If you've been studying to be a writer you know there are hundreds if not thousands of books on storytelling/structure. John Truby (The Anatomy of Story) Blake Snyder (Save the Cat) ect. But which one is the best for comics specifically? To be specific what I'm really asking for are story structure formulas like Dan Harmon's Story Circle or Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey. Which one do you think work best for the comic book medium, to be even more specific which one works best for serialized comics (not graphic novels) but an ongoing series?

Hi guys! I dont have so much experience in writing stroies yet therefore I have a question. I want to create such an incredible story that will make the audience think about the theme it is telling. What should I do, which steps should I take? Do you recommend reading some philioopshy books or other great works? Thank you so much for the answers

Hi all! I’m really wanting to get into comic writing, but I’m intimidated by all the advice/steps surrounding how to write the comic. Personally, I’d rather jot down an outline of what’s going on, then jump straight into a storyboard, but I’ve read a lot of advice that seems to suggest more of a script-writing approach first, kind of like a screenplay. Is it a little different since I’m planning to draw my own comics as well, and I should just do what I think will be easiest for me? I’m probably overthinking this, I just don’t want to jump into the deep end and drown, you know? Thanks!

I've just started in late 2024 making comics and I'm currently doing it consistently as a hobby so my work can gain new viewers who like my on going story, I mainly want my story to be about self improvement where my character (who starts off as a selfish loser) gains his strength from being more productive and social, making him and his friends go through some development so they can defeat whatever main bad guy they come across each saga. Its somewhat of a more grounded Shonen story inspired by Invincible Dragon Ball and the Rocky Balboa Franchise.

My worries is that I might make my current series poorly written since I've done little story telling outside of school work, I've watched some video essays about character types and story telling but I feel its not enough. Like every comic or story teller they want their own project (That means the most to them) to be the best it can be, I'd appreciate it if you guys give me pointers in a direction I should take or some stuff I should avoid.

TL;DR: I'm inexperience in story telling and I don't want my story to be doo doo

I’ve been writing (trying) my own comic series since 2023, nothings published I’ve just been illustrating and writing but I’ve come to a predicament. Creativity: it’s so hard nowadays to be creative, cause once I think of something no one’s ever thought of to adapt to my comics, someone else had already has the idea 20 years ago. And I don’t want to be seen as a writer who steals others ideas, I just was wondering if anyone else who writes has confronted this issue?

Hi everyone,

I have recently completed the first draft of my comic book, and am now considering the next steps. I have a few questions though:

1. How does one go about finding beta readers for their work? Are there any websites (like Fiverr) you’d recommend?
2. Given my lack of drawing experience, where might I find a artist or penciler? Has anyone had any success using platforms such as Fiverr for fully illustrated comic books?
3. When it comes to publishing, what are the preferred approaches? Do you self-fund? Do you utilize crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter? Or do you seek out publishers?

I have already read so many opinions on this matter, but there is no main approach. Before investing in my comic, I would love to hear about your best experiences and insights. :)

Thanks in advance

M

What is Simple way?

Hey everyone!

So...I was thinking of writing a comic! However, I am totally a newbie and don't know how to start. I tried searching on Youtube, but didn't find anything helpful or useful. Any advice? If yup, pls let me know in the comments. That would be really helpful

Hey guys! I'm new to comic writing, and I've completed a few short scripts. I was wondering if anyone has advice for finding beta readers? Also, how should I protect my scripts from would be comic thieves? Thanks!

The majority of comic publishers that are open for submissions today seem to focus on original stories, expecting writers to have already put together their own creative team with a comic that's just about ready to go. It makes sense from a business perspective but, depending on your circumstances, it's a big investment for an individual to make for something they're not even sure will get picked up.

As unlikely as it is, are there any publishers or other such groups that are looking for writers to work on pre-existing properties of theirs? As unlikely as it is, I thought it was worth asking around just in case.

I have wanted to write a comic, maybe even a graphic novel, for years. I've got an idea for one that I really like. The problem is I'm just a writer. I can draw well enough to put a character design on paper but I'm no illustrator. That being said my story can't go straight from head to page. How do you write a script and how do you find an illustrator?

I might use "AAAAAAAAAA" or "WAIL" but I'm curious about other options

https://preview.redd.it/rhikrf18blee1.png?width=4125&format=png&auto=webp&s=f747fa3e0b5091a84e70617bef4f473db8d62e54

I'd like to share a comic that I've been developing for a new comic collab group. I am the writer for "Memory Catcher," one of five comics in Ink Portal, an anthology magazine now available on Kickstarter.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gravity-paper-comics/ink-portal-an-anthology-magazine-debut-edition

The magazine is a part of comic collaboration group, Gravity Paper Studios. "Memory Catcher" follows the story of a woman imprisoned and injected with other people's negative memories. The five stories in Ink Portal are all of the horror, fantasy or sci-fi genres. The Kickstarter is available until February 2nd at 3pm CST. You can read "Memory Catcher" and four other stories by supporting the Kickstarter page. You can either contribute a dollar amount or back art tiers, which include different perks, such as physical copies or concept art. Availability is limited so check the link to see what tiers are still available. Ink Portal will no longer be available once the Kickstarter concludes.

You can follow Gravity Paper Studio's on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/gravity_paper_studios/

You can also follow Memory Catcher's artist here: https://www.instagram.com/symonheilogu

I remember reading this book in my teens and it being my first exposure to anything about the comics writing process. Denny O’Neil penned it and in it he said that a writer once came into his office, plopped down 48 issues worth of scripts and then peaced out. Like what kind of madness is that? Writing one issue is hard enough, but to have 4 years worth of stories for a character and just hand it over in bulk is truly insane. You’d think that the writer would pitch for the gig first at least too before writing all those scripts. I think about this at least once a week and how bonkers that is. Did any one else here read that book and that story?

