Revising Your Storyboard

Okay, so you’ve spent some quality time with your storyboard and mapped out all the intriguing plot points, the captivating character arcs, and the atmospheric settings. You’re done, right? Hold your horses! Your storyboard is not a “set it and forget it” kind of tool. It’s a living, breathing document, as changeable as a chameleon on a multi-colored rug.

Why Revising Your Storyboard Is Important

Storyboard revisions? I can hear your groans from here, but stay with me! Just like editing a manuscript, revising your storyboard is crucial to the writing process. It helps you identify plot holes, inconsistencies or areas where pacing could use a shot of adrenaline.

Plus, as your story evolves (because, let’s face it, characters have a way of taking us on unplanned detours), your storyboard should reflect these changes.

Signs Your Storyboard Needs Revisions

Don’t know when your storyboard needs a little sprucing up? Here are a few red flags:

1. Your characters seem to be playing hide and seek (and not in a good way). Their arcs are all over the place.
2. Your plot has more holes than a block of Swiss cheese.
3. The pacing is about as balanced as a one-legged pirate on a storm-tossed ship.
4. Your subplots are trying to take center stage.
5. That brilliant twist you added halfway through? Yeah, your storyboard didn’t get the memo.

Step-by-Step: How to Revise Your Storyboard

1. Start by taking an eagle-eye view. Look at the big picture of your story, checking for consistency and clarity in the overall plot.
2. Next, dive into your character arcs. Are they making sense? Are they fulfilling the characters’ roles and growing in the story?
3. Evaluate your pacing. Make sure tension builds in the right places and quiet moments give readers a breather when needed.
4. Check how your subplots are behaving. Are they supplementing the main plot or throwing a tantrum for attention?

Practical Tips for Effective Storyboard Revision

1. Be honest with yourself. If a scene or plot point isn’t working, it’s okay to change it.
2. Use color-coding for different aspects like character arcs, main plot, subplots, etc.
3. Take breaks! Don’t try to revise everything in one go. Fresh eyes can make a world of difference.

Common Misconceptions About Storyboard Revisions

No, revisions are not an admission of failure! They are proof that your story is maturing. And remember, not all changes are major plot twists; sometimes, they’re just about moving a scene or tweaking a character’s reaction.

Picture this: an initial storyboard had our hero discovering the villain’s plan halfway through the story. But during writing, our clever hero figured it out much sooner. Without a storyboard revision, we’d still be working with outdated plot information. But a quick update keeps everything on track and everyone in the loop.

So, embrace the chaos! With each revision, you’re honing your story, making it the best it can be. And that’s something worth high fiving about!

Exercise: Revising a Sample Storyboard

Below is a list of points from a storyboard. Pick which ones should be changed or removed.

1. Protagonist discovers a secret about the antagonist in Chapter 10.
2. Love interest is introduced in Chapter 2.
3. Main conflict is resolved in Chapter 7.
4. A subplot involving a secondary character begins in Chapter 12.
5. The protagonist’s backstory is fully explained in Chapter 3.
6. Protagonist’s best friend betrays them in Chapter 8.