3 Ways to Use Google Keep with Google Docs

I’ve been using Google Docs for my writing projects since I started writing seriously back in 2016. I love that it’s an online program so my work is automatically stored in the Cloud. No more remembering to back up my files. Thank you, Google!

When I discovered Google Keep, Google’s version of digital sticky notes, I was thrilled to be able to save notes and lists digitally online and on my phone through the Google Keep app. Being able to use the Google Suite of products as apps on my phone was a huge selling point for me. I love being able to access them anytime, anywhere.

So, when I saw this YouTube video from Scott Friesen at Simpletivity demonstrating how you can use Google Keep within Google Docs, my mind was blown! Here are three ways I love using Google Keep together with Google Docs during the writing process.

An Outline During the Drafting Stage

My favorite way to use Google Keep is for creating checklists. I love how Google Keep gives you checkboxes you can mark them off as you complete each item on your list. I create my story outlines so that each chapter has a sentence or two. This makes them perfect for creating list items in Google Keep.

Once I have my outline in Keep, I navigate to Google Docs then open my Keep note in the Doc file I’m using to draft the novel. This opens a narrow window for Google Keep to the right of the main writing area in Docs. I barely notice it’s there, but it’s super handy to refer to as I’m drafting. I love that I can check each chapter off as I progress through my draft.

You can make notes in Google Keep while in Google Docs too, so if I want to remember something later on in my outline, I can simply add it to my Keep note for later. 

A Place for Notes While Revising

Once I have moved on to the revising stage, I use Keep to make notes to myself about things I want to double-check (either in my story or extra research I need to do). This helps me make sure I don’t forget anything. Sometimes a thought will come to me, but I’m not working on that section of the novel, so I make a note of it so I can check it when I get to that point in the story.

Most often the types of notes I create during this stage of the writing process are about making sure any loose ends are either tied up by the end of the story or have a clear reason for not being wrapped up.

An Editing Checklist 

A few years ago when I noticed I was constantly fixing the same things in my novels, I created a self-editing checklist in Google Keep that I continually update. This includes picky things like checking for the overuse of the word as, using ‘that’ when I should have used ‘who,’ and limiting the use of the word it. When I’m ready to edit my novel with this level of detail, it’s easy for me to pull up the checklist in Keep while still having my novel open in Google Docs. 

I can work my way through the list, checking off each item as it’s completed. Another thing I love about Google Keep is that once something is checked off a list, it isn’t gone. It’s super easy to uncheck items in order to get ready for the next novel I need to edit. 

If you’re a list maker like I am, check out Google Keep for making digital lists. I love using Keep within Docs to make the editing process systematic and fulfilling. There’s just something about checking a box that makes me feel like I’m getting a lot done!