This post is for Alex Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writers Support Group (click the link for details on what that means and how to join. You will also find a list of bloggers signed up to the challenge that are worth checking out. The first Wednesday of every month, we all post our thoughts, fears or words of encouragement for fellow writers.
This month’s question — Writers have secrets! What are one or two of yours, something readers would never know from your work?
I have written about this before so I apologize if you’ve already read it. The reason I revisit this planning method is because it is an oddity about my writing style, something most wouldn’t know or suspect.
I write from a spreadsheet. I collect ideas like most of you do while I’m walking the dog, eating, reading email–something pops into my brain that is perfect for one of the books I’m mapping. I add it to Keep simply as a long list of tidbits. This one below is for my next book and has about fifty ideas curated already:
When I’m ready to start the book, I add these bits to a spreadsheet, rough out plot ideas in the rows first and then fill in details of the Eden State (the world that will never be the same), the inciting incident, the SHBL (strongly-held beliefs), story goals, the dramatic points in the plot, the character growth, and what needs to be followed up later in the book. I then evaluate what I’ve written with columns that take note of the main and minor characters in the scene, when and where it takes place, the scene’s purpose, and a rough break-down of chapters. As inspiration strikes, I add details, emotions, ideas, and everything else that makes a story sing. Here’s what part of it looks like:
Interestingly, when I posted about this a decade ago, a reader sent me a spreadsheet showing how JK Rowlings writes in a similar fashion:
On a separate spreadsheet, I build a timeline with morning-noon-night activities, location, and all the story events as they lay out temporally. I want to be sure nothing is in the wrong place and all time is accounted for. I know this is too small to see, but here’s an example:
These steps forces me to think through the story, flesh it out, and prepare it for editing. Usually, I get 900-1000 rows, transfer it to Word (which ends up about 75 pages), and then go to work.
For me, this is perfect, but that’s the type of writer I am. I know this wouldn’t work for lots of people. But, to my surprise, the last time I posted about my spreadsheet approach to writing, a few people shared that they wrote in a similar fashion!
How about you? How do you lay out your story?
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Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy, the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers, and the Man vs. Nature saga. She is also the author/editor of over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, adjunct professor of technology in education, blog webmaster, an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Against All Odds, Summer 2020. You can find her tech ed books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning
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I’ve never considered using Excel to plot out stories, I use a notepad to write my ideas and then brainstorm to determine whether there is enough for me to work with and then develop scenes.
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I think that’s how most people do it. Part of my spreadsheet use is so I know when I’m done. I can have a quick overview of each scene, see if it satisfies the plot and theme, and then end things. That sounds rather clinical as I write it but with some freedoms, it seems to work for me.
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It is a more linear way of thinking, though looks as if it works 😀 I know I enjoy reading your stories and all the sub-plots tie together.
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Jacqui, you are so organized!
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Well, at least I start that way!
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You’re so amazingly organized!
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I’m almost embarrassed by it.
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Ha! There are certainly worse things…
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I’m afraid I don’t preplan. I may have a carcass of an idea, but I follow a character through an episode in their lives, and I know the story will have shape and integrity, as long as I believe in the character. I talk to them a lot. Quite often they are better organised than I.
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“A carcass of an idea”–that’s a keeper, Fred. I don’t know if it’s good or bad to plan in this much depth. Just seems to work for me!
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I’m wowed and impressed, Jacqui. Thanks for sharing your in-depth process. Like some others here, I’m more a jotter, index card writer and pants-er. But I could see how this would be required for long novels like yours are, or historic fiction.
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I think you hit it, Lisa. When writing historical fiction, it requires lots of factual detail to build an atmosphere for readers. The spreadsheet makes sure I get that in.
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Wow, that’s incredibly organized. I’ve tried plotting things out in advance, but many times, when I got to certain points in the story, my characters did unexpected things or went in opposite directions of where I had planned, so now I just let the story go where it will with just some loose planning. I guess I’ll always be a pantser.
