Writing Questions (Patreon)

I was sent a group of questions to be included in a book on writing that won't be coming out in English, so I thought it might be helpful for my patrons here to see these answers.

Enjoy-

---

1) How does a writer survive in the comic book industry?

The answer to this question is simple to say and complex to carry out – keep creating.

Your goal as a comic book creator can’t just be focused on working for one publisher or creating work around a single commercial property. You must continually create new work to build up your skills and show readers and publishers what you’re capable of.

Survival takes productivity and flexibility.

2) In your opinion, what qualities does a writer need? What skills would be useful to practice and what can help with that?

Writers need to be able to clearly communicate their ideas to both the audience and the client (publisher, editor, etc.). If your editor doesn’t understand what you’re doing or why it will be incredibly difficult to get their support.

Writers also need to be able to use reference material or research as a base while pushing story ideas into new areas. As a writer you’re almost always being hired to bring your specific skills to a project, not just execute other people’s ideas. Generating new concepts with existing material and evolving stories in new and entertaining directions is part of your job.

Research, pacing, dialogue, and clarity are four core areas writers can keep developing throughout their careers. Gathering information, understanding how scenes flow together or contrast each other, giving characters personality and a distinct voice, and making sure the audience understands enough to stay intrigued and engaged is what writing is all about.

3) What does it take to write a good script? What is it made of? How do you see its benefit?

A script is a working document for the production, a baseline of information about story and character meant to inform and inspire the rest of the creative team to bring their best to the project. Creating a good script requires Clarity – Clear and organized information, and Engagement – Crafting something that excites the reader so they want to see this story come to life.

A script is not a story formula. It has to use language and pacing that suits the feel of the final project so everyone involved gets into the right mindset and is ready to build on it.

4) What do you think is the most difficult part in creating (or finding) characters for comic stories? How do you deal with it?

For me, the toughest part about creating new characters is coming up with a core idea that feels natural but also not overly derivative. There are so many characters in fiction and inevitably readers have seen them all before, but if you can find some extra spark of interest, something a bit different that makes this one you’re creating memorable you’re off to a good start.

The same holds true with existing characters. Finding new situations to put characters into or new ways to use their abilities can be a great way to spark new scenes or plot lines.

When it’s done well the whole thing seems obvious, but finding those new traits or ideas is the toughest part.

5) Any advice for beginners to train them for creating characters? 

Combine a series of character elements – skills, personality traits, goals, and flaws – and brainstorm how these elements can be shown visually in a design or portrayed in a story through interaction. Connect your initial ideas to execution. Write scenes or short stories with your new character and, if you feel you have a good handle on them, combine them with other characters to see what new elements might pop up. 

Think about dialogue, how your character speaks and how their words communicate aspects of who they are, and conflict, the things keeping them from their goals. The more you do this, the easier it will be to create new characters or understand existing ones you want to contribute to.

---

If any of my patrons have other questions I can answer here, ask away in the comments.