Novel writing vs Comic Scripts
By
Fire_Guardian_EU,
Posted on: 2006-07-04 17:33 in Multi-Media Fan Creations
That'll be a no then. I might just do some stories in the comic format and see what the reaction is... 
I think a comic based medium to tell the stories is a wonderful approach, that's too underutilised in the forums. I know that, if I could draw, I'd love to try my hand at it.
However, writing in a comic book approach is, in my mind, much more time consuming than a novel-based approach. Take, for example, one of the stories that I've done, The Flames Of Justice.
In a novel approach, which is how I tackled it, it comes to 66 pages in Word. Now, a lot of that would be cut down in a comic book approach, as the descriptions for characters, settings, and whatnot would be cut out. However, there's still a lot of dialogue in there, which would still have to be mapped out. Then, you'd have to draw a rough storyboard so that you're 100% certain of what set, character positions, emotions, etc get used, along with the right lines. Then you'd have to draw it, ink it, colour it in...those 66 pages went from being a three week proposition into months of hard work - not an easy feat if you have a job, or coursework, or a family to support emotionally.
If you have the time to do a comic book style story, then, by all means, go for it! I know I'll look forward to reading something fresh on the creative forums, I always do. A visual medium, too, would be a great approach. However, it'd be a much harder task than just writing a straight text story.
The trouble with comics is that you have to strike a balance between visual and literary impact. I write and draw a comic myself, and it's incredibly demanding, both in time and sheer work-load.
Prose structure allows for more 'waffle' if you will. Taking for example my prose story 'Cosmos', it's close to 60,000 words all told. Now, if I were to make it into a comic, it would take a week to do chapter one.
I've found that basically, comics are a brilliant medium for telling short stories. You don't overcrowd your art with words if you're telling a very simple, very quick story. My comic's first issue was a six page script, but when it came to drawing, three pages became 20.
Try not to compare novel writing and comic scripts against each other, they are two totally different disciplines. Each has its pros and cons. If you feel ambitious, do an epic comic, if you feel wordy, write a prose piece.
Basically, do whichever feels right to you at the time.
Don't ask me about joining Honourable United, I'm lazy. Ask Captain Cathode.
http://www.onthejazz.co.uk/honu/
"If I had a punch, I would so hit that guy." - Millenium (because drinking nail varnish remover is for real men)
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I think a comic based medium to tell the stories is a wonderful approach, that's too underutilised in the forums. I know that, if I could draw, I'd love to try my hand at it.
However, writing in a comic book approach is, in my mind, much more time consuming than a novel-based approach.
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Hi guys, thanks for the feedback just what I was looking for. I wasn't sure what would be the best approch as I love writing in both formats... well I lie, for some strange reason I can write comic formats quicker (possibly I think visually better with comics).
I think for me the whole planning of my stories is what I'm strongest at which helps me come up with scripts quickly. Here is a link to my site which details my Creative Process I'd love for you to take a look and let me know what you think...
Totally agree fire guardian it's not utilised enought and CoX being comic based I thought why not... "Comics Rock"
Well best I start writing this script then... 
You know, one of the best bits about the recent re-release of the League of Extrodinairy Gentlemen was the script book that was included in the package. It really gives you a feel for how Alan More writes. it is possible to do and do very well.
Ironically my dialogue/script writing (which I make a living at) is much better than my prose yet I write very little dialogue when writing prose. I tend to do the same when thinking about comic book writing. The descriptions (if you have someone else as an artist) have to be vivid and vibrant and have to catch the attention of the reader. That's not an easy thing to do.
I think there are more prose based stories on here because they are easier to create, you don't need to have help from others and you can post them almost instantly.
There is also a big problem with human nature. If someone posts a comic (a drawn comic) and it is THAT good; it will put some people off who might have posted one but artn't THAT good. For some reason we hold art in very high regard. Much higher than the film making/demo editing. Everyone has a go at that. Most find they can do it.
I think that's the same with every skill though. It has to be learnt and atr is something that is percieved to be un-learnable, which is total tosh...
I'm rambling again, sorry.
ok, to conclude. I'd love to see some comics on the forum. We had a comic competiton and it went down really well and it would be nice to see some work that wasn't as restricted in its approach.
Go for it, Patriot! I want to see what you're going to come up with. X)
Don't ask me about joining Honourable United, I'm lazy. Ask Captain Cathode.
http://www.onthejazz.co.uk/honu/
"If I had a punch, I would so hit that guy." - Millenium (because drinking nail varnish remover is for real men)
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I think a comic based medium to tell the stories is a wonderful approach, that's too underutilised in the forums.
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Meanwhile elsewhere...
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I think a comic based medium to tell the stories is a wonderful approach, that's too underutilised in the forums.
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Meanwhile elsewhere...
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Right, but I didn't say it wasn't done at all. I said it was underutilised in the forums. As in "People on the forums don't do this enough".
I'd always preferred the novel format as there are just some things you can't do with pictures (See any recent Hollywood remake).
Now if you could get Corona to do the artwork, Wordmaker or Keeper of the Sorrows to write the script etc.; then you could end up with a Novel beater; but you're still limited by the imagination loss inherent in the comic book medium.
Comics are a shallower medium, but implant thoughts deeper, through the usage of visual tricks.
Novels are deeper but require work on behalf of the reader; hence it's more of a shared aspect.
That may sound awfully waffley, but consider the Top Cow comics vs. the CoH Novels.
Top Cow has visual hooks to draw the reader in, feed them the lines and then watch the splashpage going "oooooooh!"
Novels are more about feeding the reader information so they build their own image and then go "ooooooh!"
Comics use a buildup for you to see a specific ending, novel writing builds up to see what the ending will be.
I think the reason I'm opting for the comic scripts is the nature of CoX. These characters are based in a comic book world and as I'm playing I feel as if Im immersed in the comic book. I totally agree with the comparison between the CoH books and comics (or any given story type), but I always get connected in both mediums when you visually see a reference to the game like Atlas Plaza or a world reference in the books.
Well Ive managed to get the first part of the script completed. Check it out and let me know what you think?
Captain Patriot #1: A Haunted Past pt1
Hi all,
I've been going through a number of posts regarding fan fiction and some of the fantastic submissions that have already been posted (just need to find more time to read the rest). I have noticed that most are short story novel based pieces which are obviously CoX based in origin.
Now CoX is based on the comic book superhero genre which is a very visual medium. I love comic books and love to write. Recently I started writing comic book scripts and find this a fantastic approach to telling a story, but how visually representative is this to others.
Im hoping to start submitting some stories soon and I would love to get some peoples opinions on which format they might want to see. A normal novel based script or a comic book style script.
Also a quick plug for my SG site which is taking a very creative approach to CoH and giving members the opportunity to submit stories and really flesh their characters out by creating origins / back stories and ongoing story arks for there characters.