But if there's one thing I've learnt in my (mostly) sober writing journey, it's this - Everyone does things differently. For me, it's:
Hero
&
Heroine
Castle
In case the excruciatingly short storyboard didn't give you a clue, this is how it works:
"get an idea=>play the 'what if' game=> find hero=> find heroine=>find location=>start writing".
Right or wrong, that is the way I've been most comfortable writing. I think it's the "unknown" that makes it a thrill to write, although sometimes I wish that unknown wouldn't involve forgetting my hero's eye colour or wondering whether the heroine was a blonde or redhead in chapter four ;). But, alas, after wasted time "exploring" storyboards, it's time to own up - I'm Maya and I have no idea how to storyboard.
I know there are writers out there who will make me feel even sicker with envy than I do right now, but it's okay, you can still share...xx
Maya
I love your formula, chica! Do what works.
ReplyDeleteMaya, I confess, I don't always storyboard either. I rarely cast my heroiines, and I typically don't cast my heroes, but I did last time and I have some real life inspiration for my Russian, as you saw.. Pasha... *pants*
ReplyDeleteI did storyboard my Russian and his Jewelry model because I have this freaking fun little app for my iPad called corkulous that makes it too fun to resist!
Thanks, Piper. Yeah, figured I'd go with the easiest option, chicken that I am :)
ReplyDeleteOoooh, maybe I can use that excuse to get myself one of those iPads? Nnnnaaah, don't think that'll quite fly with the purse-keeper! See, there you go making me all green again ;)
ReplyDeleteMaya, I don't storyboard at all. Sometimes I might scan a few images to get an idea of a place but that's it. Real people put me off. :-) The only thing I do beforehand (nowadays) is do brief character bios so I have an idea of conflict and background.
ReplyDeleteStill, wants iPad...
Jackie, I lol'd at the "real people put me off". Aren't your characters real? Mine move into my house and put their feet up on my sofa until I've told their story. Nah, I know what you mean ;). Tried the character bio thing, and realised I never look at it anyway, so that was of no use! *Sigh*
ReplyDeleteHave never storyboarded either, Maya.
ReplyDeleteAnd am always totally swamped by a feeling of inadequacy when I see one.
Well, pull up a chair at my "pantser" table, Sri, it's great to know I have company ;)
ReplyDeleteWhat's a storyboard? I'll admit I tend to spend a lot of time before starting a new story doing 'research', googling locations and landscapes, but the most 'plotting' I now do, is a synopsis that outlines the conflict, then I sit down and write. Or I plan to sit down and write.
ReplyDeleteP.S. That's an amazing castle. Where is it?
ReplyDeleteStoryboarding is plotting your story on an actual board, complete with pictures, colour cards for H/h, conflict, black moment, different scenes, etc! Michelle Styles had a picture of hers on the eharl once. Frightened the life out of me, lol.
ReplyDeleteCastle's in Switzerland on the shores of Lake Geneva. Stunning, isn't it?
LOVE that castle. Want to live there - now.
ReplyDeleteXX
Sure, no problem Sue, you can have the East Wing!
ReplyDeleteMaya, I don't storyboard either. I get a couple of pics of hero/heroine to help me out at the beginning, but usually discard them after about chapter 3, when I see the characters in my head and the pics just get in the way. I do a chapter grid on a flip chart for turning points etc, and if I'm virtuous, put the whole thing into mindmap, with each chapter detailed, but I do that after I've written the chapter, not before.
ReplyDeletePantster at heart!
sally, I'd say you're a pantser with structure, lol. Flip chart? Oy! Is this an online one or an actual flip chart?
ReplyDelete許紀廷 - thank you :)
ReplyDelete