NaNoWriMo & Index Cards
Tomorrow is the first day of NaNoWriMo and yesterday’s post about scenes and checklists might seem a little over the top for writing fast and lean and having a rip roaring good time at the keyboard. 1667 words or bust.
I am going to keep this post on the short side. Short side… get it… nevermind.
I like using index cards for keeping track of scenes and you can do this before, after or during your writing session. You can opt to make notes on anything you wish, a notebook, sticky post it note, gum wrapper or a computer file. It really doesn’t matter.
Before, during or after a scene you can make your index notes. It doesn’t matter. I am going to tell you my key components.
I number the card in the upper right corner.
Then drop down. Put the name of the character who owns the scene. Follow with where and when the scene takes place. Add the names of other characters present in the scene. Finally make a note of what happened.
Now, put that card aside and go on the the next scene. Later on you can go through your cards if you need to know where the scene was that talked about the flower shop encounter.
After NaNoWriMo you can use these index cards during editing to decide what to cut or combine or move around.
Now I will leave you to finish up any pre-nano shopping, nesting, hat making or other activities you are planning.
Don’t touch anything sharp!