~I always organize my book data (well...normally do), in seperate notebooks. These are some good seperate categories of notebooks to have. Or in the event you do not have enough notebooks, just a large or one, and divide it up. Improvising never hurts, it uses creativity.
~Idea Notebook: This notebook contains chapter ideas, plot ideas, maybe short rough drafts for chapters for even paragraphs. This should also contain a plot-line, so Writer's Block is less likely to happen. Really any ideas you can think of. Nothing hurts.
~Character Layout: This contains all of your main characters 'bio-like' structures. I normally add their name, gender, nickname (if they have one), appearance, basic personality, any sort of illness, importance to story, family members, etc. Also in your character layout you should include what book(s) each are in. Also it never hurts to include less important characters, but you don't have to fill a whole bio out either. Anything relative to characters should go in here.
~Starter Notebook: This should contain a full rough copy of whatever you're writing. This one should be in chronological order. This is also where you should be making your first round of edits, maybe second round as well. Also, if you're just writing it all on the computer, it never hurts to have it on paper as a back-up.
~The Computer or Final Notebook: This will contain your final draft, it should only have very minor edits in it (if its the notebook). Always have a backup. Use your starter notebook as your back-up. Also, if you're using a computer, not only should you save it to the computer itself, but I also recommend saving it onto a flashdrive. Vwala! Three copies of your novel or collection of short-stories or poems or even scripts.
This should all you need to have a good base for your writing. If you feel you need more, feel free to do so, and post on my blog in the "IDEAS" post. That is where you should also go for all your questions or concerns.
~Idea Notebook: This notebook contains chapter ideas, plot ideas, maybe short rough drafts for chapters for even paragraphs. This should also contain a plot-line, so Writer's Block is less likely to happen. Really any ideas you can think of. Nothing hurts.
~Character Layout: This contains all of your main characters 'bio-like' structures. I normally add their name, gender, nickname (if they have one), appearance, basic personality, any sort of illness, importance to story, family members, etc. Also in your character layout you should include what book(s) each are in. Also it never hurts to include less important characters, but you don't have to fill a whole bio out either. Anything relative to characters should go in here.
~Starter Notebook: This should contain a full rough copy of whatever you're writing. This one should be in chronological order. This is also where you should be making your first round of edits, maybe second round as well. Also, if you're just writing it all on the computer, it never hurts to have it on paper as a back-up.
~The Computer or Final Notebook: This will contain your final draft, it should only have very minor edits in it (if its the notebook). Always have a backup. Use your starter notebook as your back-up. Also, if you're using a computer, not only should you save it to the computer itself, but I also recommend saving it onto a flashdrive. Vwala! Three copies of your novel or collection of short-stories or poems or even scripts.
This should all you need to have a good base for your writing. If you feel you need more, feel free to do so, and post on my blog in the "IDEAS" post. That is where you should also go for all your questions or concerns.