In my previous article on "Finding Time to Write", I showed you one way to use even small chunks of time to write your Book(s).

But you have to have a plan on how to approach the project in an effective manner so that the time spent is on the “first things, first”, to get your footing for the project. And more importantly, once you have the right plan, you have to execute it so that you put those chunks of time to good use. The following game plan for getting (and keeping) a project rolling has worked for me and perhaps it will help you too.

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I have two very simple inexpensive tools that help me with my own writing process—with planning and organizing the project, getting it started and getting it done. They are:

• A notepad of yellow letter size paper. Yellow because it is easier to spot amongst other paperwork on my desk—as are the pages if they come loose. And a letter size pad fits better in notebooks, folders and on aircraft tray tables. I use a separate pad for each writing project.

• A calendar and/or planner. I believe in using technology to my benefit but I don’t rely just on my Blackberry or PC for keeping my calendar, schedule and tasks organized; I primarily use an old-fashioned planner (I’ve used a Day-Timer since 1992, but any planner will do).

First, with a writing project of any size, as a starting point, you have to define broadly, what you are going to write about.

I break this into two steps:

Step 1

1. What is the main topic for my Book?
2. What is the main message regarding the topic that I want to thread throughout the Book?
3. What are the major "take-away" points that I want the reader to get from reading my Book?

I’ll write each of the above on a single page of paper, as the header with room underneath for me to answer the question with room to elaborate. Once I’ve done that, I’ve created the setting that will help me give thought to and answer the following questions:

Step 2

1. What information or data do I personally have on hand or direct access to that will help me write on the main topic?
2. What resources do I have to help find other information/data I need for the project?
3. What people do I know that may be able to contribute (verbally or with information/data) with developing content for this project?
4. What events do I want to place special emphasis on, which will require more detail work in my project?

Again, I’ll write the above each on a single page of paper, as the header with space underneath to answer the question with room to elaborate. If more is needed—I will move them to a page of their own so that I can add more notes for that particular item.

Side Note: I have one moderately costly tool that I use, when pad and paper aren’t available or just not suitable to use. That’s my Blackberry. I compose an email, address it to myself—and as I think of things for my project, I “jot” them down, or in some cases if the ideas/thoughts are flowing … I can get quite a bit typed up and then I email it. Then when I’m back in my office or on my laptop and pull my email; I have my notes and work in digital form and then I copy and paste into my article or manuscript draft so that I can polish it further or expand on it. You can do this with any “Smart Phone” that enables you send emails. I have written entire articles and sections this way.

These become the major guiding elements and the foundation for my project. If you do the above, it will organize your thinking, provide the basis for detail planning and it gives you that push to maintain momentum. Each day, even if I only have a few minutes (for one of my own projects), I make notes on my project pad (sometimes rough notes, ideas, threads of thought to explore or remember to detail out later on—sometimes smoother more complete full-fleshed portions that I can key (or dictate) later on into my article or manuscript draft file document and folders.

As I work the above process, what I want to do with the project and its components start to become even clearer. I begin to see what information to gather, story events to recount and relate to the reader and the message I need to hone in on … all the pieces that make up the whole of the project. As these fall into place I find it easier to develop and add content, which creates the rough blocks of my first draft of the manuscript. From my notes, I schedule reminders in my planner for following-up, and reaching out to contact the people on the list I develop and any in-depth research that will be needed as I drive towards completing an initial draft of the manuscript.

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There are many ways to handle a writing project; the above happens to be a way that has proven successful for me. Some of the tips may be helpful to you as well with your writing project but feel free to ignore some or all of them—writing is a very personal thing and how you approach it may be very different from my way.

Please remember this though; planning and working your writing project does not need to be complex. If you make it too complex, you are probably never going to be able to work at it productively. Approach it simply, and make your plan “doable”. Remember to be flexible, nothing in a writing project is guaranteed to go “according to plan”. Adjust your plan as necessary and if you “fall off” your plan and schedule… climb back on as soon as possible.

Here’s another thing to be aware of when it comes to planning.

You may or may not find amusing the Garfield cartoons that run in most newspapers. But from time to time, it nails human nature dead-solid-perfect. Here’s the gist of a recent one that I saved:

Garfield says (with a serious look) “I believe in planning ahead.”

He pauses, and then says “Becaaauuuuse..."

“If you spend enough time planning—you never actually have to do anything.”

A big smile now shows on Garfield’s face.

I’m a believer in planning—but a bigger believer in doing. You can be the best planner in the world, but if you don’t get off your butt and execute the plan; it doesn’t do you any good.

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There is a universal problem that almost all new writer’s/author’s encounter, that can disrupt their plan, slow down their progress or even prevent them from getting started on their project. It is:

“The Large Obstacle that new Authors face … that does not really exist."