Use Basic Memory to organize ideas, track characters, manage research, and structure your writing projects
Whether you’re writing a novel, blog posts, articles, or any creative content, Basic Memory helps you organize your thoughts, track characters and plots, manage research, and build a comprehensive knowledge base around your writing projects.
---title: Character Relationships Webtags: [characters, relationships, story-structure]---# Character Relationships Web## Primary Relationships### Sarah ↔ Corporate Executive- [relationship] Professional adversary #conflict- [dynamic] Cat and mouse investigation game #tension- [history] Executive knew Sarah's father #backstory- [stakes] Executive holds Sarah's career hostage #consequences### Sarah ↔ Old Tom- [relationship] Unlikely mentor and student #guidance- [dynamic] Old wisdom meets new technology #contrast- [growth] Tom teaches Sarah about human connections #development- [conflict] Tom distrusts all technology #tension### Sarah ↔ Love Interest- [relationship] Slow-burn romance #romance- [obstacle] Love interest works for competing corporation #conflict- [growth] Both learn to prioritize relationship over career #development- [resolution] Unite to fight common enemy #alliance## Relations- drives_plot [[Main Plot Arc]]- creates_tension [[Subplot - Romance]]- supports_theme [[Technology vs Humanity]]
Organize your story structure with semantic observations:
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---title: Main Plot Arc - Three Act Structuretags: [plot, story-structure, main-arc]---# Main Plot Arc - Three Act Structure## Act I - Setup (Chapters 1-5)- [opening] Sarah discovers anomalous data in company systems #inciting-incident- [world] Establish future Seattle setting and technology #worldbuilding- [character] Introduce Sarah's background and motivation #character-development- [hook] Neural implant patient dies under suspicious circumstances #mystery- [choice] Sarah decides to investigate despite warnings #first-plot-point## Act II - Confrontation (Chapters 6-15)- [investigation] Sarah uncovers pattern of deaths #rising-action- [obstacles] Corporate security begins monitoring her #obstacles- [allies] Meets Old Tom who provides crucial insight #support- [romance] Develops relationship with competing corp employee #subplot- [midpoint] Discovers her own brother was test subject #revelation- [complications] Sarah's investigation puts loved ones in danger #stakes- [crisis] Corporate forces frame her for data theft #second-plot-point## Act III - Resolution (Chapters 16-20)- [pursuit] Sarah goes underground to complete investigation #chase- [climax] Confronts corporate executive with evidence #showdown- [resolution] Exposes conspiracy through coordinated media release #victory- [aftermath] New regulations passed, Sarah starts advocacy group #new-normal- [theme] Technology must serve humanity, not replace it #thematic-resolution## Story Questions- [mystery] What really happened to neural implant patients? #central-question- [character] Will Sarah overcome her trust issues? #character-arc- [theme] Can technology and humanity coexist? #thematic-question- [romance] Will Sarah choose love over career ambition? #romantic-arc## Relations- features [[Sarah Chen - Protagonist]]- includes [[Subplot - Romance]]- explores [[Technology vs Humanity Theme]]- set_in [[Future Seattle]]
---title: Chapter 3 - The First Cluetags: [chapter, plot, scene-planning]---# Chapter 3 - The First Clue## Purpose- [plot-function] Sarah discovers the first evidence of wrongdoing #plot-advancement- [character-function] Shows Sarah's analytical skills and moral compass #character-development- [pacing-function] Raises stakes and propels story forward #story-momentum## Scene Breakdown### Scene A: Late Night at the Office- [setting] NeuroLink Corp offices, 11 PM #location- [characters] Sarah alone, cleaning up database #character-action- [discovery] Finds deleted patient files in backup system #plot-point- [emotion] Curiosity turns to concern #character-emotion- [transition] Decides to dig deeper #character-choice### Scene B: Coffee Shop Research- [setting] All-night café in Capitol Hill #location- [action] Sarah cross-references patient data with news reports #investigation- [discovery] Patients all died within 72 hours of implant surgery #revelation- [obstacle] Realizes she needs medical expertise #complication- [decision] Contacts her ex-boyfriend the doctor #character-choice## Key Details- [research] Sarah uses advanced data analysis techniques #skill-showcase- [worldbuilding] Introduce neural implant technology details #exposition- [foreshadowing] Hints about Sarah's brother's death #setup- [tension] Corporate security cameras track her activity #threat## Word Count Target- [goal] 2,500 words #writing-goal- [actual] [To be filled after writing] #progress-tracking## Relations- advances [[Main Plot Arc]]- develops [[Sarah Chen - Protagonist]]- introduces [[Neural Implant Technology]]- sets_up [[Medical Consultant Character]]
Keep track of your research with structured notes:
