Quantum Steps: A Field Guide To Writing

by Rafaela Gentry

Introduction:

Starting your first book can feel like a thrilling adventure, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed without a clear plan for staying organized. From finding the right tools to building a structured framework, getting your creative workspace in order helps you focus more on writing and less on searching for files or reworking formats. Here’s my guide to getting organized with minimal costs, using tools I’ve found reliable and budget-friendly.

1. Choosing Your Apps: Essential Tools for Writers on a Budget

The right digital tools make a big difference in your writing process. I rely on Google Workspace for my core needs—document storage and emailing. Google Docs and Drive allow me to access, share, and back up my work effortlessly. This setup keeps everything I need in one place, accessible from any device.

2. Organizing with BOB: The Book Organizing Blueprint

To keep my files structured and easy to navigate, I developed a system called BOB—Book Organizing Blueprint. Here’s how it works:

• Create a Root Folder: Start with a main folder named after your project or book.
• Add Key Subfolders:
  • Characters: Profiles, backgrounds, and key traits for each character.
  • Drafts: All versions of your work, clearly labeled by revision stage (more on this below).
  • Outline: Your plot or chapter breakdown to guide your writing.
  • Research: Relevant articles, images, or references that inspire or inform your story.
  • Tips and Tricks: Writing advice from trusted blogs or authors that you find useful.
  • Timeline: Events in your story or background that need tracking.
  • World Building: Notes on settings, locations, cultures, or other elements that shape your story’s universe.

With this setup, I start each folder with a few basic documents—character profiles, a preliminary outline, and a list of writing tips. Having everything organized at the start means no scrambling to find ideas or losing track of story elements as I go.

3. Formatting Made Easy with Atticus

For writing, editing, and formatting, I use Atticus—a budget-friendly, browser-based tool that’s both user-friendly and versatile:

• Writing: Atticus’s built-in editor has essential features like bold, italics, and alignment tools, helping keep your work neat and legible.
• Formatting: It offers customizable templates and a theme builder, so you can format your book for professional presentation with ease.
• Previewing: Atticus lets you see how your book will look on different devices—an invaluable tool for final touches.

Atticus simplifies the publishing process by bringing formatting features within reach for writers who don’t want to dive into complex design software. It’s an accessible alternative to pricier options like Adobe InDesign or Microsoft Word.

4. Organizing Drafts with a Personal Versioning System

One of my most helpful habits is keeping all drafts in the “Drafts” folder and labeling each by revision. You could try a versioning system like “Draft_v1,” “Draft_v2,” etc., or date each one. This way, you can easily track your progress, revisit earlier versions, and see how your work evolves.

Conclusion:

Getting organized before diving into your first book isn’t just about saving time—it’s about creating a supportive framework that allows your creativity to flourish. Whether it’s organizing with BOB, writing with Atticus, or collecting tips along the way, having a structured approach will make your journey from idea to published book much smoother. So go ahead, set up your system, and start filling those folders with the ideas and words only you can create.

Cheers.