The Storyplanner website is an extremely useful tool to help storytellers write and structure their stories. This website has several templates available to help guide the users through the writing process and assist them in planning their digital creations. There are not only several template options for creating a new story, but also for developing an already existing idea.
The site is easy to navigate and offers templates for different aspects of the planning/writing process. The various options available also indicate how much time a particular story plan will take and the level of the plan (easy, challenging or specialist).
Support for storytelling from many angles
For the purpose of Digital Storytelling projects, users can make use of the screenplay structures that the website offers. There are various options such as “The Hero’s Journey”, the “Simple Story Elements”, and more detailed plans of many kinds. Users can also opt for the “Story Plan Helper”, which helps users decide which template will best suit their needs simply by asking a few questions.
In addition to screenplay structure, the site also offers several character plans for building and developing characters. The options include, for example, “Character Sketch”, “Short Character Profile”, or “Character Blueprint”. These are always provided with clear pictograms showing the time needed to complete, the ease of use, and the development stage.
The website gives students the freedom to choose which plans are most relevant to their needs. If educators prefer a set template, selecting one of the given plans can assist the students to get started and ensure that all users are on the same page.
The free plan has limits but helps keep the message clear
Unfortunately, the site does not allow sharing or working together on the same story plan, which is perhaps one of the few points of criticism. Once a story plan has been created, this can be moved to another platform where users can work together and make changes.
In order to save the templates, users must register and create an account. Once registered, they are allowed unlimited access to the website for 7 days. After those 7 days, members will only have access to the basic plan (but will still have access to all the story plans that have already been created). To have unlimited access to all the tools available, users need to pay for the premium membership ($40 per year).
All in all, Storyplanner is a useful tool for storytellers, as the templates help them focus on their main message and keep their storyline clear. The site offers templates for developing stories not only for digital production, but also for composing short stories and even novels. There are also tools to help write synopses and outlines. The site’s clear structure and helpful prompts are an asset in different types of Digital Storytelling projects and story composition challenges.
Text: Learn to Change project team at Saxion UAS, the Netherlands
Image (Het Loo Palace Gardens): Päivi Penttilä, Haaga-Helia UAS, Finland