 Fantasy: April 20, 2022 Issue [#11325] |
This week: Keeping Track of Things Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn
Newsletter about organization and information involved in creating a fantastical story. |
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There can be a lot to remember when it comes to writing a story, in particular when it's in the speculative fiction genres. Many things come into the creation of a story from characters, setting, plot, details, names and other details that get put into the words created in order to spin a tale. While there is a lot involved, for some it is easier than others to keep track and remember. I have so many stories going, at first it wasn't too difficult but as the years go by it becomes more difficult to keep track of names and stories. Here are some things to consider for what you might need to keep track in order to not get confused in your own story.
Characters
These are key elements of the story since for most, they are the main focus. If there is only one story and one set of characters, it's a little easier but with fantasy that is often not the case. When you have multiple stories, different universes and even using the same world in a series, it's important to keep track of who is involved in the stories. Sometimes it's the big details, such as the overall main character, the type of background they have, situations faced or even just the description of their appearance. Or it can be something as simple as a name. Make sure when editing to check all of the names of characters to make sure none get mixed up, spelled the wrong way or put with the wrong person.
Setting
Locations are important and involve particular details. Where the character goes during a part of the story, the details of the culture and even the weather in the moment, many details can come into play. This type of keeping track is going to be easier on plotters compared to pantsers. If you plot or world build in advance, then you problem have documents and research, even images to help organize the details for the different setting options in the story. If you write without prep work, then it's something that may come up in the editing and rewriting stages.
Plots
This can be a key point. It definitely helps to be able to keep track of what is happening in the story. Main plot is a big component, but it's not the only one to keep track. There are side stories, sub plots and the occasional twist. Since the writer has to know much of what is below the surface of the story, it can be important to have a way to keep track of these details. Outlines help for some and for others, it's going to be thought clouds or just kept in the mind. Knowing where the story is going can help for first drafts but sometimes that will be more known later, in rewrites.
Technical Side
Finally, when doing editing and such, something to consider for organization is more technical. One thing I notice in my own edits is that I have to look at the beginning and endings for chapters. A few times I've had multiple chapters end in very similar ways and that's something that is not preferred. Knowing my own weak points and aspects I have to consider for the technical elements of writing is helpful when facing the editing and rewriting process.
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How do you keep track of characters and other story elements?
Comment by oldgreywolf on wheels 
If your story has any living organism, whether it's life as we know it or not, it will over time demonstrate behavior. If it has an Intelligent Brain, their behavior can be expected to be more complex. Is their behavior like a forward planning Homo sapiens sapiens, a live-day-to-day Homo sapiens, or a mere Homo sap? Will we recognize their intelligent behavior?
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