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I know what you mean. Often, my plotting is mostly to make sure I don’t forget things or pull threads that need pulling. I like it when my characters take on a life of their own, don’t you?
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Absolutely. It’s so much more fun that way.
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It’s really helpful to me
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Glad to hear it!
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I have an outline page, description page, character page then keep my ideas at the base of my manuscript. Have a weekend that keeps the muse happy:)
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Now that sounds complicated!
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you are doing greaT
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Thanks, Dolly!
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Hi Jacqui – thanks for reminding us about Keep again … I’ve noted – but looking at your preparations and JKs … I doubt I’ll get to write a book … certainly there isn’t one sitting in the little grey cells … but I’d like to investigate Keep – all the best – Hilary
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I think writing a book is not a decision, it’s an addiction–something you can’t NOT do. Consider yourself lucky, Hilary, to not be obsessed by it!
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i write poems, and love to express the things in a short and simple words but i have faced the most cruel face of life, but my poems always deliver a positive massage.
can visit my site and follow here
http://www.theunconditionalguru.in
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I am so in need of a positive voice amidst all this turmoil. Sigh.
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The spreadsheet idea is clever and intriguing!
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I get a lot done in it, much more than a simple outline. I’m coming over, Jeff, see what uplifting words you have for the mess around us!
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Fascinating spreadsheet idea. I’d seen that system recently somewhere. Good luck! 🙂
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Debra Purdy Kong mentioned it, but I’m not sure when!
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Thanks for spreading the word. 🙂 I do think I’ve seen something similar at the Story Empire a few months ago too.
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Absolutely brilliant way of describing how you work work towards your goal. Truly inspirational. Thanks and much appreciated for sharing
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Thanks! At this moment, it works nicely for me.
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Fascinating. Not sure that would work for me. I write my stories like a script—all dialogue and stage directions. Later, I fill in the narrative and emotion. Eventually we all figure out what works best for us. It’s great to read how others do it.
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Really, it’s about whatever works for you. I don’t find many who share my enthusiasm for so much outlining but I couldn’t get started without it!
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I need to do this too. Thank you for sharing.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
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Glad you like it!
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However you can get it done is a good way to get it done, I think.
~Cie from Naughty Netherworld Press~
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So true, Cara!
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I would have sworn I posted a comment already. Anyway… I wish I could do all that, I mean I can, but that much information can overwhelm me. I use Scrivener to keep all my projects in one place.
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I hear a lot about Scrivener but haven’t tried it. It seems my Word-Excel organizing works well enough for me.
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Dang! You’re good….
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Organized to a fault. Really. A fault.
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This is very organised, Jacqui. I don’t write like this at all. I write an overview on a single page and I write the ending. I then head towards that ending. It took me 105 000 words to get to the ending for A Ghost and His Gold, but get there I did and it is the same ending and the same title.
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I wish I could write like that, Robbie! Sigh.
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Fascinating. No wonder your stories are filled with details and word pictures. I outline my stories, roughly, and as I write I scribble in notes in the outline. I did a timeline for my memoir which really helped me spark memories. Thanks for sharing. Something to consider for my future stories.
JQ Rose
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Did you like the timeline? That was a great improvement when I added it to my drafting.
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Wow! That’s quite a spreadsheet, Jacqui. We have to find what works for us, and if that works for you, that’s fine. I’m impressed.
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I consider myself a bit obsessive but it feels good to know Rowlings does a similar approach to drafting.
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As long as it works!
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This is an interesting and fascinating way to write a first draft, Jacqui. Thanks for sharing (again). It looks organized and might be a way I’d tackle a story if I were to write fiction. So much to keep track of, though. It really seems like a lot of work. I think I’ll stick to non-fiction, where the spreadsheet is my mind. Mmmm, that might not be ideal! 🙂
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It is a lot of work but it does force me to think through each part. That is good for me.
