Writing a Novel: the chapter table

I have a tool I have used to help my writing process. I have used it for years, so I know it works. I think of it as ‘my chapter table.’

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After I have finished my first draft and have done at least one edit of the entire draft, I create a table. I usually do this before I choose my chapter beginnings and endings. Part of the purpose of the table is to determine those beginnings and endings.

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The table records information about many aspects of the novel: chapters, chapter title, chapter length (page numbers), includes characters, settings, and (because I illustrate my books) possible topics for illustration.

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Here is a sample table, used for my in-progress Rural Mystery, The Road. The Road is an adventure/mystery about a woman on vacation who visits the places marked on a map, left by her Aunt Beth when she died.

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chaptertitlepagesvacation daycharactersdrawingsPrologue —10Aunt Beth none1vacation50ChelseaMasonKarmann Ghia2the plan50-1Chelsea
MasonMap and red dot3the chimney92Chelsea
MasonJed The chimney in the woods4cemetery93,4ChelseaCemetery5Money Point Road95Chelsea
Mason
Lily of the valley
Glamping dome
Trail and mountain
Soldier lichen

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I can put the table to almost any use. So, for example, if I want to track a symbol used throughout the novel, I can indicate the occurrences here. I can also insert dates, if those are important to my story. As I think about changes to the action or characters, the table helps me find particular areas of the novel, without searching the entire draft.

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When you work at your next story, try my table method of keeping track of chapters, characters and action. I know there are many uses for such a table.

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All my best!

Jane (a.k.a. Alexandra)