How do you organize your thoughts? - Writers Forum

blondinkaya · 01-18-2006, 01:36 PM

Okay, so I was struck with an idea for a story a few days ago and have decided to try my hand at getting it out onto paper. I pulled out a notebook and started jotting down ideas, characters, background info, etc. (I'd use a computer, but I homeschool my oldest and chase around my toddler--I don't have the ability to sit and type for more than a few minutes at a time). Since I started scribbling, I've filled 25 pages. Everything's so scattered, though, and I'm afraid I'm going to lose details, change things, or repeat myself. I'm too afraid to just start writing right now because I know I'd have some serious gaps in my work.

How do you get organized? This is something I don't want to get hung up on, but I'm not able to deal with all the ... randomness.

What works for you?

TIA!

Lorlie · 01-18-2006, 02:19 PM

You sound like you have your hands full, and even when time is handed to us there is always a million more things that NEED doing!
For me I could not live without my computer.
But back in the stone age before I got it I used note books.
Each book would have a title, Names and plots, dates etc.
Don't think I am explaining this too well.
OK. For example: Joe is 33, he was born on 1st April 1968. His mothers name is Elaine, she died when he was six, it was on the 24th of July 1974. Then his school, his friends etc. That book becomes Joes character book.
Anything of any relevance directly to him I would put in there.
On my computer I have folders set up for my book, a folder for each person of importance, then there is one for Ideas, and one for things I think of in the dark of night that have no place to go just yet.
I still have notebooks from before that I go back to and take info from, little things that I feel may make my current work better or more interesting. If it doesnt work I just take it back out again.

I also keep a journal, it is full of random ramblings, but there are days when One thing in it will make sense and set me off on a new idea.
I hope this is of some help, I have just read it back, I sound like a dithering Loony who needs special care. LOL.
Anyway best of luck.

Lorlie

woodcut.evolution · 01-19-2006, 04:22 AM

I orginize things using the computer. I can't stand using paper for more then making quick notes when I'm away from a computer (which is almost never). I write out things in bullet points, similarly to Lorlie's example. I also make prose descriptions when I feel it necessary. I keep all my notes in either one file, or if multiple files in the same folder (and don't forget to back them up). How you get orginized really depends on what works best for you. I am extremely anal about orginizing every little thing, you may not be.

I think your problem is that you have no time to get orginized, as you clearly stated. I know that often several parents get together to homeschool their children, if this is the case with you you could ask another parent to keep track of your kids for some time each day so you could transcribe your notes. Or, since you are home schooling I assume that there is someone providing a household income. You could ask them to take time after they come home from work to watch the children while you work. If all else fails you could always hire a babysitter to watch your children while you work on your writing.

Avarice · 01-19-2006, 05:57 AM

well call me old fashioned but i like to put all of my thoughts into the one place [ camps if you will] and give them a chatty slogan, something inspiring like... lets say Arbeit Macht Frei, and then just let them go to work...

strange though, I saw a guy on the tv that done the same thing.

Yes yes i'm bracing for you all to scream "thats not funny, hes a racist!! kill him in the name of freedom!" but i have bigger problems, i'm out of chocolate and theres naught but milk in the house and i'm not a mormon damn it.

Dresdor · 01-19-2006, 06:52 AM

I tend to organize things in my head. I certainly loose small details and such, but the basis of my characters and plot are always there, in fact since I strive to have my characters create the plot through their interaction rather than force a different one on them, I can remember it all a lot easier.

That said, I go very in-depth with my characters in my own head. I create them, and make them real enough that they have their voice. I know what they would do, why they do it, and when, and that helps the story in both creating it initially and recreating it later on the page.

bob rulz · 01-20-2006, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avarice

but i have bigger problems, i'm out of chocolate and theres naught but milk in the house and i'm not a mormon damn it.

Huh? That made no sense! I grew up in a Mormon family and I've never heard jokes aobut them loving milk...and trust me, I've heard all the jokes.

Anyway...that's off the point.

Personally, I organize most of my thoughts in my mind. I believe that I'm incredibly good at doing that. Sometimes I'll get on the computer (can't stand writing) and type up a quick biography of a character or information on the planets, locations, and historical events that I make up (I mostly write science fiction), but for the most part I remember almost everything that I think of in my head. That's just me though, and I know that not everybody (hell, most people) can do that.

