Do you spend hours browsing the internet in the name of research?
Do you find great websites and great snippets of information that you want to keep or want to go back to at a later date and the only way to do it is to book mark them and grow an unruly list of bookmarks that you have to search through?
But what then if you take a photograph of something for your research, you can’t add that to your bookmarked research webpages, so now you’re getting things all over…
As I started book two and found there were several things within the book that would need researching, I realised this problem would have to be addressed. I could only work productively if my workspace was organised.
So what did I do?
I’d heard of Evernote. Of course I had. I’d even joined and had an account, but that was as far as I’d gone. I didn’t know anything else about it or how to use it or how helpful it would be. But now I needed it. And I’ve found it Wonderful! You can have Evernote on your home device – laptop/computer/tablet as well as your phone and they sync. So if you are out and about and find yourself on a bus journey with some time to do some research, you can save it in your Evernote and it’s there in your home computer when you need to work.
As I’ve mentioned, it’s not just about web pages, you can take photos and save them.
You can create a structured folder system within Evernote. This I’ve done for book two for the different areas of research I need to do.
You can simply make notes.
And as well as syncing with yourself, there is the ability to share and collaborate within Evernote.
If you feel disorganised when researching, this may be the tool for you. I’m new to it and a fan already – if you can’t tell. You can find their page with quick and easy to follow how-to videos Here.
How do you research and store everything?
This post is part of theΒ A to Z Blogging Challenge.Β
Prashant C. Trikannad says
Rebecca, thanks for writing about this handy tool and I’m glad it works on a tab too.
Rebecca Bradley says
You’re welcome Prashant. I’ve been meaning to learn how to use it myself for ages!
Glynis Smy says
This month I vowed to get more organised and to use Scrivener (been trying for three years). I then came across, Evernote. I have it on three devices and love it! I am redesigning gardens, writing a book, and am caring for mother, all info is stored in folders rather than scribbled on a pad in my bag. I am very impressed with, Evernote.
Rebecca Bradley says
That’s the key isn’t it Glynis. Organisation. And that’s what I’m trying to do. Organise myself with the hope that my workflow will be better….
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I’d heard of it, but that was about it. May if I start conducting more research, I’ll use it.
Rebecca Bradley says
If you do need to do research, it is handy. Worth bearing in mind π
Margot Kinberg says
Rebecca – I must look into Evernote more. I’ve heard of it of course and others have mentioned it’s terrific. But your post has convinced me I ought to really explore it. Thanks
Rebecca Bradley says
If you need to store information, not just research, but anything, and in one handy place, then this is ideal. I’d be interested to hear how you get on.
KS Counselor says
I had heard of it but didn’t know what it was. Thanks for the tutorial.
Rebecca Bradley says
You’re welcome. It took me a while to look into it properly after hearing about it, but it is a great tool.
woodbeez48 says
I love Evernote and have blogged about how I use it on my webpage too! It’s a great tool for anyone but especially for writers.
Rebecca Bradley says
It is! Great minds π
woodbeez48 says
Indeed π
SeriouslyDaph says
Thanks for stopping by on my blog..
I once tried working with Evernote. But for some reason it didn’t really stick with me. I just save all the things in my bookmarks and if I come across something on my phone I often email it to myself. I even DM myself on twitter with links. Maybe not the best way to stay organized but it works..
Rebecca Bradley says
You’re welcome! I found Evernote difficult the first time I tried it, but for some reason, the second time seemed to stick better. The video tutorials they have are a great help if you fancy giving it another go.
macjam47 says
I’ve downloaded Evernote, but haven’t opened it yet.
Rebecca Bradley says
The video tutorials are a great help in getting started. Just give yourself some quiet time and you’ll get the hang of it. π
macjam47 says
Thanks for the tip. π
Jacqui Murray says
I love Evernote. And I use it exactly as you do–to collect research. I also collect conference notes, links, even stuff (with that beautiful wide definition that’s all-encompassing).
Rebecca Bradley says
I probably don’t use it as much as it can be used, but I love that I’ve started and will enjoy learning more about it as I become comfortable with it.
cardamone5 says
I dropped by because you were kind enough to drop by and comment on my blog. This is an excellent post. Never heard of Evernote,but I love the idea of a virtual filing system. So, thanks for the tip. Book 2? Are you published? Very impressive! I’m a follower now. Looking forward to more great posts from you.
Best regards,
Elizabeth
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you for stopping by! Evernote is great, it worth looking up, and can be used for anything!
I’m not published, I have an agent and my book is out on submission which is a long and scary process, but in the mean time I’m writing book two. It keeps me out of trouble – mostly π
Thanks for following!
Paige Hamilton says
I have heard of Evernote but never tried it. I’m thinking now that I must! I have enjoyed looking around your blog … lots of interesting reading here. π
Rebecca Bradley says
Thank you Paige. It took me a while to get into Evernote. I had it for a while, tried it, didn’t get it, then it clicked. Now I think it’s a great place to store anything. I’d love to know what you think if you try it out.
chrisb-jwordsandimages says
Thank you for this. I do have Evernote downloaded, but hardly used it as yet. Will try again!
Rebecca Bradley says
Let me know how you get on! I didn’t get on with it the first time I used it, but I gave myself some quiet time and sat down, watched a couple of tutorials and away I went. Love it now π
Pam Loves Books says
Oh we are kindred spirits. Evernote is on all of my devices. i LURVE it!
Rebecca Bradley says
Wonderful isn’t it! I am probably not using it to it’s full potential yet, but I’ll get there π
D.A,Cairns says
I tried Evernote after a previous recommendation form you I think, and I have it installed n my phone. I haven’t really been able to figure out how to use it for my benefit. Perhaps I should revisit it. Perhaps I will.
Rebecca Bradley says
I think it’s probably better to try and get to grips with it from a computer first, I found it easier that way anyway. Bigger screen etc, I also found it easier to understand the second time I attempted to use it π
Carol says
I’ve recently started using Evernote too and I like it.
Rebecca Bradley says
It’s great when you find something new isn’t it? π
Martin J Frankson says
Evernote is great. Another one is OneNote which is part of the Microsoft Office suite. You can paste anything into it, in situ and its also a worthy clipboard for material of all shapes and sizes.