tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post6534955509354435285..comments2024-03-28T05:34:42.670-05:00Comments on MAKE MINE MYSTERY: Spreadsheets, Schedules and WritersMorgan Mandelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-14076293444028538352014-07-17T12:32:51.375-05:002014-07-17T12:32:51.375-05:00I don't use a spreadsheet yet, but then I only...I don't use a spreadsheet yet, but then I only have 2 books published and no e-books. I do have a 3-ring binder with tabs for every character, and keep adding traits, etc., as I learn more about each one. I have a notebook for all commitments, events, books sold, etc. This works for me for now, but I do have a ton of stickies, etc., and waste time checking them twice or more often.Carole Pricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12878208750636105503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-77107397990099565452014-07-17T07:08:28.219-05:002014-07-17T07:08:28.219-05:00Lovely cover! About spreadsheets - I do like to u...Lovely cover! About spreadsheets - I do like to use the template check register spreadsheet. I have my grubby regular check register I start out with, then I check it against the bank's statement, and I put it all together on the spread sheet. The spread sheet is what my accountant gets, so he can read it and everything is on there. I've never tried using it for writing. If I could figure out how to do one for that, it probably would be a good idea.Morgan Mandelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10118929301591850918noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-64504367693989918932014-07-17T07:03:03.070-05:002014-07-17T07:03:03.070-05:00I like the idea of using spreadsheets more with my...I like the idea of using spreadsheets more with my writing. I use a pretty detailed one for my submissions which include a variety of short stories, but I may have to branch out and try this for other aspects of writing. Thanks for the info.Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06515738513698526073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-14054711226379974172014-07-16T21:48:29.318-05:002014-07-16T21:48:29.318-05:00Thanks for the detailed response! Janis/Susan! Bes...Thanks for the detailed response! Janis/Susan! Best of luck on the releases. How exciting for you!Cathy Shousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02825259524689437031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-69889360174709796712014-07-16T13:22:52.910-05:002014-07-16T13:22:52.910-05:00I've been using spreadsheets for the past year...I've been using spreadsheets for the past year or so, and they really help me stay focused and on track. I can also relate to you so much with the characters as it's pretty much the same for me!! Happy writing,Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06113379840048833347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-26458315193781674422014-07-16T11:30:38.409-05:002014-07-16T11:30:38.409-05:00I love spreadsheets too. Taught myself Excel when...I love spreadsheets too. Taught myself Excel when I was working and use it a lot now. I can't use it though for characters and chapters, etc. Mostly I need it for something that involves math since that's not my best subject. I do most of my charts and lists by hand. Bottom line: I need to write! ;-)<br /><br />Good luck with all your releases. It sounds like a busy time for you. But a happy one.janeleopoldquinn.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05393771532686229258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-38908893022971917712014-07-16T10:08:32.495-05:002014-07-16T10:08:32.495-05:00I never learned how to use excel, so I created my ...I never learned how to use excel, so I created my own version of a spreadsheet, but I'm still a pencil & paper gal.Loretta C. Rogershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13477553413309389196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-35403073260000476812014-07-16T09:58:01.699-05:002014-07-16T09:58:01.699-05:00I agree. I couldn't write a novel without the ...I agree. I couldn't write a novel without the spreadsheet I've developed over the years. I have a tab for characters (columns for age, vehicle, desc, role, etc.), a tab for the timeline with the dates and chapter divisions and columns for each main character, a tab for the main plot beats, and whatever other tabs I need for that project. I have to have it open when I'm working on that project!<br />Kaye Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-89110768895781263492014-07-16T09:21:27.143-05:002014-07-16T09:21:27.143-05:00I have a spreadsheet for my poetry submissions. I ...I have a spreadsheet for my poetry submissions. I got the spreadsheet from someone else, and it's a life saver. It's the only way I can track what I've submitted to where and what they replied, etc. Margaret Fielandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12639464925210908450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-64042175506503055842014-07-16T09:05:36.915-05:002014-07-16T09:05:36.915-05:00I like spreadsheets, but what I usually discover (...I like spreadsheets, but what I usually discover (about myself) is I start a spreadsheet, add data for a while, then completely forget it. So I'm not sure it's worth my time.Marishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14714052867941990380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-56562644691501860992014-07-16T08:08:53.820-05:002014-07-16T08:08:53.820-05:00I'm very impressed with your spreadsheet. I he...I'm very impressed with your spreadsheet. I hesitate to admit that I still use notecards, but I like the idea of tracking things on one file. I saw in the above comment that your columns are specific for all sorts of steps, things I wouldn't have thought of tracking but I can see they help keep you organized. Very impressive system.Susan Oleksiwhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02693057997469296068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-83410154189688241242014-07-16T08:07:45.534-05:002014-07-16T08:07:45.534-05:00I have no idea how to use a spreadsheet--keeping n...I have no idea how to use a spreadsheet--keeping notes is the only way I can do it.Marilyn Meredith a.k.a. F. M. Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04179984154939161530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-52170578010274480022014-07-16T07:01:40.088-05:002014-07-16T07:01:40.088-05:00Ooops - forgot. I own a copy of Scrivener, but ope...Ooops - forgot. I own a copy of Scrivener, but opened it once, took one look and after about 30 minutes of noodling around with it, closed it for good. I'm an old fashioned writer. I use one Word file for the ms, another as a bible, where I write down names, descriptions, etc, - ie, anything I might have to reference again - as they come to me. Occasionally in a very complicated ms I might make some notes, or if I have to research, those go into a third file. Simple system and easy-peasy. I don't like complications except in plot.<br />Janis, also known as SusanSusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11286314155783213006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-84523405890407731182014-07-16T06:58:08.546-05:002014-07-16T06:58:08.546-05:00Thanks, Jacqueline!
Cathy, the columns have title...Thanks, Jacqueline!<br /><br />Cathy, the columns have titles like Editing, ISBN (E) Applied, ISBN (P) Applied, File to Formatter, Info to Cover Artist, Formats Received, Formatter Paid, Cover Art Approved, Cover Art Received, Artist Paid - every single step from completing the manuscript to uploading to the various retailers. And I put not only the action, but the date in the appropriate cell. I also color-code - once a book is complete and for sale, that book is given a specific color all the way across, signifying that it is out of the queue. Any problem or question steps are given another color. Etc.<br /><br />As for so many books, all but two are backlist titles to which I have received my rights back. Two are brand new, never before released titles. <br /><br />And yes, I have always worked on multiple projects at one time.<br /><br />Janis, also known as SusanSusanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11286314155783213006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-79673346250833823752014-07-16T06:19:15.642-05:002014-07-16T06:19:15.642-05:00Spreadsheets don't come easily to me. I can...Spreadsheets don't come easily to me. I can't imagine what one with all of those steps to take would look like. Can you give a thumbnail sketch of what the steps say and how the spreadsheet with the 9 book releases is set up? <br />And how did you end up releasing 9 books in so short a time? How many do you write simultaneously? Last, do you use Scrivener or any software for the writing? Thanks for an inspiring post.Cathy Shousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02825259524689437031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041804343600978883.post-18408191531452935852014-07-16T05:38:25.134-05:002014-07-16T05:38:25.134-05:00I like the cover art on the new novel! I agree org...I like the cover art on the new novel! I agree organization is very important to writers.Jacqueline Seewaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09177500620940251009noreply@blogger.com