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I keep my process as "the same" as possible -- in part because it IS very different writing scripts vs prose and so keeping as much as possible the same is helpful.
After getting lost in the woods once on a novel when I didn't have an outline, I swore to myself to ALWAYS use outlines - it's a map and you're crazy to go on an adventure o…
I keep my process as "the same" as possible -- in part because it IS very different writing scripts vs prose and so keeping as much as possible the same is helpful.
After getting lost in the woods once on a novel when I didn't have an outline, I swore to myself to ALWAYS use outlines - it's a map and you're crazy to go on an adventure of any significance without a map. But sometimes things go crazy and you do find yourself without it, but yeah, I try everything I can to make sure I have one. It's invaluable.
I used to thumbnail my scripts as I was writing, which helped me with pacing and how I moved my characters in the scene, but as I got better and more experienced I was able to move away from that method. While it was helpful to me for a time, I don't typically recommend it for writers because it can end up leading to you micromanaging your artists and not giving them enough room to stretch their own storytelling muscles within the project.
That said, there are a few instances when I had to draw (very bad) sketches of an atypical idea I had that was not coming across in words alone. The scene in Rogue & Gambit #2 when they're arguing in therapy and their word balloons are filled with images instead of words is a time when I had to do a sketch to help Pere understand the weird thing I wanted. But it was worth it, it's one of my favorite moments in that series, and Pere nailed it once he understood what I was aiming for.
Well that scene is absolutely the best! It was really the perfect way to convey so much history and emotion in a single image. Also it's just kind of hilarious because they really needed to get that out of their system. (Maybe we all did?) Best idea ever, Kelly! And of course Pere pulled it off perfectly. I love it!
That makes sense with outlining the plot for either type of work to keep from getting off track. That has to take some discipline, especially when you get hit with inspiration or have a scene you just really want to zoom in on.
Even with fanfic, endings seem like the hardest thing to nail down. Plus it's so easy to over-focus on something or change direction midway though a story. 🤦♀️
So moral of the story = Outlines? 😂
Haha. Always outlines! That's the moral! ;D
That said, dialogue is my strength and yes, that and more generally "character" tends to get me excited about a project and at various (all!) stages of a project I'll be writing little snippets of dialogue here and there as it comes to me. Most make it into the final in one form or another.