On the last check in someone asked about my spreadsheet, it's quite a basic affair but first I'll explain what my plans are for tackling the rewrite.
One thing that was missing from my paper thin 1st draft was location details, you'd think my characters were walking around in a blank canvas. As I can rebuild my locations independent of plot and character development I'm focusing on that.
The spreadsheet itself will give me an overview of every appearance of every location in all my chapters. I'll also be using it to fill in the timeline. One thread of my novel starts back in a character's past.
The next stage will be to complete any necessary research for building the locations and writing out a description of each location on a separate piece of paper. I can then keep that in front of me when I start rewriting the actual novel.
Next prep stage will be to:
- Complete research for vague bits in the plot.
- Redo all my character sheets, and figure out my antagonists theory.
- Add new location and character sheets for the two story threads I'll be fully developing in the 2nd draft.
Once all that's done, it'll be time to look at individual scenes. I'm trying to break it down as much as possible into manageable chunks before weaving all that information back together.
My spreadsheet has 8 headings for:
Chapter - which chapter the data is for
Location - What locations are present in each chapter
Journey - When characters need to get from a-b
Day - what day of the week each chapter takes place
Time of Day - the time of day i.e morning, afternoon, night
Year - the year i.e 1963 or 2011
POV - The PoV character for the chapter
Character's present - What other character's are present.
I may insert headings for emotion and important info revealed
I've completed spreadsheet data for the 1st four chapters and can already see that I've got space to insert new chapters to follow through the 1963 timeline. I still need to go back over most of my entries to fill in day's.
On my other goals, I finished my current assignment, have done no reading since last check in and didn't do my exercise goal.
How's everyone else doing?
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9 comments:
Sounds like you are getting a good handle on your WIP, lots of work but it should pay off for you in the long run.
All the best for the coming week!
It looks like you're doing well Katy. Great spreadsheet BTW. Keep it going, and I'll see you at the next check-in.
Thanks Gene and Kerry.
Thanks for explaining the spreadsheet, Katy. It sounds very helpful. You're doing great on your preparation, and as Gene says, it will serve you well down the line.
Have a great week!
Nancy
Sounds like you are doing well! I don't have exercise or reading in my goals...I'm beginning to feel like I should. Maybe that will motivate me to do them. Ha. :)
Thanks Nancy I feel like I'm building something physical to work with.
Wosushi, thanks for dropping by.
Your spreadsheet sounds interesting! Thank you for your comment on my blog....I am now viewing my WIP as in its skeleton stage!
Hope you have a great week!
Em, thanks for dropping in. The real fun and challenges begin when it's time to start adding flesh and organs to the skeleton
sounds youre doing good work there - spreadsheets aren't my thing but my friend from forever/editor has drawn one up for my books so that she at least is au faix with everything! all the best for this week
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