Here is lots of information on the various things at Erin Condren that look like they might be helpful in keeping me on track with writing, blogging and swaps. Thanks so much for agreeing to get me this. I can't wait to see what you'll choose. For me, that's actually a big part of the appeal. I know I'm getting something I will use and like, and at the same time, I'm going to get to be surprised and it will be something you had a hand in picking and putting together. Seems pretty damn win-win to me!
XOXO,
Mao
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Part 1: The Planner
There are two types of planners that might work for me. I either want a Monthly Deluxe Planner, or a Life Planner with the horizontal format (it gives more room each day of the week for writing.) Here are videos about each to get you familiar with them. Underneath each video I've listed how I think I would use each planner, along with its pros and cons for my writing / blogging / swapping. They're both GOOD choices; you can't go "wrong". But there is, indeed, a choice.
Monthly Planner:
How I'd Use This: The dots page will likely have lists using post-its or colorful mind-maps of shit I'm stuck on in whatever book I'm writing. The calendar will track stuff in my daily life as well as insanity that happens throughout the year. The 5 sections for each month could either be used to highlight stuff from that month or to track writing / blogging / swap crap I need to keep track of. The notebook section can be used to brainstorm story stuff, post / youtube ideas, swap box compositions, shopping lists, etc. Also: lined paper never goes out of style, and this paper is perferated (can be taken out) too.
Things I Like About This: I love the 5 sectioned page and the page with notes and a big to-do list. I like the fact that instead of the structure of daily little spaces, I can instead have 80 pages after my month sections to fill as I want / need. I like the fact that it comes in two different sizes since my eye sight is crap and my handwriting isn't naturally petite. I think there might be less pressure using this as a first planner--provided I don't waste the notes section. Even if I use that to brainstorm and journal / scrapbook it would turn out okay.
What's Not So Hot: Will I actually use the note pages or will I be like "ZOMG Must Preserve!!" like I've done in smaller pretty journals? (Nudge me!) Gotta find a use for those dot pages at the start of each month. Planner, why you no has tabs for Mao? (Could always see if someone has made tabs for this on Etsy if I get it.) Dunno which size would be better.
Life Planner (Horizontal)
How I'd Use This: I'd be able to keep a daily word count, jot down stuff like tracking numbers or what I had for dinner, and have a more day-to-day record of what I do in 2017.
Things I Like About This: It has tabs for each month. It comes with a pouch and coil included. My notes for the month would be contained within that month. I like the note page at the start of each month for giving an overview of what I want to get done and what I have achieved. I like the fact that the weekly spots are lined--I feel like I'd actually use them. Comes with a bunch of stickers in the back. (Yes, that's a plus. :P )
What's Not So Hot: Will this be too much structure? What am I gonna do with the blank and graph pages in the back? Will I like the 7 x 9" form factor? (Not sure if I like the bigger or smaller size--gonna be a gamble any way we slice it.)
PART 2: Customizing The Planner
Choose A Cover. Here are some of my favorites: (Take a deep breath and relax. The covers can be swapped, so you can't really get this 'wrong'.)
-- Love What You Do (Pink)
-- Love What You Do (Blue)
-- Watercolor Hearts
-- Believe You Can...
-- Fleur Felz (rainbow)
-- Marble Gold Metalic
-- Follow Your Heart
-- Imagine
-- Dream
Decide whether the coil should be platinum, gold, rose gold or black. (Platinum is free, the others cost. They're ALL nice, depending on the cover choice.)
Decide if you are going to personalize the planner. Option one gives you first and last name, option 2 gives you two lines. When I was messing around with the "Love what you do..." templates, I used option two to put my name on line one and "Author, Blogger, Swapaholic" on line two, for example. Of course YOU might use line one for something like "Love you, Kat. Now and always." and line two for your name. :P (Seriously? Mess around with the options and decide how you want to make this book overall. I'm looking forward to being surprised.)
Decide if the inside of the book should be colorful or neutrals. Both look nice and have their advantages. Both can (and will) be jazzed up with stickers and washi anyway. :P
If you go with the Life Planner you're going to want Horizontal and January - December.
If you're going with the monthly planner you're going to need to decide if the 7 x 9 or 8.5 x 11 option would be better for me. Also, if you go with this one please pay the $5 to add the extra 40 pages. More room to write and have everything together would be great.
... And Viola! You have created a custom
STEP THREE: Useful Accessories
Wet Erase Markers -- The inside covers have spaces these can be used and erased.
Snap In Stylized Sticky Notes -- They're sticky notes, I'm a Mao. The two go together.
Sticker Book -- Stickers! LOL (These look like functional stickers)
Magnetic Page Marker(s) -- Easy way to find my place if I get the Monthly Deluxe.
Multi-color Bright Highlighters -- Good for adding a dash of color in spaces too small for washi.
DIY Sticker Sheets -- Another sticker option. These look like sticker washi.
Perpetual Calendar -- I want to use this for 2017 at a glance--writing down the highlight of each day along with addresses and web passwords.
Coil Clip Connectors -- These are how items get added to the planner. Think about which things (if any) you are buying that need to be attached.
Plan For It Pouch -- Useful for holding receipts (from the post, for example), stickers, pens, etc.
Mini Snap In Bookmarks -- Another "Y U No Has Tabs?" solution. Plus, these look like they don't need coil clips.
Pen Holder -- This one seems obvious. :)
Elastic Band -- Keeps everything together so stuff doesn't fall out. Get "large" if you decide to go with the 8.5 x 11 Monthly Planner.
Storage Pockets -- Metalic -- A good way to hold paper, stickers, receipts, etc. Would need clips.
Metalic Divider Pack -- Another way Months and Notes could be separated. Also adds two more dry erase boards for brainstorming, lists, etc. Looks like they would use clips.
Snap In Productivity -- Dry erase board with check boxes
Snap In Meal Planner -- Hello, shopping list. :D
Customizable Event Stickers -- These look awesome. You get to choose what color each column is and what's written in it. you can either copy the phrase for all boxes, or fill in each by hand. I'd love ones for stuff like "Outline Done", "Draft Done", "Revision Done", Book Tour (3), Release Day (3), Cover Reveal (3), You Got Mail, Kingston, Time To Ship, Amazon, ... There are just too many good ideas....
Functional Flag Stickers -- For when crap comes up that I didn't make a label for.
Metalic Sticker Sheet -- Would only need / use the one that matches the spine. Would make a great way to fill in the months in the goal section, OR to denote the changing of months in the notes section if I get the Deluxe Monthly Planner.
Snap In Bookmark (Ruler) -- Let's make those dot pages in the Monthly Planner do something.
Luxe gold metalic quote clutch -- I've fallen for this silly thing. It would be a good holder for pens, stickers, small rolls of washi, etc.
To be Abundantly Clear: I in no way expect to get all of this. I think you'll find it helpful knowing which items I thought might be useful. It kinda hurts my brain that she doesn't sell pens, but I can take care of that via Amazon.
If you want to know stuff, ask me. I hope I've covered everything well enough to make this easy and fun, though.