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I love your method. Much neater than mine. I use a whiteboard. It gets messy, lol.
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It does sound ‘messy’ to me but I don’t like mind maps and lots of people do. To me, they’re messy! So I bet it works just fine for you.
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Wow, Jacqui, your spreadsheets and files look amazing! With your world-building and research, I can see why you have so much of it! With my fitness book, I collected references on email and in Word Docs, and like you, jot things down with google when possible. Thanks for sharing your secrets!
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It’s all pretty fun, definitely escapism for me.
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Fascinating, Jacqui! 🙂 I outline, make lists and use note cards (old school me).
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The spreadsheet is mostly an in-depth digital outline, nothing more.
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It is a nice way to remain organized! Thanks for sharing Jacqui. My work is really spread out in many files. 🙂
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You can actually curate them all on a spreadsheet–with links or tabs. I keep my research there, too.
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I do use an excel for the first draft. After that, it’s a running handwritten account of scenes, writing exercises and then off to a Microsoft word document 🙂
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That’s a great way to do it–lots of different tools. I bet each makes you think a bit differently.
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Holy moly, that looks like a LOT of work! No wonder your stories come out so three dimensional 🙂
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Well, it’s like a first draft I suppose. It comes out at about 70-80 pages. Then I beef things up.
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I’m the queen of spreadsheets when it comes to finances or the business side of writing. I’m a scribbling, notes everywhere, no notes, just a vague remembrance of a note kind of person when it comes to actually writing the story. I’ve tried writing in a more systematic fashion and I’ve failed each time. Hats off to anyone who can plot and develop stories like you do.
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Spreadsheets are great for organizing scribbled notes. I actually start with a bullet list I’ve collected and then start arranging, seeing where I need more. I think you should keep writing as you do. It works for you. Your books are wonderful.
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This post is very helpful. Thank you for re-post this, Jacqui.
I’m a spreadsheet person. My daughter is even more so. We used spreadsheet for work and personal events that show the big picture. When I planned for a conference, I had spreadsheet for the calendar, the responsibilities of all people involved, and all info of the speakers, the layout and setup of the resort. On the day of conference, if something needed attention, I could solve it with little effort.
I use the same skills for my writing. I do that for my current WIP nonfiction story. Yes, I list the event and timeline and other details on the spreadsheet so I won’t miss the tidbits when i write.
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That’s so interesting, Miriam. I love hearing that. I too plan even family travels etc on a spreadsheet that I share with family. They’ve all gotten used to it.
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The spreadsheet organization runs in our family on the girls’ side, Jacqui. My sister, the one works for the government also uses spreadsheet extensively.
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I like your idea of a spread sheet, Jacqui! I’m a note taker and it would be nice to have them in one place.
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That is so true with spreadsheet. I use the different tabs for every topic I need. I love it.
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I’ve always wondered what the secret was to your prolific writing. This is awesome!
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The downside of spreadsheets is adding that emotion. I actually add notes to the spreadsheet where I need to do that!
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For my novel I have pages and pages of notes I never read. Don’t much progress either … sigh.
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Hehee. You’re a perfect candidate for a spreadsheet, Andrew. Throw them all into rows and move the rows around.
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You are way beyond me for organizational skills. No wonder you get so much done.
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I don’t write fast, though, despite this. This current book still took almost a year. I just don’t know how people write so fast!
And how are you? I wish you’d blog more about what you’re doing. I worry, you know. Sigh.
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Thank you, Jacqui. I’m fine given the circumstances. In fact, I’m very lucky – food on the table, a roof over my head, and a healthy family. Just very discouraged about blogging. I could never build the loyal following you’ve done for yourself. Too much writing for so little result. I’m putting my writing effort into my books and still trying to figure out the publication business. Thank you for being a great mentor and friend.
