How do you keep your GM notes?

[Thomas Shey]

Even before going virtual, if I felt a need to keep eye contact with players I wouldn't be able to run at all; I always have too much material to keep track of for that.

 

[R_J_K75]

Pocket binder.

Spoiler: Pix

Dungeons levels 4 and 5 are in the next two pockets, and 6 and 7 in the next two after that, etc.

Thanks for making my game prep look feeble and inadequate. I'll sit in the corner and think about what I've done.

 

[uzirath]

Google Docs for me. I usually keep my notes for a single campaign in an ongoing document with internal links to each session. My notes tend to range from hyper-detailed to nonexistent, depending on how much prep time I have and how concerned I am about upcoming scenes and conflicts. I frequently add images or sidebars with additional information.

Here's an example of some notes, including a sidebar with some details on how long a journey might take depending which route the party chose:

Another example with a screenshot from Roll20. I'm using a published adventure here so my notes are relatively brief.

And, when life gets really busy, my notes dwindle further:

 

[aramis erak]

I tend to do cheat sheets covering the entire mechanicals needed in play. They're typed/laid-out in either Pages or LibreOffice.
[snip]

That's prep notes.
Notes in play? disposables on 3×5 cards
Stables on either College Rule or Narrow Rule paper. Finding Narrow Rule is bloody hard... but recently, digest sized notebooks and filler paper have become available, and I am happy. I wish I could get page protectors in that size, tho'...and, due to hole placement, cutting down letter size isn't a good option.

 

[Randomthoughts]

Since I primarily now play on Fantasy Grounds my notes are either in the "notes" feature in Fantasy Grounds or in a document using Libre Office's word processor.

Yeah, I found FG to be ideal not only for writing my home brews but taking notes as well. It’s handy with links to images, maps, encounters and such. For face-to-face stuff, I use OneNote.

 

[cmad1977]

My biggest issue is that I’m so used to keeping notes in a journal for tabletop games. But the games I play are VTT style. So my notes wind up mixed between the digital and the physical. Things still work out but…. CHAOS!

 

[CleverNickName]

Lately, all of mine are digital (Google Docs, if you want specifics). But back in the day, I was a big fan of using composition notebooks.

 

[Older Beholder]

taps finger to the side of forehead
It's all up here.

(just kidding, I just use a note book)

 

[johnnyhall]

I've tried tablets and online tools, but I agree, there's something about the immediacy of paper that keeps me in the moment.

 

[simonhard]

Personally, I'm all about finding that sweet spot between organization and flexibility. I remember when I first started GMing, I tried various methods, from digital to paper. Eventually, I settled on a hybrid approach: I keep digital notes for easy reference and a physical notebook for jotting down spontaneous ideas during sessions.

I totally get what you mean about staying in the moment during play. That's why I prefer having everything I need condensed onto one or two pages or a single notebook spread. It keeps me focused without being overwhelmed.

Have you ever considered using an online notepad for your GM notes? It could be a convenient way to have your reference material accessible without the distraction of screens or tabs.