Last week, I wrote about becoming a puzzler, which combines elements of plotting and discovery writing (pantser). It’s a happy medium for those who need some structure in the way they plan their novels, but still want the flexibility of organic story development.

One of the tools puzzlers may use is storyboarding, which helps them visualize key plot points. In fact, there are numerous other methods writers can use to help them structure and visualize their stories before they begin writing, such as mind mapping, collages, tarot cards and Enneagram personality types. I’ll describe each of these below (plus a couple others). Granted, they may not be for everyone, but they might be worth exploring to see how they might work for you.

• Collages – Collages are a collection of photos that help writers “see” the details of their story. By cutting out images from magazines and pasting them on poster board, or using a digital platform like Canva or Pinterest, you can compile images representing the characters and settings.  You can add other elements, such as a car that a character might drive, a restaurant where two characters meet, or a school where a particular event takes place. Add swatches of fabric to represent a dress a character wears, as well as sketches, drawings, symbols or anything else that might inspire a key plot point. Collages not only provide a visual cue, they can be fun to put together and provide inspiration for those times when you feel stuck.
  
  
• Mind mapping – Also known as clustering, this method helps writers see the connections between unrelated ideas. It can also help them understand theme, conflict, and character development. Start with your main concept in the center captured with some central image such as a cloud. From that image are branches that represent the main themes of your story. Each branch comprises a key word that’s printed on its associated line. Topics of lesser importance are represented as twigs. Viewed together, the twigs and branches form a structure of interconnectedness. For more information about mind mapping, visit Mindmapping.com.
  
  
• Storyboarding – Using index cards or post-it notes, or even sketches, jot down each scene as you think of them. One scene per card. Then rearrange them in the order that seems to make the most sense for your narrative. By looking at the cards, you can see whether the sequence of scenes makes logical sense and if there are any scenes that need to be added or changed. It provides a tool for planning your story before you begin writing it so you’re not wasting time on writing scenes that will only be cut later.  Learn more about story boarding at Gilliam Writers Group.
  
  
• Tarot Cards – Tarot cards provide a range of meanings whether they appear upright or reversed. Cards representing the king, queen, prince and page can represent individual characters while the four main elements each have their own meaning: Swords for intellect, Cups for love and emotion, Wands for work and physical activities, and Discs for wealth and resources. Some writers, like Quinn Diacon-Furtado, turn to tarot cards when they feel stuck in their story and seek clarity about their characters, settings or plot.
  
  “As a writer, I’ve learned to use the tarot to explore my characters, intuit plot, and to reflect on my creative process,” she explains in a Writer’s Digest article.  “Unlike conventional writing guides, I’ve found that tarot cards offer a dynamic landscape of symbols and archetypes that help me work through the nuances of character development, the intricacies of plot dynamics, and the richness of world-building.”
  
  
• Enneagram – The Enneagram is a geometric diagram with nine points, each representing a personality type. It shows the interconnectedness of the personalities. Writers have used the Enneagram to understand characters’ personalities, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they might relate to characters of other Enneagram personalities. Some personalities will get along better with other types while other combinations may become rife with conflict.  You can find out more about the Enneagram diagram here.
  
  
• Timelining – This tool is especially helpful if you’re writing a story with multiple timelines. How do you keep those timelines straight so readers don’t get confused? Timelining can be as simple as a straight line across the page with each major plot point marked. Or it can be more complex as a spreadsheet with multiple timelines for multiple plots. Doing a timeline before writing helps writers organize their thoughts and ensure a logical progression of events as well as the character’s arc of development over time.
  
  
• Zero drafting – Only recently did I learn about zero drafting, which falls somewhere between a basic outline and the first draft of a novel. It can sometimes be used as a brainstorming session. Writers use this method to work out key details of their story, using phrases, slap-dash prose, or bullet points without any consideration for word count, quality of writing or formatting.  Zero drafting allows writers to get to the spine of the story without expending time and energy on a first draft. It’s ideal for writers who are still working out the basic framework until they feel ready to start writing.
  
  Though I have never used this zero drafting myself, I can see how it can be useful, not just for creating your story framework, but also for drafting your synopsis.

No matter where you are in your project, these pre-writing methods can help you explore your stories before you begin to put pen to paper.