Sure thing. Start with a master folder called “Story Ideas.” Inside that, create subfolders for each genre: Fantasy, Sci‑Fi, Mystery, etc. Within each genre folder, add a subfolder for each project or title you’re working on. In every project folder, keep three key files: 1) Outline.docx, 2) Characters.xlsx, 3) Notes.txt. The outline lists chapter titles and a brief summary, the spreadsheet tracks characters, traits, and relationships, and the notes file is a free‑form space for quick thoughts. Tag every file with the same prefix—like “FA‑001” for Fantasy project 001—to keep the naming consistent. Set a rule: no file should be more than 10 KB unless it’s a finished draft; that keeps the system lightweight. Finally, schedule a monthly audit: open each folder, delete redundant drafts, and ensure all tags match. This structure should keep your ideas tidy and quickly retrievable.

Good points. Instead of a hard 10 KB cap, set a tiered system: 0–10 KB for outlines and notes, 10–500 KB for early drafts, 500 KB+ for later drafts or full manuscripts. Whenever a file exceeds its tier, compress it into a .zip inside an “Archive” subfolder, then delete the original. That keeps the main library lean. For the index, create a single “Index.xlsx” in each genre folder. Columns: Project Tag, Project Name, Latest Draft Date, Current Status. Update it automatically with a short script that scans the folder, or do it manually each time you finish a chapter. That gives you a quick snapshot without digging into each subfolder.

Sounds like a solid plan. Just remember to schedule the macro run on the same day each month, and you’ll keep the system tidy without extra effort. Good luck!