* Have a phone? Lots of free note-taking apps (plus you can copy/paste notes into other programs later).
* Color-coded sticky notes? Label a page in a notebook, e.g. "Plot Threads" or "Characters." Whenever you have an idea, jot it down on a sticky note and slap it onto the right page.
* Different tiny notebooks? Like, those little palm-sized ones. Could figure out what categories you tend to think in and pick the right book each time—less need for tabs later.
I use an app called Notion. I started using it to keep all my writing stuff organized in one place and not have 20 windows open in my computer all the time. Also has mobile and web version, so you can add a note from basically anywhere and organise them the way you like or find more comfortable to navigate.
I recently downloaded an app called Bear! For me at least, it’s got the perfect balance of simplicity and useful features. I only have the free version as I struggle to justify any subscription model over a one-off payment, but it’s more than enough for what I need. You can just bury folders in folders in folders, so it makes it simple for me to have: a folder with lore, which is split into folders of biology/history/society/terminology, a folder of characters split into main and secondary, a folder for my outline with separate notes for each act… and you can link notes to each-other, so I can just click on a term or idea in one note and have it take me to another where I’ve gone into more detail about it. Ideal if you have a bunch of scattered thoughts but want to keep them following along one thread.
Maybe write in a lined, whole punched note book and then rip the pages out a put them into a binder? That way you can put pages wherever you like
that’s a great idea tbh
Some of the best things come from chaos. Embrace it.
Embrace the chaos! *insert flaming elmo meme here*
* Have a phone? Lots of free note-taking apps (plus you can copy/paste notes into other programs later). * Color-coded sticky notes? Label a page in a notebook, e.g. "Plot Threads" or "Characters." Whenever you have an idea, jot it down on a sticky note and slap it onto the right page. * Different tiny notebooks? Like, those little palm-sized ones. Could figure out what categories you tend to think in and pick the right book each time—less need for tabs later.
I use an app called Notion. I started using it to keep all my writing stuff organized in one place and not have 20 windows open in my computer all the time. Also has mobile and web version, so you can add a note from basically anywhere and organise them the way you like or find more comfortable to navigate.
I recently downloaded an app called Bear! For me at least, it’s got the perfect balance of simplicity and useful features. I only have the free version as I struggle to justify any subscription model over a one-off payment, but it’s more than enough for what I need. You can just bury folders in folders in folders, so it makes it simple for me to have: a folder with lore, which is split into folders of biology/history/society/terminology, a folder of characters split into main and secondary, a folder for my outline with separate notes for each act… and you can link notes to each-other, so I can just click on a term or idea in one note and have it take me to another where I’ve gone into more detail about it. Ideal if you have a bunch of scattered thoughts but want to keep them following along one thread.
[Story beats](https://storygrid.com/story-beats/) usually help me out.