Storing and Organizing Content - Writers Forum

AllenM · 03-10-2006, 09:04 AM

What do you guys do when it comes to keeping notes. Not just things that will go into the story, but you know...the whole universe, backgrounds and explanations, stuff that doesnt turn up in the story etc.

I feel the way I write my stuff around and keep it together is to sloppy.

Stewart · 03-10-2006, 11:42 AM

I use paper. I don't tend to keep notes on the universe as I can Google for them, should I ever need to know anything.

aliceedelweiss · 03-10-2006, 11:49 AM

I tend to not keep notes on the things that won't go into the story, I don't know why. You always read about outlines and how people set up character charts even about the stuff they won't need so they can know there character really well. I've never done that I just pretend they're a real person and put them in a situation and know how they'll react. as for notes and such I keep random papers >< I have outlines on my computer and some in note books and some just lying on my desk so I guess I'm rather unorganized too...

AllenM · 03-10-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

I use paper. I don't tend to keep notes on the universe as I can Google for them, should I ever need to know anything.

Your story universe knuckle head.

This question is directed towards people who have written their own universe of story. Harry Potter, Lord Of The Rings, Chronicles Of Narnia, The Matrix, etc etc. People who have developed a huge HUGE amount of details.

aliceedelweiss · 03-10-2006, 01:55 PM

oh well in that case I enver write huge huge amount of details ^^' but if i were to, I'd probably take a bunch of notes on the computer. There was some program I got for free off downloads.com that was really good for this kind of orrganizing but I can't remember what it was called and I don't have it anymore...I can try and find it if you want?
Alice

kalibantre · 03-10-2006, 01:55 PM

Erm for short stories it's just in my notebook. But for my novel I have one book devoted to it all. I move all ideas for it from other places into that one book.

Stewart · 03-10-2006, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllenM

Your story universe knuckle head.

I know what was meant. I just use the universe we have.

ravravrav · 03-10-2006, 04:11 PM

I made my program FilmFilerPlay where I save information my characters, plots and locations and FilmFilerStory (check out http://filmfiler.com/blog/nfblog/free-writing-software/) to store notes on different subjects. And also nothing beats good old pen&paper, or the modern equivalent - anything word processor.

Verago · 03-10-2006, 06:21 PM

I have numerous volumes of files in my laptop relating to different areas of the World...It's a lot like an encyclopedia.

AshBeanNun · 03-10-2006, 07:01 PM

I have a folder with me at all times, which has all my story information, written segments of the story, maps, and so on in it. I just use sheets of paper and write on them each day until they're full, and number them (started that up because the notebook I had ran out of pages...).

I also have a couple sheets of paper with random words on them in columns--anything I think of during class, or anything I find interesting or inspirational, is jotted down on those pages so I can refer back to the ideas if needed.

Having one place to put things is very handy, and the best part is I can take the folder with me wherever I go. Unlike technology, it doesn't require batteries...only a writing implement and blank pieces of paper. The stuff I do have on the computer I usually print out.

addix · 03-12-2006, 04:14 PM

I'm rather unorganized myself

I use copybooks, sheets of paper and the computer. Actually, what I'm doing these days is I write the fresh stuff on paper (I got a notebook in which I insert the occasional sheets I use when I forget the notebook) and I type it when I feel I have a fair amount of material. For all that concerns the universe, I put notes in the margins of the sheet whenever I'm introducing something new in the storytelling. I'll type these notes in a seperated text file which is roughly organized like this: characters and places.
Also, when I feel I have to deepen certain aspects more, I take some time to develop and write down the fluff that intervenes in the story, and now it often turns out quite encyclopedic and O miracle! organized (or sort of)

Linda Adams · 03-12-2006, 05:49 PM

I keep very little of any kind of notes. If it doesn't go in the book, I don't want to spend any time with it. In fact, the most I keep will probably be a list of character names, which won't be needed once I really get into the story.

character1_Caitlin · 03-12-2006, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllenM

What do you guys do when it comes to keeping notes. Not just things that will go into the story, but you know...the whole universe, backgrounds and explanations, stuff that doesnt turn up in the story etc.

I feel the way I write my stuff around and keep it together is to sloppy.

Well dont spend more then 6 days creating your universe and be sure to rest on the seventh day.

Im sorry I am in a bit of a silly mood right now.

RebelGoddess · 03-13-2006, 12:19 AM

I have this fabulous little green notebook.

I bought it way back in 7th grade and ended up using about 10 sheets from it then casting it aside (oddly enough, I wrote a story on those sheets!).

I started using it roughly 2 years ago and now it goes everywhere with me so when an Idea strikes me I can write it down. It's actually getting filled, only about 15-20 pages left, so I bought a new, nice one with a nnice leather cover that can has replaceable notebook inserts.

But basically I tend to jumble everything in one notebook (or series of notebooks) for each book I write.

I also have a few files on my laptop called "outline" and "possible story ideas" and such because every once and a while I find it more ocnvenient to type than hand write.

Racheal

Rory · 03-13-2006, 12:34 AM

I carry folders with me to school, and a small notebook everywhere with me in my pocket; an idea hits me, I write it down. I don't want to risk forgetting it, even if it's not that great. I may be able to salvage something from it at a later date.

But for my seperate larger works, I keep a seperate folder for each one, as well as files on the computer for each novel. And I back those files up on cd-rw since I'm so paranoid of a computer crash. I'm an organizational freak.