Sunday 21 May 2017

Get your desk surface back

If you have a laptop computer that you normally use at a desk with external monitors, you are not alone. One of the problems is that you lose much of your desk surface to cables and the laptop itself.

My setup isn't like that, however.


You can just see my laptop, nestled under the platform my monitors and speakers are sitting atop. It slides in and out of there quite happily whenever I need to disconnect it and take it somewhere with me, but most of the time it sits there happily out of the way, with all the cables safely tucked away too.

Now, there is no shortage of information on the web about how to connect your laptop to dual monitors and how to keep the laptop from sleeping when you close the lid. (Hint: in the Control Panel power settings look for 'change what happens when I close the lid' and buy one of the interfaces pictured below.)




But what you won't find very often is the tutorial for making the desk itself work. Here's all you need to make it happen:
 
Click on the pictures to view these products at Amazon. You'll need four of the pipes and one shelf. All You need to do is place the pipe lengths on your desk where the shelf will go - near the four corners of the shelf - and then just place the shelf on top of them. And that's it.

If you don't like the look of the shiny PVC, you can do what I did and using PVA glue wind some string around the ones at the front (those at the back won't be visible.)



If you want accessible USB ports like I have you can also get one of these:

Simply connect this to one of the laptop's USB ports and then use a strong fixing pad to fix this to the underside of your shelf.




Saturday 6 May 2017

Now there's three of them

It wasn't long ago I was announcing the Very Short Shorts sequel, and today there is a third.

Once again, these are collections of fifty-word stories, ten in each volume. If you're wondering what a fifty-word story can achieve, here's one from the new volume:

Miss Bronte’s outline for a sequel
In joy we married. We honeymooned, drunk on each other. But it all went wrong. Harsh words and insults became punches and kicks. He had so much anger and such strength. I did the only thing I could to save myself. Death finally stilled his rage. Reader, I buried him.




Like the first two volumes, it's a very quick read indeed and priced accordingly. Each of the books costs about a pound, a dollar, a euro - or any local equivalent. It might not fill the theatre interval, but it will cost less.

Use these links to view the book at your local Amazon site in your own currency:

     Very Short Shorts

     Very Short Shorts 2

     Very Short Shorts 3

To view all my books, many of which are available as paperbacks as well as Kindle e-books, visit this link:

     Books by Ray Blake


Saturday 29 April 2017

A book about books

I have just released my new book and it is on a subject close to my heart.


"A Book Club of Your Own" is available now in paperback and Kindle book formats. To quote the back cover blurb:

Raise your reading game now!
If you’re not in a reading group, you can start one today, even if the group is just you.
In this book you will read how to establish your group, countless ideas of books to read, what aspects of the books to consider or discuss and what to move on to next.
You’ll find 40 themed book challenges, like these:
  • Books about popular music
  • Modern prize-winning novels
  • Travel books
  • Single volume fantasy
  • Distant lives
  • Inspired by classics
Here is all you’ll need to get started straight away, whether it is just you or you have a group of friends joining you.
Read more. Reader wider. Read better.

This one really has been a labour of love for me, and I hope you will consider buying it.

Sunday 23 April 2017

Free Midori TN calendar (diary) inserts for 2018: Part 6 - Field Notes size layouts

Today's post contains 2018 versions of my layouts for the popular Field Notes format.

As usual, all are available for download as A4 and Letter paper PDFs. As ever, they are all free for personal use.

Here we go.

1. Week on two pages




The week on two pages layout gives you a straightforward planning view, a week at a time. You'll need two booklets for a full year.


  2018 A4 version: H1  H2

  2018 Letter version: H1  H2

2. Daily log book


The daily log book is ideal for tracking daily activities - exercise, say, or diet - even Pokemon

  2018 A4 version

  2018 Letter version

Special offer

Maybe you prefer not to print your own. I will print and bind a 2018 daily log book for you at a cost of £5, including postage to anywhere in the world. It will have a printed card cover that looks like this:


If you want to take advantage of this offer, email me and we can make arrangements.


What you'll download each time is a file that is ready to print straight away, without any need to use booklet format on your printer. Just print this straight to A4 or Letter paper, with duplex set to flip on the short edge (I'd recommend you print just one or two pages first to make sure your printer deals with this correctly and make adjustments as necessary.)

