The Organised Writer: How to Stay on Top of All Your Projects and Never Miss a Deadline

by Antony Johnston

The Organised Writer is a practical, no-nonsense system that allows you to write without worrying about administration, business affairs, or scheduling. This straight-talking guide will help you become more productive, cope with multiple projects, and make time within your life to write - while also dealing with non-writing tasks more efficiently.

It includes advice on how to: Manage your schedule - Prioritise your writing time - Take notes effectively - Work with a 'clean mind' - Get more written every day - Deal effectively with non-writing tasks - Set up a foolproof filing system - Organise your working space.

Read the book, then spend a weekend setting up the system described, and you'll make the time back with interest. You'll get more written every day and complete more of your other tasks without being overwhelmed by all the things you have to do, forgot to do, or don't want to do.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Productivity, Self Help, Business, Creative, Audiobook

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2020

About the author

** Sign up for Antony's newsletter at http://ajwriter.substack.com **

Antony Johnston is one of the most versatile writers of the modern era.

The Charlize Theron movie Atomic Blonde was based on his graphic novel. His murder mystery series The Dog Sitter Detective won the Barker Book Award. His crime puzzle novel Can You Solve the Murder? reinvented choose-your-own-story books for a mainstream audience and was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year. The Brigitte Sharp spy thrillers are in development for TV. And his productivity guide The Organised Writer has helped authors all over the world take control of their workload.

Antony is a celebrated videogames writer, with genre-defining titles including Dead Space, Shadow of Mordor, and Resident Evil Village to his credit. His work on Silent Hill Ascension made him the only writer in the world to have contributed to all of gaming’s ‘big three’ horror franchises.

His immense body of work also includes Marvel superheroes such as Daredevil and Shang-Chi, the award-winning Alex Rider graphic novels, the post-apocalypse epic Wasteland, and more. He wrote and directed the film Crossover Point, made entirely in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic.

An experienced podcaster and public speaker, he also frequently writes articles on the life of an author, and is a prolific musician.

Antony is a former vice chair of the Crime Writers’ Association, a member of International Thriller Writers and the Society of Authors, a Shore Scripts screenwriting judge, and sits on the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain’s videogames committee. He lives and works in England.

Reviews

[Anna Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant and concise look at the best ways to eliminate procrastination, panic and poor time management to any creative freelance life.
Not every chapter will be relevant to every person, and I'm sure some ideas and methods will age out quickly as we move every more into the digital age, but the principles are simple, employable, and make a demonstrable difference.

[William McCormick · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a published author myself, The Organised Writer is probably the most valuable book I’ve bought in years. Johnston, thoroughly but clearly, takes us through all the steps needed to clear ours minds (and desks) of clutter so we can focus on the writing at hand. He gives specific details on his methods, applying them not only to novels and short stories, but screenplays, comic books, video game scripts, really nearly every type of creative writing. He also gives examples of software to help your productivity, as well as detailed travel hints and presentation advice for writers. One really does get excited to try these methods, not only because you’ll be more productive as a writer, but because you’ll be freed of guilt from nonwriting or worry about upcoming deadlines, and thus better able to enjoy your down time. I can tell I’m going to read this at least twice more and apply what I’ve learned. So, I good I bought both the e-book and audiobook.

[Chrystopher’s Archive · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mine of fantastic ideas that are both unbelievably comprehensive and refreshingly flexible.

Johnston covers everything from strategies to deal with writer's block to finances, and has an engaging, down-to-earth writing voice that was a pleasure to read.

Highly recommended, I'm definitely adding this one to my personal collection of writing books.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for anyone struggling with being a more prolific creative.

[Ian Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a productivity system for writers! After years of sorting through organizational advice aimed at executives and white-collar office workers, it's refreshing to see Johnston's simple, easy to implement system for organizing your workspace and structuring your day. As a work-from-home writer and editor myself, I felt encouraged knowing that I was implementing many facets of Johnston's system already (writing in the morning, planning out projects in advance, billing clients right away, etc.) while still finding plenty of aspects that I'm less on the ball about (filing, filing, filing...) and feel like I can implement easily after reading. Specifically, he spends an incredible amount of time showing readers how to organize a physical file system while explaining the value it has in saving you time and mental energy, making me realize that I too can and should finally organize that mess of paper and notebooks sitting in a heap on my bookshelf.

Perhaps most important is that Johnston acknowledges that no one system will work for every writer, and that because we all have different assignments and ways of working already, no one reading is expected to implement 100% of his system. Instead, readers are encouraged to borrow and integrate his methods as they see fit.

[L.B. Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE ORGANISED WRITER has offered me practical examples, new ideas and resources that have already helped me and I highly recommend to any writer at any level.

[Alice Horncastle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and really useful. I would definitely recommend it to other writers.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a readable but challenging sort of book. It has lots of ideas for developing a routine and made me think a lot about how I 'do' writing currently (think messy desk and study, plus not knowing where to start). As the author recommends I will be reading the book through again before trying out a new system And, I suppose, that's why I like the book so much. It's not an instant fix, but a process. A good book for those beginning to write as well as the more experienced writer.

