Notes: Are they important to your writing?

​“It’s best to have your tools with you. If you don’t, you’re apt to find something you didn’t expect and get discouraged. I want to suggest that to write to your best abilities, it behooves you to construct your own toolbox and then build up enough muscle so you can carry it with you.”
 
When constructing his book On Writing, Stephen King made mention of writers constructing their own toolboxes to carry with them. What could he have possibly meant? Writers’ don’t need a toolbox. In fact, they do. Our toolbox is designed a little different, though, compared to an architect or plumber. A writer’s toolbox consists of vocabulary, grammar, facts pertaining to your story, and writing essentials. 

What about note taking? Is this essential to writing and constructing a novel?
Not necessarily, but I find it mighty helpful. I’ve had some people comment that note taking is a lot like outlining, but that’s not the case either. Before I begin writing, yes, I outline. Once my manuscript is complete, next comes the re-read/revision stage. This is when an outline is useless and note taking begins.
 
1.Taking notes.
As I am reading over my manuscript, I take notes of important facts, plot twists, open questions, and more to see if these parts of the plot are addressed later in the plot or reminded over and over for buildup.
 
2.Organize.
Once you’ve read your manuscript, organize your notes so they make sense to you.
 
3.Create a Checklist.
This will help you make sure you address everything and that nothing will be left unresolved.
 
4.Time for revisions.
 
  
What about taking notes before you begin writing?
 
This is useful, as well. This is what www.rethinkpress.com had to say about taking notes before writing.
 
“Take notes while you are researching, to help you embed interesting, unusual and key facts, but put all your books, pamphlets and notebooks to one side when you start your first draft. Let your imagination go to work on all the material you have absorbed. In your first draft give fiction free reign and concentrate on the emotions and experience of your characters.”
 
Man, all this sounds overwhelming and like a lot of work. It can be, but it’s better to put the effort into your story rather than leave holes in your plot and publish an incomplete piece of work.
 
Remember, before starting your first draft, read your research and come prepared with your toolbox.
 
Write on!