Deborah Cooke: Author

This week, I’m cleaning up a lot of loose ends. Most of them are jobs I’ve put off, as there always seemed to be something more interesting to do. Invariably, I’d rather write than do any of the other jobs associated with publishing, so I have quite a list to get through this week.

I’m uploading new versions of the Coxwell books, for example. I was a bit mystified by reviews on Amazon complaining about typos in them, until I realized I’d run them through my spellchecker – which is polluted with Canadian spellings. Whenever it flags something that looks right to me, I tell it to learn that spelling. Each time I install a new spellchecker and choose US English, I tell myself I won’t do this, but every time, I do. So, I have to run them through the spell check on Mr. Math’s machine, because he never tells his to learn anything. Not a big job, but one I’ve been ducking. I’ve done two books and will upload those new versions to Amazon and Smashwords today.

Then I’ll update the All Romance eBooks versions. There are more missing there, because I find their interface a bit annoying. Similarly, I need to update versions, covers and prices on Overdrive’s Content Reserve this week, as well as add new titles like THE RENEGADE’S HEART. Their interface is irksome as well, which gives me an easy excuse to avoid getting around to this job. I need to have a look at the Apple interface, as I want to upload my books directly to iTunes in the new year. I may try a test file this week.

I also need to get my filing done, my office organized and things sorted out in the house, as the carpenters are coming by New Year’s to start on installing those attic stairs. The idea is that all I’ll need to do is write, so I can run away and write somewhere else if it gets too noisy in here.

Then there is the Christmas shopping to do. Once again, it appears that I might not get cards written and sent – I’ll have to see how much progress I make this week. And, of course, I’m trying to finish a number of knitting projects, some for gifts and some to just get my needles free again.

The odd thing is that I always have a tidying-and-organizing week near the end of the calendar year. In fact, I seem to have the annual urge to do this right before the winter solstice. It might be an instinctive need to start the new year off on the right foot.

What about you? Do you organize in spurts? Are you always organized? Or do you tidy up in regular cycles? Which phase are you in right now?