I’ve been busy making revisions to my works in progress (nonfiction middle grade and YA novel). There are lots of ways to use spreadsheets to “see the forest for the trees” when you’re writing, and good thing, because I’m often getting lost in the trees. Or the weeds, maybe.
I used the chart above to help me look at the timeline as it relates to theme in my nonfiction manuscript. (Yes, the picture is blurry on purpose. Call me crazy, but I’m not comfortable sharing THAT much info on a work-in-progress)
Related: a couple of weeks ago I went to a fantastic plotting workshop by Rebecca Petruck. She shared another charting method that I found very helpful. If you ever have the chance to take a workshop from Rebecca, jump at it. More info here about Rebecca and her approach.
Darcy Pattison also has some great ideas on how to use spreadsheets to chart your fiction.
What about you, writers? Do you use spreadsheets to analyze your work, and if so, how?
Currently reading: Michelle Icard‘s Middle School Makeover. No, I don’t have a middle-schooler yet, but I will soon. I am loving Icard’s sensible, practical approach and especially all the science about the adolescent brain.
What about you? Reading anything good?
Emily Smith Pearce 
I’m reading Nest by Esther Ehrlich. Really enjoying it too.
Glad you got to Rebecca’s workshop. I was fortunate to attend one last fall and am using Save the Cat as a model for my WIP.
Thanks for the recommendations. I keep meaning to get Save the Cat. BTW, want to hear more about your WIP! And what’s going on with it….