Issue One Writing Process

It took a long time to actually get started writing Issue 1. I wanted to make sure I started strong, yet introduced enough of the story and characters to interest the reader and keep their interest through to the end of issue 5 (at the time it was issue 6, but I digress).

When I started writing issue 1, I found I was still unfamiliar with the characters, how they would get where I wanted them to go, and if the interactions I had planned for them would work within the story. So, as you can see from the scan of my first page of writing, I made many changes to my script as I went.

This page went from being page 1, 2, and the beginning of 3, to part of page 1, page 5, and the beginning of page 8. Some panels were scrapped all together, others were moved to other pages. This was all determined as I was writing, based on what I felt worked best for the story and the characters.

Below is another page where changes had taken place, but not quite as sporadic as above.

This just shows some shifting of page sequences and minor deletions. I also include notes for page references (ie: SEE FRONT PAGE) especially in the case of this issue, since I did so much jumping around to start off.

After this, I tended to stay on track for the most part, ending in pages that looked like this.

There are still deletions and moving of dialogue between panels taking place, but page orders are primarily in tact. I started to hit my stride on this issue and started pumping out some story.

For some pages I also draw a quick page layout to show how I see the panels appearing on the page. This issue didn't have any of those diagrams, but I will include some scans of these for the next issue that has some.

The above written copy was then typed into word. Page 9 in the image above is shown below in typed format. As I type from my written copy, I make changess again as I go through it, tightening up any weak areas, and tying things in better with the way the story unfolds in the later issues.

Page 9

Panel 1

Outside view of apartment. Nice neighbourhood. Daytime

Caption: “The next day”
Off-panel: “Honey, I’m home”

Panel 2
Interior of apartment unit. Man walking into the room, hand in a fist as if holding something hidden in hand. Well dressed, clean shaven
Off panel: “I’m in the living room John”

Panel 3
John sits down on couch next to a pretty woman. His hand is still fisted.
John: “I brought you something”

Panel 4
See the 2 sitting on the couch looking at eachother.
John: “That girl I saved last night, she was all alone.”
“I wanted to get you something”

Panel 5
John’s arm outstretched, hand open now. See a gold chain with pendant.
John: “Something that would let you know you are never alone.”

Panel 6
John putting it on the girl
John: “Something that will always be with you”

Panel 7 The two kissing passionately.

Although the above sample is one of the slower scenes in the story, it has subtle and important ties to events that take place later (plus I want to save the good pages for when there is some art to go with it!). I will probably flesh out the discription portions a bit more so that when the piece goes to an illustrator to draw it all, it will be more clear to them what I am looking for.

Well, that's my synopsis of work so far on the project. I have finished the writing portion of the script, now I am typing and revising issue 2. Once I have that issue complete, I will get some more scans up to discuss my progress.

Please feel free to let me know what you think so far. Any words of encouragement, advice, or criticism are welcome and encouraged :)