A paper-first reading field guide
Separate Character Knowledge From Reader Knowledge
Use one line for the character’s available facts, one for the reader’s extra knowledge, and one for the first page where the gap closes.
A reader can know more than the person acting. Keeping the two knowledge states apart prevents hindsight from flattening the scene.
Step 1
Anchor the location
Record the page or chapter before interpreting the moment. Add the current reading boundary when later knowledge could change the note.
Step 2
Character knows
List only facts available to the character here.
Step 3
Reader knows
Add the extra fact already available to the reader.
Step 4
Gap closes
Mark when the character actually gains that knowledge.