As a writer, I am on a continual quest for ways to organize all the various tools that are important to my craft. Sometimes I read about a new idea. Other times, I have a flash of brilliance all my own. Let's peer into one of my flashes.

When searching for markets for my work I look in many places: magazines, trade books and online. This can be overwhelming! One popular writer's market book is enormous. Often, when I am ready to look for a place to submit my piece, I've forgotten where I saw the market! So, I gave it some thought and came up with an idea to organize this information.

I went to a local super center and purchased four plastic index card boxes. Then, of course, I bought index cards. On each box, I used scrapbooking alphabet stickers to label the boxes for articles, short stories, novels and poetry. And, being the creative type I am, I added additional stickers to make the boxes my own.

The next step was going to be a bit tedious. I took that huge market book and sat down with it. As I find a market that is compatible with my style and genre or simply captures my interest, I write all the information on an index card. I admit this will take time to do, but it is worth the effort. As I find markets in magazines and online, I write down the information and add these to the mix. As I finish each card, I place it in the appropriate box. Now I don't have to turn the house upside down to find it when I need it.

To further organize, I purchased alphabetized cards for a few of my boxes. For short stories and novels, I've chosen to make my own cards separating the entries into genres. For markets that cater to more than just one of my chosen areas of writing, I make a duplicate card for each box that the market pertains to. In this way I won't have to search further.

Once I have my boxes organized, life will be simpler. If a market ceases to exist, I can remove the card. As new markets come onto the scene, I add them. I have all the information I need for submission at my fingertips. It is a tool that will never wear out and is versatile. Now, I can cross one more item of my quest list.