Why Use a Spreadsheet to Plot Your Novel?
Many writers, myself included, have started novels only to abandon them partway through. Writing as inspiration strikes can feel creatively freeing, but it often leads to a tangled, unfocused narrative that is difficult to revise and even harder for an editor to untangle. A structured approach, such as using a spreadsheet, brings order to creative chaos and helps maintain momentum.
Spreadsheets offer flexibility, visual clarity, and easy updating. They allow you to keep track of characters, timelines, and plot points in one convenient place. This makes the writing process more manageable, your novel more cohesive, and your revision process much smoother.
Main Benefits of Spreadsheet Plotting
- Visual Organization: View your entire story structure at a glance, making gaps or inconsistencies easy to spot.
- Easy Editing: Rearrange scenes, plot points, or character arcs quickly with copy and paste.
- Customizable: Tailor your spreadsheet with columns for elements unique to your story, such as subplots or themes.
- Collaboration: Share your spreadsheet with co-writers, beta readers, or editors for feedback and brainstorming.
- Progress Tracking: Monitor your word count, scene completion, or revision status directly within the spreadsheet.
Choosing the Right Spreadsheet Software
You can use any spreadsheet program, such as Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, or LibreOffice Calc. For this guide, we’ll focus on Google Sheets since it is free, accessible across devices, and simple to share, but the principles apply to any platform.
| Software | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Google Sheets | Free, cloud-based, easy sharing, auto-save, real-time collaboration | Requires internet connection for full features |
| Microsoft Excel | Powerful features, advanced formatting, offline access | Requires paid license, less convenient sharing |
| LibreOffice Calc | Free, open source, good offline access | Less intuitive sharing and collaboration features |
Step-by-Step Guide: Plotting Your Novel with a Spreadsheet
Step 1: Create a New Spreadsheet
- Open your chosen spreadsheet software and start a new file.
- Title your spreadsheet, such as “Novel Plot Planner” or “Story Structure Map” for easy reference.
Tip: Save your spreadsheet in a dedicated writing folder for quick access.
Step 2: Set Up Columns and Rows
Organize your spreadsheet into columns that help you track essential story elements. Common columns include:
- Scene Number: For easy reference and rearrangement.
- Chapter: To group scenes by chapter or section.
- POV Character: Especially useful for books with multiple points of view.
- Location/Setting: Helps visualize where each scene takes place.
- Summary: Brief description of the scene or event.
- Purpose: Clarifies why the scene exists (e.g., introduce conflict, develop character).
- Key Characters Present: Track who appears in each scene.
- Notes: Special considerations, foreshadowing, or continuity reminders.
Consider using separate sheets within the file for characters, main plot, subplots, and scene breakdowns for clarity and focus.
| Sheet | Purpose | Typical Columns |
|---|---|---|
| Main Plot | Track primary story events | Scene, Chapter, Summary, Purpose, Characters |
| Characters | Detail character arcs and info | Name, Role, Age, Background, Goals, Conflicts |
| Subplots | Monitor secondary storylines | Subplot Name, Relevant Scenes, Resolution |
Step 3: Populate Your Character Sheet
A well-structured character sheet helps you keep track of character development and consistency.
- For each character, fill in:
- Name: Main and supporting characters
- Role: Protagonist, antagonist, mentor, etc.
- Age: At the start (and end, if the story spans years)
- Background: Brief history, upbringing, key formative events
- Goals: What they want most in the story
- Motivations: Why they pursue these goals
- Conflicts: Internal struggles and external obstacles
- Secrets/Plot Twists: Hidden aspects that impact the plot
Example Character Table:
| Name | Role | Age | Background | Goal | Motivation | Conflict | Secret |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jess Carter | Protagonist | 25 | Raised by a single mother, grew up poor | Become a successful entrepreneur | Desire for financial freedom and independence | Fear of failure, imposter syndrome | Was involved in a questionable business deal |
| Alex Grant | Antagonist | 30 | Wealthy businessperson, secretive past | Eliminate competition, gain control of industry | Ambition, legacy, greed | Fear of exposure, paranoia | Funded illegal operations |
Step 4: Build Your Plot Timeline
Mapping out your plot timeline gives you a clear structure and highlights the pacing of your story.
