Intro

Below, I’ll discuss a framework for writing a storybook. As I describe steps in the process, I’ll participate as well. Why would you want to write a storybook? Perhaps as a nice gift for someone you love. What qualifications do I have for giving advice? None at all!

Process

1. Pick a moral
2. Pick a theme
3. Layout the story
4. Storyboard the scenes
5. Flesh out the story
6. Refine
7. Revise, Repeat

Moral

Childrens stories don’t have to have a moral or message, but why not throw one in? From time immemorial, stories have functioned not only to communicate history, but to teach. You don’t have to pick a traditional moral, such as “sharing is caring”, but you want to say something–anything.

I picked the moral “throwing food is bad” since my daughter has issues keeping her food on the table.

Theme

The theme can be very simple, based on something like an animal: “snakes” or an object such as “stamps”. It is better to select something that is concrete rather than abstract, for illustrative purposes. For example, you could have a theme “Wednesdays” but not only is it something which is abstract, there are not a lot of symbols corresponding to Wednesday (Odin being the primary one).

Since my daughter is fascinated with the moon, that’s the theme I picked.

Layout

This may be the most difficult part. A simple way to start is to visualize 3 scenes from the book. I first came across this technique during a workshop by Pig Iron Theatre Company. Ideally, they are scenes from the beginning, middle, and end. If this is too difficult, reverse the order by starting to visualize scenes first. As you visualize a scene, slot it into one of three categories: beginning, middle, and end.

Here are some characteristics of scenes that are at the beginning: scene-setting and captivating. Middle: climactic, engaging. End: expository, resolutory, closing.

To capture a scene you’ve visualized, don’t get too detailed. Start by writing down 1 or 2 sentences (shorter is preferable) that capture the main idea of the scene.

If you have more than one scene in each category, you don’t have to discard your others, but try to pick one primary scene in each category. This allows you to bring the story into tighter focus. If there are similar scenes, you should merge them together as simply as possible. Go for scenes with the most poignancy, impact, entertainment, etc.

As you think of scenes, allow your sense of imagination and whimsy to go rampant. Remember that with kid’s stories, you don’t have a lot of borders relating to suspension of disbelief.

Here are my scenes:

• Scene: The moon runs around the heavens. (Beginning)
• Scene: The moon throws its food out, which become stars. (Middle?)
• Scene: The moon goes hungry and stops speaking. (End)

Storyboard

Layout the 3 scenes you created with rough shapes, blocking out areas for characters, major scenery and props. Remember to keep in mind entertainment, poignancy, and depth in your layout. Here’s a checklist to help you layout:

• The scenes are laid out differently
• They are several layers to the composition (a background and foreground at least)
• There is a setting, including background, decor, things that would be in the scene
• The character is wearing something that makes sense
• The character is posed in the most dynamic pose for the scene
• If the character is looking at something, is it more dynamic if he holds it? Wields it?
• The reader’s focus in drawn in towards the main character or prop.
• There are not too many items in the same ground as the character
• The lettering all occurs similary throughout each scenese (or is different for a purpose)
• The lettering does not obscure what is happening in the scene (unless purposeful)

Here is my storyboard:

• Left: The moon runs around the heavens.
• Center: The moon throws its food out, which become stars.
• Right: The moon goes hungry and stops speaking.

Next

In part 2, I’ll discuss the remaining steps in the framework, and show more of my WIP.