First of all, I need to apologise.  Way back in part three, I stated that I wasn’t going to write an entry on 5S, because I couldn’t see how it would relate to the writing process.

However, I realised I was wrong.

5S is another Japanese methodology for Lean manufacturing and engineering*.

It’s also the one that tends to make engineers groan when their managers come round and demand to “5S their desks / offices”, because it’s invariably translated as “remove all the paperwork / folders / pens / mugs / work from your desk, including everything you actually use / refer to all the time, and spend a working day cleaning the office”.

However, the real 5S is a much more subtle tool than this, and the Ss are as follows:

Seiri or Sort

Keep only what is essential, in an easily accessible place, and eliminate what is not required.

For me, as a hoarder, I found this one a challenge.  When I restarted work on FT, I had files all over the place, in all states of repair and relevance, in a labyrinthine folder structure with an ad-hoc naming convention that even I was struggling to remember.  I mean, I’d got Word documents from 1998 that I’d hung onto, “just in case”.  Just in case of what, I’m not sure.  Certainly, they reminded me how far I’ve come as a writer since then, but it’s 13 years later – I should have developed my craft in that time.  Do I really, really, need to keep these files?  The answer, to be honest, is no.

You can also apply this to a novel plot: is this scene really required?  Does it add anything or move things forward?  If it doesn’t, get rid.  Harsh, but simple.

Seiton or Straighten / Stabilise

Basically, a place for everything, and everything in its place.

Following on from above, I decided to completely rethink my computer folder structure and file naming convention.  Research material was filed separately, depending on if it was a character worksheet or background information on the rally, or other stuff such as car data.  Old drafts were archived and labelled.  Seriously old material was deleted.  Exploratory ventures into sequel territory were squirrelled away in a Sequels folder.  Anything else which didn’t fit was placed in a “Random” folder.  I created a specific “Working Folder”, and in there I keep the latest draft, my Master Schedule, and any other file I’m working on for this draft, as it is.

Given that I have specific sections and characters I’m focussing on revising, I’ve named the separate files for the characters or sections concerned.  Each major revision is numbered and listed, so I know exactly what I’m doing (or so I pretend, at least).  My latest draft is revision numbered, and I’m using Track Changes to keep an eye on things.

Seiso or Shine / Sweep

Clean everything, and keep it clean, tidy and organised as part of the daily routine.

I think this is pretty self-explanatory: store files where they’re meant to be stored, and nowhere else.  I’d also add back up regularly, and have more than one back up if possible: given our laptop hard drive bit the dust a few months ago – and the laptop was less than 12 months old – I don’t take data integrity for granted!

I also make sure that files which are no longer relevant or useful get deleted or appropriately archived, before I get confused or bogged down by them in my working folder.

You could also apply this to your workspace, wherever you work.  I tend to work on the sofa in the living room, but I know where all my writing implements live (… on the laptop, or in the corner by the shelves).  Plus, a nice, clean and tidy living room makes me happy, anyway.

Seiketsu or Standardise

Basically, working practices should be consistent for each particular job.  For me as a writer, this has involved me deciding that I’m actually taking this writing lark seriously and committing myself to it (which is hard to tell from this blog, admittedly).  This also means that I should be able to write using the same tools anywhere – so I can take my laptop to Starbucks, Costa or Nero’s, and still write as if I’m at home.  Win!

My lessons learnt from this book are being carried across to the next one – i.e., plan first.  After writing my first draft entirely as a pantser, I’m coming to see the value in at least some detailed plotting ahead of time: I have several scenes which are great, but they’re just not in the right place at the right time.  They’ll work, but they need reorganising to fit in the structure I now have in mind.

I’ve also implemented a much more organised and standardised approach to revising my manuscript, which I hope to carry across to any further projects.  I suspect that will be a blog post in itself!

Shitsuke or Sustain / Self-Discipline

Simple (ha).  Keep up the first 4Ss.  Keep organised, clean and tidy, and make it the way you do things as a matter of course – while also considering any potential improvements which can be made to how you do things.

I can certainly say that I’ve applied much of this thinking to the writing and revising process.  It’s making a tremendous positive difference to my writing, my motivation, and even my organisation; I’ve managed more in the last six weeks than probably in the last year.  What’s somewhat scary is that I applied this technique without consciously realising it!

I’ve got to admit that having gone through these steps, I’m wondering why on earth I didn’t do a lot of this earlier.  It would’ve saved me lots of time and several headaches.

*This is turning into the Lean Method of Writing, isn’t it?