From the First Novel Draft to the Second Novel Draft... with Excel  

I know, I know there are dozens of articles on Excel spreadsheets designed to summarize or edit your novel. But here's my take on the subject : the double draft spreadsheet !

The spreadsheet is divided in two. Your first draft (to be edited) on the left and the second draft (to be written) on the right.

The columns :

• Scene number : by the way, scenes are easier to number/outline if you use text folding.
  
• Scene type and description : I also note if it's a flashback or an infodump (baad !)
  
• Place, Time, Weather :
  

By filling the info for your first draft, you will quickly notice the main problems in your writing : time inconsistencies, impossible weather conditions between scenes, infodump galore, bland places and scenes actions (yes I have written something happening in a dark locked room where the characters were retrieving black boxes they couldn't open...).

When you're done with the first draft info, you can tackle the right part of the spreadsheet. First, note the things you'd like to see improved (more interesting places, switch scene order etc). Then, write your second draft and report what you've written in the spreadsheet. Use it as a guideline, a reminder, print it, make paper airplanes with it... but finish that second draft !