How do I write my ideas in an organized way?

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

I'm having trouble coming up with a way to write my story in an organized way. I think it makes sense in my head but I don't know how to translate that to paper. Any help is appreciated.

[Dreambiscuit 8,024]

For me, when I have a story that I need to write, I start off with the nugget of thought from my brain, then I start typing out a synopsis on the computer, usually just a couple of pages for a medium size story (one that is under 100 pages). I try to include as many details in the synopsis as I can, including bits of dialog I like, the general order of scenes, characters, etc. When I print out the page(s) I then use it as reference as I start to either hand-write or type out the first few scenes. The initial process is rough and I leave it that way until I come back to polish it later. The main idea at this point is to just block the scenes together as best you can. As I write, I usually come up with new ideas and directions to take the story, and I often scribble hand-written notes in the margins of my printed synopsis. If a story is particularly intricate (i.e. mind-numbing) I sometimes write scenes and details on index cards and tape them up on a large piece of cardboard where I can physically rearrange them until I like the order of sequences. 

It has also helped quite a lot for me, especially when I was first starting out, to write the story in script/screenplay form first. Then, once I've gotten the basic shape of the plot, I can reformat it into book form. 

I don't know if any of this will help, but I wish you the best of luck! 

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

For me, when I have a story that I need to write, I start off with the nugget of thought from my brain, then I start typing out a synopsis on the computer, usually just a couple of pages for a medium size story (one that is under 100 pages). I try to include as many details in the synopsis as I can, including bits of dialog I like, the general order of scenes, characters, etc. When I print out the page(s) I then use it as reference as I start to either hand-write or type out the first few scenes. The initial process is rough and I leave it that way until I come back to polish it later. The main idea at this point is to just block the scenes together as best you can. As I write, I usually come up with new ideas and directions to take the story, and I often scribble hand-written notes in the margins of my printed synopsis. If a story is particularly intricate (i.e. mind-numbing) I sometimes write scenes and details on index cards and tape them up on a large piece of cardboard where I can physically rearrange them until I like the order of sequences. 

It has also helped quite a lot for me, especially when I was first starting out, to write the story in script/screenplay form first. Then, once I've gotten the basic shape of the plot, I can reformat it into book form. 

I don't know if any of this will help, but I wish you the best of luck! 

Thank you very much I did find this helpful. I guess my problem is that the tone, characters, and overall plot has gone through several incarnations in my mind. And now I think I finally found a way to simplify the story without sacrificing what I originally wanted.

[Concerned Bystander 2,901]

Search online for brainstorming and mind mapping techniques, there are a whole variety of different ways to visualise the different aspects of a project and the relationships between them.

 

This is a pretty basic example, but with a bit of tinkering such things can help to give you a visual representation of how various elements of the story interact with each other.

 

[Widdershins 9,955]

 

 

It has also helped quite a lot for me, especially when I was first starting out, to write the story in script/screenplay form first.

 

   Aye, think I have at least attempted that before, but I don't think the... wossnames that Bystander above me brought up, Bubble Graph? Don't think that quite works for me; I need me some room to write. Though I do have a habit of putting in too much detail sometimes maybe.

 

  So what exactly does "Script/Screenplay form" look like then?

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

For me, when I have a story that I need to write, I start off with the nugget of thought from my brain, then I start typing out a synopsis on the computer, usually just a couple of pages for a medium size story (one that is under 100 pages). I try to include as many details in the synopsis as I can, including bits of dialog I like, the general order of scenes, characters, etc. When I print out the page(s) I then use it as reference as I start to either hand-write or type out the first few scenes. The initial process is rough and I leave it that way until I come back to polish it later. The main idea at this point is to just block the scenes together as best you can. As I write, I usually come up with new ideas and directions to take the story, and I often scribble hand-written notes in the margins of my printed synopsis. If a story is particularly intricate (i.e. mind-numbing) I sometimes write scenes and details on index cards and tape them up on a large piece of cardboard where I can physically rearrange them until I like the order of sequences. 

It has also helped quite a lot for me, especially when I was first starting out, to write the story in script/screenplay form first. Then, once I've gotten the basic shape of the plot, I can reformat it into book form. 

I don't know if any of this will help, but I wish you the best of luck! 

I should clarify my intention. My plan is too finalize the characters and story. Write a rough outline of a script. Than draw a comic of that story. Using stick figures because that's all I can draw. Then eventually moving that to an animated format.

[Dreambiscuit 8,024]

  So what exactly does "Script/Screenplay form" look like then?

It's pretty simple and doesn't even need to follow 'official' screenwriting format. Here's the way I do it:

 

WIDDERSHINS: "So what exactly does ''Script/Screenplay form' look like then?" 

DREAMBISCUIT: "It looks like this, with the name of the character speaking (written in boldface), followed by their dialog in quotes."

 

   Then, in between lines of dialog I write descriptions of the scene and any pertinent information to convey what's going on.

 

DREAMBISCUIT: "This is a quick and easy way to get the basics of the plot and dialog written. Anything else can be polished, refined and even reformatted later." 

