 For Authors: June 27, 2007 Issue [#1788] |
  For Authors
This week: Edited by: Vivian  
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The June 6 issue started a discussion on the use of storyboards to organize the writing of a novel. I said at the end of the editorial that I would continue the discussion in this issue.
Viv
Next's week editor will be darkin
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Using Storyboards II
Materials needed for doing storyboards include: a large poster board (black or white) or bulletin board; several packets of colored index cards (3 x 5 " and 4 x 6 "); scotch tape, and colored Post-it Notes. Colored markers or stickers could be used to color-code white note cards.
Novels (or even stories) can be organized by dividing into scenes. A chapter can be one scene or contain more than one scene. As in drama, a scene is what happens between certain characters or what a character does and what happens to him. A husband and wife team of writers and co-publishers (Lawrence and Suella Walsh), at the writing conference the first of May, said each scene should have four components: a character or characters, motivation, conflict (part of the main conflict or a sub-conflict), and resolution, even if just temporary for the time and whether good or bad results, can even be a cliff-hanger.
They advocated a writer write a title for the scene on a note card or post-it, then the information from that scene for each of the components. Then if the flow for the plot doesn't work with a certain scene in one spot, the note can be moved to another location on the storyboard which will work better.
T.J. MacGregor, in "Try this system to keep your multiple-POV (point of view) novel on track" (The Writer, May, 2007), breaks the steps down to six (6), plus some other points. I'll cover the six steps, using my thoughts as well as the author's and the Walshes'. Each card or Post-it goes on the poster board (or on a bulletin board) in the order that the information will appear in the novel or story.
 First card - synopsis: You need to summarize the idea for your novel in a few sentences. MacGregor says he uses the brightest index card he could find and put this card at the top of his storyboard. I used a large white index card and frame it in a bright pink highlighter.
 The Walshes used their idea of having each scene on a different card or post-it along with the synopsis. MacGregor suggests that the story needs at least three turning points (included in the synopsis): incident that launches conflict; challenge or conflict twist that takes plot in new direction; and the climax, which leads to the ending.
Have color for each character whose viewpoint you'll use. The protagonist will have a different color than the antagonist. Each card should have personality and physical qualities of that character. A matching card will be used each time that character's POV is used in a scene.
In fact, you should have a card for each and every character. List the physical description, job, likes, dislikes, personality characteristics - anything that brings the character to life.
Have a card for each scene. Take brief notes, enough to set up the components of the scene. You can either use the same color for each scene or in some way code the different scenes. I use large Post-it Notes for each scene, writing on them so that they are taller than wide.
Set storyboard where you can easily see it. You need to be able to see quickly and easily where your story is going, and need to be able to move cards and Post-its around when needed.
The storyboard should be divided into chapters if your story is. The board should define the structure of the book. If a scene doesn't work or a POV, then you can switch the cards around.
Finally, adapt or tailor the storyboard to work for you. You use the technique; don't let the technique rule you.
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Words from our Readers
Thank you for all the marvelous comments about the last two newsletters. Please forgive me for "bundling" some of them together and giving one answer when the messages are close in meaning and content. I'm glad so many liked the newsletter about the benefits of attending a good writing conference and the first part of the storyboard topic.
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Little Scribbler 
Great newsletter, I have a question that doesn't involve anything to do with your newsletter, but I've been wondering about for some time. Is there a difference between fantasy and supernatural? If there is what is that difference?
According to the information I could find, fantasy has to do with with the free play of creative imagination with strange settings and grotesque characters and perhaps fairies, trolls, and such, things that might be experienced through hallucination. Supernatural, on the other hand, departs from what is usual or normal, so as to appear to transcend the laws of nature, the use of ghosts or spirits.
To me that means fantasy deals with a vivid imagination and imaginary settings and beings, while supernatural deals with ghosts and spirits, things not normal.
I hope that helps at least some.
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Sharon 
Last year, I received an e-mail at work from a man who professed to be a great writer and wanted to make his new "best seller" available for purchase at a reduced rate. I was naive and purchased his book. It was a disaster! It was so badly written with so many grammatical and spelling errors. I started highlighting all the errors and wrote back to him and told him about it. He said his editor at the publishing company was supposed to take care of everything; but the more I think about it, the more I realize that he must have self-published his book and was doing his own marketing. It was a good marketing idea; it sold his books, but because it was never edited, he lost a reader. The story line wasn't bad, but the errors were too profound to give me a chance to actually enjoy the story. If I ever intend to self-publish, I will hire someone to edit the book first.
Sharon
This illustrates the message I wrote for the following question.
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kyoteki
As a follow-on question, a close relative was recently self-published through Xlibris. What's the negative of going this route, and what do you think of companies like this?
Companies like Xlibris meet a need in the publishing world for those who want to self-publish. The problem is that many do not edit for the author, or they do minimal editing which could be done by grammar and spell check. Since many books that are "published" by such companies are filled with errors and/or poor writing, self-publishing has a bad name. Are all books printed by such companies as Xlibris poor quality? No, some are well-written books that were edited thoroughly before the authors had them printed by the company.
The message just above this one illustrates the problem of self-publishing without knowing how to get a book edited correctly.
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 I received so many lovely compliments that I can't answer all of them. The following are some without other questions included. Thank you all very much. You honor me.
StephBee 
Viv, I loved your newsletter. I agree - conferences are important for networking. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. You're very inspirational.
GirlsNGlasses
Thank you for the wonderful info! I'm just finishing up my first novel (first couple chapters in my port) and ready to move toward an agent. Guess it's time to look at a conference.