Once you've printed out the pages, you can bind them into a booklet and cut to size using these instructions:



Remember, though, that for this size you meed to cut down to 90 mm wide rather than 110 mm and you'll have to trim 35 mm from the top and from the bottom as well, leaving you a booklet 140 mm tall. 

Thursday 20 April 2017

Free Midori TN calendar (diary) inserts for 2018: Part 5 - Moleskine large cahier size layouts

Today's post contains 2018 versions of my layouts for the Moleskine Large Cahier format.

As usual, all are available for download as A4 and Letter paper PDFs. As ever, they are all free for personal use.

Here we go.

1. Daily dashboard





The Daily Dashboard gives you a booklet per month and contains a monthly overview followed by a double page spread for each day, letting you organise tasks, appointments and anything else you can imagine.

 2018 A4 version - Jan
 2018 A4 version - Feb
 2018 A4 version - Mar
 2018 A4 version - Apr
 2018 A4 version - May
 2018 A4 version - Jun
 2018 A4 version - Jul
 2018 A4 version - Aug
 2018 A4 version - Sep
 2018 A4 version - Oct
 2018 A4 version - Nov
 2018 A4 version - Dec

 2018 Letter version - Jan
 2018 Letter version - Feb
 2018 Letter version - Mar
 2018 Letter version - Apr
 2018 Letter version - May
 2018 Letter version - Jun
 2018 Letter version - Jul
 2018 Letter version - Aug
 2018 Letter version - Sep
 2018 Letter version - Oct
 2018 Letter version - Nov
 2018 Letter version - Dec


2. Week on two pages




The week on two pages layout gives you a straightforward planning view, a week at a time.


  2018 A4 version: H1  H2

  2018 Letter version: H1  H2


What you'll download each time is a file that is ready to print straight away, without any need to use booklet format on your printer. Just print this straight to A4 or Letter paper, with duplex set to flip on the short edge (I'd recommend you print just one or two pages first to make sure your printer deals with this correctly and make adjustments as necessary.)

Once you've printed out the pages, you can bind them into a booklet and cut to size using these instructions:



Remember, though, that for this size you meed to cut down to 130 mm wide rather than 110 mm.

Thursday 13 April 2017

Free Midori TN calendar (diary) inserts for 2018: Part 4 - Personal size layout

Today I'm updating the week on two pages layout I produced for the Personal size.




You have the choice of downloading this in A4 or Letter format. Either way, you will need both the Half 1 and Half 2 files to make both booklets covering a full year between them.

 2017 A4 version:    H1   H2

 2017 Letter version:    H1   H2

You can get more guidance on booklet making in this video.


Remember that you will need to trim Personal size booklets more narrowly, as well as trimming the top and bottom.

Sunday 9 April 2017

Free Midori TN calendar (diary) inserts for 2018: Part 3 - Monthly and yearly layouts

Following on from the weekly and daily layouts for 2018, today I have the monthly and full year layouts.

As usual, they are all free for personal use.

Here we go.

1. Monthly - month on two pages




Nice and simple, this layout gives you a two pages for each month. A booklet includes two years.


 2018-19 A4 version

 2018-19 Letter version


What you'll download each time is a file that is ready to print straight away, without any need to use booklet format on your printer. Just print this straight to A4 or Letter paper, with duplex set to flip on the short edge (I'd recommend you print just one or two pages first to make sure your printer deals with this correctly and make adjustments as necessary.)

Once you've printed out the pages, you can bind them into a booklet and cut to size using these instructions:



2. Yearly calendar




The yearly calendar will print equally well on A4 or Letter paper. Each version includes two years. Cut each one out and fix to the cover of a booklet for a quick overview of the whole year. There is a choice of colour themes.

 2018 - 2019 Red
 2018 - 2019 Orange
 2018 - 2019 Blue
 2018 - 2019 Purple


 2018 - 2019 Green

Monday 3 April 2017

Free Midori TN calendar (diary) inserts for 2018: Part 2 - Full size daily layouts

Following on from the weekly layouts for 2018, today I have the daily layouts.

As usual, all are available for download as A4 and Letter paper PDFs. As ever, they are all free for personal use.

Here we go.

1. Daily Journal 





Nice and simple, this layout gives you a page per day with two months to each booklet. You will need to make six booklets to cover a whole year.


