How do I keep my ideas in order?

[Baleron]

I've always had a horrible time organizing my ideas in physical form. I am just now beginning my foray into the general storyline, and working toward the seperate panels after my basic framework is laid. However, most of my writing ability lays in my writing what comes up in my mind at that moment. I started trying to write a script, and then immediately hated what I wrote down and threw it away. Suffice to say, I know I won't be able to write a truly inspirational script until I get the basics out of the way, such as my much dreaded nemesis, the character biographys.

I suppose out of all of this babbling, the main question I want to ask is how other webcomic writers organize the elements of their story, characters, and events. Until I get an idea of what format my information should be in, I'm afraid I'll simply be stuck.

[Wendybird]

There are as many formats for organizing a plot as there are writers. Some people put together timelines of their plots, or put together a list of vital stats for each character. Some people even take D&D character sheets and give their characters stats. I tend to scribble things down whenever I think of them, then take the good bits and write a list of events, then script those events. Of course, this is in addition to having a draft of my plot written up as a book.

From what little you've said, your biggest problem may be a lack of confidence. You should try saving everything you write. Even if you think it's terrible the second time you look at, maybe the third time you'll see something you could use.

[Jbrown]

I've always had a horrible time organizing my ideas in physical form. I am just now beginning my foray into the general storyline, and working toward the seperate panels after my basic framework is laid. However, most of my writing ability lays in my writing what comes up in my mind at that moment. I started trying to write a script, and then immediately hated what I wrote down and threw it away. Suffice to say, I know I won't be able to write a truly inspirational script until I get the basics out of the way, such as my much dreaded nemesis, the character biographys.

I suppose out of all of this babbling, the main question I want to ask is how other webcomic writers organize the elements of their story, characters, and events. Until I get an idea of what format my information should be in, I'm afraid I'll simply be stuck.

I'm in your predicament. What I write down is rarely what goes on paper in the final comic so I've begun to use my scripts as "shells." I'll always think of something funnier or more entertaining as I'm drawing a scene I have written and I simply use my script to keep myself from meandering (and sometimes I'll just throw all plot out the window and DRAW). The script is basically a reminder that "Hey pal, there's a story besides the art!"

[Siabur]

Outlines are a way to order your ideas. Once you get the hang of them, it makes things really easy. Hmmm. May need to get back them myself.

[KWill]

Any of my ideas generally simmer in my mind for at least a few months (on some occasions, years). I'll draw a couple inspirational doodles outlining background information or key events in the storyline before sitting down and either incorporating or ignoring what I've come up with by the time sit down to write out a plot.

[Paul Escobar]

There are many ways of organizing ideas. Try to find what works for you. I don't write scripts; I just make mental notes of the general storyline, plus maybe a few written notes on specific situations in the comic. Then I do thumbnail layouts - small, rough sketches of how each page will look, with the dialogue (if there is any) written in the margin. This is where the actual writing occurs for me. Then comes drawing the damn thing. Writing a script before doing thumbnail layouts is redundant to me, but others might find it easier to work from a script. Whatever floats your boat.

I'd say it makes a difference if you're doing strips or short comics - or some huge epic lasting a million pages. Some resemblance of a script or synopsis is probably a good idea for the latter.

One method I've read about which seems good (even though I don't use it myself), is to make all your notes and whatnot on Post-it notes. You can stick them on a wall and arrange them according to story chronology or whatever suits you, and easily reorganize them if need be.

[Anatomy]

If you do best when you're just wandering along, then do that. I like to keep a notebook for those random thought wanderings.
Then maybe order your little tidbits chronologically as you go.

[Phalanx]

Get a cheap sketchbook and a nice comfortable pen. Doodle out your character designs. Then draw them over and over on different pages until they look like what you want. You'll notice each iteration gets you closer to the right thing.

Same thing with scripts and stories. Scribble loose dialogue, then very very rough storyboards. Don't be scared to experiment.

I suggest a pen because I find I tend to let myself go more when I brainstorm with it, since I can't stop to erase something like I do with pencil.

[Truerwords]

I have a similar problem as well, I find that my mind works in loops and circles instead of straight lines. So my scripts for comics end up being very disjointed and confused as I jump around to different times and topics rapidly.

I like to keep notes in a document on my computer, write down everything I think of, and then mark everything as to what should come first, second, and so on, and then write a very loose script around it and keep revising over it until I get something I'm satisfied with.