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---title: Neuroscience Research - Neural Interfacestags: [research, neuroscience, technology]---# Neuroscience Research - Neural Interfaces## Current Technology (2024)- [reality] Neuralink has achieved basic motor control #current-tech- [reality] Brain-computer interfaces used for paralysis treatment #medical-application- [limitation] Current technology requires external processing #tech-constraint- [limitation] Invasive surgery with infection risks #medical-risk## Extrapolated Future (2035 - Story Setting)- [speculation] Miniaturized processors allow implanted computers #advancement- [speculation] Wireless data transfer directly to brain #connectivity- [speculation] Memory enhancement and skill downloading possible #enhancement- [speculation] Corporate control over neural data streams #dystopian-element## Story Applications- [plot-device] Neural implants can be hacked remotely #vulnerability- [plot-device] Corporate surveillance through implant data #privacy-invasion- [conflict] Traditional humans vs enhanced humans #social-divide- [theme] Questions of human identity and authenticity #philosophical## Research Sources- [source] "The Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces" - Nature Journal #academic- [source] Neuralink progress reports 2023-2024 #corporate- [source] Ethical concerns from neural rights activists #social- [source] Science fiction precedents in cyberpunk literature #genre## Relations- informs [[Future Seattle Setting]]- drives [[Main Plot Arc]]- supports [[Technology vs Humanity Theme]]- affects [[Character Abilities]]
---title: Daily Writing Log - November 2024tags: [writing-log, progress, productivity]---# Daily Writing Log - November 2024## November 15, 2024- [session] 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM (2 hours) #writing-time- [target] 1,000 words on Chapter 3 #goal- [actual] 1,250 words completed #achievement- [focus] Sarah's discovery scene in corporate database #content- [breakthrough] Found perfect metaphor for data analysis #creative-moment- [challenge] Struggled with technical exposition balance #writing-challenge- [next] Tomorrow: Coffee shop research scene #planning## November 16, 2024- [session] 6:30 AM - 8:00 AM (1.5 hours) #writing-time- [target] 800 words continuing Chapter 3 #goal- [actual] 650 words - slower pace today #progress- [focus] Dialogue between Sarah and café owner #content- [research] Needed to verify Seattle café culture details #fact-checking- [challenge] Dialogue felt stilted, need revision #revision-note- [energy] Low energy day, but maintained consistency #reflection## Weekly Summary (Nov 13-19)- [total-time] 12 hours writing time #productivity- [total-words] 5,200 words added #output- [chapters] Completed Chapter 3, started Chapter 4 #milestone- [research] Added 3 new research notes #knowledge-building- [breakthrough] Solved plot hole with neural implant hacking #problem-solving## Relations- tracks_progress [[Chapter 3 - The First Clue]]- informs [[Revision Planning]]- measures [[Writing Goals]]
---title: Ideas Parking Lottags: [ideas, inspiration, brainstorming]---# Ideas Parking Lot## Scene Ideas- [scene] Sarah has nightmare about her brother's death, wakes up to find corporate surveillance outside her window #thriller-moment- [scene] Old Tom reveals he's a former NeuroLink researcher who quit in protest #backstory-reveal- [scene] Neural implant patient speaks in corporate advertising slogans while dying #horror-element- [scene] Sarah's love interest turns out to be investigating the same conspiracy from inside competing corp #plot-twist## Character Details- [character] Sarah has synesthesia - sees data patterns as colors and shapes #unique-trait- [character] Corporate executive collects vintage human brains in jars #villain-quirk- [character] Old Tom communicates through handwritten notes to avoid digital surveillance #paranoia-trait## Worldbuilding Elements- [setting] Underground markets where people sell their neural data for money #economic-system- [setting] "Pure Human" neighborhoods that ban all neural technology #social-segregation- [technology] Neural implants create addiction to digital stimulation #social-problem## Theme Explorations- [theme] Question: At what point does technological enhancement make you no longer human? #philosophical- [theme] Corporate control extends into thoughts and memories #dystopian- [theme] Traditional human skills become valuable when technology fails #resilience## Research Questions- [research] How would neural implants affect dreams and subconscious? #psychology- [research] What would be the economic impact of downloadable skills? #economics- [research] How would law enforcement change with mind-reading technology? #legal-system## Relations- feeds_into [[Character Development]]- expands [[Worldbuilding]]- explores [[Themes]]
