Got a plot problem?

Yo! I’ll solve it. Check out the hook while the DJ revolves it.

(That’s my first Vanilla Ice reference for the day. Sadly, it probably won’t be my last.)

I have trouble with linear thinking – in life in general – but most decidedly in writing. I can’t seem to keep all my little ducks in a row, especially with the current WIP which deals with other dimensions, some time travel-y stuff, Doppelgangers, memory erasing and some big ol’ lies that get revealed in a SHAZAM moment at the end. It’s currently in its third incarnation and some bits and pieces of the earlier drafts got left over, changed and now it’s like a big old sloppy steak and ale pie. (mmmm pie).

So to fix that, I spent some time thinking how I could keep my ducks safe, my brain sane and actually get this darn book finished.

This is what I came up with:

That is a chapter by chapter summary of the book (well, actually only half of the book but that’s a whole ‘nuther problem*). Each slip of paper covers the basics of what happens in the chapter, the general mood, and the necessary references to past/present/future events. Some contain codes to parts that deal with a missing character’s journal entries.

Blue post-its mean, “You’re beautiful darling. Don’t change a thing.”

Purple post-its mean “Whoop! Whoop! Houston we have a problem.”

I realize the inherent problem of the chapter(s) with both blue and purple post-its there. I just haven’t solved it.

It’s like my own low tech version of Scrivener – Now with more hand cramps!

Truth is, I’m a visual person. I need to see it all laid out or I’ll never be able to stop my ducks from being mauled by a tractor trailer.

*152,000 words and growing. Yeah…ahem.