular, now published, project. It contained photos, maps, research notes, magazine and newspaper articles and more. There were multiple plot summaries and editing ‘to-do lists’, character profiles, language notes and several DVDs as well as many more copies of printed drafts than I really needed to keep. As I slowly sorted through these items and attempted to cull them down to a single plastic tub, I found myself growing somewhat nostalgic. The materials before me contained more than just the raw content of my novel. They also held the memories of hope, defeat and determination that particular project had sparked. 

I keep similar files for all the books I write. Some are only as thick as a partially filled notebook and a couple of rough drafts. Others contain more elaborate collections of reference material and submission records. Whether I’ve completed and had a manuscript published, or not, I tend to keep at least a small record of every significant project I’ve begun. Certainly, I don’t keep everything (who would have the space for that?) but I do keep a fair chunk.

For me, these records – archives, I suppose they could be called – are more than just wads of scrap paper and interesting articles. They are important reminders of why I write, what I’ve learned along the way and how I’ve grown in my craft. They are honest records of joys and frustrations; reminding me of my sometimes earnest and godly responses to disappointment, but also of those times I’ve lost track. I am reminded, in these records, of the times I witnessed the provision and grace of God’s leading, as well as the times I’ve wallowed in self-pity or sought praise from people. As I sort my files and boxes of writing materials, organising them according to dates and making clear folder headings, I am reminded of all of these things. Rebuke and encouragement come hand in hand. And I am thankful for them both.

I wonder whether you have a similar experience with your writing records. Because whether we collect digital or physical files, the archives we curate speak testimony to our writing life. For Christian writers, this acknowledges the way we honour Christ as Lord over this domain in our lives, regardless of the ups, downs, hard work or celebration. As Colossians 3 verse 23 reminds us that whatever we do we are to ‘work at it with all [our] heart, as working for the Lord’. Our writing archives are the evidence of, and motivation for, continuing on this track. 

If you haven’t begun keeping archives of your writing work, or would like to start, here are a few tips to get you started:

1. Clearly label your works-in-progress with working titles and dates. This is especially helpful if you are working on multiple drafts of the one manuscript. When you’re ready to archive this material, you’ll know at a glance what it is and where it belongs chronologically.
2. Choose and keep research material as is relates to particular projects rather than in a random research file. Order research materials according to relevance, topic or theme. How much to keep is up to you and dependant on value, interest and even nostalgia. 
3. For digital files, pay attention to labelling and location of files and ALWAYS make sure you have a backup. Cull files to significant drafts, worthy research materials and important contacts.
4. For hard copy files, decide where you will store your archives. Stackable, storage filing tubs are handy. But make sure you label (and date) as you go to make it easy to find (or enjoy) your records later.

What about you? What type of writing records do you keep? Do you ever revisit them and what do they remind/teach you?

Penny Reeve (also writing as Penny Jaye) is the award winning, Australian author of more than 20 books for children. ​ She writes picture books, junior fiction, children’s Bible studies and young adult fiction. Her most recent book, The Other Brother [insert link: http://wombatbooks.com.au/index.php/books/picture-books-5-7yrs/279-the-other-brother], is a picture book about acceptance and belonging within the context of adoption or foster care. She holds a Master of Arts in Writing and Literature (Deakin University) and is an experienced writing workshop leader, conference presenter and writing coach with a particular interest in equipping Christian children’s writers. You can learn more about Penny at www.pennyreeve.com and www.pennyjaye.com