Something else I find really helpful is that I bounce all of my ideas off of my boy friend (who usually writes for my comics), and he helps me organize my thoughts and bring out things that need to get expressed that I've overlooked in my initial planning.

[Spaceprincess]

I Carry a small notebook in my pocket and have others lying around, one next to my bed since I do my best writing when I'm trying to sleep. I usual just jot down one or two sentences of each idea, enough so I can remember what it was. Then I collect all the little notebooks and organize them in to a bigger note book. This accounts for about two thirds of my stories, the rest I come up with will I'm drawing. For an over all plot I keep a rough idea in my head and only write down a few key points for down the road. Outlines are great for essays and term papers but not for fiction. They tend to make a story seem ridged and forced.

[Ohemgee]

For my current comic, which is currently plotless, (any attempt at plot has so far kinda sucked) I carry around post-its on the inside of my notebooks. For my other (not yet on the 'net) comic, I wrote out a story on some notebook paper, which totally sucked. Then I rewrote it, this time organizing it into different panels (a new line for each panel). After grouping a series of 'panels' together with some vague lines, I drew a rough rough layout of what I wanted the page to look like on yet another piece of notebook paper (a quarter of it to save trees etc.). Finally I drew the end product. Each time, I change the dialogue/action a little bit.

So yea, what you first write is probably going to be horrible. But as many english teachers say: revise, revise, revise... Just as long as the first draft has a general gist of what you want, keep it.

[Dreamaniaccomic]

I'm developing a new comic right now, and the writing and character process is partly a very thin, general outline, combined with specific totally awesome ideas I think up every once in a while. I keep the outline sparse so I can let specifics of the plot piece itself together on it's own. I doubt I'll have an actual script, but I have tons of ideas that I can fit into the story because of it. Character biographies are somewhat overrated, as not every writer finds them as helpful as many guides claim. Really, the only question you ever need to ask is "Why is he/she/it like that?" If you can find a good answer (one that isn't "Because he/she/it is insane) to every part of you're character that could have that question apply, you've got a well-developed character.

[Jin-roh]

Everything everyone has said is great. I usually jot down a lot of notes and funny things as they come.

I think it is a good idea to parcel out the ideas. I am assuming that you want a story-telling type strip, and not a gag strip. That said, concentrate on dividing between characters, environments, activities etc. I think starting with serious character sketches is the first place to start. I never used a D&D pad, but if that works, it works. Also, try to write about things that are familiar to you. Stay close to home, and try to avoid being outlandish or fantastic at first.

[cuddlycornpone]

When I have to organize a story script that has multiple storylines, sometimes I get really confused and have a tough time making sure certain plot points line up, or making sure I don't spend too much time on certain storylines to the neglect of others. What I do is a little extensive, but it's helpful since it's a visual aid. I write down all little plot points that I already know I need to put in the story on little pieces of paper and arrange them on the table (or the floor if needed) in sequential order and organized into the different storylines, in case they need to interweave. Then I write everything down in the order I want it to go on a different piece of paper.
Looking back, I have no idea if what I just said made any sense at all. And this thread is about a week old anyway. Best of luck either way!

[BeefotronX]

Get an outliner program like Notecase. There's a free version.
If you're not familiar with programs like this, it's like having a bunch of text documents organized into a hierarchy, in a single file.

So you might start by setting up something like this, in the tree view. And each item could have its own block of text.

Code: Select all

Story
|- Chapter 1 (Synopsis, full script, whatever for each chapter)
|- Chapter 2
|- Chapter 3
    |- (Incomplete story fragments for chapter in progress)

Encyclopedia
|- Characters
|   |-Heroes
|   |   |-Major
|   |   |-Minor
|   |-Villains
|   |   |-Major
|   |   |-Minor
|   |-Neutrals
|
|- Places
|   |-Region
|   |   |-Site
|   |   |-Site
|   | 
|   |-Region
|       |-Site
|
|- Legends
|   |-Background story A
|   |-Background story B
|
|- Concepts and Critters
    |-Technologies
    |-Biology (notable monster/alien races)
    |-Weird Science (rules for magic/ interdimensional travel/whatever)

[Ripnormality]

Notecards! For some reason, they are easier to cross out, throw away, what have you.

Personally, I do none of this. I know what kind of plot and characters I need and take it from there (but I'm not a fan of complicated plots or many characters, so it works out for me). Biggest drawback: realizing you've run out of ideas halfway through.