paper graffiti

Finding what tools work for you as a writer is kind of like trying to find the perfect bag–it’s going to take a lot of searching, a lot of trial and error, and you may have to settle for something functional rather than flashy.  I’m always on the search for the perfect bag (fine leather goods are one of my vices!), but I have been lucky enough to find one thing that really works for me as a writer.

I am always exploring new software that does everything but write the novel for you; I really like being able to do quick searches of my notes, keep a detailed database of facts and plotlines, and have many digital copies squirreled away in case of file management apocalypse.  But, like many other writers I know, I also have a love affair with the analog tools.  I’ve written about my secret passion for paper before, but I have to say that I love index cards even more than I love my fancy notebooks or my favorite, beat up Dr. Gel pen.

Index cards have been a big hit on the Internet in the past couple years.  The “Hipster PDA” (a stack of cards bound by a binder clip) and its many incarnations are super popular among the organizational crowds, but I’ve never really gotten into using them in that way.  When I’m writing, I use index cards for a number of different things:

1. Quick character reference - When you’re working with a lot of characters, it can be easy to forget exactly who is who.  I try to keep an electronic database that holds all the details, but I also use index cards to capture quick sketches of each character.  I include name, a brief physical description, and any integral plot points they’re involved in.  When I’m writing, it can be distracting to have to stop, switch over to where I’m keeping all my character information, look it up, and then get back to where I was before.  Flipping through index cards is a lot easier and quicker.

2. Plot points - I tend to write in “chunks” that center around a particular plot point.  A lot of the time, I’m not a linear writer…I will get inspired to write a certain bit of the story and I just can’t resist.  I use index cards to help organize my thoughts and get the plot points to flow together.  As with my character cards, I will create a plot card for each plot point that I’m working with.  I keep it brief, make any notes I need to that refer back to my draft (page numbers, characters, questions, etc.) and then I can rearrange them to my heart’s content.  I’m a very visual person so this helps me a lot when I get stuck.

3. Snippets - I have a habit of thinking of almost fully formed “snippets” when I’m doing mindless tasks like driving, cooking, showering, or cleaning.  Lots of the snippets are dialogue, expository “filler” for a scene I’m working on, or even just an idea about the plot or for a future story.  I try to capture them as quickly as possible, so here come the handy index cards again.  If it’s something related to a project I’m working on, I can file it where it needs to go in the story, and if it’s something that I can use for inspiration later, I can tuck it away until it’s needed.  I also use Evernote for this purpose and intend to transfer many of my snippets into the software when I get the chance.  Maybe I’ll even scan them!

Index cards are cheap, easy to use, and they are a universal tool that can be whatever you make of them!  I have taken to punching mine with the 3×5 card setting on my Levenger punch, and then I thread them onto a couple of Levenger Circa discs to keep them all together.  It works like a charm–I even cut out some plastic covers from an old filled up spiral notebook I had in my office.  My notes are protected while they’re rattling around in the bottom of my bag, and they’re easy to take out and reorganize thanks to the Circa discs.

What’s your favorite writing tool?

Word Counts - Today: 7,725 | July: 8,341 | 2008: 12,814

I think it’s great that people can make money from their blogs.  I applaud anyone who is able to take their love of writing and transform it into something lucrative.  It’s not an easy task, nor is it always a fun one, but making a living as a writer–of anything!–is very rewarding.

What I don’t applaud is the “get rich quick”-esque message that seems to be more and more prevalent in the blogosphere, and lately even my specific little corner of it.  I am so sick of hearing about “monetizing blogs” and “affiliate links” and other such things that I could scream, mostly because lately I’m not hearing them out of the mouths of people that I actually consider to be real bloggers.  Making money blogging is great, but I sometimes have a problem with blogging to make money.

Many of the blogs that I have seen lately that are specifically created for the purpose of making money are nothing more than linkbait.  There is no actual content, the content is merely a vehicle for as many links as possible that will gain hits.  In my mind, these so-called “bloggers” are no better than spammers.  Thankfully, they are easy to avoid and easy to spot, but even so they really bother me.

Creating content from scratch is hard.  REALLY HARD.  Being a writer is hard, even when you’re good at it and when you love it.  I almost feel like the linkbait bloggers are spitting in the faces of those of us who write merely for the joy of writing.  I’ve caught more than one of these spammy linkbaiters scraping my blog, which really gets my dander up.  If you can’t be bothered to create real content of your own, keep your grubby thieving hands off of mine!

Like I said, more power to ANYONE who can make even a little bit of money off of their LEGITIMATE blog, thanks to a partnership, ad revenue from high readership, or whatever situation works best for them.  Some of my favorite blogs and bloggers have done very well for themselves in these aspects and I am proud to call myself a reader and a fan.  I would personally love to be a full-time blogger, it sounds like so much fun!  But these other “bloggers” are in another category entirely, and I wish they’d just go away.

Word Counts - Today: 0 | July: 616 | 2008: 5,089