One big file, or chapter files?

Devil Ledbetter · Mar 21, 2007

I've written my chapters in separate (MS Word) files. Obviously I know that I'll eventually have to make my book one long file. Is that best done at the end, or would I be better off doing it now that I'm well over the halfway point (57k) into the second draft.

My question is, what do you find easier to work with? Right now I keep track of basic scene contents and chapter lengths using an Excel file. If I have everything in one file, on the one hand, things might be easier to adjust but on the other, I may end up scrolling endlessly.

Recommendations?

DL

stelladel · Mar 21, 2007

I am a newbie to all of this, but I have found it easier to have each chapter as a separate file and keep a log of my work using Excel. It doesn't take that long to copy and paste (adding page breaks) to get a complete manuscript together.

One thing I did do was convert what I have at present into an e-book (mobipocket) and sat on the plane and read it on my pocket pc...

Saw some things I wasn't to pleased with and have made the necessary changes since I got home

thethinker42 · Mar 21, 2007

Devil Ledbetter said:
I've written my chapters in separate (MS Word) files. Obviously I know that I'll eventually have to make my book one long file. Is that best done at the end, or would I be better off doing it now that I'm well over the halfway point (57k) into the second draft.

My question is, what do you find easier to work with? Right now I keep track of basic scene contents and chapter lengths using an Excel file. If I have everything in one file, on the one hand, things might be easier to adjust but on the other, I may end up scrolling endlessly.

I do the same thing, including the Excel file. I just find it easier.

Melanie Nilles · Mar 21, 2007

I write in one big file with page breaks at the end of each chapter, since each new chapter should start on a new page. Also, when printing multiple chapters, it's less work to make sure the proper page numbers print in the header. I keep notes in a separate file AND at the end of the text where I left off writing. All the basics that come to me before I start (and get modified as I go) I put in a document file, making sure to jot down any scene ideas and the ending. I open a new document and start writing and eventually the scene ideas migrate into the end of that document for easier tracking.

I'd really recommend consolidating separate files into one.

Melanie

CaroGirl · Mar 21, 2007

I used to have a separate file for each chapter, but I found that difficult to manage, especially if I wanted to see how many pages or words were in my WIP at a glance.

Now I keep all my chapters in one file, with a page break for each chapter. I use MS Word and I can easily navigate to any chapter using the document map feature. And I can get a word count with a click and a page count by looking in the corner of the screen. Easy.

ORION · Mar 21, 2007

I use one big file, chapter page breaks, and then navigation view so if I need to I can jump from chapter to chapter.
For me it might be confusing to have so many files as I save every day with a new date.
The page numbers are a big issue.
So is continuity.
JMHO

engmajor2005 · Mar 21, 2007

I use OpenOffice. I write in one big file, with page breaks, with a header with my name, the title of the work, and the page number. To move around, I use the find feature and type in CHAPTER [NUMBER HERE], or I just scroll and skim until I find the relevant passage.

When I'm done writing at the end of the day, if I just finished a chapter I page break and type out the the name of the next chapter.

Also, I save a copy of anything I inted to print immediately in both .doc and .odt format.

I couldn't possibly imagine making a new file for each chapter; that would drive me insane.

historian · Mar 21, 2007

I used to keep separate files but having tried putting it all in one I find it much better. If I want to check back on something I can use the search button instead of having to scroll through a dozen chapters trying find what I'm looking for.

historian

AKA Ruth Zavitz author of High On Grass: Ornamental Grasses for Northern Gardens.

Devil Ledbetter · Mar 21, 2007

Is it weird that I feel scared to put everything in one file? Obviously I'll back it up, but the idea daunts me. It's my baby, after all.

scarletpeaches · Mar 21, 2007

Why do you need to make it all into one big file at the end? Just print off each chapter one by one.

The only reason I type as one big file is, if I make adjustments to format it saves having to change 30-odd separate chapters one by one.

Plus, if you add a bit that bumps everything along one page, you don't have to go through all the other files changing page numbers, either.

maestrowork · Mar 21, 2007

One big file. I write chronologically, and I put in notes, and bookmarks. It's really not difficult to manage it. Many different files would just confuse the heck of me. I like it neat.

Devil Ledbetter · Mar 21, 2007

scarletpeaches said:
Why do you need to make it all into one big file at the end? Just print off each chapter one by one.

The only reason I type as one big file is, if I make adjustments to format it saves having to change 30-odd separate chapters one by one.

Plus, if you add a bit that bumps everything along one page, you don't have to go through all the other files changing page numbers, either.

Right. The automatic page numbering is the main problem with having separate files. It would be a PITA to try to make separate files come out numbered correctly, as any adjustments would throw the whole thing off. But right now, I'm not concerned with numbering, so it's not an issue yet.

Still, I do have to flip through files and hunt for things occassionally. One big file would make that a lot easier to deal with.

DL

scarletpeaches · Mar 21, 2007

Search/replace or 'find' is a heck of a lot easier in one big file.

Print everything out as you go, for when you need to flip between chapters, rather than keeping 30 windows open on your PC.

