Have you ever been doing research for one project you are writing and run across something you need for a different story? That happens to me all the time.
In my office, I have a file cabinet on wheels. It's crammed full of info for all my projects and then some. I keep anything I find that I might someday need. To you that may sound like a mess, but I assure you it's not. I have organized it into file folders. I'm not sayhing that I have organized the file folders, because I haven't. I'm just saying that each topic is in a file folder.
Often times, the information I need most I find in the strangest places. They are where I never would have thought to look. It's the accidental findings that I value most. If I don't print a copy of it now, I'll never find it again. That is the reason my file cabinet is so full. I can't let any treasure slip through my fingers.
I'll bet you are wondering if I ever use these things in my file folders. I do. These files actually help me when I'm searching for something new to write. When I have used the folder beyond what I need it for, I shove it into a drawer in another file dabinet. That way I have room for more research, and it's nearby so I can find it if the need arises.
To me, part of writing, is the research. I love it, and the amazing treasures I find. Every day to me, is a new adventure.
2 comments:
I've kept notes for stories in all kinds of places, though I do most of my research online, so I save a copy of the web page (I try not to bookmark because the content sometimes changes and then it's gone) and then save it in a subfolder on my hard drive. Then when I back up my files, I back these up too (theoretically, anyway. I didn't back up before my last hard drive crash and lost some research.).
I need to keep folders with papers I run across that I can use for research. Great idea!
I have a file cabinet that's crammed full with ideas. I also like to open computer files and keep some of my ideas in those. That way, when I need help with something or just need a spark to get me going, it's a mouse-click away.
Great thoughts.
Nichole
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