Is a story board essential for a good story?

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   sammyfictionposted 14 years ago

   Every time I start a new story, I always attempt to create a story board so I dont forget small details and characteristics of the main story line, yet I never end up doing it.
   
   It it an essential part of writing a story??

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      psycheskinnerposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Do you mean an outline?  A story board is normally like a comic, used to make a movie.
      
      p.s. No, I just write and some of my stories turned out fine.

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      Tusitala Tomposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Looks like you've already got plenty of good advice on this one, SammyFiction.   
      I agree with both KaterynLJ and SaMcNutt.    Firstly, characters in a larger work of fiction do tend to become almost real visual entities in the writer's mind as one proceeds, so a storyboard could stiffle what's coming from your subconscious mind as far creativity s concerned. 
      SaMcNutt talks of the possible use of Syd Field's tremendous book on script-writing for movies.   Field is an advocate of the storyboard, but he's thinking films.   The fact that stories from novels are sometimes made into films is by the way.   Film directors will completely change a book to fit what they think will go well on screen.
      My advice.  Forget the storyboard unless you expect to write an epic like War and Peace.   Just go with the flow...

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         Merlin Fraserposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         One more thing, I forgot,  not a storyboard but depending on the story a timeline of events may be helpful.
         
         In one of my novels I had a character who slipped back in time and to get the balance right I need a timeline to show me how far back she had gone so I could check what life was like back then.

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   Rafiniposted 14 years ago

   no.  write your story the way that works for you.

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   Shadesbreathposted 14 years ago

   I outline novels more so than short stories, although I often have an idea where my short stories are going too.  BUt the novels I definitely have character histories written and a detailed outline before I start.  However, I don't treat the outline as law, only as a guide to keep me roughly pointed somewhere.  Typically, the process of writing the story creates scenes, settings, comments and characters that you didn't plan for that add elements to the story your outline didn't foresee.  No two novels follow or deviate to the same degree. 
   
   The most important thing is that you write.

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   Ivorwenposted 14 years ago

   It sounds like a good idea,especially if it would help you get the story written.  I have a number of stories floating around in my head, that always seem to evaporate when I go to write them.  I think a story board would help me out.

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   bill yonposted 14 years ago

   Story Boards are only good if you are working on a graphic novel/comic-book.Story boards are used to turn words into pictures such as a book like it by Stepen king made into a movie a script would have to be written and from that script a story board would be created to break down the scenes in the movie.Its the same for video games.If you are writing its best to make a outline of all your plots scenes and other ideas that may or may not be in your book.If you are writing by story board you are really doing a comic-book/graphic novel instead of a novel.

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   Merlin Fraserposted 14 years ago

   Not a story board as such, that’s the sort of thing you need for a movie or something.....
   
   In the germination period of my stories I write lots of notes to myself, so I don’t forget anything.  I have a general plotline and possibly a final destination in mind but that remains flexible.
   
   I let the characters guide the story, I know them all and I know how each will react in a given situation, such as run, fight, scream Etc. So as the story develops a character’s reaction may lead the story on to the next stage.
   
   In this way I remain flexible rather than stick rigidly to a plot or storyline that may look and sound unreal in hindsight.
   Let  the words flow naturally, don’t try to force things.

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      SaMcNuttposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      A book that I find helpful in creating a formula for a story is Syd Field's "Screenplay." Though this book deals with the screenplay format mostly, Field really gives a good method for getting a workable outline effective for telling a story. This method can be helpful, if adapted, in making the elements of your story come together in a way that makes sense. However, you are in control of the story at all times, so the best advice it to write how it makes sense to you.

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   Kathryn LJposted 14 years ago

   It's good to have the details documented but I find that fiction takes on a life of its own so be prepared to be flexible.  Characters often write themselves!

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      Merlin Fraserposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Couldn't have put it better myself.

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      sammyfictionposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That is so true! My characters have so many facits of themselves it is sometimes hard to keep track though! Thanks for the input

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   ceciliabeltranposted 14 years ago

   I think storyboards are cool way to visualize the full picture. Its just a starting point to a path.

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   Nick Bposted 14 years ago

   I agree with Merlin.
   
   In one of my novels, I had events happening and needed to keep track of what happened and when--without rereading what I'd already written; which is something I have to do often enough anyway.
   
   Characters have a habit of doing what they want in my stories and I just seem to be there for the typing, but I do have to steer every now and again.
   
   Writing a storyboard may not be what Sammy meant as Penny (my other half) wrote a story and kept the characters and their traits, plus the time line in picture format to help her along.
   
   I say do whatever you're most comfortable with as there are no right ways or wrong ways--at least not if you get what you intended in the end

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      sammyfictionposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Very intriging :] though I can't say I can draw well, so I would have to find a replacement for the picture representation.
      Thanks!

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    torimariposted 14 years ago

    Hmm, can't say I've done that. Except for writing down details, maybe a basic outline, I just write as inspiration comes to me, and revise.

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    lxxyposted 14 years ago

    I've toyed with such concepts, but I find that if I'm so frustrated with the technique that I can't work with it, it doesn't work at all for me.
    
    I keep my ideas fluid, I draft in phases, adding in more detail and filler as I go along.
    
    Sometimes I'll write down quick notes for possible plot points, but usually I paint everything scene-by-scene.

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    sammyfictionposted 14 years ago

    Hey everyone, thanks for the replies
    
    And I think what I was trying to ask was about a timeline or some form of way to memorise what has happened previously in the story without re-reading it.
    
    Some great tips and advice
    
    Personally I never have done a structured piece with any one particular idea, I also "go with the flo", its wonderful to see that others do too, and that others also have tried these concepts.
    
    Maybe if someone perfects a way of doing this they can share it in a hub, because building know how is a fantastic tool!!
    
    sammyfiction

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