JanDarby · Mar 21, 2007

For novellas and short stories, I keep the manuscript all in one file, but for longer works, I do a sort of compromise -- I save the manuscript in 3 or 4 files, one for each act, ending with a turning point (or, of course, the end). I start out with one file, and at the end of the scenes I've written, I keep (in the same file) my notes and a narrative outline, as far as I know it, for the second and third acts, until it gets unwieldy or I get to the end of act one, and then I start a new file for the second act, that contains the notes for act 2 and 3 until eventually I start a file for act 3.

Having it in three separate files makes it a little less overwhelming than one 400-page manuscript. When I print out the whole thing, I just have to re-set the page number manually at the beginning of the second and third acts, rather than every chapter, so it's not terribly time-consuming.

Pscyhologically, the separate files help me to focus on the turning points and gives me a feeling of accomplishment (when I get to the end of the act) and some interim stages to work toward that aren't as overwhelming and long-distance as getting to the end of the entire draft.

JD

scribbler1382 · Mar 21, 2007

One file, document map. If it takes me longer than 2 seconds to find what I'm looking for, I lose interest and end up watching an MXC marathon instead of writing...so trust me when I say this works.

But I think Ray makes an excellent point about writing chronologically. I do too, but if you bounced around, one big file might not make as much sense.

Azure Skye · Mar 21, 2007

I keep everything in separate files. It's easier for me to work in smaller chunks. Now that I'm getting ready to submit, I dumped it all in one file.

David Wisehart · Mar 21, 2007

When I started writing (mumble-mumble years ago), I would use a different file for each chapter because of the space limitations of my floppy disks.

Now, that's no longer an issue.

These days I put everything in one Word document, with page breaks.

Toothpaste · Mar 21, 2007

One file for me too. I don't really write by chapter, but by scene. Sometimes chronologically, sometimes not, but I always place things in order and then tie one scene with another. It isn't until after I am done that I really settle on my chapters. I mean usually I have very specific ones, but my last book went from 20 chapters to 40. Needless to say I use the find feature a lot!

maestrowork · Mar 21, 2007

Toothpaste said:
One file for me too. I don't really write by chapter, but by scene. Sometimes chronologically, sometimes not, but I always place things in order and then tie one scene with another. It isn't until after I am done that I really settle on my chapters. I mean usually I have very specific ones, but my last book went from 20 chapters to 40. Needless to say I use the find feature a lot!

Same here... if I do write out of order, I will still put them in place and mark it, so I know there are scenes missing in between. Or I will insert the scene in the right place. I find it much easier to do that. And if I need to move something, just cut and paste without opening multiple files.

WORD also supports versioning so that helps, too, but I find the feature buggy.

Shady Lane · Mar 21, 2007

I've never even considered seperate files. Mine's all in one.

scribbler1382 · Mar 21, 2007

I should probably mention that lately I haven't been doing my actual writing in Word, that's just where I collect the pieces and do the revision. I've got several text editors I use for my composing. Don't ask me why, but this has been helping my production.

Just Me · Mar 21, 2007

It never even occurred to me to put chapters in separate files. *g* I'd get too confused.

My stuff always starts out in notebooks, binders and looseleaf. When my nascent creation reaches critical mass (i.e. I've got enough ideas and base prose sketched out to assemble something that looks like a story), THAT'S when I start typing. And even then, I'll keep the notebook next to me so I can make notes and scribble things down during my first and second drafts.

~JM.

windyrdg · Mar 21, 2007

I think you're on the right track

Being a (former) financial analyst, I tend to think in Excel. I tried to tell my wife to do it the way you are and she resisted. Eventually the file got unwieldy and she had to go back and break the file apart into chapter segments.

The first thing I do when starting a book is make my chapter outline. Just a general list of the highpoints and number them in the order I think they'll occur. The beautiful part is that each time you think of a plot twist - I'm an organic writer - all you need do is insert a row and renumber. Then you go into your Word file...all in a folder labeled "Book" and change the chapter numbers by remaing the files.

When I open a chapter file the first thing I do is check the name and the chapter number on the top of the page. If they don't agree, I overtype the number and it's done. Want to move something earlier in the book? No problem...renumber, don't cut and paste. Delete a chapter...same deal.

I've read that a number of the Pros work that way, too.

Scrawler · Mar 21, 2007

I used to have 1 giant file, but Windows ate my work- the file became corrupted or something and I got gobbledygook when I printed it. (I nearly died.) Now each chapter has a file. It's easier for me to find scenes or sections because I also have an outline of each chapter.

Devil Ledbetter · Mar 21, 2007

Scrawler said:
I used to have 1 giant file, but Windows ate my work- the file became corrupted or something and I got gobbledygook when I printed it. (I nearly died.) Now each chapter has a file. It's easier for me to find scenes or sections because I also have an outline of each chapter.

That is my worst fear, and what's kept me from making a single file thus far.

Yet I can see the advantages, too.

I do write chronologically, but often, when I'm revising, I see weak spots or things that need fleshing out, and add new scenes to old chapters to address things. I typically write a new scene in its own file, then move it into the appropriate chapter once its whipped into shape.

One big file, or chapter files?

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