My Version of a Storyboard

I use many different techniques to tap into the worlds I create – to make sense of the chaos that is a work in progress. I use visuals – searching the Net for images that have the feel of my settings, clothing my characters might wear. I hunt down tunage (obscure/classic rock/indie – anything but country) that helps to set the mood of certain scenes/character emotions as I write. I use stickie notes, index cards and scraps of paper to test plotlines and unexpected twists.

A writer friend of mine, Tess (thanks!!), started me on the concept. She creates detailed / visual character sheets – with photos, dialogue, essential info and bits of trivia about the character that would never be worked into the novel, but help to form their personalities. Great reference tools to have posted around your desk. You can just glance up and pull some inspiration from one of the sheets.

I decided to take this a step further and create a storyboard (of sorts) that represents the overall plot / characters / setting / mood and themes. For Second Skin, the next novel in the Skinned series, I created a storyboard using a large bulletin board (mounted to one of my office walls), gothic scrapbook paper, images I clipped from magazines, bookmarks, real items – a few crosses, etc – and I also added the bare "bones" of the plot. To do this I cut index cards in half and jotted down the main points of action in each chapter.

This way I can pace around my office, stop and stare at the storyboard, mull over the plot, shift the index cards around and then write to fill in any gaps. It's not a perfect system. But it keeps me focused and adds a bit of drama to my already GOREgeous office.