---title: Revision Plan - First Draft Completetags: [revision, editing, improvement]---# Revision Plan - First Draft Complete## Overall Assessment- [strength] Strong character development for Sarah #what-works- [strength] Compelling central mystery #what-works- [weakness] Pacing drags in middle chapters #revision-needed- [weakness] Love interest feels underdeveloped #character-issue- [weakness] Some technical exposition is clunky #prose-issue## Character Revisions- [task] Develop love interest's background and motivation #character-development- [task] Add more scenes showing Sarah's relationship with her brother #emotional-depth- [task] Strengthen Old Tom's mentor role in Act II #supporting-character- [task] Make antagonist more nuanced, less cartoonish #villain-development## Plot Revisions- [task] Tighten pacing in chapters 8-12 #structural-edit- [task] Add more obstacles in Sarah's investigation #tension-building- [task] Clarify the science behind neural implant vulnerability #plot-logic- [task] Strengthen connection between theme and plot resolution #thematic-unity## Prose Revisions- [task] Reduce technical exposition through character action #show-don't-tell- [task] Vary sentence structure in action sequences #prose-rhythm- [task] Enhance sensory details in worldbuilding sections #immersion- [task] Tighten dialogue to sound more natural #dialogue-polish## Research Additions Needed- [research] More details about Seattle geography and culture #setting-authenticity- [research] Corporate whistleblower real-world cases #plot-realism- [research] Current neuroscience terminology #technical-accuracy## Relations- improves [[Main Plot Arc]]- strengthens [[Character Development]]- enhances [[Worldbuilding]]- addresses [[Beta Reader Feedback]]
---title: Beta Reader Feedback - Round 1tags: [feedback, beta-readers, improvement]---# Beta Reader Feedback - Round 1## Reader: Alex (Science Fiction Fan)- [praise] "Loved the tech concepts and world-building" #positive- [critique] "Sarah's motivation unclear in early chapters" #character-issue- [suggestion] "Add more details about the neural implant interface" #technical- [confusion] "Timeline of brother's death doesn't match Sarah's age" #continuity-error- [overall] 4/5 stars, would recommend #rating## Reader: Jamie (Writing Group Member)- [praise] "Excellent prose quality and pacing" #positive- [critique] "Love interest appears too late in the story" #structural-issue- [suggestion] "Consider starting with more action" #opening-revision- [confusion] "Corporate hierarchy not clear" #worldbuilding-gap- [overall] Strong debut novel potential #encouragement## Reader: Dr. Martinez (Neuroscientist)- [praise] "Realistic portrayal of current neural interface technology" #technical-accuracy- [critique] "Some future extrapolations seem implausible" #scientific-realism- [suggestion] "Research recent papers on neural plasticity" #research-direction- [correction] "Brain surgery recovery time longer than depicted" #medical-accuracy- [overall] Solid science fiction with good research foundation #expert-opinion## Common Themes in Feedback- [pattern] Character motivation needs strengthening early #recurring-issue- [pattern] Technical exposition balance is good #strength- [pattern] Love story needs more development #subplot-issue- [pattern] World-building is compelling and believable #strength## Action Items- [task] Revise chapters 1-3 to clarify Sarah's motivation #priority-revision- [task] Introduce love interest earlier, possibly chapter 5 #structural-change- [task] Research neural plasticity and recovery timelines #technical-research- [task] Create corporate org chart for clarity #worldbuilding-supplement## Relations- informs [[Revision Plan]]- validates [[Character Development]]- improves [[Technical Accuracy]]
---title: Publishing Strategytags: [publishing, marketing, career]---# Publishing Strategy## Publishing Options Analysis- [option] Traditional publishing through agent #traditional-route- [option] Small press science fiction publishers #specialty-publishing- [option] Self-publishing with professional editing #independent-route- [decision] Pursuing traditional publishing first #chosen-path## Agent Research- [agent] Sarah Reynolds - Represents hard sci-fi, tech thrillers #target-agent- [agent] Marcus Chen - Strong track record with debut novels #target-agent- [agent] Jennifer Park - Focus on diverse voices in sci-fi #target-agent- [requirement] All require synopsis and first 50 pages #submission-requirements## Query Letter Elements- [hook] Neural implant conspiracy meets corporate thriller #genre-positioning- [character] Reluctant whistleblower protagonist with personal stakes #character-appeal- [stakes] Corporate control over human consciousness #high-concept- [credentials] Software engineering background adds authenticity #author-platform## Marketing Platform Development- [platform] Author website with blog about technology ethics #content-strategy- [platform] Twitter presence in sci-fi writing community #social-media- [platform] Guest posts on technology and writing blogs #thought-leadership- [platform] Local science fiction convention appearances #networking## Relations- promotes [[Completed Novel]]- leverages [[Technical Expertise]]- builds [[Author Platform]]