Red Writing Hood <3 
I knew writing conferences were helpful, but I didn't know how important they could be, as well. Thanks, Viv
sjane
Hi VIv:
Thanks for all the info. I'm new to Writing.com...just posted one poem and the first installments of two novels. I'm a non-fiction (communications) writer by day, but LOVE writing books. So I really appreciate your advice in this newsletter.
SJane
Jay is studying
What a timely newsletter, Viv! I read this right after returning from the BookExpo America/Writer's Digest Books Writer's Conference in NYC. Aside from the great breakout sessions, they had a 2 hour pitch slam, in which you get 3 minute pitch sessions (as many as you can handle) with any of the 30-40 agents that were there. Great way to get feedback and face time!
Sasha
I loved the newsletter. It was very informative without being long or boring. Excellent advice was given which I intend to write down and remember. Thanks again and keep up the good work.
Sasha
Max 'indent' = 10
Great newsletter, VIv. Your topic of writing conferences gave some great advice. I will definitely look into upcoming conferences in my area. Thanks!
Ronis brain tumor is gone!
Vivian wonderful newsletter that helps everyone out no matter what!! Love the information that you always provide!
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emerin-liseli
Hi Vivian,
Thanks for the fantastic newsletter! I never knew what exactly writing conferences did and what they were for, even though I have heard others reference to them. This was informative and answered a lot of my questions. I have one question -- do you have any suggestions for good conferences?
Thanks!
--emerin
Oklahoma has two excellent ones: the OWFI writing conference the first Friday and Saturday of May each year in Oklahoma City; and the Red Dirt Book Festival the first of November in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Most states have at least one writing conference each year. Try asking at book stores in your area for any conferences. They usually have a good idea. Read in writing magazines for conferences. Most issues have a list of up-coming conferences.
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Grace Flowers
I have a weekly column running in a paid, advertised newspaper in a small community in Northern California. Could you please tell me how valuable this is to my writing resume? Yes, I am paid as a free lance writer.
Thanks,
Grace Flowers
Any type of writing needs to go in your writing resume (or clips). I don't think I'd include poetry appearing in certain poetry anthologies, but other than that, if you're published, list it.
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freestyle.poet
I have a question about the rewriting process. I mean, I started on a novel, I stalled after seven chapters, and then I realized, chapter five is 2,000 words and chapter one is 10,000 words. I need some major advice on how to rewrite. Thanks!
The difference between the two chapters is rather large, but my chapters aren't always the same size. You might look at chapter one, though, and see where you can find a natural pausing place, maybe a break where the action would cause the reader to want to read more.
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IsA: SEEKING UPGRADE - Please!
This newsletter was very helpful. However, I think that it would have been important for you to note that in many Writer's Markets, in Jeff Herman's guide to Agents, etc., many Agents directly state they are seeking new clients - published or non-published - and sometimes it's just a means of searching deeply enough.
Thank you!
True, many times one can read about agents who are seeking new clients, however, getting through to those agents is sometimes very difficult. Please share any success with us.
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The following comments are about the first part of the story board topic:
jitsufreek
Good start on this concept. I've tried before to use note cards for organization but was rather unsuccessful. I like your method better. Looking forward to next issue!
donprescott
There are many techniques used in the corporate world to create concepts of which story boarding is one and a good one. I have actually resorted to flow charting to help ensure chronological integrity for the second draft of a novel. Keep up the good work. I always look forward to your newsletters.
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spook
The story board idea is fantastic! I use a three ring binder because I'm not organized enough to keep cards in order, but pinning them up to the wall in front of my computer would be perfect! It's a pain to have to go through the binder to look for something I might have forgotten, but this way I can just look up!
likenion
Hey, cool newsletter! I was actually writing a novel with major characters and used almost the same kind of techniques, but not a cork board and cards. I wrote everything in a huge black journal. It was very neat and structured, so I guess it is something of its cousin to this method.
I have a friend who keeps everything in a large black three-ring binder, but she's always flipping back and forth, trying to find information. She's going to try the storyboard now.
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dejavu_BIG computerprobs
Your Newsletter about the use of storyboards was very informative. I had heard of this concept but never heard it explained. Thank you for covering this helpful tool in your newsletter, I look forward to learning more. Your tips on a media kit were also a very good idea. I look forward to each month's issue, many of which end up copied into my idea file for future stories, Great Job !
SM Ferguson
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A Captivated Soul
I thought your pick for "Writers on the Site" was very good this week. Poems of Serenity and Imagination were very beautiful.
I have a questions about storyboards. When writing a story board would you consider each individual chapter a sub-plot in itself or by sub-plot do you mean the underlying issues that continue throughout the entire book?
Thanks so much!
~A free Soul
I sort of covered the answer to your question in this issue. Some chapters may have part of the major plot and parts or the whole of a subplot or two.
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ftrinta
Hi Vivian
I don't use cards as well but I've decided to create a kind of storyboard to my novel. I've wrote down a sketch of the chapters and in the beginning of each one I wrote the POV character for that chapter. Inside of the chapter I wrote the plot lines I have planned so far. Every now and then I change these plot lines, but that's OK. This has helped me a lot to keep a view of the story and to keep me writing with less delays.
The one benefit that I like of using the cards and Post-its is the ability to move things around, the flexibility.
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tailennion
Thank you very much for telling about storyboarding. I'd never actually done that for any of my stories. But after I read this I began to keep notecards on characters and things in the campfire I'm a part of (the attached item). It helps enormously to keep it all straight in my head.
{indent Thank you!
Thank you, everyone, for letting me know what you enjoyed about my newsletters. I appreciate the complements and will continue to try to present information that will help you.
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Thank you for joining me for another issue of For Authors Newsletter.
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