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
Right now my head feels like it’s about to explode. I just got out of a long design session (almost 45 minutes longer than it was planned for!) and I think I’m on information overload. We’re discussing the creative approach to take for an eLearning course, and there is so much to consider that I feel creatively overwhelmed. It’s not unlike how I feel when I’m working through my writing projects.
I don’t know about other writers, but time can get away from me SO easily. When I’m sitting down to write, one of two things happen–I’m either so far into the zone that I have no concept of how much time has passed, or I space out while trying to figure out a scene or character, and suddenly I have no concept of how much time has passed! When I’m frustrated, time stretches out into infinity, and when I’m really churning out the words, hours go by in a snap.
Lately I’m suffering from PFDD–project focus deficit disorder. Typically, I try to focus on one project at a time; one story, one blog, etc. and then move on to the next once the first is completed. But lately, the ideas are flying at me full throttle and it’s hard for me to decide which one I want to start working on first. The lightbulb isn’t just turning on over my head–I’ve got every lamp in the room on at the moment!
I didn’t make my goal of 1000 words last night.
I always get ideas in the most inconvenient places. I know a lot of writers and other creative types suffer from the same problem–the ideas flow best when you’re not really trying, when you’re occupied with something else, and most likely when it is difficult to record your idea to remember for later.
I have been incredibly lax in writing for a number of reasons over the past few weeks–work has gotten crazy busy on me, I’ve had some more important things to attend to in my personal life, and I’ve been trying to get our apartment organized. The first two have been real motivation killers, but the organization has been boosting my creativity like you wouldn’t believe. I can’t wait to get my office/craft room completely finished (I’m about 50-60% of the way there as of today) so that I can use it, because I’m chomping at the bit to get in there and CREATE.
Firefox has been my favorite browser for years now. I love that it’s open source and I love how customizable it is–I was absolutely hooked when I started loading in great extensions that made Firefox so much more than JUST a web browser.
I realized as I was writing last night that I’m going to have to backtrack a little in my workflow. Normally I will sketch out an outline at the very beginning of a project and stick to it like glue until I get the story completed. I sketched out the outline for my current project over a year ago with lots of details and lots of plot notes, but coming back to it just doesn’t feel right. My characters want to go somewhere else, and so does the plot. So, I’m going to have to go back and re-outline the story. There just isn’t any other way.
Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
The Host: A Novel
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The Buccaneers (Penguin Great Books of the 20th Century)
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