 2018 A4 version - Jan & Feb
 2018 A4 version - Mar & Apr
 2018 A4 version - May & Jun
 2018 A4 version - Jul & Aug
 2018 A4 version - Sep & Oct
 2018 A4 version - Nov & Dec

 2018 Letter version - Jan & Feb
 2018 Letter version - Mar & Apr
 2018 Letter version - May & Jun
 2018 Letter version - Jul & Aug
 2018 Letter version - Sep & Oct
 2018 Letter version - Nov & Dec

2. Daily dashboard





The Daily Dashboard gives you a booklet per month and contains a monthly overview followed by a double page spread for each day, letting you organise tasks, appointments and anything else you can imagine.

 2018 A4 version - Jan
 2018 A4 version - Feb
 2018 A4 version - Mar
 2018 A4 version - Apr
 2018 A4 version - May
 2018 A4 version - Jun
 2018 A4 version - Jul
 2018 A4 version - Aug
 2018 A4 version - Sep
 2018 A4 version - Oct
 2018 A4 version - Nov
 2018 A4 version - Dec

 2018 Letter version - Jan
 2018 Letter version - Feb
 2018 Letter version - Mar
 2018 Letter version - Apr
 2018 Letter version - May
 2018 Letter version - Jun
 2018 Letter version - Jul
 2018 Letter version - Aug
 2018 Letter version - Sep
 2018 Letter version - Oct
 2018 Letter version - Nov
 2018 Letter version - Dec



What you'll download each time is a file that is ready to print straight away, without any need to use booklet format on your printer. Just print this straight to A4 or Letter paper, with duplex set to flip on the short edge (I'd recommend you print just one or two pages first to make sure your printer deals with this correctly and make adjustments as necessary.)

Once you've printed out the pages, you can bind them into a booklet and cut to size using these instructions:




Thursday 30 March 2017

The return of Very Short Shorts

A few years ago, I published Very Short Shorts for the Kindle. This was a book of ten stories, each of only fifty words. I was surprised by how much you could achieve with such an extreme constraint.

Here is an example:

      Dustmen


  “Why do they always bang the lids so?” asked Amanda, irked at the untimeliness of her awakening.

“They do it for luck,” replied Simon, similarly roused. “I’ll never get back to sleep now,” he added. He was wrong, though. Eventually the gravediggers moved on and silence returned to the crypt.


Recently I found I had some further story ideas and before long I had another ten ready to go. And so Very Short Shorts 2 is now available.



Like the first volume, it's a very quick read indeed and priced accordingly. Each of the books costs about a pound, a dollar, a euro - or any local equivalent. It might not far outlast your cup of tea or coffee, but it will cost less.

Use these links to view the book at your local Amazon site in your own currency:

     Very Short Shorts

     Very Short Shorts 2

To view all my books, many of which are available as paperbacks as well as Kindle e-books, visit this link:

     Books by Ray Blake


Monday 27 March 2017

Free Midori TN calendar (diary) inserts for 2018: Part 1 - Full size weekly layouts

It is nearly that time of the year again, when the ultra-planners start thinking about the next year and getting itchy to commit their plans for it to paper.

In a series of posts I will present the full set of all available layouts in all available sizes. All will be available for download as A4 and Letter paper PDFs. As ever, they are all free for personal use.

We start today with the suite of weekly diaries.

1. Week to view with tasks




With this layout, you have a choice of colours. You will need to make two booklets to cover a whole year. Some people have a different colour for each half.


 2018 A4 version - Blue:    H1   H2
 2018 A4 version - Green:    H1   H2
 2018 A4 version - Orange:    H1   H2
 2018 A4 version - Red:    H1   H2
 2018 A4 version - Purple:    H1   H2

 2018 Letter version - Blue:    H1   H2
 2018 Letter version - Green:    H1   H2
 2018 Letter version - Orange:    H1   H2
 2018 Letter version - Red:    H1   H2
 2018 Letter version - Purple:    H1   H2


2. Week on two pages - purist layout




This layout is for people who want a very traditional layout, dedicating the maximum possible space to each day.

Again, you will need both halves to make up a full year.


 2018 A4 version:    H1   H2
 2018 Letter version:    H1   H2


3. Week to a page - purist layout



Based on the week on two pages purist layout, this places a week on each stage in the same style. The advantage is that a single booklet covers the whole year.

