Inside my logbook: The weekly spread
The second in a short series exploring the notebook system that helps me stay focused on what matters most
Last week, I opened the covers of the logbook I use to keep my life in order and, as promised, here's the next layout I use...
THE WEEKLY SPREAD
Okay, let's give you the tour...
CALENDAR
On the left-hand side is a simple day-by-day view of the week where I jot down major events, deadlines and anything that has to be done on a particular day.
As before, this is all largely on my digital calendar as well. This is a belt-and-braces exercise to make sure nothing drops through the cracks.
I also jot down in pencil the main task I expect to be working on for the majority of the day, so I can see at a glance how intensive work is going to be and where the gaps are.
WINS
Underneath is Wins. Throughout the week, I mark things worth celebrating in my daily log. It could be that I've finished a draft, or have had an outline approved and can move to the next stage of the project. Or maybe it's that I finished painting a miniature or we had a great family movie night out at the cinema. Basically, it's whatever made me punch the air and have a celebratory biscuit.
On Sunday evening, I flick through the pages and gather them all into one list. A handy reminder that good things happen and a nice way to end the week on a high.
MAIN PROJECTS
Onto the right-hand page, Main Projects list my three priorities for the week.
Last week it was:
- An IP development report for a client.
- Konflikt '47 storylines.
- An RPG I'm developing.
This week, it's only two: writing a short story and heading up to Nottingham for a K47 story summit.
Limiting myself to a maximum of three helps me focus on what matters most rather than pinballing all over the place.
INBOX
Beneath that is my weekly Inbox.
This is where all my to-dos live before I migrate them to my daily lists, a brain dump to get everything out of my head on Monday morning.
It's also where I capture new tasks as they arrive, so my daily logs don’t get clogged up with stuff that doesn’t need to be done straight away.
PEOPLE
Finally, there's People, where I note people I need to contact and replies I need to send.
If an email comes in and I can't deal with it straight away, I file it away and make a note here so I don't forget it. It's how I keep my email at inbox zero, not as a badge of merit, but because opening the app and seeing oodles of messages sends me into a panic.
There's also less chance of me missing an important message if it's written down!
NEXT... THE DAILY LOG
This is where the magic happens. Or rather, where I get stuff done, log what happened for easy reference and... doodle.
If you think someone else would find all this useful, please forward the email or send them the link. They can subscribe below.
Until next time, look after yourself and each other.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON
Thanks to pesky NDAs, I can’t reveal many details about what I’m writing at the moment, so I’ve come up with a sneaky list of project names. Keep an eye on future editions. I'll update everything as the work progresses!
Project: Avarice
- A novelisation for a fantasy franchise, currently in copy edits.
Project: Passer
- A graphic novel of a top romantasy novel. The outline has been given the greenlight, so I’m currently scripting.
Project: Soldier
- A newly commissioned fantasy novel, currently in outlining mode.
ELVTR Comic Writing Course
- A 13-part online course for the APAC territories.
Konflikt ‘47
- Working with Warlord Game on the lore and creative direction for the weird World War II tabletop game.
Masters of the Universe: Origins
- A three-issue arc chronicling the early career of Man-At-Arms.
COMING SOON
Star Wars: Scoundrels and Smugglers - Race for Jabba’s Bounty
An all-age graphic novel starring Han Solo, Chewbacca, Jaxxon and a host of scum and villainy. On sale 6th October.
Godfather of Hell
My new creator-owned graphic novel for mature readers. Think Goodfellas meets The Exorcist. On sale 27th October.