How do you plan out your comics/novels?

[WhateverTheTurtle]

When I go to plan out my novel or animation I can never write it down. I have the whole novel in my head but when I try to write a plan/script my mind goes blank. I always end up writing it as I go, while following the plot that I came up with. And with animation, I also have the same problem, when I sit down to draw the story board I can't. I just end up drawing what is in my head and plan it out accordingly. So have been wondering, how do you guys plan out your stories/novels?

[Lirina]

For stories I wrote in the past, I used to have everything in my head like you. Mostly, I would think about each chapter as I went and wasn't too concerned with the overall plot.

For The Millionaire's Heir, however, the plot is so complicated with different subplots going on that I couldn't keep up with it in my head--especially the who knows what at which timepoint. I ended up making a spreadsheet that has details for each scene from start to end. Details include what needs to happen in the scene, what does the reader know, what does the MC know, and what does each of the supporting characters know

[gabriellabalagna]

To write a script, I start very writing very broadly, then keep expanding the details:
- write a plot summary
- then write a one sentence summary of each chapter
- next, give each chapter a one paragraph summary
- get feedback
- next, flush out each chapter without doing any editing
- fix plot holes
- edit several times over
- get feedback

Also, I wrote this article about comic scripting, but it still has some good tips for writing novels too: How to Write a Comic Script - Tips on Story, Format, & Editing

[SpavVy]

I write a rough outline with some important dialogue for an entire chapter and then I will do days worth of storyboarding because it's easier for me to tell stories that way.

[Kaydreamer]

I tend to write small scenes and dialogue snippets all out of order, and just keep them in my 'notes' app. Then I rework them into sequence once I start defining the nuts and bolts of the plot. I'm quite a chaotic writer - not exactly a pantser, but sure as hell not a plotter.

I write a lot, but I can't write things from start to finish in sequence at all, it's a surefire way for me to hit a wall. So my giant note full of random, out-of-order conversations, dot-pointed plot ideas, character development steps, and funny jokes is my saviour.

If I were writing in a different time, I'd be the sort of writer with a whole room covered wall-to-wall in pieces of paper with strings running all over the place.

[yumeryuu]

I incubate the story in my head for several years. When I start, I write out my favorite scenes. Then I string it all together,

[Fun-SizeMojo]

I made a whole outline for the story in a little notebook with a basic premise of each scene in bullet points, using a story arc diagram to help guide scene placement. Then, I go in order with each scene, making a written panel plan with dialogue and what will happen in each panel. Lastly, I sketch out what I wrote and make little changes in ordering and dialogue as I see fit.

I also use the little notebook for character planning and maps of the settings, etc.

[lumisullivan]

Lol I don't. No but really I generally have some scenes and ideas in mind and then I piece them together to make a story line. I tend to have a general idea about the beginning and middle of the story and some ideas for the ending, and then like you OP I write as a go.

Writing for me is a way to let my imagination run wild and if I put "borders" on the story (aka outlining the whole story) then I just feel so restrictions, boxed in and I also become very demotivated. I really despise restrictions and therefore don't like to have everything planned out from beginning to end. I like to go with the flow and if along the way a new better idea comes along then I go with that.

[MeltingCORE]

I personally always try to organize my work ahead of time! My current series is divided into three arcs with the ending already planned out. Because it's a long story, I write basic outlines for chapters and work on them as I go. ('Red Shift" is a serial so I choose to publish on specific dates.)

[summer_coefficient]

Plan? What the hell is a "plan"?

[Crusoe]

I personally use bullet points for anything I come up with including character details, plotpoints, one liners etc... Usually it's in a semi-chronological order. I refine the plotpoints when I get to the chapter they happen in and add anything I come up with on the spot. I don't plan too heavily though, because it gives me some flexibility

[shfra13]

I tend to plot everything, but breach out and sometimes change things while writing. I plot my stories in my head, or at least come up with random snippets and details to the story. I will note them down, sometimes separately, before I decide where each part supposed to go. Then, I create the storyline. I have one file in which I'll note down on detail on what happens in the chapter, down to what the characters say. Kind of similar to how you would retell a story to someone else. I'll also highlight important things and/or make a separate note regarding the important stuff.

Then, I start writing. I'll generally follow the plot I already have, but sometimes I'll realize the plot isn't really working out, or I think there's another plot better fitting in that part, or come up with a more interesting idea, and write from there on. Mixing both ways is quite good, too, as I'm always open to any new ideas, but I'm not blindly writing without knowing what next there is and what end goal do I want to reach.

[Bokyongyo]

I start out with a outline all that is broken up in the various different chapters of my comic and then I fill in the major plot points and story beats that need to be covered in that chapter no matter what. These story beats aren't very detailed but still there to keep me on track for each chapter

After that I start actually truly detailing the outline further and soon enough start scripting the chapters. Usually I don't start scripting a chapter until a chapter prior to it is fully scripted because new ideas usually pop into my head that can help the story narrative wise. Plus I like to just focus on one chapter at a time when it comes to scripting.

