Planning Stories by Hand
Wednesday Writing Weekly No #74
Whether you are trying to lessen your screentime or are more of a hands-on person, here are some fun different ways to plan out your stories without your computer. I’ll get asked on occasion what kind of program I use for writing. There are a bunch of applications and websites out there (I guess if anyone wants me to try some and review certain kinds, let me know!) but I always use MS Word and do a lot of my plotting by hand. Let’s explore different ways to do this!
Why by Hand?
Working on the computer is exhausting (to me.) I’m on it all day, and back when I was a student, I only had my laptop so I was always looking for ways to get off the screen and back onto paper for as long as I could. There are a few benefits for having some steps of your creative process offline:
Better focus and fewer on-screen distractions.
Great for people who focus or think better with tangible work.
It’s creative! If you love to be creative, this can help you enjoy the process more.
See your work from a new angle.
Options to Plan Your Story by Hand
You can write out your story plans in a notebook but here are more effective strategies that allow you to change your mind and keep your plan moving. Keep in mind, you might not think there are many differences between some of these ways, but I know when you need to plan something out in exactly the right way… you will need the perfect tool and no matter how similar, I know we all have our own preferences!
White Boards: White boards are perfect for planning. It’s a convenient place to write down reminders or key points in your plot while creating a story. This is easy to write on and you can use colorful markers but to me, this one still has the same problem as paper… you will need to erase and rewrite what you have already written when changing ideas or moving things around. (Unless you get one that is magnetic and put notes up on it!)
Cork Boards: This is my ideal surface! Cork boards allow you to pin up your thoughts and move them around without having to rewrite anything. I personally use notecards or sticky notes that I pin and move. Cork boards can be expensive, but I recommend getting some construction cork underlaying sheets for flooring if you need a bunch, instead of paying those “chic office supplies” prices for small, individual boards.
Scissors: In college, a professor had us print out our essays and cut them into pieces, paragraph by paragraph. When you feel stuck on a paper or story, this gives you the freedom to experiment with different orders to see what can be adjusted or changed for the benefit of your story.
Sticky Notes: My best friends. Similar to the cork board, this is a method that lets you place and move around your ideas as you plan out your story. You can put these on your wall or directly on any type of board or surface.
Your Wall: Be a detective! Break out the yarn and sticky notes! Of course, you may be limited in your options depending on the wall’s material, if you own or are renting, and more. But, this is a classic and timeless option. I always say, use what you have before you invest in new office supplies or tools!
Conclusion
The benefits to planning out your story by hand can be numerous but I understand if it is not for everyone. Being able to physically manipulate my story boards has always been a great tool for me. It lets me think critically about my work while viewing it as pieces of a puzzle, rather than one unmovable piece. I suggest trying out some of the ways listed above or share in the comments below how you plan out your own work.