Adger Williams
Adger Williams asked Lois McMaster Bujold:

Loois, do you keep track of loose ends you have left behind from each story as you go? (in a list or spreadsheet or some-such)., so that you can glance over the list at some point and say to yourself, "Oh yes, that fits in well with what I'm wondering about now". Or possibly simply have a sense for unfinished business with certain people or situations that may necessitate re-reading before writing further?

Lois McMaster Bujold
I certainly don't have anything as formal as a spreadsheet (nor would I know how to make one.) I do keep notes, in pencil in a 3-ring binder, where I also do my preliminary outlining as I'm working through story scenes. Mostly my idea-jottings don't go anywhere, even after a couple of pages of further development, but sometimes they do.

If I'm revisiting a character or place in a proposed story, I do reread as needed to refresh my memory.

Ta, L.

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more