I always want to do these little character sheets and setting sheets and stuff that I see all these other authors doing. And The first couple of years I actually tried some of them, only to realize that it slowed me way down and did not improve my process. Now I look at things to speed up my process and improve it, not change it. I have found a couple of things over the years that have really helped do just that and I wanted to share.

1. Scrivener- I was a Scrivener convert very early. I’d say within the first year it was released. I even switched to Mac for the program because it was only available on Mac back then. Now it is also available on Windows, but I will never go back.  I’m definitely a Scrivener and a Mac convert.
2. Scapple- Scapple is Scrivener’s little sister… sort of. It is a mind mapping program by the same company. I do most of my brainstorming and notetaking in Scapple.  This brings me to #3.
3. The question: What if…- I always ask myself what if…  What if Joe’s injury is why he left the police force? What if Joe’s injury is what makes him not want to get involved with the mystery at hand? What if Joe’s ex caused his injury? What if… You get the picture. Something about the phrase what if, lets you imagine and really play devil’s advocate. It seems to lead to more questions. I have a lot of bubbles in Scapple that say “what if…”
4. The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi- It’s a wonderful reference for quick emotional description.
5. A Kimber- (No, not the gun, but those are nice too. A great critique partner) my critique partner just happens to be named Kimber and she is invaluable.  She is also one of my dearest friends. She finds problems where I don’t see them, and she helps figure out problems I see but don’t know how to fix. She’s emotional support and an expert brainstormer. Honestly, there are so many things she does to help me that I can’t possibly name all of them. Long story short a good critique partner is a must.