Writing the ending first.

Axonite · Post by **Axonite** » Sat May 20, 2006 6:54 pm

Sometimes I'll think of an end to a story, and as I'm working on getting there, it'll take a detour, go somewhere completely different, and the original ending never happens. Or maybe gets worked in somehow a different way.

(Did I say "sometimes?" I probably meant "always")

Taiwanimation · Post by **Taiwanimation** » Sat May 20, 2006 7:32 pm

Yep, that's one reason that I've not taken this approach before - I want to leave open the possibility to change the story.

So far so good though, pages 1 - 4 and 10 are done, and working on the details of 5 and 6 now.

Turnsky · Post by **Turnsky** » Sun May 21, 2006 3:07 am

i never really thought of an ending, since my comic's title has "chronicles" in it, i'd figure that there'd be no definite ending, but merely closing a chapter.

Keffria · Post by **Keffria** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:00 pm

I had two possible endings planned out for the main arc in my old comic. I think the problem was that there was a huge empty stretch between the mid-point and said potential endings, and I started to frantically throw things together in an effort to fill it up. It's no good writing out the ending if you can't figure out how your characters are going to get there.

(The new one will end when it feels right. There's no overarching plot.)

CSchaefer · Post by **CSchaefer** » Sun May 21, 2006 6:04 pm

I know the ending of my current story arc (and the next four or so), as well as the overall ending of the comic itself, but I wouldn't go so far as to put them on the page; I have to leave room for the characters to tell me that I got it wrong, after all.

McDuffies · Post by **McDuffies** » Sun May 21, 2006 7:37 pm

Keffria wrote:I had two possible endings planned out for the main arc in my old comic. I think the problem was that there was a huge empty stretch between the mid-point and said potential endings, and I started to frantically throw things together in an effort to fill it up. It's no good writing out the ending if you can't figure out how your characters are going to get there.

(The new one will end when it feels right. There's no overarching plot.)

I had the same preoblem, sis. And we all know how that problem solves. by quitting...

Tim · Post by **Tim** » Sun May 21, 2006 10:42 pm

Sometimes I'm not even that ahead of myself. Most of my storyline ideas are a simple theme or based of a quick gag. Then I find myself having to write a whole story around one comic. So in essense I kinda start in the middle and write in both directions.

NotQuiteInsane · Post by **NotQuiteInsane** » Tue May 23, 2006 2:04 pm

To be honest, I started with an idea, then started scripting the beginning. Half way through, I started thinking "that would be better as a flashback later" or "hey, in the second arc I could do this..."
So far I've got seven strips in the first part scripted (or at least the words scripted, need to deal with the actions).
If anyone wants to see it, I might be persuaded to put it online and post a link, but I'm not sure which board to post it on - "Technique, Tips and Tricks" or "General Discussion"?

Soldier Volkov · Post by **Soldier Volkov** » Tue May 23, 2006 3:19 pm

For my plotlines, I start with a vague overall concept and/or an overal goal for each character, and then I make up everything else up as I go along. The characters annoying each other in various ways is what mostly moves the plot

I have no main plot in my comic; my comic is projected to be made up of minor plots divided up into periodic installments, with stand alone gag strips in between. (with the occasional big-minor plot) Of course, so for I have only one, three-strip mini-story and a few stand alone gags.

Soon to change though.

Ending? I guess when my artist gets tired of me.