- Create a new sheet or section for your plot timeline.
- Divide your story into classic structural sections, such as:
- Inciting Incident
- Act 1: Setup and exposition
- Act 2: Confrontation and rising action
- Act 3: Climax and resolution
- Denouement (optional)
- For each section, add key events, turning points, and important character introductions or changes.
Sample Plot Timeline Table:
| Section | Key Events |
|---|---|
| Inciting Incident | Jess discovers a conspiracy behind her company’s rapid growth |
| Act 1 | Jess teams up with a reluctant ally, faces early setbacks |
| Act 2 | Evidence mounts, relationships strain, Jess questions loyalties |
| Act 3 | Showdown with Alex, truth revealed, Jess’s future uncertain |
| Denouement | Jess makes a key decision about her business and personal life |
Tip: Break down acts into individual chapters or scenes for more detailed planning.
Step 5: Link Characters to Plot Events
Connecting characters to plot events ensures everyone has a purpose and presence throughout your novel.
- Create a column or a separate sheet to map which characters appear in each scene or chapter.
- Use identifiers (e.g., A1 for Act 1, Scene 1) to quickly track character movements and influence.
- This helps you visualize character arcs, balance character presence, and avoid plot holes like forgotten subplots.
Example Character-Plot Mapping Table:
| Character | Inciting Incident | Act 1 | Act 2 | Act 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jess Carter | Discovers conspiracy | Teams with ally, investigates | Faces betrayal, gathers evidence | Confronts Alex, uncovers truth |
| Alex Grant | Operates in the background | Manipulates events, hides motives | Attempts to silence Jess | Reveals secrets, final confrontation |
| Ally (Sam Lee) | N/A | Is recruited, doubts Jess | Supports Jess, faces danger | Helps expose Alex |
Tips and Variations for Spreadsheet Plotting
- Color Coding: Use colors to differentiate POV characters, plotlines, or emotional beats for quick visual reference.
- Scene Tracker: Add columns for word count, scene status (drafted, revised, final), or chapter number.
- Templates: Download pre-made plotting templates or design your own to fit your genre and workflow. Many writers share templates online.
- Real-Life Example: J.K. Rowling famously used tables to organize overlapping plots, timelines, and character arcs for the Harry Potter series.
Additional Variations and Advanced Uses
- Multiple Timelines: Track dual timelines or flashbacks by adding a “Timeline” column, ensuring chronology is clear.
- Subplot Tracking: Create separate sheets or color codes for subplots to ensure they are introduced, developed, and resolved.
- Revision Planning: Use checkboxes or status columns to track revision progress scene by scene.
Case Study: How a Spreadsheet Saved My Draft
When I first tried spreadsheet plotting, I realized several minor characters disappeared halfway through my story. By linking each character to key scenes, I could balance their appearances and strengthen subplots. The spreadsheet also helped me spot pacing issues, such as too many high-stakes scenes in a row without a breather.
Example: After color-coding scenes by emotional intensity, I saw the need to add quieter moments for character reflection. This made the story more engaging and allowed readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level.
Other writers have shared similar experiences. For instance, a friend writing a mystery novel used a spreadsheet to track clues and red herrings, ensuring every thread was resolved by the end.
Final Thoughts
Using a spreadsheet to plot your novel gives you a bird’s-eye view of your story, helping you maintain consistency across characters, plotlines, and events. Whether you are a planner or a “pantser” (someone who writes by the seat of their pants), this approach can help you finish your novel and make the editing process far less daunting.
Give spreadsheet plotting a try, and adjust the system to fit your creative style. With a bit of initial setup, you will find it much easier to stay organized, spot problems early, and enjoy the writing journey from start to finish.