I love making graphic novels. It’s nice to be able to bring longer stories to life. Hope you have fun working on yours. Can't wait to see it when it comes out.
Thank you! It's due basically yesterday, so this will be a *thing* but I'm hiring an inker and colorist -- my first experience with this -- and I'm glad to have the help and love working as a team.
What great advice! I finished two graphic novels (unpublished) and decided that the five-year slog to see one published is too much. Congratulations on your successes. I’m adapting one of my GN’s into a Chapter Book. Still writing and drawing but much less! I love your style and appreciate the glimpses into your process.
Congrats on finishing two. That's still a big accomplishment. One day maybe ill get brave enough to try my hand at writing a book that doesn't have mostly pictures. Good luck with the chapter book.
This is great advice, for graphic novel artists and writers to any kind of writer. I love the one about not doing plots that are too complicated. Even in some famous, successful graphic novels and some regular novels, I enjoyed the story, but the plot was pretty tough to figure out. You want a punch at certain times in the story and if it's too hard to follow, the punches will be lost. I find that simple plots and complex characters work much better but always at least, start, simple. Get us into it from the beginning. Simple works. Complicated confuses. Awesome post, James.
These are some awesome tips! Re #2 I decided to put a rubiks cube on one of my main protagonist's T-shirt, so many of my editor's comments are about it, lol.
Thanks for sharing. Everyone in comics does it slightly differently. I am always in awe in how you do it. I do think one needs to test an idea before you go t he whole hog and embark on a graphic novel project. Trial and error and enjoyment (19/20) so important
I’m working on my very first graphic novel and what makes it difficult is to be consistent with the story message. The script is not done yet but I’ve started to make the thumbnails for parts that i considered done. is that wrong? also, because i kept doing detailes on the character designs I just started doing the thumbnails and found out how simple my characters should be, their silhouette and shapes. i keep thinking i make the proces wrong but I’m not sure…is it? what do you think James?
First of all, there is no wrong way to do these things. I encourage you to use whatever system works best for you. I generally write a complete outline of the story before I start drawing. This way I have a road map and know how the story will go. But its not set in stone and I will continue to tweak and change the story as I do thumbnails or rough out the pages.
I know other artists who write a basic outline and then skip the script stage and they write all the dialogue and the gist of the story while they're roughing out the pages. That works too.
You just have to find what works best for you. And it will change over time as you refine your process. I wish you all the best of luck.
I'm embarking on my first longer GN in a couple of weeks (under contract and written) and this was great new advice and great reminders, too.
I love making graphic novels. It’s nice to be able to bring longer stories to life. Hope you have fun working on yours. Can't wait to see it when it comes out.
Thank you! It's due basically yesterday, so this will be a *thing* but I'm hiring an inker and colorist -- my first experience with this -- and I'm glad to have the help and love working as a team.
What great advice! I finished two graphic novels (unpublished) and decided that the five-year slog to see one published is too much. Congratulations on your successes. I’m adapting one of my GN’s into a Chapter Book. Still writing and drawing but much less! I love your style and appreciate the glimpses into your process.
Congrats on finishing two. That's still a big accomplishment. One day maybe ill get brave enough to try my hand at writing a book that doesn't have mostly pictures. Good luck with the chapter book.
This is great advice, for graphic novel artists and writers to any kind of writer. I love the one about not doing plots that are too complicated. Even in some famous, successful graphic novels and some regular novels, I enjoyed the story, but the plot was pretty tough to figure out. You want a punch at certain times in the story and if it's too hard to follow, the punches will be lost. I find that simple plots and complex characters work much better but always at least, start, simple. Get us into it from the beginning. Simple works. Complicated confuses. Awesome post, James.
Thank you for sharing. I agree, good stories don't have to be overly complex. For me it’s always about character.
These are some awesome tips! Re #2 I decided to put a rubiks cube on one of my main protagonist's T-shirt, so many of my editor's comments are about it, lol.
Did they like your Rubik’s cube? Seems like a fun idea.
Yep. It is on, pretty loose but on ;)
Very good words! Thank you! 🧡
You are welcome. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing. Everyone in comics does it slightly differently. I am always in awe in how you do it. I do think one needs to test an idea before you go t he whole hog and embark on a graphic novel project. Trial and error and enjoyment (19/20) so important
What a great list of advice, thanks! Mostly works for Animation too 👍
Thanks. I can see this working for animation.
I just wrapped up my first graphic novel pitch packet. This is great advice. Focus on the big picture… I needed to hear that.
Good luck. Hope you find a publisher for it.
Your tips make me wanna actually do my project and stop overthinking hahaha thanks
Every point is a goldmine of information.
Thanks. Glad you find them helpful.
Love your notes, gonna save them to remember It while working on my story 🥰
Thanks!
I’m working on my very first graphic novel and what makes it difficult is to be consistent with the story message. The script is not done yet but I’ve started to make the thumbnails for parts that i considered done. is that wrong? also, because i kept doing detailes on the character designs I just started doing the thumbnails and found out how simple my characters should be, their silhouette and shapes. i keep thinking i make the proces wrong but I’m not sure…is it? what do you think James?
First of all, there is no wrong way to do these things. I encourage you to use whatever system works best for you. I generally write a complete outline of the story before I start drawing. This way I have a road map and know how the story will go. But its not set in stone and I will continue to tweak and change the story as I do thumbnails or rough out the pages.
I know other artists who write a basic outline and then skip the script stage and they write all the dialogue and the gist of the story while they're roughing out the pages. That works too.
You just have to find what works best for you. And it will change over time as you refine your process. I wish you all the best of luck.
Thank you! I really appreciate your feedback🤩✨ im gonna do my best
I love all these as a regular ‘ol’ writer too
I agree. They definitely work for both.
Geez, I’ve gotta print this out in a large, bold font and tape it to my studio wall.
This is great advice! I'm doing picture books for now, but would love to create my GN one day!
That was actually really insightful, I'm learning about what goes into making graphic novels and this was helpful!