| Before computers and all the software that lets a | | | | Chapter 10, but where the characters are and |
| writer technologically storyboard his or her novel | | | | where the plot is going is an integral part of |
| in Excel or other "trackers," there were | | | | mid-novel. Storyboarding can let a writer know if |
| corkboards on which writers laboriously pinned 3 x | | | | the middle is faltering and may inspire him to |
| 5 cards outlining various chapters and defining | | | | create more momentum for this important part |
| characters in their works in progress. | | | | of a novel. |
| Some of us still use that method - but, whatever | | | | The "end" of a novel can leave the reader sighing |
| a writer uses to visualize the components of his | | | | with satisfaction or grimacing with frustration. |
| novel "at a glance," the idea of storyboarding is a | | | | Keeping track of the elements in a novel by |
| great one - especially for first-time novelists. | | | | storyboarding is especially helpful to provide the |
| Storyboarding the Beginning, Middle and End of a | | | | reader an entertaining and satisfying ending. |
| Novel | | | | Storyboarding also lets you try different endings |
| Start storyboarding a novel by creating a | | | | in relation to the rest of the story. Looking at it |
| "beginning." Remember, the beginning should pull | | | | from different perspectives tells the writer what |
| the reader into the story and is critical to setting | | | | works and what doesn't. |
| up the characters' viewpoints and personalities. | | | | Storyboarding Scenes |
| Storyboarding doesn't have to be all-inclusive | | | | Storyboarding various scenes in a novel can be an |
| information about the novel - a few words about | | | | especially helpful tool for the aspiring novelist. Bring |
| a chapter, how long it will be and what it should | | | | in "reminder" scenes from sites on the internet to |
| convey to the reader is enough. If storyboarding | | | | help describe places such as courtrooms, unique |
| is accomplished with computer software, pictures | | | | places in the world (such as the Eiffel Tower in |
| that resemble and have the same attributes as | | | | Paris, France), or a sunset in the Bahamas. |
| the characters in the book can be pulled in and | | | | Writing a novel is a challenge - besides being a lot |
| used as a reminder that one character has red | | | | of work and enormously time consuming. |
| hair and another gray, for example. | | | | Storyboarding is a simple and effective method to |
| The "middle" of a novel is just as important as | | | | make sure a novel is headed in the right direction |
| the beginning and the writer has to be careful that | | | | at all times. It's better to be able to change the |
| suspense, dialog and plot don't fall by the wayside, | | | | skeleton of a novel, rather than have to go back |
| leaving the reader baffled and frustrated. | | | | through page after page after it's written and |
| The middle of the novel may technically be | | | | ready to present to an agent or publisher. |