How do YOU plan episodes?

Creator's Corner
1

I’ve been trying to plan my episodes ever since yesterday, but I have no clue how I should do it… So I decided why not ask the forums. :joy:

I’m a neat freak, so I like to organize things so they aren’t messy, thought I should add that. :eyes::grimacing::rofl:

How do YOU plan episodes? :thinking:

6 Likes
2

I’m bookmarking this as i need the answer to this question too :joy:

4 Likes
3

Good question! There’s no real way to plan an episode. Do it your way. I usually like to start of by brainstorming ideas, choose my favorite and work from there, I write the plot idea, characters. I think it’s really important to plan out your characters personality beforehand, it really helps develop the plot as you go on! I write down some things that I’m sure I want to happen in the story! Drama… :wink: From there I just wink it and think as I go!

3 Likes
4

Welp, when I have my plot already, I just think, then start planning from the beginning at the first line of of my plot and then ask yourself questions.

How did it all start?
What’s going to happen next?
How should I introduce my characters?
Should I use some text overlays for first scene?
Does my character have roles, if so, break them down.
All characters have personalities, show and don’t tell.
Should I have a short prologue, or just start then use background story.
Do I have to break down my characters, background story, etc.
Will there be a good or bad ending to the story.
Will there be CC, art scenes, etc.

I also use notebooks, when I plan on my laptop and when I get more ideas, i just write them down, then think of the scenery. People plan their stories different, so may get some different answers.

4 Likes
5

agreed

2 Likes
6

@AnnSza, @lanafrazer_episode, Thank you! I’ll keep those in mind! :grinning:

2 Likes
7

For better explanation:

Plot:

When you have your plot, break your plot down and make it flow when you are working on your story.

Characters

Your characters are everything in the story, good or bad’ traits; roles; etc.

This thread will help you. :wink:

Backgrounds/Overlays:

Now, let’s say you are starting your story in the Victorian Era, and so your going to need those kind of backgrounds/ov to fit your story, scenery, and other things. When you plan out your scenery, always think of that background/overlay.

Planners:

Now, there is a planner template on EpisodeLife.com , and it could also help you plan out your story.

2 Likes
8

For me, I normally write it out on a sheet of paper exactly how each episode will pan out and what it will entail (chooses included etc.) from start to finish.

Outlines helped a great deal. Also just jotting down notes is helpful too.

1 Like
9

Go out and buy yourself a $1 spiral notebook!! First I like to write down all of my ideas, then I make a plot map. So exposition, rising, climax, falling and resolution. That way I know where the story has to go.

Then I write out the plots/scene for the first 5-10 episodes. I try to go as far as I can until
I’m out of ideas. You can even go as far as plotting all your chapters. I just can’t be that structured or it messes with my writing flow😅

7 Likes
10

I just scribble a bunch of random ideas and plots in one page then pick which one seems the best, and go from there onwards…not much of a planner or organizer.

3 Likes
11

This is what I do :laughing: I bought a bunch of spiral notebooks on Amazon for this purpose. I write a simple plot and then plan out the scenes and dialogue for the next couple episodes. It makes the work easier, so I can focus on directing when I’m seated at my desk!

3 Likes
12

Yes! It’s amazing. I couldn’t write without having my all my plans or it’d just be a jumbled mess :joy:

3 Likes
13

You do what feels right to you. Everyone has their own methods.

Personally, I like to write out a draft of what I want to write. It’s like a skeleton which I can meat up later on. And usually a lot of things change when you start working on he final draft but at least you have something to work on rather than working from complete blank.

But that’s how I do it. You might have another method which works for you :+1:t2:

4 Likes
14

I feel guilty about starting something without knowing how to end it and what would happen in the middle. So before I start any coding, I write a pretty detailed synopsis of the story and at least all the main conflicts and scenes/topics I want to highlight— one of my stories in the works is very dark-themed, and I try to plan all the morally questionable and deep philosophical contents in advance and decide when to show them ^^

3 Likes
15

I think write your ideas when you inspired dont try and force write like “oh I have try come up with an idea for a new chapter now”
Be more like “I have an idea I don’t really have any where to write it so I’m gonna put it in my notes” write something when you feel inspired!

1 Like
16

Personally, I like to make a general story outline first. What are the main events that take the story from start to finish and what does each character need to achieve? I keep this outline pretty brief. Once I’ve got that, at the top of each chapter I make something like this…

##Episode 1###########################
#Event 1
#Event 2
#Event 3- Important details here
#Event 4
#Etc.
##Episode 1###########################

Putting this at the top let’s be plan out the individual Episode within the script and make any important notes I may need when I reopen the portal. Hope this helps.

3 Likes
18

i usually write main points i want it to happen in the episode and then ill know what to write about.