Shelley Munro

I have a workbook called "Work In Progress Notebook" created by Jeannie Ruesch that I use to keep track of my characters. I have downloaded the Microsoft Word version on her website and typed it in, but I like to physicially write it, so I ordered the workbook through Amazon. I loved it so much that I ordered a couple for future WIP's!

Hi Shelley! I'm still on my first WIP, so I don't have as much to keep up with I think what helps me the most is busting out the colored pencils and drawing my characters in a sketchbook I've started specifically for that story. I'm not a great artist; I'm just a visual person and once I put the look on paper I remember more easily. When I get ideas about their bios or personalities (quirks, likes/dislikes, etc...) I can jot it down on the edges of the pictures until I have enough to fill out a complete worksheet.
Good Luck!

Hi Shelley,
Have you seen Victoria Schmidt's Book in a Month binder/tracker? Great place to keep notes, you can download extra forms from the internet yahoo group, and everything is right there if you editor wants you to make major cuts...makes revisions more manageable! I agree with Pixiecat, because I am very visual also. Love having something already color coded and organized, so that when a snippet for another section comes up, I can file it away easily and refer back quickly.

There are also lots of software programs that do something similar. I have one, but still rely on having a binder, especially for frustrating days like today, when I spent most of the day trying to recover from a quarantined virus that somehow left me with filesystem objects infected - grrr!

B

Hi Shelley, if you are on a Mac there is a great program called SuperNotecard from Mindola that I use to organize all the background information and layout the plot lines. I've done a couple of blogs posts using it. Its pretty useful, if you are on a mac that is. lol.

Originally Posted by jenn

I have a workbook called "Work In Progress Notebook" created by Jeannie Ruesch that I use to keep track of my characters. I have downloaded the Microsoft Word version on her website and typed it in, but I like to physicially write it, so I ordered the workbook through Amazon. I loved it so much that I ordered a couple for future WIP's!

Hi Jenn,

I have Jeannie Ruesch's WIP book in digital format. I think I might have been better to buy a hardcover version because I like to flip over pages and look at stuff while I'm writing. It's a bit hard to do that in a digital format. It hasn't replaced my bits of paper as much as I'd liked. I suppose I could print it out...

Originally Posted by Leslie Dow

Hi Shelley, if you are on a Mac there is a great program called SuperNotecard from Mindola that I use to organize all the background information and layout the plot lines. I've done a couple of blogs posts using it. Its pretty useful, if you are on a mac that is. lol.

I love Apple products but, unfortunately, I don't have a Mac.

Originally Posted by Pixiecat

Hi Shelley! I'm still on my first WIP, so I don't have as much to keep up with I think what helps me the most is busting out the colored pencils and drawing my characters in a sketchbook I've started specifically for that story. I'm not a great artist; I'm just a visual person and once I put the look on paper I remember more easily. When I get ideas about their bios or personalities (quirks, likes/dislikes, etc...) I can jot it down on the edges of the pictures until I have enough to fill out a complete worksheet.
Good Luck!

I've started doing a variation of this and jot some of my notes in an exercise book and keep the rest in my head. I've actually done better than I expected remembering things, but when I do my next series, I'm starting my notebook properly! It sounds as if you'd do well doing a picture board thing like Jennie Cruise does. It's late here in New Zealand and the proper name escapes me...

Shelley

Originally Posted by Bibliogal

Hi Shelley,
Have you seen Victoria Schmidt's Book in a Month binder/tracker? Great place to keep notes, you can download extra forms from the internet yahoo group, and everything is right there if you editor wants you to make major cuts...makes revisions more manageable! I agree with Pixiecat, because I am very visual also. Love having something already color coded and organized, so that when a snippet for another section comes up, I can file it away easily and refer back quickly.

There are also lots of software programs that do something similar. I have one, but still rely on having a binder, especially for frustrating days like today, when I spent most of the day trying to recover from a quarantined virus that somehow left me with filesystem objects infected - grrr!

B

Do you have a link? I do have an online one, but it's not working for me in digital format. I'm sorry to hear about your virus. There's nothing more frustrating. Half the time I have no idea where they come from...the viruses that is.

Shelley

Here's the link for Jeannie Ruesch's WIP book. http://www.jeannieruesch.com/mywipnotebook.shtml

[QUOTE=Shelley Munro;bt437]Do you have a link? I do have an online one, but it's not working for me in digital format. I'm sorry to hear about your virus. There's nothing more frustrating. Half the time I have no idea where they come from...the viruses that is.

Shelley[/QUOTE]


[url]http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VBIAMClub/[/url]
You can get the complete program from Amazon, or Borders (sign up for their coupons)
Enjoy!
B

Thanks for the link!

Shelley

I prefer paper to the computer since I don't have to switch between apps or documents when I'm at work. Paper is also more useful if you have to do a map of a room, house, etc.

I keep one or two sheets for the main characters and leave space to add info for other characters as I list them. Very minor characters are listed as they join the cast with their name and any other info that is important about them. Any information about anything that may be of possible use later are included.

One useful thing I put on these sheets before I start the novel is a list of possible character names for minor characters. I try to consider the ethnic or period qualities of those names which fit the novel, and I also make sure they don't start with the same sound or letter as names of my major characters.

A good way to remember how minor characters sound is to "cast" an actor in that role and make a note of that actor. For example, Alice the pushy, motherly waitress is played by Doris Roberts.

If the book is the beginning of a series, I'll take my original notes and put them in some kind of order to make things easier to find, and it will become the basis for the series bible.

Hi Marilynn,

I'll admit I find it easier to refer to paper rather than switch documents all the time. That's a good point about maps and floor plans.
When it comes to names, I can't start writing until I have the perfect name for my characters. I have changed character names at a later time, but it has never felt right. I try not to do that.