TArTs Toolkit: Finding YOUR System
Because what works for ME may not work for YOU
Hi friends!
I think it’s very timely that I decided to write about finding the system that works for you because that’s exactly what we’ll be discussing in our Write Start panel, One Size Doesn’t Fit All, at the end of January.
Everything changed for me when I stopped fighting against the word system. Because “system” felt practical or boring. And I’m a writer who is all about creativity and being hyperbolic at times. When I leaned in and gave it a try, I stopped working against the current of being a creative who runs a creative business.
First, let’s talk about what it even means when I say system. It’s just the collection of tools and resources you have in your toolkit to make creating more efficient, easier, and more accessible. I’ll share some of the ones I use and offer other suggestions as well!
If you’ve ever thought, ugh, I wish I had a dedicated space to keep up with my submissions! Or, you find yourself looking in multiple places to find the information you need for your workshops. Then you may need to sit down and figure out a system to eliminate the guessing games.
So, where to start?
Start where you are. Take a look at what you’ve got going on, having an inventory in your mind will help determine what is missing.
Manuscript Example:
If you’re focused on finishing a manuscript, how far along are you in the process? Are the poems typed up or handwritten? Have you sorted them in any kind of way yet? You could create a short to-do list of what you’ve already done, do it digitally in a word processing doc, notes app, or use good ole pen and paper. I find in doing that, 2 things happen for me:
I feel accomplished because with each item checked off I can see how much work I’ve already put in.
Seeing what is done prompts my mind to think of what comes next. I am then able to add a few more things to the list.
Submissions Example:
If you’re trying to figure out how to organize and track your submissions, in a way that doesn’t feel daunting, join the club! There are a lot of tools and resources out there. Simply type “submissions tracker” online and you’ll get a plethora of options. (isn’t plethora such a fun word???)
Take a look through what already exists to see if there’s something that fits how you like to work. And if you don’t find the perfect tracker, build it! Take what works from what already exists and then sew it altogether in a metaphorical quilt until you have a tracker that meets your needs. Here are some tracking options:
Submission sites that have tracking systems built in: Chill Subs, Submittable, Duotrope.
Design your own using a spreadsheet, Canva, project tools like Notion, or go analog and keep it in a journal!
Talicha’s Free Notion Template: Simple Submission Tracker
I have a bunch more information to share about submissions in general and I’m excited to be sharing them in my Sub Sesh workshop on March 30th to raise funds for The Heart of It writing retreat. Join me for more!
Workshops Example:
You have a lot of new ideas for workshops but where do you put them? Where do you store your old workshop docs? What about your agenda and participants lists? Having system in place to keep it all together is going to be the difference between you getting so overwhelmed it’s no longer enjoyable, and working through the stress of keeping up with it all. Here’s a few ideas:
Before I de-googled my life, all my workshop prep, planning, and public facing docs were housed in Google Docs. An alternative that I recommend is Ellipsus. It’s free and has most of the same functionality, plus you can make it cute!
Have a dedicated place to save your links. I house all of my docs in Notion now which means it’s easy for things to get lost because EVERYTHING is there. So, I created a page strictly for all my workshop links.
Use templates. It may take a while for you to truly figure out how you like everything to flow in your planning process. You will probably have to tweak it for a while but having a template for your agenda, participants list, workshop planner, and promotional copy can be a game changer!
If something here seems intriguing, give it a shot and let me know how it goes!
There is no wrong way to build a system. If you have a need, you figure out how to meet it. The thing you use to meet the need is your system. Sometimes you will need more than one thing to have your system
function. Lean on whatever makes sense to you. What makes your life easier.
Sweet Assignment:
Systems aren’t one-size-fits-all. Take a few minutes to figure out what works for you. Here’s a simple way to start:
Identify what you need. Which areas need a system put into place (or system upgrade)?
List what is already working well and note what tools are being used.
Ask other teaching artists what they are utilizing. They may have just the right tool for you!
These are small steps that can have a big impact on your stress levels and can save you time in the long run!
Have questions about systems? About choosing the ideal pieces to make up your system? Or how to organize it all? DM me or leave a comment, I’d love to help.
See you in two weeks for the next SWEET TArTs!
About me:
Talicha J. is a Black queer poet, teaching artist, and Pushcart Prize and Best of Net nominee. She was a 2024 Collaborating Fellow at The Poetry Lab. Her debut collection, Falling in Love with Picking Myself Up (2015), led to a national tour and helped grow her presence as a poet. She is currently a reader with Frontier Poetry & Alternating Current Press, and Assistant Managing Editor with Fahmidan Journal.
In June 2024, she released her chapbook, Taking Back the Body, which won the Beyond the Veil Press chapbook contest. She is a Co-Founder of Camp Write Start, curates online generative workshops, and hosts a monthly publication submission space. Her work has appeared in or is forthcoming with Torch Literary Arts, Peach Fuzz, Lucky Jefferson, Just Femme and Dandy, Button Poetry, and more.