A Tall Stack of Projects Part II: A Free Template!
Courtesy of an excellent emerging writer
Check out my first post here to read more about the namesake of this newsletter and make a copy of the input/output tracking sheet if you so desire.
One of the coolest things about writing this newsletter and sharing my own creative processes and systems is seeing other people adapt concepts and make them their own. It really makes me feel like we’re growing a community here!
Last week, I ran through my process for stacking projects (read more here), which people seemed to resonate with in the comments and replies.
In fact, one excellent writer and producer I’ve been working with, Carly Gibson (follow her on IG here, and check out her website here), created her own tracking sheet around the categories of project stacking I listed in that newsletter. She sent it to me to take a look at.
When I opened it, my jaw dropped. She made DROPDOWN MENUS! Checkboxes for weekly priorities! A very funny tab called “Le Graveyard” for pieces that are dead for now! It really made my week to see someone take a system I use, but then adapt and mold it to their own purposes.
So I want (with Carly’s permission, of course!) to share the resource she created for those who are interested in project stacking, but don’t like using card systems like Trello or Asana.
You can make a copy of Carly’s Project Stacking template below and then customize it to your own wants and needs. THANK YOU, CARLY!
Click FILE—>MAKE A COPY and then edit your own copy.
And since Carly did this for us, let’s see if anyone is available to give her a little help in return—are there any TV writers out there (late night or scripted) who would be open to doing an informational interview?
Write back and let me know and I can connect the two of you. I highly vouch for Carly.
If you end up using this template, let me know. And if you’ve adapted any systems from this newsletter and want to share them with me, I would love to see them.
Later, process nerds!
Caitlin
What are some creative blocks people are struggling with this week? Let’s see if we can troubleshoot a little.
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ABOUT ME: My name is Caitlin Kunkel and I’m a comedy writer, long-time teacher, and creator of The Second City’s Online Satire Writing Program. I currently teach classes and consult on gift book proposals, modern adaptation, satire, and comedic literature. I co-founded The Belladonna Comedy and the Satire and Humor Festival, and I co-wrote the satirical gift book New Erotica for Feminists: Satirical Fantasies of Love, Lust, and Equal Pay, named one of the Top 10 Comedy Books of 2018 by Vulture.
I love this! I made one minor addition: I added a "Date modified" column. This way, I can see which pieces I haven't touched in a while to see whether I want to continue working on them or send them to "Le Graveyard." This is a fantastic resource. Thanks, Carly and Caitlin!
I’m excited to check out Carly’s template for project stacking (looking for an alternative to my strategy I like to call “millions of tabs open at all times”)!
In the meantime, I’ve been thinking of adapting a project tracking/accountability template/system for teaching. Your “write like an athlete” method makes me think about “teach like a champion,” and I’m sorting through how I can combine these ideas to support my teaching goals and reflections and those of my colleagues. Just thought I’d share that idea!