As a writer, I’m constantly coming up with new worlds, new characters and new storylines to fill the novels that I write. I find it can be somewhat difficult keeping a good mental picture of some of my characters – especially minor ones, and setting can be difficult to keep straight too, considering I make most of my locations up and I don’t always have all of the details of those settings sketched out before I begin writing about them.
To start with, for years now I’ve had a bookshelf full to the brim of folders full of individual character profiles, including bio sheets and magazine cutouts of people who I think resemble some of my characters. Overall the notebooks are fun to put together, but I’d rather have something of a more convenient reference, especially since I’m on the computer 100% of the time I’m working on a novel. I also wanted some of my bookshelf space back to display all of the books I’m behind on reading.
So I’ve been on the hunt for a while now for a program that could give me a visual cornucopia of reference options. I found one or two programs – most made by indie developers – but they either weren’t worth the money or they were just too convoluted and confusing that they would be too much hassle to learn to use.
Then I stumbled on Microsoft OneNote. This handy little gem has everything I could possibly want in a writer’s assistant.
*A side note – all images you see in my screenshots are copyright their respective creators. I am simply showing the screenshots as an example of what I am able to do with Microsoft OneNote.*
To start with, on the left side you have notebooks. You can create as many notebooks as you like, color them whatever color you’d like, title them whatever you’d like.
Then each Notebook is separated into sections (I call them tabs). Again, these tabs can be colored whatever color you like, titled whatever you want.
Inside of each tab, you can create pages. You can even create subpages branching under these pages.
I use Microsoft OneNote for all sorts of nifty writerly things. I create notebooks for each of my writing projects. Then I create tabs. Say I’m in a notebook regarding a novel I’m working on. I’ll create tabs for characters, setting, research, etc. Then under these tabs, I’ll create pages.
For example, for a novel I currently have on the back burner, Dark Horizons, I have a tab for characters. Under the character tab, I have a page for Carrie Green.
Now, it’s the pages that bring it all together. I’m able to drag and drop pretty much anything I want into the page itself. When you start typing text, it creates a text box that you can move around anywhere within the page. You can drop images from the internet, your computer, etc. You can resize these pictures and move them wherever you want.
You can even drop documents – and audio – into the page – like I did with the Word doc of Carrie’s character profile above or like what I did on this page of future projects that need to be worked on. All I have to do is click on the icon and it will open the appropriate document on my computer.
Aside from characters, I also like to use OneNote for novel research -
Creature creation -
Setting reference-
And I can even outline with it – just to keep all the elements of the novel together.
Having all these visual references have really helped me craft my novel more easily. I’m able to copy images from the internet so I can see what I want my characters to be wearing. I can drop documents for easy reference. I can craft my text boxes in a creative way to add to my own presentation of the applicable materials.
All in all, OneNote has become a very useful tool in my writer arsenal, giving me many of the things I need to craft my stories and work on my marketing, without all the hassle of confusing applications.
For more information on Microsoft OneNote, follow this link to Microsoft’s official page on it. When crafting this post, OneNote 2010 was only $79.99 and it is a standalone Office product, meaning you can purchase it separate from the other Microsoft Office programs like Excel and Word. Keep in mind that Microsoft OneNote 2007 was used for these screenshots, so major/minor improvements may have been made since.
Boudica Foster said on March 26, 2012
Best darn program from Microsoft ever! All my notes go in there, with photos, side notes, character specs and more. I can photo a location and add it. Beef up a scene using a Google Map of the location that I’ve saved with stores and addresses. It just has no limit! I have my graphics tablet hooked up as well to add notes, highlight bits or just doodle in the margins. Just like a real notebook.
Sarah Ettritch said on March 26, 2012
I use OneNote for story ideas and research. I’ve looked at other programs, but I always come back to OneNote. It does everything I need.
Ron Fritsch said on March 26, 2012
David, I enjoyed reading your post. I’ve never used Microsoft OneNote, but I probably should and will. I’m one of those persons who revises and edits at great length. I know all of my characters — how they look and what they’ve said and done — as well as I know myself. But, yes, the $80 for OneNote is undoubtedly worth it. Even the most passionate writer can make a mistake.
David N. Alderman said on March 27, 2012
Boudica, I agree with you on the usefulness of OneNote. I just recently got a smartphone and am learning how to use OneNote on it and Microsoft Skydrive to sync my files while I’m away from the computer, which makes OneNote even more versatile.
Ron, I’m glad you liked the post. And I too always have problems keeping my characters/storylines/research details straight, especially since I write in series. OneNote brings me one (or two) steps closer to keeping things in line.
John Cranor said on April 5, 2012
Thank you for writing this post. I actually have this program on my computer and have never opened it while wishing I had something like it. Feeling a bit silly now but glad I have a new tool.
Patti Ryan said on April 7, 2012
I have been using MS OneNote for many, many years (ten years, I think). As a graphic designer/photographer, originally I used it as my own visual “pin board” grabbing inspiring images and product photos from around the internet. A screen clipping automatically posts the website source along with the “clipping date”. So, it’s a snap to go back to the source months later (assuming the site is still there) and/or give call the source.
Over the years, the program has evolved and expanded. Today, it is my virtual file cabinet for everthing in by life. I can search by key word to find anything.
Like David, I have a Notebook for each writing project, but also for Marketing/Promotion, Sales Channels, for my book website, our patient education website, Software how-to reminders/pointers, Self-publishing resources/help, etc. I even have a “General” Notebook for membership data, shopping research, and screen clippings of online purchase receipts. It sure cuts down on printing and filing of papers.
When no longer needed, I can “close” a notebook and archive it.
When I added my wireless home network, I networked my MS OneNote Notebooks with my spouse’s desktop PC, my desktop PC, and our notebook PCs. So, I can access my OneNote Notebook from any of our computers. (You can also network through the web.) One feature I especially like – I don’t have to pause or remember to “save” – saving” is automatic.
I highly recommend MS Note 2012!
Patti J. Ryan
Publisher
Atrial Fibrillation: Resources for Patients (A-Fib.com) and
Beat Your A-Fib: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Cure (www.beatyoura-fib.com)
Jules said on November 3, 2012
Have you looked into Celtx? Its free. I used it to write scripts for graphic novels and it easily provided the features and more in terms of keeping track of Characters. There are other writing settings then just screenplays and scripts in there as well. Furthermore, it allows you to search google for images (while your still in the writing software) and add images directly into the text (as a small icon you can click) of you manuscript. Happy writing.