Buzz
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When creating a book (or rather, a series of books) with numerous plotlines, it's essential to have a method to keep everything organized. How can you plan the story so that all the pieces fit together, keep things moving smoothly, and ensure no character or subplot is overlooked? How do you determine what belongs in each chapter? Apparently, J.K. Rowling used a spreadsheet — the traditional method, on paper. (Yes, before digital spreadsheets, they were created on paper).
A sample of this spreadsheet surfaced on the blog *état omnipotent* in 2010, though it seems to have been circulating for years (some commenters have suggested that Rowling herself shared it on her website for fans). The blog's author mentioned:
A plot spreadsheet created by J.K. Rowling. Her method of spreadsheet plotting divides columns by chapter number, story timeline, chapter title, and both main and secondary plots.
Notice how the spreadsheet is organized by month, with a clear separation between the main plot, the primary subplot labeled 'PROPHECY,' and five additional subplots. These subplots are somewhat vague and often not mentioned directly in the book, yet they unfold in the background of the story's world over time.
This particular version is from *Order of the Phoenix*, though it’s an early draft, represented on just one page. You’ll spot that 'Elvira Umbridge' is mentioned instead of Dolores, Grawp is still considered a cousin at this point, and the D.A. and the Order of the Phoenix appear to have swapped names. A couple of my favorite notes include 'gory here' covering chapters 22 & 23, which is related to the D.A. (actually the Order as it appears in the final book), and the treatment of chapter 19, marked with the temporary title '(Xmas),' no major plot progression, three completely blank subplots, and a subplot labeled 'big reunion' circled. It seems even the plot takes a break sometimes.
See anything interesting? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments! You might also want to check out the comments sections here and here.
