For Love of a Corkboard

3 May 2010 | Filed Under Tools of the Trade 

A few weeks ago, I went out and bought a giant corkboard to help with storyboarding.

I love it!!

The only problem I’ve encountered so far is that there’s no where to put it next to my writing seat for easy reference. But whatever, I can deal.

I’m applying the Index Card Method, as encouraged by Alexandra Sokoloff on her blog. She uses a three act structure to organize her stories, and since it worked so well with Too Many Princesses, I thought I’d give it a shot for my other work.

I’m currently using the board to revise my NaNo novel (which, thanks to my new site organization, can be found under “completed” in the navigation bar). It’s a snap to move scenes, and helps me keep the pace up in the story.

As you can see from the picture, the last column’s pretty blank. That’s because I’m totally throwing out what I had (not even modifying it, like I’m doing with the middle) and I’m not sure what to put yet. The story’s going in a completely different direction. I might just see what happens when I write.

After all, planning can only take you so far!

Comments

4 Responses to “For Love of a Corkboard”

  1. Sara S on May 3rd, 2010 12:55 am

    This looks like an awesome way to keep stuff organized! It’s nice that you can see it all at once and you have the freedom to move parts, while keeping an eye on the overall structure! Have I mentioned that I’m super unbelievably impressed with the amount of writing you do? It’s so cool imo.

  2. Jenn on May 3rd, 2010 6:50 am

    Yeah, I’m glad I discovered it! Haha, thanks! I think it’s lost the coolness factor for me, it’s just what I do :D

  3. Julie Dao on May 4th, 2010 4:06 pm

    WOW! I am an organization freak so this definitely made me sit up and take notice. I am impressed! Hope it works well for you, this is one method I haven’t tried yet – all of my organizing/planning takes place in a notebook.

  4. Jenn on May 4th, 2010 4:13 pm

    Thanks! I used to organize/plan in notebooks – and by that I mean random scraps of paper that I always lost. At least the index cards are pinned down!

Leave a Reply




  • Welcome

    new haircut

    Hi, I'm Jenn, new grad student and old YA fantasy writer. I've long dreamed of being a novelist, and I bet you have too. I hope you find my blog helpful, inspiring, and maybe just a little bit fun. (But not too much fun. Writing is serious business, you know.)

    You can follow me on Twitter or Facebook, or email me at:
    jennifer.a.johnson7 at gmail dot com

  • Official Progress


    4/21 segments

    A narrator hijacks a cliche fantasy story, much to the chagrin of its characters.

    Status: Second revision



    1,639/70,000 words
    A young noblewoman with strange powers must choose: her king or her soul.

    Status: First draft



    1,087/70,000 words
    When a girl's heart is stolen, she's plunged into a world of magic and shadows - but can she get her heart back before she loses it completely?

    Status: First draft





  • All writing, unless otherwise specified, is the property of
    Jennifer Johnson © 2010