How to Design an Aesthetic Author Planner You'll Love to Use

Planning is an essential part of an author's creative process, whether you're working on your first novel or you're a seasoned professional with multiple books under your belt. A well-designed planner can be the key to staying organized, maintaining focus, and achieving your writing goals. But how do you create a planner that's both functional and aesthetically pleasing? In this guide, we will walk you through how to design an aesthetic author planner that you'll love using every day.

Why Design Your Own Author Planner?

You might be asking yourself, why design a planner when there are so many pre-made ones on the market? The answer lies in customization. Off-the-shelf planners are often too generic or structured in ways that don't suit your needs as a writer. Designing your own planner gives you the flexibility to choose the format, layout, and features that align with your unique writing process and goals.

Moreover, a personalized planner helps you feel more connected to your work. It serves as both a tool and a source of inspiration, keeping you motivated and excited about the writing journey ahead.

Understanding Your Needs as an Author

Before diving into the aesthetic aspects of your planner, it's crucial to understand your own writing needs and workflow. Think about your current writing process and how a planner could improve it. Here are some key questions to consider:

• What type of writing do you do? Are you focused on fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or a combination? Different genres and writing styles may require different organizational systems.
• Do you have a specific writing schedule or routine? For example, do you write daily, or do you work in bursts of productivity? Understanding your writing habits can help inform the design of your planner.
• What do you struggle with the most? Are you challenged by time management, tracking your progress, brainstorming ideas, or organizing your writing goals? Identify your weaknesses to create sections in your planner that address these areas.

Writing Process Breakdown

A typical author's workflow might look like this:

• Idea generation
• Planning and outlining
• Writing and drafting
• Editing and revising
• Submission or publishing

Consider each phase of your writing process when designing your planner, ensuring you have the tools to manage each step effectively.

Choosing the Right Layout

The layout of your planner plays a crucial role in its usability. A well-organized layout allows you to quickly access the information you need and track your progress. There are several layout options to consider for your author planner.

Monthly Overview

A monthly overview is ideal for setting long-term goals and keeping track of deadlines. This section allows you to see your entire month at a glance, including important events, milestones, or submission dates.

• What to Include:
  • Major writing milestones (e.g., finish drafting Chapter 5)
  • Deadlines for submissions, revisions, or editing
  • Special events (book launches, writing workshops, etc.)

Weekly Planner

A weekly planner breaks down your goals into manageable chunks. This is where you'll schedule your daily writing sessions, set weekly goals, and track your writing hours.

• What to Include:
  • Daily writing goals (e.g., word count targets, chapters to complete)
  • Time blocks for writing sessions
  • Notes section for any additional tasks or ideas that come up during the week

Daily Pages

For those who prefer a more detailed approach, daily pages provide a space for in-depth planning. Each day can have its own section where you can plan your tasks, reflect on your writing, and track your mood or creative flow.

• What to Include:
  • Date and day of the week
  • Writing goals (e.g., word count, specific scenes to work on)
  • A gratitude or reflection section (to enhance creative motivation)
  • Mood tracker (for understanding your creative ebbs and flows)

Project Pages

If you're working on a specific writing project, you might want dedicated project pages that allow you to track the progress of individual manuscripts or ideas.

• What to Include:
  • Project goals (e.g., book length, number of chapters)
  • Outline or plot structure
  • Key themes, character arcs, or research notes
  • Word count tracker (daily, weekly, or project-wide)

Incorporating Aesthetic Elements

Now that you have a functional framework, it's time to add the aesthetic elements that will make you fall in love with using your planner. Aesthetics are not just about making something look beautiful; they also enhance the emotional connection you have with the tool, making it a joy to use.

1. Color Scheme

The color scheme of your planner sets the tone for your creative experience. Choose colors that inspire and calm you, as these will be the background for your writing journey.

• Bold and energetic: Bright colors like yellow, orange, or red can be motivating and energizing.
• Calming and focused: Pastels, soft blues, greens, or neutrals help you stay relaxed and focused.
• Minimalist elegance: Black and white or monochromatic designs are sleek and sophisticated, ideal for writers who appreciate simplicity.

2. Fonts and Typography

Typography should be legible but also reflective of your personal style. Choose fonts that make your planner feel unique, but also easy to read.

• Handwritten fonts: Give a personal, artistic touch to your planner, perfect for authors who value creative expression.
• Serif fonts: Elegant and classic, they lend a sense of professionalism to your planner.
• Sans-serif fonts: Modern and clean, these fonts make your planner feel fresh and organized.

You may want to use a combination of fonts---one for headings and another for body text---to create visual hierarchy.

3. Visual Elements

Incorporating visual elements like illustrations, icons, or inspirational quotes can elevate the aesthetic of your planner.

• Illustrations: Subtle line drawings, watercolor designs, or botanical prints can add charm without overwhelming the page.
• Icons: Use small icons to represent tasks or goals, such as a pencil for writing, a checkmark for completed tasks, or a cup of coffee for writing breaks.
• Quotes: Include motivating quotes from your favorite authors or literary figures to inspire you as you write.

4. Page Borders and Spacing

A well-spaced planner with clean borders will give it an elegant and professional feel. Consider leaving space for annotations or extra notes, so you don't feel cramped while writing.

• Borders: Decorative borders can enhance the look of each page while keeping your planner visually organized.
• Spacing: Ample space between tasks, sections, and notes prevents the planner from feeling too crowded and helps keep your mind clear and focused.

Additional Features

As an author, your planner needs more than just writing goals. You can add extra features that align with your creative needs.

1. Idea Journal

An idea journal section allows you to jot down fleeting thoughts, character sketches, plot twists, or storylines that come to you throughout the day. Keep it separate from your daily or weekly planner to avoid clutter.

2. Book Tracker

A book tracker helps you monitor your reading habits and reading goals. You might want to track books that inspire your writing, books in your genre, or simply books you enjoy.

3. Writing Milestone Tracker

Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. A milestone tracker can track word count goals, chapter completions, or drafts you've completed. This helps you feel accomplished as you progress.

4. Publishing Checklist

If you plan to publish your work, include a publishing checklist that outlines all the necessary steps, such as researching agents, submitting manuscripts, or preparing for self-publishing.

Digital vs. Physical Planners

You have two options when it comes to creating your planner: a digital version or a physical one. Each has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best fits your preferences.

Physical Planner

A physical planner allows you to write by hand, which some authors find helps with creativity and focus. Plus, there's something satisfying about physically checking off completed tasks.

• Pros: Tangible, customizable, helps with focus.
• Cons: Can be bulkier to carry around, limited to the size and layout of your planner.

Digital Planner

A digital planner is portable and easy to edit, especially for those who use a tablet or smartphone. You can easily update sections, add multimedia (images, links, etc.), and sync it across devices.

• Pros: Easy to carry, editable, accessible across devices.
• Cons: Can be distracting if you're prone to notifications, less tangible.

You can also combine both methods, using a digital planner for organization and a physical one for writing inspiration and brainstorming.

Final Thoughts

Creating an aesthetic author planner is about more than just making something pretty---it's about designing a tool that fits your unique writing process and motivates you every day. By combining functionality with creativity, you can craft a planner that helps you stay on track, achieve your goals, and get the most out of your writing journey. Whether you choose a digital or physical planner, make sure it reflects who you are as a writer and serves as an inspiring companion for your literary adventures. Happy writing!

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