How do you plan your story? Any recommendations for websites/apps?

[barbsart]

I've been trying to write my story for a while but I'm really in need of some good way to plan! How do you usually plan out your plot and does anyone have any recommendations regarding sites or applications that are good for it?

[YangKoete]

I just use the Word program for writing my ideas in, or a pen and napkin when I'm out of the house and transfer it later. ^_^' I don't really work with major planning, I just remember the details very well.

[barbsart]

I've tried using normal document-applications like word and evernote but I just can't seem to figure out a system for planning using just that. I personally prefer having a good outline first and then figuring out the details, but I don't like not being able to move the details and scenes around for example, things like that.

[YangKoete]

I at least put how many panels are up and general actions/text.

IE;

Title Here

Panel 1;
Character 1's lines; pointing at character 2

Panel 2;
Character 2;
Character 3;
both speaking towards character 1

Panel 3;
Character 1; runs off

Something like that, and the title tells me what's meant to go on.

[TheThoughtfulBoxful]

anyone have any recommendations regarding sites or applications that are good for it?

/LINK FLOOD PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

Celtx - Free Scriptwriting & All-In-One Production Studios

Where To Begin Your Story: Inspiration - MakingComics.com

How To Write A Story For Your Comic - MakingComics.com

How To Write An Outline For Your Comic - MakingComics.com

How to Write a Script for Your Comic - MakingComics.com

So basically, read everything here.

Home - MakingComics.com

GOODBYE.

edit: also this

Advice for Starting a Webcomic

[HollowEve]

I used to use a program called 'Smart Ideas' for mapping thoughts. I could make a bubble, put words in it, connect it with others, and move them around. I used it back in high school, so I don't know if it's still available.

[KennDemon]

What I usually do for plot is I start with the major points (beginning and climax), then fill in major story beats between them. After that, if I get an idea for a scene that I want to include, I find which beats I want it to go between and jot it in. This is all in point form, preferably in a word document, but a notebook works too, and sometimes the feel of writing with a pen when planning is amazing.
I take my time with this outline, so that when I'm writing it's more like walking across stepping stones. It also helps when life gets in the way and I can't write for a month. I won't forget my ideas because everything's written down where I can refer back to it.

@HollowEve Last I checked, Smart Ideas was still around, but it's a one month free trial and then you have to pay for it. If you already have the Microsoft suite that includes word and powerpoint, then I'd recommend looking at visio, it's pretty similar.

EDIT: Looks like I made a mistake. Visio may not be part of that package after all. It's still a great program for the task, but not a free option.

[Sanz]

before the story i make my characters. I have a set of prompts that help me move the story along. i have everything saved on onedrive and google drive. so if im out and about and I see something or think of something random i can use in a current writing or drawing. it's all in one place and accessible anytime. but it all starts with the first idea, and i build upon it with the prompts.

[teagirlvn]

Am I the only one making script by drawing stick man/rough sketching..

[PaulDevers]

I just think about it constantly, but for longer stories, I take the WHOLE plot and bullet point it out on a piece of notebook paper, writing next to each bullet what the major parts of that chapter and such should be, either in tone or writing. Afterwards, I label out what each major characters should be doing and such. Only when I have that major plot fully out and I'm satisfied with, I'll start doing scripts. Once scripts are done, then it's thumbnailing the pages, and then I actually draw. I don't really use any websites or apps, though. Sorry!
With something smaller, though, like my current comic, I just think of a silly joke and then draw the silly joke usually minutes later!

[XzynderVexymous]

Use OneNote. It’s an awesome application which allows you to edit your typing on multiple devices. For example, if you’re out with your friends and you think of an idea, take your phone out and start typing. Once OneNote uses WiFi (Or data) then it will sync to your other devices. This way, you can pick up from where you typed on your phone on a PC or iPad.

Hope this helps.

[Wumbl]

I recommend building your story from the foundations.
That means starting with a very basic outline of the most important events.
The most important events are:
- establishment of world + characters
- disequilibrium (or disruption that causes protagonist to begin their story)
- conflict
- climax (the major tension point where things are going to be resolved)
- new equilibrium (the way things are after the climax, and the end of the protagonist's journey

Then you would want to flesh out smaller events around those that contribute to the narrative - essentially your individual "scenes" if we're comparing comics to movies.

That's probably the best way to start planning, for a lot of creators but it depends on what you prefer to do really.

A website and app I recommend is Padlet, because it allows you to keep notes, and organize them in any way you prefer. You can also choose to collaborate using padlet.
It can be accessed in browser or through an app, so you can do it anywhere at any time. It's very easy to move things around and insert links etc. if you want to make a moodboard.

[Croik]

I'm an ending first planner. I like to go into any project knowing where the characters end up and then figure out what would need to happen to get them there. Sometimes I'll have inspiration for pieces that happen at various points and then it feels like a Sudoku puzzle figuring out what would need to happen between each point to have everything make sense.

Program wise my go to is Excel. I don't always write down event by event what's going to happen in a story, but I do like to have a timeline of dates for character's birthdays, major events in the setting, things like that. If the plot itself is complex or if characters get separated it's easy to map and rearrange things that way.

[DiegoPalacios]

worldbuilding: have a clear idea about how the world/universe where the story happens work. Is not neccesary every detail, but you must decide how realistic it is, any supernatural aspects?, how advanced is the tecnology?, is the setting of your story inhabited by humans?/animals, monsters, other?. Remember: internal consistency is important. The events must make sense in the setting. That is why you see wizards, but never find helicopters in the hobbit. Your world can be whacky and have crazy rules, but those rules about how thing work must be clear and consistent.
Who are your main characters?, how is their personality, what do they do?,why?. What do they like?, what do they hate?, what makes them relatable , likable and/or interesting.
What is the conflict that must be solved?, what are the important events in the story?, you don't need to know everything, but the main plot-points and main conflict and themes are vital.

[youcannotread]

This is my go-to YouTuber for solid, writing advice: Jenna Morci
Then Google drive for phone and desktop sync but I just organize everything as bullet pointed concepts.

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCS_fcv9kBpDN4WWrfcbCrgw

[HaloCapella]

I just use notepad. (Notepad++ to be exact) and point form unless I need to add more detail.

[mileshonor]

I'd definitely start with sketching out a timeline of your main plot points, and think of all the connections you can make between your chapters to deepen your story. For actual script writing, I personally just use a google doc with a line for each panel's dialogue and another for the visuals. There's also a program called "celtx" that has a comic-specific script layout, but I don't know enough about it to recommend it.

Best,
Honor Miles

[fakey]

For a new story I like to just go out and buy a lined notebook and from there I just write out whatever I have down for the plot. Sometimes it can be the entire skeleton of the story from beginning to end and other times it's just the first half or less. My goal is to jot down the big events I know I want to happen and then after that it comes down to just filling in the blanks and figuring out how the events connect.

I prefer to know the entire story before I start working because that way it's easier to foreshadow things if I want. Plus I worry that if I don't know what the ending is going to be I'll end up writing myself into a corner or being unable to deliver a satisfying ending.

[Emevsa]

We have a master outline document in Google docs. This keeps us on track but we go in from time to time to make updates when we need to. From here we work out what to feature in issues (which come out at around 30 pages). Then we script it out, edit it, tweak it, scrap some of it and finally decide we're happy with it. From there the illustrator does her thing. That process is a bit of a mystery as it is done rather organically.

All our planning is done using google docs in a folder. Super basic really haha.

[lil-sea-salt]

I use an already existing arc then place my characters in that situation and then build the story around it.