 2018 A4 version
 2018 Letter version


You can get more guidance on booklet making in this video.



Wednesday 22 March 2017

New in paperback: The Pocket Notebook Book

Still available in Kindle format, my new book can now also be bought as a paperback. If you are an Amazon Prime customer you can order today and have it tomorrow.



Here is what it's about:

The pocket notebook revival has begun. Professional men and women, teens, homemakers and hobbyists are all rediscovering the simple but powerful tool that is the pocket notebook. They are learning the many, many small and big ways that those little books could make their lives easier and better.
- Do you own a pocket notebook - or many? - Are you curious as to whether you are making the most of it? - Would you like to see the full range of possibilities that this little book presents?
- Or are you currently a novice notebook user? - Are you interested in learning why you should adopt the notebook habit, what you can achieve and how you might make a start? 
Millions of notebooks are being sold every year now. The industry many wrote off as a dying relic is one of the boom businesses of the twenty-first century. Purchasers are buying their first notebook, often unsure of what to write in it or how to use it for best advantage.  
Whatever type of user you are, whether you are just buying your first pocket notebook or whether you are an experienced user with drawers full of filled books, there is plenty to learn from this book.

This covers all kinds of notebooks - Travellers Notebooks and Filofaxes included. If it sounds like something you'd like to read, you can pick the book up either as a Kindle eBook or as a paperback book.

Click here to view the book at your local Amazon site.  

Friday 17 March 2017

Free 2018 Filofax calendar (diary) downloads part 3: Pocket size

Don't panic. It's not here yet. But 2018 is coming. If you're looking for diary/calendar pages for next year for the Filofax Pocket format, you might want to look at these layouts, which are free to download and print yourself at home.


Although you'll still find the source files on this site to produce your own diary sets for any year (or any shorter period) people seem to like the convenience of downloading full year sets. Here are Pocket sized sets for 2018. I've already posted A4 and A5 sets and Personal sets.


Day per page

Day per page minimalist:   Word file   PDF file

Day on two pages

Original day on two pages:   Word file   PDF file

Two days per page

Two days per page (unruled):   Word file   PDF file
Two days per page (ruled):   Word file   PDF file

Week on two pages

Week on two pages enhanced TM layout:   Word file   PDF file
Week on two pages CC-inspired layout:   Word file   PDF file

Month per page

Original month per page:  Word file   PDF file

Month on two pages

Original month on two pages:   Word file   PDF file



Each file is set up as an A4 document. Print this double-sided. If you have a duplex printer, set it to flip on the short edge. If you don't then you'll have to print odd-numbered pages and then refeed to print the even-numbered pages on the reverse. You might have to experiment to find out how to refeed the paper.

On one side of each sheet you'll find crop marks. Use a craft knife and a steel ruler to release the Pocket pages and punch them. The templates are set up with mirrored gutters to accommodate the holes.

If using the PDF be sure to set it to print at full size as explained here.

Wednesday 15 March 2017

Now available in paperback: Journalling School book

I know that eBooks aren't for everyone. For those of you who have asked for a way to get an actual printed copy instead (and you know who you are) I'm pleased to announce the availability of Journalling School as a paperback alongside the established Kindle version.


To check on the price or buy the book in your local currency, click here

Monday 13 March 2017

Free 2018 Filofax calendar (diary) downloads part 2: Personal size

2018 is coming. Depending on how far ahead you like to plan, it will soon be time to set up your new diary pages. If you plan in Filofax Personal format, you might want to look at these layouts, which are free to download and print yourself at home.


Although you'll still find the source files on this site to produce your own diary sets for any year (or any shorter period) people seem to like the convenience of downloading full year sets. Here are Personal sized sets for 2018. I've already posted A4 and A5 sets and Pocket sets will follow.

