Series, bibles or computers? by Marian Lanouette

A strange title isn’t it? Not if you’re writing a series. There are many ways to keep track of your information pertaining to your characters, location, quirks and anything else you think will repeat throughout your series.

I keep a character sketch file, which includes all the above on my computer in a folder named for the series. In that folder I have the fore mentioned character sketches, outlines for each story in series (even it is just an idea for down the line.) Did you cut a scene? Save it, you might use them down the line in another book for the series. Believe me they come in handy. The folder also includes scene sketches. I like to cut and paste pictures that remind me of the characters. I use flow charts to follow my murders and suspects. The visual posted to my wall really keeps me focused as I work. I also post on my wall the character flow chart which includes the descriptions and quirks of each character in front of me while I workje. I don’t want the character to hate jewelry in one book and wear it in the next. Readers call you on this sort of thing. I also keep chapter timelines. After I finish a chapter, I put that chapters synopsis in the file. I put down dates and time of day. I’d hate to have Lieutenant Carrington meet with a suspect at 8am on Monday and arrest him on Sunday (the day before)at noon. Very important fact tracking.

Once I have this altogether I put them in titled manila files and then put them in a manila folder. It can be time consuming to put your fingers on a certain items while writing. To some this might be confusing, to me I have a knack for putting my finger on just the exact paper I need.

Now for a more organized way to keep track of things. I came across a great book this week (and there are many books on the subject but I like this one.) I bought Devon Ellington’s The Series Bible: Creation and Maintenance. It’s an E-book and only 44 pages. It is packed with wonderful ideas. I am taking my manila files and folders and I’m going to put them in a binder to make them easier to find. And yes, I’m still going to maintain my computer file for when I’m on the road.

The Series Bible is pack with useful info even if you’ve written series for a while or are a novice. It’s a quick read and is reasonably priced.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/275031

Filed under: romance