Use a Writer’s Toolbox to Develop Characters

In your home, do you get frustrated looking for tools in the junk drawer, or do you have a handy toolbox? Many authors discovered it’s much easier to keep everything they need in a writer’s toolbox. How about you?

Why Develop Characters Using a Writer’s Toolbox?

For those who have a physical toolbox in their home, they know the answer.

• The tools you need are at your fingertips. Open the lid and pull out whatever will help you complete the project. The same holds true for a writer’s toolbox.
• My Scrivener app’s Binder is like a digital three-ring notebook, serving as an index of the writing tools stored within my writer’s toolbox.

For example:

All I have to do is click the drop-down symbol (“>”), and I have immediate access to the contents, similar to opening the lid or pulling out a drawer in a physical toolbox.

For example:

When I click a character category (e.g., Protagonist), I can see the list of names and roles, including whether the fictional person also has a character point of view.

Whenever I need to associate an image or PDF file with a character, I add them as a convenient drop-down (e.g., a PDF is filed under Bell, Aaron).

The Benefits of a Writer’s Toolbox

Writers who use a writer’s toolbox enjoy many benefits. For example:

• Creativity: Instead of searching for a detail when the muse strikes, you can access the item, file, or description with a few quick clicks.
• Consistency: When writing 75,000 to 100,000 words, you can maintain the continuity of character descriptions and avoid embarrassing errors (e.g., abruptly changing the spelling of a person’s name, turning the love interest’s hair color from light brown to blonde, or shifting the villain’s scar from the left to the right cheek).
• Productivity: Keeping everything organized in easy-to-retrieve categories adds to your potential for both your effectiveness and efficiency, and for many writers, adds to their joy of writing.

Pack Your Writer’s Toolbox with the Right Tools

Not every writer wants to buy and learn Scrivener, especially if they previously bought Microsoft Word and have invested time learning the app.

I get that. You can use popular digital tools to achieve similar benefits. For example:

• Microsoft Excel: Use cascading sheets (e.g., characters, plot, themes, etc.) and drop-downs, striving to keep most of what you need in one file. With Excel, you can keep the data resident on your device or store it in your cloud of choice.
• Apple Notes: Use folders with multiple entries, and within each, use headings that serve as drop-downs with links to ancillary details. Notes is a free app that is included with Apple devices (i.e., desktops, iPad, iPhone). You can store your data in iCloud, or have it stay resident on your device.
• Evernote for Windows: Allows you to capture and search multiple entries. Highly flexible (i.e., you’ll want to decide how you’ll organize your toolbox so that later you can find the details), including text, audio, PDFs, and more. Paid subscriptions are available monthly or with an annual discount. The data is stored on your computer and Evernote’s servers.
• Notion for Online Access (Multi-device Support): Because of the service complexity, this is my least favorite toolbox for writers. However, Notion allows you to customize the look and content. Unfortunately, tinkering with the app may cause some to spend more time playing with the database than on writing. Given Notion’s use of AI, I’m not sure how that might pan out for those concerned about privacy and reputation. Notion stores your data on its servers, and you can download backups to your device.

Do You Have to Use Scrivener?

The creation of a writer’s toolbox does not require Scrivener.

Consider these factors, which may influence which apps you choose.

• Based on my use of macOS Scrivener for over a decade, I believe the app offers writers the ultimate in word processor, flexible database, and book preparation.
• The app was designed for authors by authors, giving writers what they need to write full-length novels.
• I’ve used several apps over the years (e.g., I’ve used Microsoft Word on Windows and Apple devices since the software’s debut in the early 80s), and from my view, nothing beats Scrivener’s portfolio of features.

If you struggle to implement your writer’s toolbox outside of Scrivener, email me and I’ll gladly see if I have a workaround or two that will help you get similar benefits.

Note: I’ve enjoyed using the Scrivener for macOS since 2011, and my comments are about the Apple version, not Windows.

Last Word on Scrivener (Pun Intended!)

In the first image above, the one showing Scrivener’s full Binder, please note the diversity of writing tools that can help you plan, write, and publish your novel.

