Mapping Your Story — How Storyboards Help Authors Plan Their Books
Using a Storyboard to organize your ideas is one helpful tool many authors use during the writing process. A storyboard is a visual way to organize the flow of your story before or during the writing process. It allows you to see the structure of your book at a glance and helps you keep track of scenes, characters, and important moments. It does not matter when you start using a storyboard. Some authors use one when they first start writing a manuscript, while others start later in the writing process. I personally like to put my storyboard together after the editing process.
Storyboarding is commonly used in filmmaking and animation, but it can be just as valuable for authors. Some authors feel that, instead of writing the entire story from beginning to end without a plan, a storyboard allows you to map out the sequence of events visually. But if you are the type of person who likes to write the entire story first, and then lay it out, this is also acceptable. Either way, it can make the writing process smoother and more organized. Once you lay out the story, you can visually see if you need to make any changes in paragraphs, or individual sentences, etc. For children’s book authors in particular, storyboards can be especially useful because picture books often follow a page-by-page structure where illustrations and text work together to tell the story.
A storyboard can be created in many different ways. Some authors draw boxes on a sheet of paper that represent pages or scenes in the book. Inside each box, they write a short description of what happens in that part of the story. Others may include quick sketches to show where illustrations might appear. For example, if you are writing a children’s picture book, you might create a storyboard with 32 boxes, since many picture books follow a 32-page format. Each box can represent a page or a two-page spread.
Inside each section you might write:
- The main action taking place
- Which characters appear
- Important dialogue or narration
- Ideas for illustrations
The goal is not to create perfect drawings. The purpose is simply to visualize the progression of the story. Because I like things extremely organized, I utilize my storyboard differently. However, I do follow the 32-page format since I write children’s picture books. The main thing to keep in mind is that you use a storyboard that fits your needs.
When I first start writing a story, I usually just write it all down first. I just let it flow! Then I read through it, begin making changes, and then start my storyboard. I like to use a notebook that is the size of my children’s book (8 ½ X 11 in.). I cut the manuscript apart as I want them to appear on the pages of the children’s book, leaving spaces where the illustrations will go. In those empty spaces, I pencil in what illustration will go there. I use Scotch tape to tape the paragraphs to the pages, so that if I need to change them or move them, I can without too much difficulty. The way I lay out the storyboard is to show where the blank pages are, where the title page is, where the acknowledgment page will be, and also include the front and back cover. As I discuss the illustrations with my illustrator, I write little notes on what we discuss in those empty spaces (where the illustrations will go). I also write the page numbers on the pages of the story, and I also ask my illustrator to write the page numbers on the illustrations so that everything corresponds. This is important because sometimes things get mixed up. If there are any questions, they know exactly what page number corresponds with the illustrations, etc.
Once I have the storyboard completed, making any adjustments along the way, I go back into my manuscript on my computer and make adjustments there also. Then, I print off copies for my editor and my illustrator. As the editing process continues, I continue to adjust until the editing process is completed. I then print off a copy of the manuscript, make copies of the illustrations (once they are completed), write the page numbers on the illustrations, making sure they coordinate with how the manuscript is laid out, and write any instructions down to give to the printing company. This helps everyone involved know how the pages should look when the book is printed. It will also save time and headaches if any of the illustrations, etc., get out of order for some reason. It is easier to have something to look back on than to go through the story and remember what goes where.
So, why this extra step when creating the story, and how does storyboarding help authors? Creating a storyboard offers several important benefits during the writing process.
1. It Helps You See the Big Picture
A storyboard allows you to view your entire story at once. Instead of focusing on individual paragraphs, you can step back and evaluate the overall structure. This makes it easier to identify where the story begins, builds tension, and reaches its resolution.
2. It Helps Maintain Story Flow
Sometimes, when authors write without a visual outline, scenes may feel rushed or uneven. A storyboard helps ensure that the pacing of the story feels balanced. You can easily see if one part of the story takes up too many pages while another important moment happens too quickly.
3. It Helps Plan Illustrations
For picture books, illustrations play a critical role in storytelling. A storyboard helps you determine where illustrations will carry part of the narrative and where text will provide important details. This balance is especially important when working with an illustrator.
4. It Helps Identify Missing Elements
When looking at your storyboard, you may notice gaps in the story. Perhaps a character’s motivation is unclear, or a transition between scenes feels abrupt. Because the entire story is visible in one place, it becomes easier to spot these issues early.
5. It Makes Revisions Easier
Moving scenes around on a storyboard is much easier than rewriting large sections of a manuscript. Many authors use sticky notes or index cards so that they can rearrange story elements until the flow feels right.
There are different ways to create a storyboard. As I have said before, there is no single “correct” way to create a storyboard. Authors often choose the method that works best for them.
Some common approaches include:
- Drawing boxes on paper or in a notebook
- Using a spiral notebook, or an artist’s book with empty pages to lay out the words and illustrations
- Using index cards to represent scenes or pages
- Creating a digital storyboard using design or writing software
- Using sticky notes on a wall or bulletin board
Each method allows you to visually organize the story and move elements around if needed.
Storyboarding is a helpful tool and encourages creative thinking because it allows you to experiment with ideas before committing them to the final manuscript. You can test different story openings, change the order of events, or adjust how the story builds toward its conclusion. Many authors find that this visual approach helps reduce writer’s block because the story already has a clear path forward.
A storyboard is simply a planning tool, but it can play a powerful role in shaping your book. It helps bring your story to life. By mapping out the journey of your story, you give yourself a clearer understanding of how the narrative unfolds from beginning to end. Whether you sketch simple boxes in a notebook or use a digital tool, storyboarding can help you organize your ideas, strengthen your storytelling, and bring your vision to life more effectively.
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