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  How do you remember what you've written?

  Hello! I have a problem remembering what i've written. Does anyone have any tips or web sites? I've googled it and can't find anything, and i'd really like to refrain from buying a book on it right now. Also, i add information in to quickly, and the reader is over whelmed with information, does anyone have any advice for spacing out info, instead of dropping a bomb of knowledge at once? I hope that makes sense. O! One more thing! What do would you recomend writing on? The computer or a notebook? I know Jk rowling used notebooks.
  Thank you

  Gage S started this discussion 1 month ago (edited). ( reply )

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  Tina F 

  I might help if you write an outline of your story and characters. What are their likes and dislikes? What do they look like? (so you don't change eye or hair color mid-stream), their educational background, how old they are, what makes them tick. What do they want in life? Write a bit about each main character and some secondary characters as well. Keep these notes handy so you can refer to them if need be, while you write.

  As far as information, only feed in what is neccessary for the reader to know at that particular point in the story. Don't dump too much on them at once. Weave it in a little at a time, along with the action. Giving too much info up front can slow the action and stall your pacing. A good way to divulge information is with character dialogue. Dialogue is also showing, rather than telling.

  I'm not sure if this answers your questions.

  posted 1 month ago. ( reply )

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  Gage S 

  Thank you, that answers alot actually.

  posted 4 weeks ago. ( reply )

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  Stacy-Deanne (edited)

  Hi Gage,

  You wrote:
  "Also, i add information in to quickly, and the reader is over whelmed with information, does anyone have any advice for spacing out info, instead of dropping a bomb of knowledge at once?"

  You might not like this answer but this is one of those things all of us writers have to learn and recognize how to do cleverly on our own. There are certain things that writers have to figure out. These are the harder things when you start out but this is what trains you and makes it easier for you to recognize down the road.

  But I got some suggestions that I hope will help:

  If you keep forgetting what you are writing down the line, then you will be able to correct this while editing and revising. This is why during editing you must pay extra attention while reading over the work. While revising, take notes of things you feel you're getting mixed up on such as clues, hints, etc. I don't know what you write but in fiction, especially mysteries it's very important to make sure you REMEMBER what you've presented to readers. This can be aided, like I said while editing.

  Also you are referring to "info dumping". There is a trick to info dumping. If it must be done you must do it in a clever way and mainly towards the end of the story. Info dumping works well during dialogue between characters, etc. You should avoid info dumping during the beginning of the story. Info dumping is more acceptable at the end when you've properly brought things to a close. Any time before that is considered cheating the reader and probably boring them to death. If you tell them everything at once or in large samples, why would they want to keep reading?

  Also keep backstory to a minimum IF needed at all. There are ways to tell about a character without info dumping and without forcing backstory on readers too soon.

  You write on whatever makes you comfortable but if you plan to get your manuscript published it needs to be typed with a certain font, correct margins and other industry specifics. Google and you'll find out how to correctly type a manuscript. I wouldn't recommend handwriting anything. First off, it will take you much longer to finish even the first draft. Remember, you're gonna be revising that baby tons of times and will probably end up with a million versions before that manuscript gets close to being ready to submit to agents and pubs. That's gonna be a lot of work to do by hand. You should use a computer with Word or some other word processing program. It saves times and helps you to not make so many mistakes. If you write out by hand, you'll make a million mistakes and I can't imagine it become easy to edit or go back to things.

  Also, if you gotta type it anyway, might as well start out that way.

  Best Wishes!

  http://www.stacy-deanne.net

  posted 4 weeks ago. ( reply )

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  Drew P 

  Tina's outline is essential. It's your roadmap - and with points to arrive at, you needn't die waiting for inspiration to hit you - you can just write.

  I use a Mac, and it's a real boon.

  I cross reference my novel with a few tricks:

  - Bookmarks - enable to me to track the chapters, info needing research, key plot points and queries. I use these in Pages, you could use Word too.

  - Comments - lots of queries! I can paste in alternative lines from these too, if I want.

  - Spreadsheets! Yes! I use these to keep my notes in order, and my character info - which I will usually not tell the reader, and keep in mind for character back story and motivation

  - Lots of folders and sub-folders, in a tree. This means I can research freely, archive my differing versions (I ALWAYS hit CTRL+S every few lines!), and have all the info at my fingertips

  - I use the Finder to track down needles in the masses of data, and use 'Smart Folders' set on criteria: e.g. my novel title, or topic - it pulls everything into a directory without having to do it manually.

  - I research on the net and can easily make PDFs of ANY page, then save it to whatever folder I wish.

  I really doubt I could write without my Mac, as the prospect of doing it all with paper, card folders, files and a typewriter scares the living daylights out of me!

  posted 3 weeks ago. ( reply )

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