 

 

I should clarify my intention. My plan is too finalize the characters and story. Write a rough outline of a script. Than draw a comic of that story. Using stick figures because that's all I can draw. Then eventually moving that to an animated format.

I see what you mean. I have the same intention with a series of stories I've written but I have so much material the whole project has become too daunting for me. But you have the right idea getting the plot, dialog and even a general layout for the artwork set in place. And when you're ready to animate, you'll already have a useful storyboard! 

[Tilgoreth 1,915]

It's pretty simple and doesn't even need to follow 'official' screenwriting format. Here's the way I do it:

 

WIDDERSHINS: "So what exactly does ''Script/Screenplay form' look like then?" 

DREAMBISCUIT: "It looks like this, with the name of the character speaking (written in boldface), followed by their dialog in quotes."

 

   Then, in between lines of dialog I write descriptions of the scene and any pertinent information to convey what's going on.

 

DREAMBISCUIT: "This is a quick and easy way to get the basics of the plot and dialog written. Anything else can be polished, refined and even reformatted later." 

 

 

 

I see what you mean. I have the same intention with a series of stories I've written but I have so much material the whole project has become too daunting for me. But you have the right idea getting the plot, dialog and even a general layout for the artwork set in place. And when you're ready to animate, you'll already have a useful storyboard!  [/quoteI decide to make it a comic for two reasons. One it easier. I can do a lot more with simple expressions and gestures. And two it's a very visual story. I would either have to write very detailed descriptions. Or simplify the entire concept. Which I did. But I still think it'd be better as a comic. And even though stick figures is all I can draw I think it fits with the tone of the story.

Though I am having a problem with tonality and characters. Originally the idea was that the story would follow around a bunch of cough cough crazy sociopaths. Then it devolved in to something very innocent. I didn't like that so I made it franchise. That was to gross so I doubled back. Regardless it's made the story very strange. It also caused me to combine several other initial ideas that were originally unrelated. I guess I was going for a South Park esque type story. At least in terms of content. It's also made the characters strange. Originally I planned to focus on a main cast of six characters. Then I narrowed it down to just a pair. A pair of best friends. One male one female. Sarah the female best friend is still there. But she isn't a mane character anymore. She's John(male best friend) best friend and support I guess. They mostly just talk to each other. The problem is that because my original idea was insane it's trickled down in to the characters. Basically John as he currently stands is a bipolar lunatic. Half the time is a crazy sociopath the other half he's a normal dude. I originally intended to be a sort of story that would rely on offensive and extreme humor. Though that was edgy and stupid. But I still think I could do funny things with that. I'm just not sure if I should relegate the more insane traits to side characters.

[Dreambiscuit 8,024]

If you have a story in mind, the characters and their traits will flow naturally. I always try to keep it simple and let the details come as I write. The most important thing is to know where you are going with the plot. Once you have that, the rest should fall into place. So don't worry about which characters are like this or that; the story may dictate that as you go. It may become necessary as you write to have a certain kind of character in a certain kind of situation in order to make the story work. In that case, the story will tell you what to do. 

I don't know if any of this will help, but it often makes it easier for me when I want to define my characters or decide more clearly what I want them to be. 

[Nightshroud 331]

Do you think you can help? I'm having trouble writing funny but witty dialogue in my brthbysleep fic between Jeffery t robins and Jesus burgess any suggestions?

[Dreambiscuit 8,024]

Do you think you can help? I'm having trouble writing funny but witty dialogue in my brthbysleep fic between Jeffery t robins and Jesus burgess any suggestions?

 

It's hard to suggest ways to summon humor and wit in writing. It really just has to come from your own personality, experiences and the characters you've established. If you love your characters and they're really well defined, they'll inspire you. Imagine yourself sitting in a room with these characters as you write. What would they say to you? Would they tell you "No, no, no, I'm not like that, I'd do this or say this! Have you even met me?!" 

Do you have a funny personality in real life? It helps if you can translate that into your characters. If something makes you cynical, sarcastic or even grossly optimistic, it can be made into some good humor and funny situations that you can use. Things that are embarrassing to you or your characters are great for humor if its written intelligently and not too gratuitous. Restraint is just as important as cutting lose when it comes to getting the laughs. One basic rule is that the more seriously and straight-faced you (or your character) delivers a line or a scene, the funnier it will be to your audience.

Depending on the style of humor or wit you're after, consider reading some inspiring work from other writers. British authors are great for their wit, and I suggest P.G. Wodehouse (especially his Jeeves books). Travel writer Bill Bryson is also quite witty in his earlier works. 

For me, I like to put my characters in situations that completely screws them up and leaves them laughably hopeless. A character who's cornered and resigned can be a great source of humor. Also, if your stories leave its characters open to all kinds of humorous situations, their humor and wit will come out of that if they're well fleshed out to begin with. 

Think what you would do in your characters' place, and then add their personality traits to yours. Hopefully that will translate into some good material. I hope this helps. 

 

(Sorry I linked your quote wrong at the top. It's late and my brain is getting soggy.) 

Edited March 22, 2017 by Dreambiscuit