Notebooks!

I collect notebooks like I collect pens and they're filled with my scrawling.  You can see from the picture above that I make full use of all my pens, frequently switching them so they all get a chance to play.

I've used all sorts of methods of planning my stories and chapters from index cards to outlines to pantsing.  It seems that each story I write, only one method will work during the time I'm writing it.

Currently, I start by outlining the chapter, which is basically me figuring out how the heck I'm going to get all the characters to the place I need them to be.  That usually includes bits of dialogue or small scenes, and then I can start writing the actual chapter. 

I love going through my old notebooks and reading those old scenes from previous stories.  It's like taking a walk through my memories.