A journey of a thousand miles

Okay, let’s talk writing! Where do we begin?

Well, firstly, it’s important to understand that comics, (and movies, novels and TV shows), always tell some sort of story. Let’s strip it down to the basics.

A story has a BEGINNING, a MIDDLE and an END.

This is true of all good stories. Period.

Now, there are certain young rebels and rugged individualists out there, who are now shouting at their computer screens, shaking their fists in fury and crying: ‘Standardized narratives are hackneyed and tired. Truly creative writing has no rules and regulations! Don’t limit my creative brilliance, Buster!’

Okay, it’s true. There are other approaches to writing: deeply creative and individual artistic visions that cannot be reduced to simplistic fundamentals.

But I’m here to talk about writing for comics, which, like other commercial media (network TV, animation and American film) are almost always about narrative. So, if you want your freedom, I applaud you. However, I believe that adhering to certain guidelines doesn’t limit one’s creativity in the least. In fact, I believe the most creative writing emerges from solid fundamentals and even from genre limitations. If you agree, join me in the next entry.