All authors have methods for tracking their ideas--napkins, notebooks, software, smartphone apps, even just their brains.
I am a notebooker. I'm a big proponent of pocket-sized notebooks, though I've never actually carried one in my pocket. (#women'spantsFTW)
My Writing-for-Children professor at BYU wisely advised me to start every notebook with a few blank pages for a Table of Contents, which I can then fill in as I go. Makes notes much easier to find.
I love these notebooks because whenever I have a thought, I can jot it down--I never have to worry about forgetting it later. And, when I'm really bored, I can draw up the blueprints of my male lead's house from THE PAPER MAGICIAN in there. True story.
How do you record your thoughts and ideas?
I am a notebooker. I'm a big proponent of pocket-sized notebooks, though I've never actually carried one in my pocket. (#women'spantsFTW)
My Writing-for-Children professor at BYU wisely advised me to start every notebook with a few blank pages for a Table of Contents, which I can then fill in as I go. Makes notes much easier to find.
I love these notebooks because whenever I have a thought, I can jot it down--I never have to worry about forgetting it later. And, when I'm really bored, I can draw up the blueprints of my male lead's house from THE PAPER MAGICIAN in there. True story.
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| My architectural skills are weak at best. |
How do you record your thoughts and ideas?
Blog... (:
ReplyDeleteI'd never thought of the table of contents idea. That is the new greatest thing in my life. Not for novels, exactly, but my master's thesis thanks you for passing along the idea.
ReplyDeleteI love notebooks. I have several of them and they are so helpful when those moments of inspiration hit.
ReplyDeleteI used to use tiny notebooks--now I use Google Docs and Wikidpad. I can use Google Docs on my phone, which gives me that nice mobility thing without having to keep track of two extra items all the time.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of notebooks! I have larger ones in my purse and computer bag but I have also had many pocket sized ones. You never know what you might need to write something down.
ReplyDeleteI don't use notebooks much. But I have a word document where I keep notes on the manuscript I'm working on. And I outline in a word document as I go.
ReplyDeleteI love, love, LOVE notebooks! It's bordering ridiculous. I need to get better at recording my book ideas in them, but I love them just the same!
ReplyDeleteNotebooks are the best idea. However, I, of course, must choose the road others may wisely question. Post it notes. Me and Stickies go way back. I'm winking at my schedule on a green post it note right now. And yes, I have a few story ideas jotted on post it notes. Looking at them every now and them triggers the brain into idea-building-mode.
ReplyDeleteEventually, they are transferred to my laptop. But until then, I embrace the rainbow of post its.
I have a couple notebooks, but I mostly use word documents. Most of my flash fiction doesn't even need notes.
ReplyDeleteI loooooove notebooks. Always have! I'm such a paper person. :D
ReplyDeleteWow. The table of contents struck me as incredibly brilliant.
ReplyDeleteAs it is, I just write stuff on scraps of paper until I then transfer it to my laptop, but then I just have a bunch of random files floating around in my writing ideas folder that I very seldom check. Plus, I don't get to do cool architectural drawings b/c laptops aren't really all that good for that sort of thing.