Video summary

как я планирую свои книги | мой писательский блокнот

Main summary

Key takeaways

Art and Creativity

Summary

The video shows Karina’s detailed process for planning and drafting her novels using a writer’s notebook system built around ring binders (modular inserts). She uses about 1.5 notebooks per project:

  • One notebook for scene/planning notes while drafting.
  • Another for more extensive reference materials, such as worldbuilding, magic systems, characters, plot structure, and workflow templates.

What she demonstrates

  • How she converts scene plans into working notes—usually not full handwritten drafting, but quick handwritten scene/outlines that are then transferred to a computer for the actual writing.
  • How she designs project-specific binder aesthetics, including:
    • color-coding,
    • stickers,
    • “vibe” imagery,
    • quotes,
    • translucent imagery.
  • How she structures content into sections with expandable space for ongoing invention.
  • How she later prints manuscripts, punches pages, and assembles them into a readable ring-book for revision and re-reading.

Artistic / Creative Techniques & Concepts Shown

  • Worldbuilding reference system per book

    • Kept organized for fast recall during drafting and editing.

  • Magic system documentation, including:

    • multiple “houses” that own magic,
    • rituals,
    • memorized/defined magic phrases (with space to invent more later).

  • Character arc thematic anchoring

    • Using a heroine quote tied to the story’s themes.

  • Moodboarding & “vibe” curation using:

    • stickers (including necromancy/dead-magic motifs),
    • Pinterest-inspired visuals plus printed imagery,
    • tarot-like/message cards whose colors match the book’s palette.

  • Color-coded design language, with examples:

    • Oath of Dead Shadows: black + red ink accents
    • Wings of Day and Night: purple accents
    • Consistent palettes across tabs/dividers/book elements.

  • Modular layout using ring binder mechanics

    • Pre-printed and handmade pages
    • Ability to add/remove/replace pages as ideas evolve

Workflow Steps / Materials / Advice (as presented)

Handwritten planning + computer drafting

  • Write short scene action notes / outline fragments in the writer’s notebook.
  • Keep the full book writing on the computer (Karina describes handwritten book-writing as “irrational/inconvenient”).

Building a binder for each project

  • Create two binders (“banderas”) for a duology:

    • one for the completed project (Oath of Dead Shadows)
    • one for the in-progress project (Wings of Day and Night)

  • Include sections such as:

    • annotation / short book overview
    • magic system (houses, rituals, phrases)
    • locations
    • characters (separate pages; with space for growth in later arcs)
    • plot (external/internal lines and episode structure)
    • extra papers for diagrams/drafting (lined + dotted paper)

  • She prints and glues/custom-makes most parts, using ring binder hardware so everything stays expandable.

Plot tracking approach

  • Track the episode plot in a Google Spreadsheet.
  • Print it only for reference when needed (since the plan changes constantly).
  • Keep the binder as a place for inserted notes, not a single fixed manuscript.

Using established story structures (reference only)

  • Keep reminders and diagrams in English, including:
    • Save the Cat (Blake Snyder) guidance
  • Also include diagram references such as a three-act structure (adapted/explained in more than one language).

Manuscript printing and re-reading for editing

  • After drafting, print the full manuscript.
  • Punch holes and assemble it into a ring-book (hardware sourced from AliExpress).
  • Re-read the physical version for revision, iterating similarly for future manuscripts.

Creators or Contributors Featured

  • Karina (main creator/host; pseudonym: Aria Atlas mentioned)
  • Neil Gaiman (mentioned as an example of writing in notebooks)
  • Blake Snyder (referenced via Save the Cat)

Original video