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A Notes File is a Useful Thing
Posted by: andychilton
One of the things about noveling, especially noveling in such a short space of time, is that you have to write down a lot of things in a short space of time. But there is a trick which can help you remember what you said.
I usually have two files open at the same time when I'm writing. The novel itself and a 'notes' file. In it, I throw facts and figures in there. Bits and pieces about my characters, their setting and even some history about it too.
It's not a complete mess of facts though, there is some structure to it and it usually goes something like this:
- characters
- name
- age
- physique
- relationships with the others
- setting
- some geography
- important roads and buildings
- any fields or trees around
- streams, rivers, lakes or the sea
- history
- for each character
- for any structures or statues
Of course, you don't need a notes file but a pencil and paper next to your computer is also really handy, even more so for drawing maps.
That's my handy tip for the day. If you have any tips you'd like to share, throw them in the comments :-)
03 Jun 2008 22:41:42
Comments
On 04 Jun 2008 08:11:03 Cassie said:
You know, I SHOULD do this, and I never remember to, maybe I should get it sorted while I am only a few K into the story, lol before I start forgetting the details. Thanks Andy for a good reminder!
On 04 Jun 2008 17:52:24 Jane said:
I have an excel spreadsheet with a different tab for each character, a tab for each major location, a tab for ideas for what can happen later in the story so I can jot them down quickly as I go, and a tab that describes what happens in each scene for quick reference. Although I have to admit - it's not up to date!
On 05 Jun 2008 13:05:11 Silke said:
OneNote is my friend. :)
Evernote is good too, if anyone wants to check out a non MS version.
On 05 Jun 2008 15:06:51 Kerryn said:
And I'm supposed to be the organised one! I have a notebook that I updated when I edit and I use yWriter that has room for this information. I was updating the notebook as I was rewriting before SoCNoC. Now I'm just getting the words down! I've already used: [brother] and [Bixby] instead of the character's proper names because I couldn't remember.
On 08 Jun 2008 10:24:36 Travis Cottreau said:
I couldn't do without this.
Which character went over to the next town? Which one is still sitting there waiting to hear what another character is saying?
Who was lost in the well? Who was kidnapped? Where did they go? What is the name of that town again?
It's easier if you are just using your local town, but it's a lot different if you are making up an entirely new world.
On top of keeping another word processor doc open for notes, I do the geek think and keep track of all kinds of stats on my word count in a spreadsheet.
I have count per day, the required count, the difference (how many over or under I am), my 10 minute counts (I word war with myself) and so on - I did a graph yesterday too - it is awesome.