you can never have too many writing helps

Okay, well, maybe you can, but I think you'd have to be trying.

So this week I've actually been harnessing some of my free time at work to fill out some character sheets which has been much needed. I've got all these details floating around in my head that need to be organized and I was pointed towards a framework that is super comprehensive. So I thought I'd share it with you guys: Character Stats Framework

This sheet is really well put together. There are links for different personality tests as well as other details to help you really flesh out your characters. Taking personality tests for your characters may seem like a silly thing but let me tell you, it's actually super helpful, not to mention really fun ;]

This blog has a ton of writing helps that I'm bookmarking for future use. Research is fundamentally important to any kind of writing, regardless of whether you write speculative fiction or realistic and there are so many resources on this site to help you find out whatever you need to know. Seriously guys, you can't really give excuses for not doing your research when people have put this much time and effort into helping making the process easier.

On the note of helpful writing things I've learned this week, my favorite is probably the idea of a Procrastination Sheet which I got from this tumblr post. The idea is to create a page in your word processor or a paper page, whatever medium you use to write, that is exclusively for keeping track of those little things that pop up when you're writing. Like "oh, I need to figure out the rules for my magic system" or "what calendar do they use in this story?" Stuff that would pull you out of your groove to address in the moment they come up but that you don't want to forget either. You just list it on your Procrastination Sheet and then, when you're struggling to write a scene/chapter/etc. you can go to this sheet and pick something to work on. This way, you are still working on the story even if you're struggling with writer's block and it always gives you something interesting to turn to if you need a break from your current focus.

I've already got a list of things to do as long as my arm but having them written down gives me the peace of mind that I won't forget them as well as the satisfaction that I'll always have a productive way to work on my story, whatever my mood on a given day.