Get yourself a notebook, cheap or expensive. Make it of a size that


you can comfortably carry and make it reasonably weatherproof,

as you are going to have it around for a very long time.

Write, doodle, copy, paste. Fool around with it. Play with phrases,

copy sentence structure you've overheard, describe real or imaginary

places. Create the geneology of your character's families.

Construct time lines. Diagram house layouts.

Draw or paste in outfits from catalogs or magazines.

Use it as a resource.

Make it your friend.

And don't be afraid to make a mess.

No one will be grading it.

I strongly suggest that you do not show it to anyone.

If they look inside it without your permission, don't get too upset.

But don't spend any time explaining whatever the perp might have

seen. You don't owe anyone an explanation.


The whole bruhaha in a nutshell: Take notes and keep them.