[Belinda (Belle) Witzenhausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to go live November 12th, 2020

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Organised Writer: How to stay on top of all your projects and never miss a deadline by Antony Johnston from NetGalley Bloomsbury Publishing in order to read and give an honest review.

well-written and informative this book has something for every writer...

I’ve been working freelance in a few fields for years now on top of taking work-related courses and working towards an archaeology degree. My time is limited, and organization is a must in order to get both work and course assignments done. Having worked in professional offices for many years, I have learned a few organization techniques some of which are in The Organised Writer however, Mr. Johnson offers sound advice that can help those new to freelancing establish an organised work routine while also providing new and unique tips to help those who have been freelancing for a while. This is a no- nonsense all-encompassing approach to getting and keeping the working writer organized.  Well-written and informative this book has something for every writer...I highly recommend it!

[Jessica Jang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm very grateful for this ARC from NetGalley. While none of the advice was mind-blowing per se, it was very encouraging and contained many great strategies for getting your writing done per day. It helped with setting daily goals and managing distractions such as email. I often cannot accomplish my goals if they contain an inordinate number of hours because distractions get me off track. This book recognizes that I am not exemplary in this. Anything that helps me be more organized in my very spontaneous life is always welcome. I need extreme help organizing my thoughts into notes and lists. Thank you to NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review. #netgalley #theorganisedwriter

[Michael Kurt · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of Antony’s podcast, “Writing and Breathing”, I was well primed for his writing-system book and it still had a lot of great tips and reminders. Project managers and corporate types will be very familiar with some of these methods, but it’s a good reminder that systems leave room for efficiency in more important areas: like doing the creative work.

It will take practice to implement, but I believe it will help

[Christina Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book in December, as I always seem to be firefighting jobs rather than calmly working on projects. After reading "The Organised Writer" straight through from cover to cover without stopping, as the author suggests, I went back and read it again. The second time I followed Johnston’s advice step-by-step. Streamlining my working day to get more writing done was top of my list of New Year’s Resolutions.
The results I’ve achieved so far mean it’s the only one of my resolutions I’ve kept. Getting organised has improved my productivity because I can now spend much more time writing. If you'd like to find out more, I’ve reviewed "The Organised Writer" on my blog at https://bit.ly/ReviewOWAJ

[J. Dotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know how much I needed to hear these words until I did. Also, since I listened to it via Audible, I could hear Antony's own narration, and somehow that made it easier for me to consider. I replayed various parts of it, and likely will continue to do so.
Each chapter has different tactics to get you organized and in the right frame of mind (or would I say WRITE frame of mind?), physically and mentally, to get the job done and get your work finished.
I can't recommend this enough. Write on!

[J.B. Hollows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book for getting organised written specifically for writers. He does go into minute detail so there were parts I fast forwarded. However, I’ve already implemented a couple of his tips and they have transformed the way I organise my work. So hats off to him for writing this book and not holding back in the advice.

[Sheryl Garratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent guide to being more organised as a writer, though much of this would also be helpful whatever your creative work. So much good stuff here that I’m going to reread it immediately and implement it. What stopped me giving it a 5* rating was the reliance on folders, filing and archive boxes to store things that I tend to scan (if they didn’t arrive in digital form to start with) and keep in Evernote. But maybe as I start to try his systems, that will make more sense.

[Yolande Duplessis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Although all the information seem common sense, reading it reminded me of the way things can be simplified and organised to be most efficient as a writer.
You will not regret reading and following the guidelines.
Adapt to your lifestyle, but keep to the basics.
Excellent read and wonderfully implemented.

[Crystal King]

A helpful book for writers, especially those that are freelancing or self-publishing and need to manage all aspects of the writing and publishing process. There are also a lot of great tips on goal-setting that will be helpful for those who don't already benefit from a daily practice or have a greater vision for their work.

[Alexandria Blaelock · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's the kind of clean writing mind that comes from Julia Cameron's Morning Pages, and the kind of clean writing mind that comes from knowing your non-writing boxes are all ticked off. Johnston recommends getting your daily word count done first thing you settle down to "work" and shares his non-writing system for managing the everything else - if you can trust your system, you know everything else can wait.

And yet, I'm conflicted. Johnson notes several diary and to do list losses due to computer crashes, but still relies heavily on syncing across multiple devices. He also works for 8 hours a day; when he finishes early he joins his spouse in the school run. Clearly my life is very different. But, it's easier to start with a system and refine it for your own use so I'll be implementing his file and tray system, but retaining my calendar and to do system until I need to change it.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've seen and heard a lot of the advice in this book from other places, however this condenses and summarizes everything in the same book.

It's obviously authored for writers and writing projects, but it's ideas, techniques, and the philosophy of the system are widely applicable. Especially for any creative projects or for small businesses of any kind.

[Eric Beaty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of helpful insights for writers to get organized, stop procrastinating, and be more productive in general. If you like "Getting Things Done" by David Allen but the system never quite worked for your creative brain, give this book a try. Highly recommended and will read again soon to begin implementing the strategies, as the author suggests.