For example:

• Instructions & Novel Format: I wrote myself a set of instructions so that months or years down the road, I won’t forget the strategic and tactical use of the tools.
• Potential Book Titles: I set my working title early, but who knows when a better one might come along. This is where I store alternate title ideas.
• David Agency Code (Concept): Here is where I stored my initial concept for this novel. Also, I created a list (i.e., the “code”) of what it will take for the hero to make the shift from want to need by MIDPOINT, and then strive to use that lesson learned and solve the story problem.
• Plot Notes: In this story, there’s a main plot and four subplots. For each, I wrote a 200 to 300 word description. I used these notes while starting out to stay on track. Also, Scrivener features assigning tags to the scenes so that I know where it contributes to the main plot or a subplot.
• Theme Notes: Given that this story is a mashup of thriller, mystery, and romance, there’s an enormous opportunity to mix and match the external, internal, and philosophical themes. As the story has progressed, the thriller genre has dominated. Thus, I use these notes to keep me consistent in what the characters express about themes.
• Trellis Method Bundle: When I raved about Scrivener’s ability to serve as a database, I was not kidding. The entire Trellis Method Bundle is housed within this drop-down section. I’m human like you, and a topic refresher is a click away, or I can grab any of the files included in the bundle (e.g., for character: workbook, worksheet, guide, example, type ID, development matrix, reference documents, glossary, 2-page descriptions of the 9 types).
• Story Spine & Body: As the outset of a writing project, I found the quickest way to get working outline is to use this writing tool. Enough said.
• MANUSCRIPT (Write Scenes): Here is where the heavy lifting takes place. I set a goal of a 500-word average per scene because it’s a fast-paced thriller. Each of the 139 scenes has a unique title, often referring to the point-of-view character by name. In a prior post, I shared you can use Scrivener to help you track the hundreds of details that engage readers. Likewise, you can use other apps to track those details. If you want to know about my favorite writing app, check out this prior Scrivener review.
• Additional Worksheets: Here are brief descriptions of the entries.
  • Characters: I stored all characters here (e.g., Spreadsheet List, Protagonists Profiles/Notes, Antagonists Profiles/Notes, Victims Profiles/Notes, Evidence/Clue/Map Boards).
  • Settings: Profiles of the key story locations.
  • Genres: Notes about genre mashup of thriller, mystery, and romance. Refer to the Addendum below for an example of attaching a PDF file.
  • Premise: Initial notes about the story’s premise.
  • Plots: Notes about the main and subplots.
  • Themes: Preliminary notes about the themes.
  • Motifs / Symbols: Notes about motifs, symbols, and objects in the story.
  • Spine, Body, & Beats: My working notes about Spine, Body, and Beats.
  • Scenes: A copy of the template used to set up each scene.
• Notes: A variety of notes pertaining to specifics within the story (e.g., a copy of the Civil Harassment Laws in Texas and The False Report – Texas Penal Code).
• Research: More research, including a full copy of an early draft of the story.
• Front Matter: The book’s format and content before and after the story.
• Template Sheets: Houses Trellis Method worksheets for Scrivener.

Conclusion

The creation of your writer’s toolbox does not happen overnight.

Consider what the author of The Black Swan, Nassim Taleb, said.

Note: A black swan is a highly improbable event with three principal characteristics:

• It is unpredictable;
• It carries a massive impact; and after the fact,
• We concoct an explanation that makes it appear less random, and more predictable, than it was (e.g., the astonishing success of Google was a black swan; so was 9/11).

According to Taleb, black swans underlie almost everything about our world, from the rise of religions to events in our own personal lives. He cited concerns about AI, including significant risks and vulnerabilities that could lead to black swan events.

Now consider this quote from author and writing teacher James Scott Bell.

If AI is risky, and it doesn’t produce joy, what works? Here is my answer.

Now think about this.

• Start with setting up a writer’s toolbox with what you need right now.
• Over time, add more tools and hone your use of the worksheets and processes that prove most useful.
• Keep it super simple. For instance, many start out with developing character profiles and finding a convenient way to retrieve those details.

Enjoy the writer’s toolbox benefits by getting and using your choice of writing tools.

Addendum: Adding PDF Files

In the comments below, Priscilla Bettis raised an excellent point about how the writer’s toolbox can contain different content based on genres. For example:

See this linked post for a hi-res download of the Genre Conventions and Key Scenes.

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