princess wrote:It seems like there are loads and loads of advice on how to draw comics but I really want some tips on how to improve my writing?
Any ideas?
JexKerome wrote:Revise. I read and re-read the actions and motivations behind those actions, and read and re-read out loud the dialogues, to try and make them sound more natural (when they are not supposed to be pompous or cheesy, anyway).
Oualawouzou wrote:JexKerome wrote:Revise. I read and re-read the actions and motivations behind those actions, and read and re-read out loud the dialogues, to try and make them sound more natural (when they are not supposed to be pompous or cheesy, anyway).
There's just one danger with this though: things that make sense to you, who (ideally) knows all about the characters, where they're coming from and where they're going, might sound or "feel" totally wrong to someone who doesn't have this information handy. You can use this to create an effect (in the same way that some movies start with a given event that has the audience go "uh?!", then goes back to explain the reality behind the event later in the movie), but it's also easy to get carried away and end up forgetting to "justify" something. That makes for a frustrating read.
IMHO, having a "cast" or "story" page that gives out vital information necessary to understand the comic isn't an excuse for not working this information into the comic itself. Such pages are nice for additionnal info but they shouldn't be a required read. The example of this I have on my mind is about a movie: the latest Harry Potter one. [SPOILER ALERT] I haven't read the book and came out of the viewing somewhat frustrated. So many things didn't make sense! What's the deal with the big demon face in the sky? What's the deal with the ghosts at the end? Why would they risk drowning non-champion students in the second task (presumably without their consent too!)? What's the deal with Igor? Why is Bartonius (if I recall the name right) so distraught when Mad-Eye Moody interrupts his chat with Harry? (ETA: forgot one "uh?" moment that hasn't been explained to me yet, I'll have to ask a friend tonight: what's with the ceiling with Mad-Eye Moody enters the hall?) These were all things that made sense to people who knew the backstory behind what was actually seen, but it left all the other people out in the cold.
I read and re-read the actions and motivations behind those actions
Joel Fagin wrote:Take a creative writing course. Same principles.
- Joel Fagin
Jigglyman wrote:Use your characters. I cannot stress this enough. Write conflict based on your characters' different personalities. If you do this right, it is more funny then writing jokes and putting your characters in the places.
Be original. Do not break the fourth wall. Come up with ideas few people have used before. Find some small, esoteric object in your room and think of a joke or two involving it. How can you use emotions to create humor - greed, joy, anger, sadness, love, lust (woo hoo!)? How can you use different settings as jokes? Beware of visual humor. When done well, it's awesome, otherwise, save it for the animators.
Those are the two most important writing ideas I've learned in my year's experience. Use them wisely.
Also: going to bed is the best time to come up with ideas, because you have nothing else to do.[/b]
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