WRITING
Seven simple steps to starting your comic script
Let's get your comic ideas from concept to script! Here's one way to do it:
1. Once you have your general idea, think about the genre and tone of your comic. Is it a superhero adventure, a horror story, a slice-of-life, or something else? Decide on the tone you want to convey: is it serious, lighthearted, or something in between?
2. Develop realistic characters. Create your main characters and supporting cast, and give them distinct personalities, backgrounds, and motivations. Determine how they relate to each other, what conflicts they may have, how they will grow, and how they will drive the story forward.
3. Create a basic outline of your story. This will help you stay focused on your main plot points and ensure that your story flows smoothly. Think about the beginning, middle, and end of your story, and how you want to get from one to the other. Keep it simple!
4. Break down the story into individual scenes or pages. Divide your story into smaller chunks and decide on the pacing of each scene or page. This will help you keep the story moving and ensure that you cover all the important plot points.
5. Write a script for each page. This includes the dialogue, actions, and panel descriptions. Decide on the number of panels per page and what needs to be shown in each panel. Make sure your script is clear and easy to follow. If you are writing and drawing the comic yourself, make sure to provide enough details and notes in case you have to leave and come back to the project later. If you are collaborating, then you'll want to give sufficient details to explain those wonderful ideas rattling around in your head. Once again, keep it simple, but make sure it's clear.
6. Figure out the layout of your individual pages. Decide on the size and placement of each panel on the page. Think about the flow of the story and how the panels will lead the reader's eye from one to the other. Look at your favorite comics and how the respective creative team creates the layout: how many panels per page, size, and shapes of panels.
7. Focus on pacing. Consider the pacing of the story as a whole, as well as the pacing within each scene and page. Use visual and narrative cues to guide the reader through the story and build suspense and tension where necessary.
There you have it! Now, once you're done with these steps make sure to get honest feedback from several people or even hire an editor. Spending more time and money on a script with tons of issues can be expensive, lead to a poor final product, and even discourage a creative from continuing on.
Ten Tips: Writing a strong female character
Creating a strong female character for your comic book involves considering various aspects of her personality, background, and portrayal. Here are just a few tips to on writing a compelling and well-rounded female character that readers can relate to:
1. Avoid stereotypes: Just like any character you create, do everything possible to break away from clichés and stereotypes. Instead, focus on creating a unique individual with depth and complexity. Consider her strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and flaws.
2. Give her agency*: Ensure that the character has her own goals, desires, and the ability to take action. She should drive the story forward and make decisions that shape her own destiny. Also, be mindful in making her a passive observer and simply relegating her as a sidekick to the male characters.
3. Develop a compelling backstory: Give the female character a rich and interesting history. Explore her upbringing, experiences, and how they have made her the person she is. This will add three-dimensionality and provide a foundation for her motivations and actions in the present.
4. Show a range of emotions: Emphasize her emotional depth and complexity; explore her thoughts, feelings, and inner struggles to create a multi-dimensional persona. Allow her to experience a wide spectrum of emotions, ranging from strength and determination to vulnerability and doubt. By portraying her emotional journey, she will be a relatable and empathetic character that resonates with readers. Avoid reducing her to a one-dimensional stereotype by highlighting her emotional intelligence, resilience, and growth throughout the story.
5. Physical prowess and capabilities: Physical strength and combat skills can be empowering attributes, but they should not be the sole defining characteristics of a strong female character. Consider other qualities such as intelligence, leadership, wit, or creativity that can make her formidable.
6. Avoid objectification: Portray your character as more than just a visual object or a source of sensuality. Focus on her personality, skills, and achievements rather than overly sexualizing her appearance. Treat her with respect and ensure she is depicted as a person.
7. Build relationships: Create meaningful connections between the female character and others in the story. Develop friendships, alliances, and love interests that showcase her ability to form strong bonds, in addition, present her as someone who supports and uplifts others.
8. Embrace diversity: Represent different ethnicities, body types, backgrounds, and cultures among your female characters. This adds depth and relatability to your story while promoting inclusivity and representation. However, make sure to build a character authentically, and not just to check "diversity boxes". As the saying goes, "write what you know", therefore, do everything you can to write from experience and research what you don't know.
9. Challenge societal norms: Explore themes related to gender expectations, stereotypes, and inequality. Let your character challenge and overcome these obstacles, inspiring readers and sparking important discussions.
10. Seek feedback and research: Share your character ideas with diverse groups of people and gather feedback to ensure your portrayal is authentic and respectful. Research the experiences and perspectives of women to create well-rounded and relatable characters.
Remember, the key to writing a strong female character lies in crafting a well-rounded individual with depth, agency, and a unique perspective. By challenging stereotypes and embracing complexity, you can create a character that resonates with readers and leaves a lasting impact.