by Amelia Schaffer

Created on: October 21, 2009

Keeping your work organized on your computer makes it easier to find files when they are needed. Creating appropriate folder and file names and making well-organized backups will make your life a lot easier when you need to find old work.

- Use multiple folders.

One of the best ways to keep your work confusing and disorganized is to save everything into My Documents. To stay organized, separate your work into different subjects and purposes. Keep your article writing in one folder, fiction in another, and so on.

- Use multiple levels of filing.

Now organize your work further by creating subfolders within those main folders. In your writing folder, for example, create individual folders for Helium and other writing sites. Alternately (or in addition), create folders for unfinished work, completed work, and published work.

- Use specific file names.

Don't save a file as "Helium article" or "story." Use descriptive information so that it will be easy to find the article later. Save articles under the article name or a summarizing phrase. Use dates when appropriate; for example, "[Story Title] Draft October 1, 2009" instead of just "[Story Title]."

- Move files to appropriate folders.

Creating specific folders doesn't help if you forget to move old files to appropriate folders when you're done with them. Move completed articles to the "Finished" folder as soon as you are done with them. Don't save unfinished articles in the "Finished" folder because you think you'll be able to complete them in one session; you won't remember that you left a file in the wrong place.

- Back up files often.

Create frequent backups using a CD, DVD, or external hard drive. These are a good idea regardless, but when you're trying to organize your files it is especially important to clear out old files so your work doesn't seem overwhelming. Burn the files to a CD or DVD and label it with the date, or save it on an external hard drive in a folder labeled with the date you made the backup. Alternately, keep all of your similar files backed up together: one disc for all of your old articles, one for fiction, and so on.

- Remember to file as you work.

This is the most important point because it saves a lot of tiring work. It can be tempting to save files in one place and assign them to their proper folders later, but you'll inevitably forget until a whole mess of files have accumulated. This creates more work, because you have to go back and remind yourself of the contents of those old files. In addition, it can make filing seem overwhelming, turning you off organization altogether. As long as you follow the above organizational tips as you work, rather than leaving it for the last minute, it is not hard work.

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