You Have a Story Idea – How to Turn It Into a Script

Too Lazy; Didn’t Read (TL;DR)!

 

Your already have your story ideas – now it’s time to turn one of them into a script for a YouTube story-time animation. First, select the best and easiest idea, then decide how you want to write:

• Full paragraphs (great if you want to know exactly what to say), or
• Simple bullet points (great if you are confident speaking)

You do not need fancy rules or Hollywood techniques. Just clear thoughts, honest story-telling, and a structure you understand.

 

Introduction:

 

In our last lesson, ‘How to come up with story ideas‘, we talked about how ideas come from everyday life – and how important it is to write them down the moment they pop up.

So now you’ve done that. You have a notebook, notes app, Note phablet, or scraps of ideas like:

• Most embarrassing moment in school.
• First time playing sports
• Funny misunderstanding with my friend

but now comes the big question:

How do you turn one small idea into a full script for your animation?

That is exactly what this blog is about.

 

When an Idea Pops Up, You Have Already Taken the First Step:

 

The moment an idea comes to your brain and you write it down, you have already won half the battle.

At this stage, your idea does not need to be:

• Deep
• Emotional
• Perfect
• Or unique

It just needs to be:

• something you recall clearly
• something you can talk about for hours and without struggling

Now let us move to the next step.

 

STEP 1

Choosing the Best Idea

[This is very important]

 

If you have many ideas written down, do NOT pick the “coolest” one.

Pick the easiest one.

Ask yourself these simple questions:

Select the Idea That:

 

• You do not need to research
• You remember clearly from start to end
• You feel comfortable talking about
• You can explain to a friend without thinking too much about it

 

Avoid Ideas That:

 

• Need too many characters [unless you have a team]
• Need heavy emotions that you do not understand yet
• feel confusing and tricky even in your own head

 

Example

 

Let’s say your idea list looks like this:

1. Deep story about awkwardness
2. Funny moment when I answered wrong in class
3. A big school adventure story

The best choice for your first script is:

‘Funny moment when I answered wrong in class’

Why? Because it is simple, short, sympathetic and clear.

 

STEP 2

Decide How You Want to Write Your Script

 

This blog is for YouTube story–time animation, not movies.

So you do NOT need professional, Disney or Hollywood rules.

I will still say that professionals follow a strict format – but you do not need it right now.

You have two simple ways to write your script:

 

Method 1

Writing in Points

[Best for Confident Speakers]

 

This method is perfect if:

• You are confident recording your voice
• You like talking naturally
• You have trouble learning word-by-word
• You do not want to memorise lines

 

How to do it?

 

You only write main points, like reminders.

 

Example

 

Funny moment when I answered wrong in class

 

Script in Points

 

1. Teacher asked a question
2. I thought I knew the answer
3. Everyone was silenced
4. I looked around
5. I raised my hand
6. I answered confidently
7. Teacher stared at me with disgust
8. Class started laughing
9. I realised my mistake but it was too late
10. How I felt after

That’s it, mate.

When you record your voice, you look at each point and explain it, in detail, in your own words.

This method feels natural and relaxed.

Method 2

Writing in Paragraphs

[This is What I Do]

This method is great if:

• You want to know exactly what you’ll say.
• You get nervous or shy while recording
• You do not want to forget anything

Here, you write your script like a story.

 

Same Idea, Paragraph Style

One day in class, my teacher asked the whole class a surprise question, and for some reason, I was completely sure I knew the answer. I looked around me, and the classroom was totally quiet. So I raised my hand confidently and said the answer out loud. The moment the words left my mouth, my teacher stopped and stared at me in disgust. I was confused what was happening and after a minute, it clicked me when the entire class could not hold anymore and they burst out laughing. That is when I realised I had mixed up the answer completely. I wanted the ground to swallow me whole alive, and I swear never to answer any question in a class.

This technique aids you:

• Stay clear
• Stay calm
• Record smoothly

 

Method 3

Mixture of Both Methods

[This is Totally Okay, Too]

 

You do not have to pick only one method.

In fact, many creators (including beginners) use both paragraph and bullet point simultaneously.

 

How to do it?

 

You write:

• Bullet points for parts where you can speak freely
• Paragraphs for parts where you need strong and accurate wording

This gives you structure without pressure.

 

What to Write in Paragraph Form?

