Quantum Storytelling

I’ve started using the 3×5 index card plot/scene arrangement method. I have to say I really like it. I was using mind maps before this, and while I still love those I think there is a somewhat distracting element to having all your scenes in sight in front of you all the time.

What I’m enjoying about the 3×5 method is I can focus on one card at a time, and put the other cards away in a drawer and essentially ignore them. Anyone who has worked with mind maps will immediately understand that this is difficult to do with a mind map. With a mind map, you’re staring at the whole thing, all the time. While this is useful for looking at the story structure as a whole, like I said, it can be distracting.

Sometimes I just want to focus on one scene at a time, in a complete vacuum from the others. This is where the 3×5 method allows more simplicity than mind maps.

Once I’ve finished this scene arrangement, I will probably bring it back into mind map format where the benefit of looking at the entire story will really make the mind map method shine.

Until then, I’m going to stick with 3×5 index cards.

The 3×5 method is also nice in an aesthetic way. I like the fact that each card is a scene that I’m holding in my hands. And writing each scene summary by hand, especially in 3×5 format, reminds me of jotting notes in the Moleskine. It has that focused intent to it. When it comes to staying focused as a writer, intent is everything.

Anyone else had success with the 3×5 index card method?