#blissfullyunawarestips

Storyboarding 101

So you’re writing some fiction, and you want to get unstuck (or maybe you want to plan the narrative arc before you get started.

Storyboarding can help you do that.

Step 1:

If you already have work that exists, you’re going to summarize it into a scene or two.

If you don’t already have work that exists, you’re going to write down every scene you want to exist.

Either draw them or write them down on cards or sticky notes.

Step 2:

Once your ideas exist in front of you, you’re going to begin arranging them into a chronological timeline.

You may also find it helpful to align them along the narrative arc: plot, rising action, climax, falling action, ending

Step 3:

Once you have this, you can continue to add details, remove them, rearrange them, or alter them to make it make the most sense for you.

This can help you see what pieces of information are necessary to your story and what pieces you can cut.

(And if you cut scenes out, add them to a cut scene folder. You might be able to recycle them!)

Step 4:

Use your new storyboard to get unstuck or to plan and plot your new adventure.

Have fun!

1. Write your manuscript - do it messy if you must, just make it exist. just keep writing.

2. Edit one version digitally - the PURPOSE of the first edit is CONTEXT - add the context needed to make it make sense

3. Print your manuscript for line editing - Highlight the words “were, was, is” and start working those out of your writing.

4. Line Editing (cont) - highlight all your boring words a different color and crack open an old timey thesaurus to replace them with interesting words

5. Line Editing (cont) - mark through any lines that are not there for a reason. does this need to be here to make this work for the reader? mark it out.

6. Line Editing (cont) - add in context with a different colored pen (I use a fine tip purple pen) - this is for adding more context as needed

7. Line Editing (cont) - use a regular pen to write in notes (replace with “words” or add “sentence” here) use a carrot key (^) to mark the place you want to insert text

8. Type the new manuscript into a NEW document - this will be your “third” draft

9. Finish your new draft.

10. Edit manuscript again to maintain character consistency esp through dialogue.

11. (That’s how far I’ve gotten so far, hope this was helpful! Follow along for more writing stuff!)

1. Tips and Tricks

Everyone does writing differently. Someone else’s tips and tricks may or may not work for you. Find what feels good for you and stick to it. With that being said, here are my honorable mentions:

write the bones on paper (the big 7 acts)

use a focused writing app (Obsidian is my favorite app)

make it exist first, make it good later

2. don’t pressure output

many writers choose to write in sprints or force themselves to write every day. instead, give yourself room to breathe. personally, I write until I come to a hard scene. I give it time to marinate - I sleep on it, think on it, allow it time to steep.

when the ideas start flowing again, then I start writing again.

3. time is irrelevant

once you have a manuscript and you’re ready to start editing, you’re going to come back to writing. there will be pieces you need to clarify, some things will be incomplete, or you’ll find inconsistencies.

when you’re done writing, just know you’re not actually finished yet. and once you hit publish, the time it took you to get there won’t actually matter. so take your time and enjoy the process.

4. long term goals

when you start writing it’s a good idea to know why you’re writing - what is your purpose in writing a book?

personally I’ve found that writing for me (not for money) is what allowed me to disconnect from what I should write so I could write what I wanted to write

5. stuck is normal

getting stuck is normal. instead of panicking about it, just give it more time. run it by your friend or someone who cares about your goals. they might lend you some insight and spark the writing wheel again.

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1. sit outside in the sunshine

2. a pen and paper at the ready

3. let the words write themselves on the page, until the challenging portion is overcome