There are a myriad of steps that you need to take to write a novel and each of them can feel like walking through a maze. Keeping track of the characters, plot pacing, and the countless plot twists can be quite overwhelming. Creating a compelling story can become a colossal challenge. Fortunately, storyboarding aims to assist you to properly organize all the elements in the most effective manner possible.
As a novelist, storyboarding has the potential to change your entire writing process for the better. Writing down plot points, character developments or entire scenes allows you to visually create your story. Storyboarding comes from the film industry, so it was used with movies in mind which adds a unique twist to its approach. In this article, we will review how storyboarding can improve your book’s structure.
What is Storyboarding?
Storyboard sketching is an illustration-based outlining approach in organizing your stories visually. It is akin to a detailed outline that organizes major events, character developments, and even setting in an orderly hierarchical fashion within your novel. In filmmaking, scene-by-scene storyboards assist directors in visualizing each sequence of the movie. Likewise, storyboarding allows writers to simplify their plots, ensuring every aspect is accounted for before commencing the actual writing.Unlike beginning a novel with a blank slate, you can now build an entire book framework. With proper framing and structuring, this technique will save considerable time by crafting a well-defined vision that smoothens the actual writing.
Why Storyboarding Works for Novel Writing
Storyboarding works because it offers a clear and structured way to visualize your story. Here’s why it’s so effective:
Visualizing Your Plot: By mapping out the plot, you get a bird’s-eye view of the entire story. This helps you identify key moments and turning points early on, so you know exactly where the story is headed.
Maintaining Consistency: When you have all your plot points visually laid out, it’s easier to keep track of important details, like character motivations and backstory, ensuring they stay consistent throughout the novel.
Identifying Pacing Issues: Storyboarding helps you keep an eye on pacing. You can adjust the timing of events, making sure there are no long stretches of boring scenes or rushed action sequences. It helps balance moments of tension with slower, more reflective scenes.
Improving Structure: Storyboarding helps break down the story into manageable chunks—acts, chapters, and scenes. This makes it easier to ensure that your story has a strong, logical structure, with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Fostering Creativity: When you know exactly where your story is going, you can spend more time focusing on the creative aspects—like developing rich characters, dialogue, and emotional depth—rather than worrying about plot logistics. Read a detailed article about
Types of Storyboarding Methods
There are many ways to approach storyboarding. Here are a few methods you can try, depending on your style and preferences:
1. Traditional Storyboarding
In this traditional approach, you sketch your story out on paper, use sticky notes, or index cards. Every scene or key event has a corresponding note or card which can be placed on a board or wall to give a holistic view of the plot.
Pros: It’s hands-on and flexible. You can move scenes around easily, making it a great option if you like to visually see your story and make adjustments on the fly.
Cons: It can become messy if not organized carefully, especially for larger projects.
2. Digital Storyboarding
If you prefer a more organized, digital approach, there are plenty of tools available to help you create a digital storyboard. Apps like Trello, Scrivener, or Milanote let you create visual boards that are easy to update and reorganize.
Pros: Digital boards are easy to adjust and keep all your notes in one place. They’re also more accessible, so you can work on them from anywhere.
Cons: Some writers may feel disconnected from the story when using a digital tool, as it lacks the physical interaction of a paper storyboard.
3. Mind Mapping
Mind mapping is a flexible approach to storyboarding. Instead of following a strict sequence, you create a web of ideas, where events, characters, and themes are linked together visually. This is especially helpful if your story has multiple subplots or non-linear elements.
Pros: It’s highly flexible and allows you to explore different connections between elements.
Cons: It can get overwhelming if the story is very complex, and it may lack the structure that some writers need.
4. Index Cards
Using index cards is a more structured method of storyboarding. Each card represents a chapter or scene, and you can arrange them on a board or desk. This method helps you break your story into manageable pieces and ensures everything flows smoothly.
Pros: It’s a simple, tactile method that can help you organize your thoughts and visualize the overall structure.
Cons: Like traditional storyboarding, it can become chaotic if not organized well.
Steps to Create a Storyboard for Your Novel
Storyboarding doesn’t need to be complicated. Follow these steps to start creating your own storyboard:
Step 1: Define Your Novel’s Key Elements
Before you start storyboarding, it’s important to define the key components of your story. These include:
Plot: What’s the main storyline? What are the key events that drive the narrative?
Characters: Who are your main characters? What are their motivations and conflicts?
Setting: Where and when does the story take place? Does the setting play a role in the plot?
Themes: What are the underlying messages or themes of your novel?
Step 2: Break the Plot into Acts
Most novels follow a basic three-act structure: Setup (beginning), Conflict (middle), and Resolution (end). Break your story into these three acts and map out the major events in each.
Step 3: Develop Chapters and Scenes
Now that you’ve broken down your plot into acts, you can start focusing on individual chapters and scenes. For each chapter, write a brief summary that includes the key event, character goals, and how it moves the plot forward.
Step 4: Track Character Arcs
Characters are the heart of your story, so it’s important to track their development throughout the book. Make sure their actions align with their motivations and that their growth feels organic. You can mark these changes on your storyboard to keep track of how each character evolves.
Step 5: Revise and Adjust
Your storyboard is not set in stone. As you write, you may find that the story changes or new ideas emerge. Feel free to adjust the storyboard as needed. The goal is to create a flexible guide that helps you stay on track while leaving room for creativity.
Types of Storyboarding Methods
How Storyboarding Improves Novel Structure
Storyboarding can greatly improve your novel’s structure in several ways:
1. Improves Plot Coherence
By laying out your story in advance, you can ensure that the plot flows logically and that key events are connected. Storyboarding helps you identify and fix plot holes or inconsistencies before you start writing.
2. Enhances Pacing
Pacing is crucial to keeping readers engaged. Storyboarding allows you to adjust the timing of key events, making sure there are no lulls or rushed moments. You can balance action with quieter, more reflective scenes.
3. Maintains Character Consistency
Tracking character arcs on your storyboard ensures that each character’s journey is consistent and meaningful. You can see if any characters are underdeveloped or if their actions don’t align with their motivations.
4. Identifies Plot Holes
Storyboarding makes it easier to spot gaps in your plot or areas where things don’t quite add up. You can identify missing information, unexplained actions, or unresolved conflicts before you start writing.
Common Pitfalls of Storyboarding and How to Avoid Them
While storyboarding is a great tool, there are a few common pitfalls to watch out for:
Overcomplicating the Board: Keep your storyboard simple. It’s meant to be a guide, not a detailed outline. Focus on the main events and characters, and leave room for flexibility.
Sticking Too Rigidly to the Board: Don’t be afraid to adjust your storyboard as you write. Storyboards are tools to help guide you, but they shouldn’t limit your creativity.
Forgetting Emotional Impact: A strong story isn’t just about plot—it’s about emotion. Make sure your storyboard reflects the emotional arcs of your characters and the themes of your novel.
Conclusion
You can use storyboarding to optimize your novel’s structure, make improvements to its pacing, reveal problem areas, and bring everything together in harmony. It does not matter whether you opt for a traditional or digital form of storyboarding; you can even use mind maps to tell your story. Storyboarding allows you to see your plot and characters, aiding in the development of a nicely flowing, meticulously structured story.
If you’ve been struggling with organizing your novel, give storyboarding a try. It can help you create a clear roadmap for your story, allowing you to focus on writing with confidence. If you want to explore even more advanced techniques, you can look into storyboard AI tools that help automate and optimize the storyboarding process for you.
