JK Rowling's plot chart for fiction writing

I have modified a useful plot chart that I plan to use for my historical novel. It is based on one that J.K. Rowling described in her internet interview on October 25, 2006: http://60minutes.yahoo.com/segment/12/harry_potter?comment_offset=41. Scroll down the page to the fourth row tab titled "How it Began," and you will see the interview clip titled "Plotting Potter". She used this plot chart to write her Harry Potter books. My adapted plot chart takes the full vertical length of an A4 paper. The table consists of 4 columns and 2 rows. Here is a shortened version of it:

                                                                Book title

Week or Month	Chapter title	Plot thread or event	Subplot thread or event

• Characters (w/ images):
• Spotlight relationships & conflicts:
• POV:
• Setting:
• Customs covered (religion, occupations, hobbies, clothing, etc):
• Sketch:

 

Since my historical novel takes place in the past and present, I will color-coordinate the plot charts so that the chapters taking place in the present will be pink while the chapters happening in the past will be blue. This way, when I line them up on the table or floor, it will be easier to keep track of the plot threads. I will fill out a tentative plot chart before I begin writing each chapter. I may try to briefly fill out all the plot charts before I write a more detailed plot chart for the first chapter.

Comments

[Sylvia Shipp]

Hi R.,

I just read your comment on the JK Rowling entry. I'll think about what you said regarding plot charts and get back to you asap.

Thanks for your comments!

Sylvia

[R. Garrett Wilson]

Odd, I was required to sign up for a vox account and, when I did, it erased most of my original message.  So, as I wrote…

I am a writer too, amateur - yes, novice - yes, but a writer none the less.  I have finished one novel so far and am trying to produce drafts of two more novels this calendar year.  Hopefully, someday, somehow, I will become an author - professional and, hopefully, paid.

I have been using word for writing which works for me.  I have been using notepad for plotting and outlining - not so great when the plot gets complex.  I don’t know if this plot chart will meet my needs so I am hoping you will answer a few questions.  After using this for a few years, how is it working for you?  Are you still using this type of chart or have you discovered a better way?  Any thoughts about plot and structure that you would like to share?

Thanks!  www.rgarrettwilson.com

 

[R. Garrett Wilson]

[this is good] I like your post and, like Ryan, I love JK Rowling.

[Ryan]

Sylvia,

Thanks!  I would greatly appreciate it.

Ryan

[Sylvia Shipp]

Hi Ryan,

I believe it was an oral news show interview on the internet, and I took notes while she spoke. I'm on vacation for another few days and away from my computer, but I'll look for the bookmark when I return. If I don't find it, there is another plot chart that I ended up using that I will send to you, adapted from a writing site by Anastasia Suen. It was easier to use for me in the end since I tend to get overly bogged down in details.

Sylvia

 

[Ryan]

Could you email me the link to that interview with Jo Rowling?

[Ryan]

[this is good] I'm a huge fan of Jo Rowling.