Disclaimer: I am not an expert, and I don’t claim to be. But, I have learned a couple of things about writing that I know can help others get started. I’ll try to be quick about this.
Tip #1: What story is.
The first problem most new comic book makers looking to write their own book have is that they don’t really understand what a story is. To be fair, I did not either when I started.
Most novice writers will think in terms of some event, the big happening (like a fight, or a war, an explosion) or something ‘cool’. The problem is, these things are not story. Let me explain:
Imagine a building imploding upon itself. You could write three chapters in a novel, 10 minutes in a film going in slow motion, or even all 22 pages of a comic book going into detail each floor falling on the one beneath, each pipe bursting and the rushing escape of steam, etc. and so on.
And you know what? So what. That is not a story.
The story is about the guy who just quit and was heading out of the building only to be trapped in the stairwell of the collapsed building. Or maybe it is about the new firefighter, his first week on the job, serving on the same engine as his dad who is set to retire at the end of the week. How will responding to the building collapse change their fates?
Or maybe it is about a humble, loving flower shop owner. He lives in Brooklyn, his ailing mother having moved in with him. He cannot afford the nursing home she desperately needs, so he prepares meals and tries his best to make her comfortable before he heads to his shop. If only he could afford the space next door he could expand, perhaps the larger shop could allow him to hire some help, to put his mom into that home…
He arrives at his shop, saying hello to his neighbor Jim. Jim runs a dog grooming place two stores down. Once inside, he opens his desk and takes out the contract for the space next door. If only he could afford it. Just then…implosion! The building…it’s collapsing! He runs outside and sees Jim already ahead of him, looking to help out however he can.
Then, he remembers the last time this happened, and the memorial that replaced the fallen building. People would buy flowers and wreaths to lay at the memorial. His shop was across the street.
Slowly he turns and walks back into his shop, Jim’s cries for him to join in the effort unheard. He goes to his desk, takes up a pen, and signs the contract for the space next door…before the price goes up.
Story is about how the events effect or affect persons, people. It is about them, even when it is about the event. Think of any movie that is about ‘an event’, and the characters will come to mind.
Tip 2: Don’t forget who’s story you are telling.
Another problem a lot of newer writers have is keeping their narrative to a consistent point of view.
While writing Spook Town 2 writer David Thomas had an idea to add a character from off the island, someone new. After 8 rewrites, there were still the same three problems we had on draft one. During a discussion, we agreed that the problem was we were trying to write a book about a detective named Abraham, but the story was about ‘Ethan’. So, we tried again, this time telling the story from Abraham’s point of view. It worked.
Then we scraped the entire concept and did something else. It happens.
Stop telling me about the event, and get back to telling me how your characters are dealing with the aftereffects, the situation that has been created, etc.
Tip #3: Don’t tell me what happens scene by scene, just tell me the story.
When someone asks what your story is about, be ready to explain it with an ‘elevator pitch’. A ‘logline’ works well too.
Let me explain:
“Star Wars is the story of a farm boy who is recruited by a good wizard to invade the castle of an evil wizard to save a princess, with the help of a thief and his dog.”
If someone asks what your story is (about), and you cannot break it down like that, into a sentence or two, and you have to explain ‘what happens’, then you don’t really know what ‘is happening’ in your own story.
You don’t have to explain about how Joe parks his Chevy Malibu on the curb in front of Ben’s house, seeing Ben’s girlfriend Stella walking out of the house and getting into Ben’s car. How she drives the car to the convenience store, goes in and purchases beer, cigarettes, and some chips. Maybe some beef jerky, too.
Why all the detail? All you have to say is this guy’s girlfriend goes to the store to get some food and stuff for a party. Now I know what is going on and all the ‘stuff’ you want to detail makes sense. It’s context, I suppose.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone telling me their ‘story’ for 5 minutes and I’m still not sure if it’s a revenge tale or something else. Cut to the chase, please.
Tip #4: If you have no idea how it ends…
Then you don’t have a story. Sorry, you have half an idea. If you ask me ‘Is it any good?’, I’ll tell you it’s like hearing a joke without the punchline. No, it’s not good…yet. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, to try other people’s ideas. Input on others for your ending can not only provide some good ideas for a twist to it all, but could have you rethinking the middle as well.