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Lots of people feel that way, Shari. I’m glad all is going well! If the riots and looting have calmed, maybe we’ll all stay relatively safe. Fingers crossed.
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I’m a spreadsheet outliner/organizer too, Jacqui. I love the flexibility to move things around and insert. My looks a little different, but same basic idea and function. 😀 Happy Writing!
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That moving stuff around–priceless. I do a lot of that.
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I used to plan out my stories on index cards. That made it easy for me to switch things around, if I wanted to. But I became less dependent on that system over time, and now I basically just make stuff up as I go along.
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Hehee. I so wish that worked for me! You write novellas? Maybe it works better for shorter ms.
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That might be true. At some point, I plan to expand into novel length work, and maybe then the index cards will come back.
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I plot mine out but not to such detail. Wow!
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I start with plot and then get carried away. Before I’m done I have reactions, setting, and a ton more!
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I created spreadsheets for my existing WIP. I never did that before, but I’m working on doing more plotting and less pantsing. As a result, I found I had so much material I needed a way to organize it. Mine are nowhere as structured or detailed as yours, but I’m just now wading into plotting territory.
Very cool look at your writing process, Jacqui!
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My stories are based on a ton of research so I want to be sure I get that stuff in where it belongs. Spreadsheets really help.
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That’s great that you can be so organized. While I am in the rest of my life, I can’t get so organized about a story before I start writing it.
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I wish I could just write but this is what works for me. I do often hear my characters in my head but they aren’t organized at all in what they’re saying!
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Hi. All I can say is that your organizational skills are superb. You have it down to a science.
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I’m actually sad when I transfer the spreadsheet to a text doc. It takes me a while to get used to it.
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Hi everyone
My name is Nosipho September. I am new to blogger. I have only known writing privately on my journal. I was a bit insecure about my own writings, so finally I have decided to share my writings publicly although I’m still a bit nervous about it. But going through this page has made me comfortable about opening up to my fear and I am looking forward to learn for everyone here and receive assistance. I have a goal of publishing my own book one day and now I know with such community I have all the motivation I need. Knowing I will not be judged or looked down. Thank you to all.
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It took me years to share this crazy outlining I do so don’t worry at all about your habits. I’ll check out your blog and see how you’re doing.
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Thank you so much Jacqui I appreciate that. Please do not hesitate to provide feedback and correction. I’m willing to learn along thing journey. I believe I can never stop learning. There’s always something new to learn each day
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I use a spreadsheet for each character and each scene. I also find pictures to match the characters. With the pictures of the characters I create a coloring book for a book funnel download.
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I do that too! Why am I not surprised. And thanks for your wonderful post about the KDP tool. I saw that in passing, forgot about it, and now you remind me why I should check it out.
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And now, I’m going to listen to your radio slow!
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I used to use a spreadsheet (and went back to it when I had a series with 8 POV characters). I also used to use PowerPoint to visually construct my timeline, scene by scene. Now, I tend to do everything in Scrivener. But it’s fascinating to see your process.
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I’m trying to figure out how PowerPoint constructs the timeline–quite intrigued. Did you post about that?
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A long time ago. And my methods changed quite a bit after those initial efforts. But here is the link (for what it’s worth): https://stacitroilo.wordpress.com/2012/07/30/how-project-planning-in-corporate-america-helped-me-write-novels/
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That was a fun read! I grabbed a few ideas from it, Staci.
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Your brain is always working, isn’t it? I scribble my ideas into a journal for each book. I also use a lot of bright and colorful index cards. I’m not big on spreadsheets, as I prefer to write with pen and paper.
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The spreadsheet lets me keep track of all the stuff my brain would forget. I daresay a couple of decades ago, I wouldn’t have needed it.
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Totally a plotter. I do mine on paper rather than a spreadsheet. Across the top are the characters and then the left is the day and scene. Then I fill it in. slightly different process but very similar result =)
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Like JK Rowlings did. Yeah, it makes sense.
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