How To Write Comics?

Jake writes and asks: “How do you write comic books?”

Having written only a handful I’m no expert, but here’s my take.

First, if you’re asking about the actual process of writing a comic script, Scott McCloud’s book should explain it all:

And for inspiration I’d check out Writers on Comics Scriptwriting.

If you’re asking how to break into the comic writing business—that’s a MUCH more complicated question.

I’d start by going to various comic publishers’ websites and look at their submission guidelines. I’d write a few darn good spec scripts to show people in case they ask for samples/original ideas. I’d make contact with new artists and get them to draw a few pages for you (with an agreement to split monies should anything come of your joint efforts!).

You should also read what Neil Gaiman has to say about this on his blog.

Good luck!

Game Writing Panel

My public appearances are portioned out in spoonfuls. In fact my readings and singings these days are about as frequency as proton decay (> once every 10^31 years!).

But this January 22 from 7-9 PM you can catch me and two other excellent game writers, John Sutherland and Joshua Ortega, as well as moderator Melanie Henry, as we talk about Writing for the Videos Games Industry at the Richard Hugo House in Seattle.

Hope to see you there.