Okay, you probably have a problem when writing fiction. Can't remember the eye color of a side character? The name of a small town in your world? Feel like you need a way to keep track of your main characters ark? You probably need writing notes! Today, I'm gonna teach you how to take writing notes like a master.
These notes can store any bit of information you may need, worldbuilding, character info, plot points, funny chapter names, and all your passwords for safekeeping.
When you start taking notes do NOT make the rookie mistake of keeping them all in one place. You want them to spread out. On tons of different documents, and make sure to leave them unnamed. So you know all you have to do is find the right unnamed document if you need info. You can also put them in the work itself, this is nice because if your writing and you have an idea you can just plop it right down in the middle of the work. Don't worry, you'll find it later, I promise! Also, this is really fun to come across when you editing.
Don't limit yourself to one medium. Have some in Google Drive, some on Word, some on WFP, others in email conversations with yourself and friends. Slap the most important stuff on random notes on your phone (remember to keep these unnamed as well) or directly in the middle of a random notebook or journal.
I like to put them on random scraps of paper that happen to be near me. What's great about this is that my parents kindly put them in the trash for easy access.
If you are ever writing and have a difficult time finding something, which is unlikely with our perfect system, instead of going looking for it, just make it up, you can always change it later!
One of the bonuses of the making-it-up-on-the-spot strategy-and-editing-it-later strategy is that this process may create a plot! For example, while editing I discovered my main character's mother has five names. Maybe she's a spy!
Now, when writing, if you come up with a whole new idea, subplot, worldbuilding point, or name, you may be tempted to go put it in the notes. This is not always the best idea, sometimes it is much better to just write it in, planning on editing it so it all makes sense later. If you do this enough the editing process will be a breeze, as you discover the countless plotholes and incongruent ideas that are neither sensical or remembered.
Taking writing notes is about embracing whimsy, not about boring organization or uncreative usefulness.
Best of luck to you! I know you can do it! Grab some paper scraps of paper, year-old WFPs, and get word vomiting!
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PS This was inspired by a joke about D&D so it is not entirly of my own creation
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