T is for Tracking Tools

Keeping track of plot lines, character names, or unusual words can be hard to do for a single novel. A series is even harder to manage. At the start, let me admit that I am a plotter. While no single tool works for every project, there are programs that can be purchased. However, this post will focus on things you can do yourself.

 

A step beyond lists using pen and paper are tables built using spreadsheets or word processing programs. 

And since this is a blog hop, I also use a table to track posts written or awaiting creation.

 

In my book of tools are numerous templates for character profiles. Many of which are twenty to thirty pages long. A piece of writing advice that never worked for me was to fill out complete character profiles for all my main characters before I wrote word one.

The form I use the most is a handful of questions on a single page. While I agree that some pre-planning can help me get to know my characters, I don't need much to start with. Just a physical description, a name, and a statement of the hero's journey. Although I don't complete an extensive profile, I do have an abbreviated form of a few questions that include the previous mentioned items and things like preferred weapons and possibly favorite food. But those are filled out as the story and characters develop.

~till next time, Helen 

Click on the button to find my next post in the challenge. Remember, it won't be live until midnight after this entry.

If you're interested in following other blogs in the A to Z in April challenge, click on the logo for the master list of the other participants.