All right, what I learned was to use "Style Sheets"--pages on which to keep the spelling of names & ages of characters, where the murder took place, how to spell the name of the planet/town/technology, idioms used, etc. This first one is a very simple one. All are created AS you write, so this is good for pantsters as well as plotters.
The second sheet is a chapter overview--whose POV each chapter is in and the main plot points (a couple of sentences) of each chapter, with scene breaks as necessary.
Next is a project notebook--yes, on paper, in a spiral notebook. This is just for brainstorming and since it's so mobile, you can write down ideas as they come to you. This is not for writing out the scene in detail, but for ideas, like I said. (Ex: A is murdered, but the body is unmarked. B finds a clue. What is that clue? Research ways to murder someone without leaving obvious evidence.) It's not the most creative example, but it's been a long day and it's late and you get the idea. I hope. Used for brainstorming/daydreaming/whatever else you want to call it.
Next is a 3 ring binder for more detailed notes. This is for if you're writing about something you are unfamiliar with (a medical mystery, but you're not a doctor, for example) or if you're writing a series. This is where you will have more detailed descriptions--and pictures if you like--of your characters. This is where you will describe how FTL works or sketch pictures of your space ship or the town or the home of the main character or whatever. This is where you can keep pictures of your location, if applicable. The binder should be divided with the tabbed dividers into your different sections--characters, setting, technology, clothing, language, etc. Any articles that would relate to your work get stored here.
I really found this to be an awesome chat. My muse has been stalled for many weeks with both my original and my fan fic WIP (frankly, I think she's tuckered out from all the activity of moving and end of school and such). When I get some time to drag out my spiral notebook or do some research, I think this will help me to get organized, which will help my story really begin to flow. I've used a shorter version of this before--a time sheet with spelling of names and Irish words/phrases in my Robin Hood BBC "Thieves" series (my OCs were both Irish and would often squabble or curse at each other in Irish, a language I would love to learn but don't know). Also on the notes page would be plot points as I got ideas for them. I really like the idea of the 3 ring binder with all the details, including articles.
The second sheet is a chapter overview--whose POV each chapter is in and the main plot points (a couple of sentences) of each chapter, with scene breaks as necessary.
Next is a project notebook--yes, on paper, in a spiral notebook. This is just for brainstorming and since it's so mobile, you can write down ideas as they come to you. This is not for writing out the scene in detail, but for ideas, like I said. (Ex: A is murdered, but the body is unmarked. B finds a clue. What is that clue? Research ways to murder someone without leaving obvious evidence.) It's not the most creative example, but it's been a long day and it's late and you get the idea. I hope. Used for brainstorming/daydreaming/whatever else you want to call it.
Next is a 3 ring binder for more detailed notes. This is for if you're writing about something you are unfamiliar with (a medical mystery, but you're not a doctor, for example) or if you're writing a series. This is where you will have more detailed descriptions--and pictures if you like--of your characters. This is where you will describe how FTL works or sketch pictures of your space ship or the town or the home of the main character or whatever. This is where you can keep pictures of your location, if applicable. The binder should be divided with the tabbed dividers into your different sections--characters, setting, technology, clothing, language, etc. Any articles that would relate to your work get stored here.
I really found this to be an awesome chat. My muse has been stalled for many weeks with both my original and my fan fic WIP (frankly, I think she's tuckered out from all the activity of moving and end of school and such). When I get some time to drag out my spiral notebook or do some research, I think this will help me to get organized, which will help my story really begin to flow. I've used a shorter version of this before--a time sheet with spelling of names and Irish words/phrases in my Robin Hood BBC "Thieves" series (my OCs were both Irish and would often squabble or curse at each other in Irish, a language I would love to learn but don't know). Also on the notes page would be plot points as I got ideas for them. I really like the idea of the 3 ring binder with all the details, including articles.
Comment