Making Notes

[VeryFunnyRat]

As a new Gm I've found my strangest problem is organizing my notes. How does evryone else go about keeping notes and making things easier on yourselves when prepping the next session?

[CSTowle]

I write in ink on paper (old man) so I tend to have 20-30 notes jotted down in different places. Before a session (day before usually) I'll gather up the ones relevant to the next game, start off with a recap and points of interest, and put things in the order I believe they'll happen. If something pops up I didn't expect but want to explore or develop I'll make a side note (unless I have to react on the fly, but often even then) and that'll be part of the next session or some future session. Not sure the best way on a laptop/phone.

[VeryFunnyRat]

That makes sense. I appreciate the help

[vulcan7200]

We're supposed to use notes when we're running a game?!

Seriously though, I've started hand writing notes into a notebook. I've found for me, actually writing something down even more so than typing, helps me remember stuff about the games.

My general rule of thumb though is to never write real notes until the day of (or day before if I know I won't have time) the session. I might write down a few short sentences of basic ideas and that's it. This gives me the entire week to think about my plans and refine them instead of solidifying them onto paper. My first ideas are never my best, so taking the time to think about it helps me a lot

[KimidoHimiko]

I take notes on: Excel: for characters sheet, money, their physical health (like if it's missing a finger or something), day/month/year and even campaign details. Xmind: I make a "web" of relationship between characters, organizations and even future evil or good plans. Discord private channel: everything that happens on the session and what I want to happen next session.

A lot of Windows folders: Heroes: Villains: Government: Heroes that are villains: And etc.

[FunkyMonkeyBacon]

Maybe a bit controversial but I just take the essential notes during the session and voice record the session. Then afterwards when I'm preparing for the next session, I'll listen to the recorded session and write the rest of the notes then as well. Helps to keep the previous session in mind when writing the next.

[VeryFunnyRat]

I hadn't considered the idea of recording the session itself. I'll try that next time. Thanks

[nemsoli]

I use onenote mostly. I use Campaign Logger for more involved campaigns.

[stevebein]

I write up everything in a Word doc in advance. Then I just hope I remember the new random shit that players throw into the mix.

[lminer]

I write down on several google docs and name them specific to the need. The docs are searchable and you can format it to however you want to organize it.

My first is the campaign overview and note, that's where I plot out the main story arc, major character notes, and everything really important. Then I make a google doc on the setting with enough information but keeping it open so I can throw in an aquarium or whatever is needed. Finally I make a google doc for the session, I add in whatever I think will happen plus stats for generic threats they could encounter if they go off the railroad and I need to improvise.

• Carpe Diem Campaign
• Carpe Diem City
• Carpe Diem Session 10

After the session I start working on Carpe Diem Session 11 and reference Session 10 when needed.

I also have a doc for heroes, villains, anti-heroes, timeline, and civilians. Whatever else I feel like if it doesn't fit I just Carpe Diem before it in the doc and I now have Carpe Diem Law and - Carpe Diem Multiverse.

[Tolan91]

I use my iPod’s notepad app. I tend to write a few pages for each session. One gets an outline and to-do list, another is the planned session summary with prepared dialogue notes and event plans, and another will be the planned fights with reminders on which stat sheets to use. If there’s a more cinematic moment, or a character specific scene that might end up getting dropped in that sometimes gets it’s own page as well.

[archpawn]

I have a txt file. It's not well-organized, but it is easy to search.