[Lynda Dunwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with plenty of enthusiasm, certainly gets the productive juices flowing. A good reference book for those ideas that keep getting put off. Will keep it on my bookshelf and refer back when I need a boost.

[Ed Avern · Rating 3 out of 5]

If one ever has any doubt about how many people aspire to be "a writer", one need only look at the proliferation of writing books available on Amazon (and, once we're allowed back into them, good old-fashioned bookshops). I say this with no rancour; after all, as an aspiring novelist myself, I purchased a great many of them over the years.

This one I bought after hearing Mr Johnston speak in a Zoom lecture/Q&A a few weeks ago. His talk - and this book - were both focused on creating routines, habits, and environments to be a more productive writer (gelling nicely with 'The Power of Habit', which I was reading at the time). He spoke well, made some interesting points, and as someone about to embark on a few months of full-time writing 'The Organised Writer' seemed a prudent purchase.

And... it's fine. Maybe even useful. But, fundamentally, 'The Organised Writer' is basically a compilation of life-hacks, many of which Mr Johnston openly admits are personal to him and quite possibly not applicable to anyone else. Then there are some weird additions that feel like they are only tangentially related to being a writer - how to pack lightly for trips abroad felt like it had been included primarily to make up word-count, and would have been better suited to 'The Organised Traveller' or possibly 'The Organised Businessman'. And while there were plenty of good suggestions layered throughout the book, there was very little that doesn't come up on the first page of Google results for "organising your writing".

Except... now I don't have to deal with that, because I have this book. And, slightly irritated with it though I am, unnecessary though I feel it to be, I'm aware that it's probably going to become one of my most-referenced writing books. I can envisage dozens of situations where I turn to the shelf behind me just to check what Mr Johnston has to say on this or that practice, then either adopting his suggestion wholeheartedly or irritably returning it with a shake of my head.

What's the conclusion of this, then? Well... yes, alright, it does exactly what it's supposed to. Fair enough, I suppose.

[Jolyon Walford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of us would like to write a book. If only we could organise our time better. If only we could stop ourselves falling for the distractions of television, our social media channels, just about anything other than sitting down in front of our computer to write, in fact. Sound familiar?

Antony Johnston is a successful writer. A professional. The Organised Writer is his gift to those that dream of making writing their own profession. Whilst it's not a book that attempts to teach you how to write creatively, it succeeds in sharing the benefit of his knowledge about ringfencing your creative time and prioritising your writing above other things.

Most authors are not going to make enough from their books to earn a significant amount - not for them to give up the day job anyway - but I know that creating the habit of writing is the biggest hurdle to negotiate in order to have any chance of establishing yourself amongst professional writers.

We could talk about writer's block, but most unfinished manuscripts disappear down the black hole of procrastination because of a lack of routine and an obsession with perfectionism. As Johnston testifies, giving yourself permission to write bad first drafts and accepting the need to rewrite several times, are necessary stages of development if you want to mature as a writer.

I found the book extremely helpful in setting up systems of administration that could apply equally to any form of creative enterprise, whether freelance writing, copywriting, editing, etc. And the free template downloads on his website made the transition from office space chaos to higher productivity, relatively simple.

If you're serious about giving yourself the best chance of publishing your book, or you're searching for ways to make writing your next manuscript a little easier, I highly recommend reading The Organised Writer. It's the most helpful book about writing that I've read so far this year.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is a writer who supports himself with his writing in various genres. [he wrote the script for Atomic Blonde] so he has a method for working out where he is up to in each project, and what still needs to be done.

I am one of those ADHD peeps who has NO system OR an incredibly complex one, and nothing in between.

But what he advises is that you do not separate work and life, and that is a great idea.

He also says to take which bits you need, which parts will work for you, and of course, edit it for you.

And besides, it is an excuse to go to Officeworks! woot.

4 stars

So far this year my library saved me $617.51

[P Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comprehensive review of I've author's habits into their work style. Not for everyone, but there are some really good points that apply across fields (some of the concepts he talks about are also quite prevalent in IT for example).

- be consistent
- work to a minimum word count
- outsource your memory to notes with enough context to action them
- make a checklist of your writing process so you know where you are (similar to kanban states)
- be consistent
- BE CONSISTENT
- Set up your environment so you can get into the habit easier
- BE CONSISTENT!!!

[Daman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book thinking it’ll help me get organized with my writing projects and would offer tips to be more productive. But, there was much less writing advice than I expected. The book is more about the business side of being a writer, so personally, it was not so relevant to me at this moment. That being said, it still offered some good advice for writing including setting daily goals and managing distractions. And, this may be more useful for those who are a little advanced in their writing process.

Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC.

[Angela Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, straight-forward, focused read on one way to organise yourself in your writing—that is, the administration of the act, not the planning of your writing project. Some good takeaways for me that I've put into place.

[Xavier · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take on being organised as a writer...
Nothing new to me but others might find this interesting...
Basically GTD for writers.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very useful and interesting for Aspiring freelance writers or already established freelance writers. Helped me to realize it's not my path

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were a freelance writer not living in a cramped flat this would have been more useful 😅