Printing on A4 or Letter paper

Day per page

Original day per page:   Word file   PDF file     (Letter versions:    Word file    PDF file)
Day per page minimalist:   Word file   PDF file      (Letter versions:    Word file    PDF file)

Day on two pages

Original day on two pages:   Word file   PDF file     (Letter versions:    Word file    PDF file)

Two days per page

Two days per page (ruled):   Word file   PDF file     (Letter versions:    Word file    PDF file)
Two days per page (unruled):   Word file   PDF file     (Letter versions:    Word file    PDF file)

Week per page

Original week per page:   Word file   PDF file

Week on two pages

Week on two pages enhanced TM layout:   Word file   PDF file     (Letter versions:    Word file    PDF file)
Week on two pages CC-inspired layout:   Word file   PDF file     (Letter versions:    Word file    PDF file)
Week on two pages vertical layout:   Word file   PDF file     (Letter versions:    Word file    PDF file)
Week on two pages landscape layout:   Word file   PDF file     (Letter versions:    Word file    PDF file)

Month per page

Original month per page:  Word file   PDF file

Month on two pages

Original month on two pages:   Word file   PDF file 

Year planner

Fold out (Z fold) year planner:   Word file   PDF file   


Each file is set up as an A4 document. Print this double-sided. If you have a duplex printer, set it to flip on the short edge. If you don't then you'll have to print odd-numbered pages and then refeed to print the even-numbered pages on the reverse. You might have to experiment to find out how to refeed the paper.

On one side of each sheet you'll find crop marks. Use a craft knife and a steel ruler to release the Personal pages and punch them. The templates are set up with mirrored gutters to accommodate the holes.

If using the PDF be sure to set it to print at full size as explained here.


Printing on Filofax Personal blank paper

If you have a printer that can print directly onto blank Filofax paper, you might prefer to download from the following selection. These are set up to print two-sided and you're likely to have to print even pages first, then restack in the printer tray to print the even pages.

Original day per page:   Word file   PDF file
Original week per page:   Word file   PDF file
Week on two pages CC layout:   Word file   PDF file
Week on two pages vertical layout:   Word file   PDF file
Original month per page:  Word file   PDF file
Month per page with notes:  Word file   PDF file
Original month on two pages:   Word file   PDF file
Month on two pages with notes:   Word file   PDF file

Friday 10 March 2017

Free 2018 Filofax calendar (diary) downloads part 1: A4 and A5 size

Don't panic; the year is not almost over. But I am aware that some folk like to plan way ahead. If you are one of those people and you use an A4 or A5 format, you might want to look at these diary/calendar layouts, which are free to download and print yourself at home. These are the result of a collaboration between me and Steve Morton of Philofaxy and you can find the files there also.

But you don't need to have a Filofax or any other organiser to make use of these. A4 and A5 binders are widely available and there's no reason why you can't combine one of those with these pages and have a complete DIY solution.


Although you'll still find the source files on this site to produce your own diary sets for any year (or any shorter period) people seem to like the convenience of downloading full year sets. Here are A4 or A5 sets for 2018. Pocket and Personal sets will follow.

Day per page

Original day per page:   Word file   PDF file
Day per page minimalist (narrow ruled):   Word file   PDF file
Day per page minimalist (wide ruled):   Word file   PDF file

Day on two pages

Original day on two pages:   Word file   PDF file
Daily Dashboard:   Word File   PDF file

Two days per page

Two days per page (ruled):   Word file   PDF file
Two days per page (unruled):   Word file   PDF file

Week per page

Original week per page:   Word file   PDF file
Week per page with tasks:   Word file   PDF file
Week per page CC-inspired:   Word file   PDF file

Week on two pages

Week on two pages enhanced TM layout (4 line ruling):   Word file   PDF file
Week on two pages enhanced TM layout (5 line ruling):   Word file   PDF file
Week on two pages journal layout (ruled):   Word file   PDF file
Week on two pages journal layout (unruled):   Word file   PDF file
Week on two pages new TM/journal layout (4 line ruling):   Word file   PDF file
Week on two pages new TM/journal layout (5 line ruling):   Word file   PDF file
Week on two pages CC-inspired layout:   Word file   PDF file
Week on two pages vertical layout:   Word file   PDF file
Week on two pages minimalist vertical layout:   Word file  PDF file

Month per page

Original month per page:   Word file   PDF file
Month per page with notes:   Word file   PDF file

Month on two pages

Original month on two pages:   Word file   PDF file
Month on two pages with notes:   Word file   PDF file

Year planner

Original year planner:   Word file   PDF file
A5 Z-fold year planner:   Word file   PDF file


Each version is set up as an A4 document. To use them as A5 inserts, print the document in booklet mode on A4 paper, then use a guillotine to divide each sheet into two and punch the required holes, which the templates are set up with mirrored gutters to accommodate. Or, if you have A5 paper, then either the printer or the PC will scale it to size for you.

