How to Use Notes in NovelPad
NovelPad
Just write.
As writers, we know that a lot of writing happens outside of the manuscript. Compiled research, timelines, outlines, beat sheets, character profiles… Some of us keep them spread across computer documents, in physical notebooks, in our own head (this never works, and we need to stop).
It’s easy to lose track of things!
What if I told you NovelPad has one feature for all of your note-taking needs to keep them organized in one place?
Meet NovelPad Notes.
What are NovelPad notes?
Notes were designed to remove the overwhelm of document juggling to find information.
To keep organized, Notes are grouped into Collections. Users can rename, remove, duplicate, and export Collections with the menu button.
Once a Collection is created, creating Notes inside a Collection can be done using the "Add Note" button on the right hand side. Users can even link Notes to anything in their manuscript (Scenes, Plots, Characters, Locations, or other Notes), and interact with those items from within their notes.
From the Chapter board, users can see which Scenes have at least one corresponding Note, and can open the Note from there. Scenes that do not have any Notes linked to them will not have a Note button on them.
Tap the thumbtack icon to split-screen your notes board with your manuscript for easy reference during writing sessions.
Ideas for using Notes
Obviously, Notes are great for recording anything you need to remember or reference later. But here are four specific ways you might try utilizing Notes for your book!
1. Notes for what you'd like to write in the future
Sometimes we have ideas for other parts of the book while we're on a roll, so we don't want to stop progress to write the idea. Use notes to jot down what you're thinking, then get back to your current task!
2. Brainstorming
Have free-write sessions about plot, characters, or scenes in a Note. Sometimes brainstorming in a "less official" drafting place can help us set aside judgment and let ideas flow freely.
3. Sequel seeds
If you're writing a series, you'll likely add details to the first/current novel for foreshadowing or setting up future events. It might be helpful to mark these places in your manuscript so you don't overlook anything when it's time to write the next one.
4. Lore and research
While NovelPad has places to record your character, location, and plot details, keeping Notes for bigger bits of lore, background information, research, and backstory is helpful! Keep it all together and link your Notes to relevant Scenes to save time and effort, helping you whip that book out quicker! This is particularly helpful for our fantasy and $ historical fiction$ authors.
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