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Jan 12, 2021 · With all this interest, there’s never been a better time to learn how to write a graphic novel. But if all you’re familiar with is superhero comic books, you might find yourself at a loss. First things first: what is a “graphic novel,” anyway? Graphic novels vs comic books: what’s the difference?
- Focus your ideas into a hook that pops. While you may already have loads of compelling ideas, characters, and settings, it’s wise to look ahead and see how you can capture interest with your comic book.
- Choose the format your story needs (or the one it deserves) How you choose to publish your book will affect how you write and illustrate it, so make sure you pick the right format.
- Draft a punchy script, not a novel with pictures. Comics are, above all, a visual medium and most comic scripts reflect this. They are blueprints written for an audience of one: the illustrator.
- Team up or go solo for the artwork. It's the moment you’ve been waiting for: bringing your comic book to life with illustrations! If you’re not an artist yourself, this is where you’ll want to call in a pro.
In this article, you will learn what a graphic novel is, what the key elements or building blocks of one are, how to create a graphic novel, discover some of my favourite graphic novels (ie the best examples in the entire comics industry), and read some final tips and tricks to help you improve your graphic novel projects and comic strips.
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Jan 24, 2018 · 45 Essential Books for Comic Creators - Jason Thibault. Levy Gabriel Schultz • 3 years ago. Thank you for this perfect index on where to start on the right path for creating comics/ graphic novels. With a sea of information online, it is overwhelming.
- Genres and demographics. Before scripting a graphic novel, a writer must consider the genres they’re writing in and the age group they’re writing for.
- Structure & Storytelling. Once a writer chooses a genre to write in, they have to outline the story like any other book. Clear structure is even more important in comics and manga, especially if the stories are being serialized.
- Format. Formatting your graphic novel story is similar to formatting a screenplay. A writer has to break down the story onto the scripted page, not only scene by scene, but also panel by panel.
- Page and panel layout considerations. When writing graphic novels, you’re writing for the visual language. The visual symbols chosen in each story hold archetypal meanings to the readers, such as snakes (Biblical reference) or characters’ powers in relation to mythological gods (like Thor or Zeus).
Comic books can be about absolutely anything, the most popular genres include: Horror; Paranormal; Fantasy; Sci-fi; Traditional superhero genre (such as Marvel or DC comics) Romance; Erotica; Historical; The joy of comic books and graphic novels is that many have been turned into TV series and movies. Some of the most famous include:
Anina Bennett’s free guide to comic book writing, plus recommended reading and links to resources for comic book creators.