Thursday 9 March 2017

My Pocket Notebooks Basics series

Hopefully you have enjoyed at least some of the video series I have recently been posting. It was full of little tricks and tips to help you get more out of your pocket notebook.

In case you need to catch up I have linked all seven videos here in one place.

If you access to more tips like this, or if you want a general grounding in all aspects of using a notebook, then please consider buying my Amazon book. To see it at your local Amazon site in your own currency click here.

If you don't have a Kindle, you can get a fee Kindle app for your smartphone or tablet. Details can be found here.

But for now, here are the seven videos that make up the series.










Monday 6 March 2017

Pocket Notebook Basics - episode 7

To publicise and supplement my new Kindle book, The Pocket Notebook Book, I am making a series of videos, each illustrating a particular tip and expanding on ideas in the book.

The final episode, number 7, is now available to watch. This one is about using your notebook to support your personal development.


Wednesday 1 March 2017

Pocket Notebook Basics - episode 6

To publicise and supplement my new Kindle book, The Pocket Notebook Book, I am making a series of videos, each illustrating a particular tip and expanding on ideas in the book.

Episode 6 is now available to watch. This one is about using your notebook to record your internet log ins and passwords (without compromising your security.)


Wednesday 22 February 2017

Pocket Notebook Basics - episode 5

To publicise and supplement my new Kindle book, The Pocket Notebook Book, I am making a series of videos, each illustrating a particular tip and expanding on ideas in the book.

Episode 5 is now available to watch. This one is about using your notebook to solve problems.



Monday 20 February 2017

Something different ... punctuation

Had I known exactly how much work this was going to involve I might not have started the project. I'm glad I did, though, because I'm really happy with the final product.

So if you can spare just under five minutes, have a look at something a little different from my normal output.


Friday 17 February 2017

Pocket Notebook Basics - episode 4

To publicise and supplement my new Kindle book, The Pocket Notebook Book, I am making a series of videos, each illustrating a particular tip and expanding on ideas in the book.

Episode 4 is now available to watch. This one is about categorising your notebook content as you go along.


Saturday 11 February 2017

Pocket Notebook Basics - episode 3

To publicise and supplement my new Kindle book, The Pocket Notebook Book, I am making a series of videos, each illustrating a particular tip and expanding on ideas in the book.

Episode 3 is now available to watch. This one is about indexing your notebook content.


Monday 6 February 2017

Pocket Notebook Basics - episode 2

To publicise and supplement my new Kindle book, The Pocket Notebook Book, I am making a series of videos, each illustrating a particular tip and expanding on ideas in the book.

Episode 2 is now available to watch.


Wednesday 1 February 2017

New video series - Pocket Notebook Basics

To publicise my new Kindle book, The Pocket Notebook Book, I am making a series of videos, each illustrating a particular tip and expanding on ideas in the book.

You can see the first episode here.



Friday 13 January 2017

My new book - available today

I've been working on this one for a while and I'm delighted that it is available from today at the Amazon Kindle store.


Here is what you can expect to read about:

The pocket notebook revival has begun. Professional men and women, teens, homemakers and hobbyists are all rediscovering the simple but powerful tool that is the pocket notebook. They are learning the many, many small and big ways that those little books could make their lives easier and better. 
- Do you own a pocket notebook - or many?
- Are you curious as to whether you are making the most of it?
- Would you like to see the full range of possibilities that this little book presents? 
- Or are you currently a novice notebook user?
- Are you interested in learning why you should adopt the notebook habit, what you can achieve and how you might make a start? 
Millions of notebooks are being sold every year now. The industry many wrote off as a dying relic is one of the boom businesses of the twenty-first century. Purchasers are buying their first notebook, often unsure of what to write in it or how to use it for best advantage.

Whatever type of user you are, whether you are just buying your first pocket notebook or whether you are an experienced user with drawers full of filled books, there is plenty to learn from this book. 

The book is available for a reasonable price. To see it at your local Amazon site in your own currency click here.

If you don't have a Kindle, you can get a fee Kindle app for your smartphone or tablet. Details can be found here.

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