I've just finished the first draft of a story I'm working on. Now I'm cleaning it up and rewriting some parts. At some point I'd want someone to look it over and give me some feedback. At that point would I give them a formatted manuscript or something reader friendly? The manuscript would seem to be more difficult to follow with all the, Panel 1:, Caption 3 callouts and such. Thanks for any and all advice.

Hello!
I'm pretty new to all this. I've been a "writer" for many years, only often keeping many of my projects to myself.

But this year, I really want to get some stuff out there, and comics have always been an avenue I've dreamt of getting into!
I've written plenty of screenplays, I know how they work, and I imagine that comic writing is similar-ish but a lot more condensed and precise? Tell me if I'm wrong!

However, I'd love some advice on how comic book scripts are structured and any advice really on how to write a good comic script in general, as I am a noobie!

Thank you for taking the time to read!

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I’ve written a few individual stories but I’m having trouble connecting them into an overarching plot. I’m also still trying to solidify what that plot will be beyond a general outline and a few specific scenes. I always enjoy when I can see a comic laying the groundwork for their story early in intentional ways, and I know that is just a skill you have to practice to learn, I wanted to ask for advice on how you all have handled it in your works.

Specifically, I found a public domain campy sci-fi detective story that only had 4 issues in the 40’s, and I want to write a continuation of that story, keeping the feel as close to the original as I can. The small mysteries in each issue aren’t going to be too complex, but I want the overarching plot to be an actual detective story, with connections to some of the small cases.

I’ve been writing myself into corners a few times now, and it feels like I’m just tacking a few loose references to the main plot on each small story, and they don’t fit very well.

I’m open to any ideas or advice you can share. Thanks for the help!

Hey guys! I think I’m finally ready to share my script with an editor. I’ve been searching online for development editors but most of the results I’ve found are more about explaining what editors do or how to work with them.

I’m not limited by a small budget, so if someone is genuinely good, I’m willing to pay whatever their rate is. Where did you all find your editors? Am I going about this the wrong way by searching online?

I appreciate all your answers :)

Alright I need some general advice, in fact I’ll take ANY advice. I’ve been writing novels and I’m on like…Book 9…not because I’m great at writing in prose but because the way my stories and world building style is formatted I have an entire universe with a main story and a LOT of side stories a bunch of characters with their own stories to tell etc. Basically my world building was inspired by Marvel comics. My 5 year plan was to find an artist to partner with or learn to draw myself (which is probably a lost cause) and turn it into a graphic novel but I have no idea how to begin developing a story written in prose into a more comic friendly way of writing for story boarding etc. any tips and advice would be amazing. If someone has done something similar like this I’d love to hear your process. Thank you!

I want to make a more serious comic and I want to run my idea by some people, get criticism and feedback. I've always been told to turn to friends and family first for getting feedback on anything, but no matter where I go no one even bothers looking at the prototype, much less humor me. Sure, they'll be supportive in terms of seeing the final product. But right now I need criticism on the concept before I spend hundreds of hours on what could turn out to be a massive waste of time.

Hi guys I have a story that Im still developing. Its main idea is time traveling but in a different way. Recently I watched prestige from christopher nolan and was amazed by how he told the story in a nonlinear way. Then I asked myself if I could do it in my story as well. Well I know I cant do the whole story this way because for example if Im telling two arcs together, I have to do it so that the second arc doesnt spoil what happens in the first arc. But I dont know. Do you think that this would be too complex for the audience to understand or enjoy the comic? What is your opinion about this?

How necessary (if at all) is it for me to include what the promise of the plot is in the very first issue. Ive had a draft completed for my first issue for a while now, ive been happy with it since i completed it, but after thinking on it for a while ive come to realize it doesnt present too much. It introduces my main characters and a main character arc but doesnt necessarily introduce what the plot aims to accomplish or what the story will be about. Im explaining this kinda crudely but honestly how early should i make that “promise” if not in the first issue.

Artists already have sufficent places to promote their work, including ComicBookCollabs.

See Rule 1:

Only posts directly related to comic book writing that help everyone with their scripts.

I've always wanted to start writing comics. I have written down several ideas so that I can start working on them in the future. For now, I'm working on two projects. One is less serious, where each issue is its own story and I try to develop my drawing skills. There is no deadline or certain pace I have with that particular project and the plot is not an important thing to where I need to do a detailed and long script.

On the other hand, my second project is one of my dream projects that I want to publish and be taken seriously. I planned it to be an 8-issue run, with each issue being around 20-32 pages. It's a superhero action drama comic that I intend to work with the same penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, and potentially co-writers from the beginning to the end of the 8 issue run. I've written all 8 issues' summaries (which are like 2-3 pages) of what happens in the issue. Does that make any sense? And what should I do after? I was thinking that I could write down some lore about the characters and setting. Details to enrich the world-building. My goal right now with this project is that I want to write enough to convince artists and maybe co-writers that my comic is interesting enough to work on it for the entire 8-issue run. Then once I get most if not all the artists I would need to create that project, I would send detailed scripts for each comic issue (I'm working on the first issue currently).

Does my writing or just the general process of making a comic make any sense at all? What tips should I know about writing a comic that has a continuous story, the world-building aspect of a set universe, and convincing people to join your project? It might be a stupid question to ask, but any answer is better than no answer!