How to Organize Your Sources
Recently, I spent hours calling podiatrists looking for a quote. After I finally found someone and finished my article, I remembered that I had interviewed a well-known podiatrist the year before who would have made a perfect source. I made a plan to organize my sources so when I needed quotes, I could find just the right person without having to call all over creation. (Of course, you don’t want to use the same sources over and over, but it’s fine to reuse a source for a different magazine.)
Some writers use programs like Filemaker Pro
How do you organize your sources? Please share your tips in the Comments section! [lf]
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Nov 3, 2007 Advice, Organization, Sources
I’ve actually been meaning to put code a database of sources, so I can cross-reference them based on what they know. For example, a medieval history professor I interviewed might also be a war veteran – so he’d be tagged as medieval history AND based on which war he was involved in.
Just need to quit procrastinating and do it.
I haven’t decided how to organise mine yet, but they need it!
I might end up using a spreadsheet plus a rolodex… I wish there was some great cheap (free-ish) software I could use…
I’m a little old school. I just type everyone into a Word file marked “rolodex” and then put some descriptive words along with their contact info.
Then you can just go to “find” and type in – say – podiatrist or whatnot. But I also cross-reference stuff. Say if I know a great entertainment PR person who is also an adoptive mom I’ll put “adoption” near her name and can go back to her as a source for adoption too.
I *try* to be vigilant about entering almost everyone I interview about anything.
Thanks for these tips!
Hi,
Nice site and congrats on your book.
I am Allan, a webmaster. I actually googled you with podiatrist writers and as you can see from my search, I need writers who are knowledgeable in podiatry or at least someone who works in medical background who is interested to read and write on podiatry/foot health topics.
Can i ask for the podiatrists’ contacts who can write articles on podiatry/foot health for a fee?
Thank you.
Allan