 

Write full paragraphs for:

• The hook (the opening lines of your story that will make your audience eager to listen more)
• The ending
• Your message or lesson
• Your call–to–action ({CTA} asking audience to like, comment, subscribe, press the bell icon, or much better option: telling people to click on your next video)

These are moments where words matter, and you do not want to forget them.

 

What to Write in Bullet Point Form?

 

Use bullet points for:

• The middle of your story
• Events that happen one after another
• Funny or casual moments
• Parts where you are comfortable explaining naturally

 

Example:

Using Both Techniques Together

 

Paragraph

 

HOOK = This is the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me in school, and I still think about it every time I raise my hand in class.

ENDING + CTA = That day taught me to think twice before speaking. If you have ever had an embarrassing school story, comment below and tell me your moment.

 

Bullet Points (Main Story)

 

1. Teacher asked a question
2. I thought I knew the answer
3. I answered confidently
4. Class started laughing
5. I realised my mistake

 

Why This Is Great for Beginners?

 

• You do not need to memorise the whole story
• You do not freeze while recording
• You stay natural and confident
• You still know exactly what to say when it matters

There is no wrong way to write your script – only a way that works best for you.

 

STEP 3

Keep the Structure Simple

 

No matter which technique you select, your script should always follow this simple order:

1. What happened first?
2. What happened next?
3. What went wrong or changed?
4. What did you learn or realised?
5. How did you feel?

If you miss this order, your story may feel confusing.

Optional:

The Proper Script Writing Format

Followed in Hollywood

[Only If You Want to Follow It]

Before we continue, I want to be very clear:

• You do NOT need this method to make YouTube story-time animation videos.
• Most beginners can happily utilise bullet points or paragraphs technique.

But if you are curious, you plan to do it the professional way, or if one day you want to write properly formatted scripts, this is the method professionals use.

Think of this as extra knowledge, not a requirement.

 

What This Type of Script Is Called

 

This format is called a screenplay. A screenplay is written mainly for:

• Movies/films
• TV shows
• Teams (directors, voice actors, animators)

A script (What we talked about earlier), on the other hand, is simpler and more personal:

• Mainly for you
• For YouTube videos
• For voice-over animations

 

Simple Difference

 

• Screenplay -> Very strict rules, fixed layout, team work
• Script -> Flexible, simple, creator-friendly

 

Parts of a Proper Screenplay

(Explained Simply and Made For Kids)

1. Slugline (Also called Scene Heading)

 

Slugline is always written in capital letters. Start from the left side of the page. This tells:

1. Where the scene takes place
2. When it happens

It always includes:

1. INT. (inside) or EXT. (outside)
2. Place
3. Time (Day/Night/Afternoon/Morning/Evening)

 

Example

 

INT. CLASSROOM – DAY

If the scene continues without a break, story-tellers use CONTINUOUS.

 

2. Action Line

Action line tells what is happening on screen. Start from the left side of the page.

• Written in present tense, and simple sentences.
• No emotions inside heads
• Only what we can see or hear

 

Example

A quiet classroom. Students sit at their desks. The teacher writes with a chalk on the board.

3. Character Name

 

Character name shows who is speaking. Written in Capital letter. Placed centered on the page.

 

Example

 

TEACHER

 

4. Parenthetical

(When required)

Parenthetical tells how a line is said. Slightly indented , under the character name.

You only use this when:

• Emotion is unclear
• Line could be misunderstood

 

Common Types:

 

• Angry
• Confused
• Whispering

Do NOT overuse this.

 

Example

TEACHER

(Confused)

 

5. Dialogue Line

Dialogue line is what the character says. It is written below the character name. Centered, narrower than action lines.

 

Example

 

Can anyone answer this question?

When two people speak together, you can write the script side by side, write both or write the second dialogue with parenthetical ‘Overlapping‘.

6. Transition

Transition tells how one scene moves to another. They are written on the right side of the page. All are in capital letter.

 

Common Types:

 

• CUT TO (most common, normal scene change)
• FADE IN (used at the start)
• FADE OUT (used at the end)
• DISSOLVE TO (slow, emotional change)

You do not need many transitions. Professional keep it simple.

 

Your Next Step

 

In the next blog, we will talk about what is actually ChatGPT, how to sign up for free, and how can it assist you as a beginner animator? I will show you how can beginners use it without fear, how it can help you write faster, clearer, and with more confidence. Read this blog to step forward and closer to making your first animation on YouTube. You are not late, you’re just starting. That’s determination.