Usually for some scenes I don't need to really outline because they are big scenes where I've been planning out in my head for a while, so for those scenes I keep them out the outline.

[Kuma]

1. Make the basic concept focusing on the premise, the genre, and the theme.
2. Develop the setting, geography, religion, culture, economy, society, and technology.
3. Develop the characters.
4. Write the plot as simple and straightforward as possible.
5. Split said plot into scenes. Consider each scene as its own mini-story with three acts.
6. Write each scene but allow myself to do modifications to the plot if inspiration hits.
7. Profit?

[PKLucky]

For the webcomic I'm working on now, I outline major plot points, and other story beats. Since this series is very character-oriented, I outline individual character development and changes in relationships over the course of the series.

Once I figure all that out, I go on to write scripts for chapters so I know how I want to draw them whenever I get to them. I don't draft out chapters in chronological story order a lot of the time, I just script out whatever idea comes up in my head then figure out where it would fit on the timeline later. My series is a slice of life/comedy so a lot of the chapters I have in mind can fit in whenever on the timeline, with the exceptions of a few chapters that HAVE to happen after certain plot points.

[Dialusion]

I'm a character first kind of writer, so I build the story around the characters and a central theme. An acquaintance of mine taught me to think of stories and plots using the prompt "This is a story of [X] and [Y]". I've been using this ever since. For example, one of my previous stories A Flower Just for You is the story of Gratitude and Regret. My current story The Nameless Relic is the story of Desperation and Games.

Having the characters and themes in front of me is the foundation. How do my characters relate to these two themes? How are the themes reflected in the characters? What do I want to happen to these characters? I make sure I know how the story ends too and have the ending affect how I develop characters. The ending is the culmination of the themes and the characters. So I try to have some closure with it.

When in doubt, use the Hero's journey as a base and play around with it. In terms of storyboarding, I've been writing and boarding my current story using a 4koma/4 panel format. 1. Scene Established, 2. Set Up, 3. the hit/punchline 4. Pay off. Normally used for more comedic stories, this format has helped me keep things simple and concise. Of course, the most important note: Write it all out, take a break, come back after a few days with fresh eyes and make revisions.

[darryljoll14]

This might sounds weird to u guys but I planned out my fanfic novel(Bnha/Mugen: book 1) through reading the manga and looking up Mugen battles. After that, I planned the scenarios in my head on the characters will act and do, then write down.

[burgundy]

I have ADHD which mean I come up with ideas in bits and fragments that are in no particular order. So I write them down that way. I write each idea on a sticky note and then I put them in a notebook in the order that makes the most sense. Then once I have it all lined up properly I can write a summary and an outline. Colorful sticky notes are the key lol
I still do a lot of figuring it out as I go and there's nothing wrong with that. Do the work to get the structure of the story in place and then just go with the flow.

[Oto_Kouda]

I'm... kinda crazy with mine, and this is just one of my organization documents:

I spent some time designing and planning out all my main characters and their personalities, then I spent some more time writing out each character's backstory, especially focusing on points that could cause friction or drama later on in the story. After that, I started writing out short paragraphs for minor characters, leaving space for ones I create on the spot while writing.

Finally, I added a space for those "Eureka!" moments where I can plan on foreshadowing for future plotlines.

[DokiDokiTsuna]

I always end up writing it as I go, while following the plot that I came up with. And with animation, I also have the same problem, when I sit down to draw the story board I can't. I just end up drawing what is in my head and plan it out accordingly.

You know...there might not be anything wrong with that? ^^; I mean, if it works for you, then it works; just because it's not the 'correct' way to do things doesn't mean you need to change it.

I also tend to animate completely from my imagination; I don't bother storyboarding or planning because I usually remember what I want. Right now I'm working on an animation that I first envisioned 4 years ago, and I can still play it back perfectly in my head. ^^ And between that 'footage' and whatever I can come up with on the fly (which usually turns out better anyway), I think I've got it covered.

Scripts are different though...I usually forget dialogue, and I always want the characters to say just the right thing, so if I come up with something good I have to write it down.
But planning out the plot itself is different...for example, here's my 'outline' for a very grand, sprawling fantasy saga:

Granted, this is a story that's lived in my head for a while, and I have written a lot about it (worldbuilding bibles and such) but my actual story-writing process is to just go with the flow and make the characters talk, while figuring out how to get to the next event in the outline (as you can see, I'm writing towards the 'festival' atm).
So it's still pretty loose; that blank space before the last event is to signal to me that I'm expected to come up with more big events to put in between there, whenever I get around to it. :9

TL;DR, my philosophy is 'plan whatever you need to', no matter how little it is. If you feel like you might forget it, or need to see it spelled out in front of you, go ahead and write it down. But if you don't, then don't. If you feel good about just being spontaneous, you can be that. It's totally allowed. ^^