Create a folder. Inside it create different folders for different chapters/sections. Inside each chapter/section folder have a notes document, a markdown version document and possibly one in HTML. Also one doc in the main folder where all documents are stitched together in order. This way you can enhance and focus on each part of your work separately, view it in whole when you want to

Plug for something like Obsidian here. I recently started a new novel and the ability to divide everything into folders and sections that I can link to within my writing has been invaluable.

If it’s been a while since I referenced a place or event or character, I can write their name and link out to their dedicated page full of info and reference material on them. If I have something I think of on the fly that I want to remember, I can create a new reference page and link to it, or add it to an existing page whenever I need to .

The organization is a game changer. I write chapter by chapter, sometimes bouncing around in the timeline, and stitch everything together as I finalize a section.

Before I start, I want to be clear, this process works for me. It isn’t for everyone, so take it with a grain of salt.

Outlining is personal. Everyone does it different. Some writers architect the full story, some outline the plot, while others discovery write everything. Personally, I get decision paralysis when I attempt to outline everything and when I attempt to discovery write everything.

When I start an outline, I tend to be detailed with setting and plot. I flush out my world and know roughly where I want the story to go. Characters are left fairly open. I create just enough of each character to get into their head. That way, I can take the characters, plop them into the setting and situation of the plot, and see what happenes. Discovery writing characters works for me, but only if I know where they are and what they should do.

Step 1: Sticky Notes… Starting out, I tend to brainstorm on sticky notes. There is something about writing ideas manually that helps me see things better than typing them. Typically, I have a vauge idea or two to start with, and not much more. I’ll write it on a sticky note and stick it to my desk. Then write something else - whatever comes to mind. I keep going until some ideas start to grow. It could be a character trait, plot point, setting, whatever. I’ll rearrange them to see what, if any, ideas make sense together. I’ll cross things out, throw some away, pull them from the trash, rewrite them, etc. Just an idea board type activity. Sometimes I will leave them on my deak for weeks. By the time I’m done with them, they are usually sad remnants of sticky notes.

Step 2a: Outline in Word… Word worked for me for a while. I created a template in Word that helps me straighten things out. It has custom headers that fill the Navigation panel, giving me sections. Default Word has this, I’ve just customized the look to something more pleasant to me. The problem is exactly what you said, things get lost. It grows fast and by the time I’m done with a full outline, it’s a little much.

Step 2b: Outline in OneNote… For the most part, I have transitioned to OneNote for the majority of my outlines. I created an always expanding template. It has tabs for things like Characters, Plot, Locations, Religion, Economy, Government, Magic, Weapons, Science, etc. I copy my template and start a new Notebook for each story I write. What I’m writing determines which tabs I keep. For example, if I am writing fantasy, I typically wont include the Science tab. Each tab has a page template that is automatically used when adding a new page. My character template, for example, has a table for physical traits, motivations, character arc, internal secrets, etc. I try to put down enough so I feel like I understand the person. Going overboard is easy, but I try to keep to to just what is needed.

Step 3: Scenes… Once I have a good understanding of the story, I start figuring out what scenes I need. These are typically one or two sentences and can help with plot, character development, or just something random and awesome. “A lazy pet cat that wakes up just in time to scratch the eyes out of an intruder.” I throw it in. Then, rearrange. Scenes never seem to come to me in an order that make sense. I’ll prune and expand, but by the time I’m done, I know the story.

Step 4: Fill in the blanks… I go one scene at a time, not necessarily in order, and fill them in. For example, Mr. Whiskers scratches Billy the Kid. Maggy sat straight up in her bed. The door banged agaist the cabin wall. Her eyes fought to stay closed as she forced them open. She couldn’t make out the silhouette in the door. The moonless night was no help. “You owe me money,” a gruff voice said. “Oh shit,” thought Maggie. She knew that voice. If Billy came to collect, she knew he would collect - one way or another. Billy took a step into the room. His boot was muffled by a thick layer of dust. Before he took a second step, a hissing filled the room. Mr. Whiskers sprung from the end of the bed. He landed on Billy’s face and started scratching the man like he was a mouse caught in the cupboard. And so on.

Step 5: Edit it together… Once you have I have all of the scenes, i stitch them together and edit it so it flows. This is where I add transitions and such. By the end, there is a completed story. It isn’t perfect. There might be some fillers, but it is about 95% done.

Step 6: Rewrite it all… I bring up a blank Word document, set it to 14pt Times New Roman, double spaced, and rewrite literally everything. I have my last draft and this one open side by side. Since I’m reading the story as I’m writing it, I notice thinga I missed or phrases I don’t like.

Again, this isn’t for everyone. It is a process that works for me.

https://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/articles/snowflake-method/

I like the Snowflake Method. You start with the core idea and branch out in a fractal-ish pattern to develop different elements and plot points. Mindmapping software helps keep it organised: https://xmind.app/

I first try to think of the broad headings. If I can’t do that yet, I write out dot points of my ideas and see if I can group them.

Next, I start expanding the headings out with as many dot points as I need.

When I want to add more detail to a dot point, I indent that further, or write a sentence/sentences under it.

When I’ve got sentences for everything, I start to remove the scaffolding and group into paragraphs.

Example

Say I want to write a how-to guide to change a car tyre. I initially think of two main things:

Tools required

Procedure

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Now, let’s add some dot points

Tools required

• Jack
  • What is it?
  • Where to find it?
• Tyre wrench
  • What is it?
• Spare tyre
  • Does your car have one?
  • Differences between spare tyres and normal tyres

Procedure

• Prepare the car
• Prepare the jack
• Jack up the car
• Remove the tyre nuts
• Remove old tyre
• Place new tyre
• Tighten nuts
  • Check tightness
• Lower the car
• Test new tyre

Notes

• Plan to replace spare tyre if used
• What if you have no spare tyre?

Notice how I added a new heading when a thought came to mind?

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Now I’ll keep adding detail until I’ve got paragraphs.

Tools required

• Jack
  • What is it? A jack is a device you use to raise the car wheel up above the ground so you can change the tyre.
  • Where to find it? You can usually find the car jack in the boot of your car, but check with your vehicle owners manual for specific locations. Your car might not have a jack, in which case you will need to source one from elsewhere.
  • Safety Jacks carry significant weight, so can be unsafe if damaged or not set up properly. Check that your jack isn’t damaged before using it. Moreover, you will need to ensure your jack isn’t on a slippery surface or a surface that could be damaged by it. In that case, you can place a plank of wood under the jack.
• Tyre wrench
  • What is it?
• Spare tyre
  • Does your car have one?
  • Differences between spare tyres and normal tyres

Procedure

• Prepare the car
• Prepare the jack
• Jack up the car
• Remove the tyre nuts
• Remove old tyre
• Place new tyre
• Tighten nuts
  • Check tightness
• Lower the car
• Test new tyre

Notes

• Plan to replace spare tyre if used
• What if you have no spare tyre?

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Then keep doing this until you’ve finished it! Remember it’s normal to rearrange things as you go.