: Re: Good ways to sort "rambly" notes? I know there is a name for this kind of "writing", but I just can't think of it at the moment. Basically, most of my notes are endlessly long ramblings

@Debbie451

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Use Scrivener.

My answer here is heavily adapted from my answer to a different question, but I think it will be helpful to you:

Scrivener is a tremendously flexible writing program. You can create innumberable documents, nest them, link them, put them in folders, look at a split screen of two at once, save snapshots of your text.

So when you get your story idea, start a blank Scrivener page.

Start writing down everything that comes into your head. Follow your thoughts wherever they lead, but make each thought a new line. The "new line" part will be helpful in a second.

When you run out of steam, go back to the top, look at each thought, and see if it generates more stuff.

Keep doing that until you can't think of more stuff to add.

Now start grouping it.

Group A: worldbuilding
Group B: character 1
Group C: character 2
Group D: setting
Group E: plot suggestions
Group F: cool descriptions
Group G: character 3
Group H: ending

and so on. Just put the letter (A) in front of any statement to do with worldbuilding.

Make new pages for each of the Groups. Copy everything with an A to the A:worldbuilding page. Copy everything with a B to the B:Character 1 page.

Now you can take each page of loose notes and start imposing order on them. Or don't. Leave them as strings of notes. Put all your E: Plot Suggestions in one spot and drag them around until an arc assembles itself, or just continue pantsing.

(Other people will suggest mind-maps, but I find that kind of program really intimidating. Your Mileage, and process, May Vary.)

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