Superlagg · 01-20-2006, 02:06 AM

I organize my thoughts of my story in the order of when I think of them and implementation ability. I dont think I could give an accurate enough discription of any one character, and I surely cant make a very good summary of it at all, since with my order of thought makes for a winding yet enjoyable path. I have all the facts and info on everything related to and involving my story from how a furry works to why they are there, from how it all began to how it is behind the scenes, I keep everything of my story in my mind so I can change it later to make it better. So far it has worked.

Nickie · 01-20-2006, 02:21 AM

Just like Dresdor, my brain is my biggest organiser. I am a very busy person (working a full time job as a teacher, doing the housekeeping, starting up my own small business and trying to be a writer) but I can keep all of these things seperated and I always know what needs to be done.

But it is very important that you take off some time for yourself. I have developed ways to speed up the housework, to create time for writing. I am also a fast worker, once I start a task it gets done in no matter of time.

Can you not arrange with your husband/partner that he will be responsible for the kids for some time, each day? Then you could have time to write down your thoughts and get started on your novel.

Nickie

SxThorntonxS · 01-20-2006, 02:44 AM

Is it wrong that i dont really do much organizing at all? Actually, what i have been doing lately is that i start with the basic idea and then think of all the things i know i want to happen in the story. I love doing this Excel. From there i just put then in order of how they happen. Move things around about 100 times and then add details as i go. This is also good if i have say a great idea for one part, instead of working my way to that point i just add it to that section. I dont know what else i do, i just do it.

bob rulz · 01-21-2006, 02:31 AM

Putting those thoughts onto Excel is organizing.

character1_Caitlin · 01-21-2006, 12:02 PM

I use notepad on the computer for facts I need to know, timeline
other character notes and things I want to cover in a part.
The note pad is a list basically of things I covered or want to cover.
Not that I have been doing this for ages but everything needs a plan so I figured a story does to.

blondinkaya · 01-23-2006, 09:59 AM

Thank you so much for responding.

As for letting my hubby watch the kids ... he's military and works really odd hours, not to mention he often goes off and yonder frequently. When he's not at his "day job" with the government, he's working as a sheriff's deputy. We both see my stay-at-home status as my job. I know it's really old fashioned, but that's the decision we made when I decided to quit working in order to be home with the kids and homeschool.

I don't think I could keep everything in my head, let alone organize it. I definitely envy those who can. I'm in the extremely early stages of plotting my story sequence as well as developing characters, and ideas pop into my mind randomly.

I'm thinking of using index cards (one card for each idea, action, character, etc) and carrying them around in a recipe box. I'll try this for a while and see how it goes. If it doesn't work out, I might snag my hubby's pda and use Excel.

Thanks again,
Chris

character1_Caitlin · 01-23-2006, 10:25 AM

Recipe Cards , now there's an idea. I am still getting to know my characters but have an idea of how I want them to be.

I should write down their profiles I have on a recipe card for each one. That way I dont have to flip back and forth to notepad.

I am glad you mentioned that. Thanks

SxThorntonxS · 01-23-2006, 01:44 PM

Yes it is organizing. But ive done it twice.

edf · 01-24-2006, 11:09 AM

Actually, for me, I keep all my notes in a notebook AND DO NOT TEAR OUT THE PAGES!!! For me that works... I keep info on the characters, outlines, written drafts of the sotry, plot lines and all that on paper. Now, as long as I don't rip any pages out, i wont loose anything. I personally cannot start out on the computer, only use the computer to write out drafts/final product.

The one and only thing I did actually loose was a written draft on the comp... i made the mistake of writing that at work on a different comp, and when i quit the job, i didn't transfer it on a disk. So if you do use a computer, don't be an idiot like me and not have a backup on a disk. ( Good thing is, I still had the hand written outline, so not all was lost)

I am sure you will find a way that works for you. Alot of people shared their ways, and they are all good ways of organizing, you just gotta find what works for you. You will find something that will work with your busy scedule.

*if you decide to use paper, I recomend a tablet that doesn't have easy to rip out pages, and are the notebook type ( ones that have a front and back, spiral binding, not the kind that has the paper connected to a piece of cardboard) they are more durable in my opinion. Best of luck!

edf