Words, Words, Words

[Jan]

...which, most of you know by now is JMS's new column at Newsarama.com. I hadn't realized that it's weekly (at least so far) so I thought I'd put links to his first three colums here for you (now that I've caught up myself, that it).

Column #3, the latest, where Our Correspondent relates how the Book of Lost Souls came to be: http://www.newsarama.com/general/Wor...ords/WWW03.htm


Column #2 where we learn how JMS learned how to write comic scripts:

http://www.newsarama.com/general/WordsWordsWords/WWW02.htm

and Column #1 wherein Our Correspondent reminds readers that Big Name Comic Writers didn't start out that way:

http://www.newsarama.com/Straczynski/Wordsx3_1.html

Even if you don't want to be a comic writer, these are fun and informative insights into the business of A) writing and B) writing for comics.

Jan

[Chris Nolan.ca]

Thanks

Jan, thanks for those links!

I had read the first one, but didn't see any links @ Newsarama on the newer posts. Too bad they don't have an RSS feed for just that column?

Wonder if it'd be possible to work them into the archive here?

[Jan]

Wonder if it'd be possible to work them into the archive here?

Hi Chris, welcome! I don't know whether DougO might be able to add the columns to the archives or not as there might be issues with Newsarama. It wouldn't hurt to post the suggestion in the 'Site Support and Suggestions' forum so that he could look into it, though.

Jan

[manwithnoname]

Thank you, Jan, for posting the links.

I already have my bachelor's of science, and I am pursuing my english literature degree later on this year. Hence, working all the overtime to get my finances in order.

JMS gave some REALLY helpful tips which I've copied/pasted into my personal files to read and refer, again and again.

[Dr Maturin]

I could never be a comic writer because they'd reject my ideas.

I sent a few in to DH when they had that open invitation thing a few years ago.

[manwithnoname]

I could never be a comic writer because they'd reject my ideas.

I sent a few in to DH when they had that open invitation thing a few years ago.

You can be a comic writer. Write a comic and find someone to illustrate it.

Don't ever give up, man.

What all the comic publishing houses have said is this: they are unwilling to gamble on an unknown. Haven't you noticed a lot, and I mean a lot, of established writers are being courted to write comics? There are RARE instances where Marvel/DC do welcome an unknown, but it's based on a comic they've published elsewhere (Image, self-published).

Frank Miller and other creators have stated (paraphrasing, here): Read everything. That doesn't mean read every kind of comic, but read prose books of all kinds; expose yourself to many styles of writing and genres.

When you come across an author's work you really like, dissect it, examine what he/she did to convey characterization that rings true. Examine an author's work you dislike. Why? How did their characterization seem flat or weak.

I'm coming late into the writing game myself, but it's NEVER too late.

Recommended book: The Complete Book of Scriptwriting by J. Michael Straczynski.

For me, I read about an author's creative process and how they research. Greg Rucka is keen on research, and so he's been an inspiration on just getting out there finding info.

This July I'm using some annual vacation time to visit Alabama for some research on characters for my book. I'm lucky here because my sheriff buddy is escorting me around to help with research. We were roommates 12 years ago in the Marine Corps. Another Marine Corps buddy of mine lives in Georgia and he's an artist, has a gallery and everything. He's been hounding me to write something for him to illustrate. But, I don't feel I'm ready yet.
I offer this: you never know what resources/relationships are at your fingertips.

Conventions: there are a lot of artists trolling around. Start a friendship that may lead to him/her illustrating your work.

[Dr Maturin]

Thanks for the words of encouragement and advice, but I didn't mean that I wouldn't be good at it; they wouldn't like my stories.

I would write about topics -- overtly or subtly -- that SHOULDN'T be seen as partisan issues, but would wind up that way, anyways. I have a scumbag attorney friend, who once he gets rich, could start his own comic company. I hope he hires me.

[Karachi Vyce]

Thanks for the words of encouragement and advice, but I didn't mean that I wouldn't be good at it; they wouldn't like my stories.

I would write about topics -- overtly or subtly -- that SHOULDN'T be seen as partisan issues, but would wind up that way, anyways. I have a scumbag attorney friend, who once he gets rich, could start his own comic company. I hope he hires me.

I hope you were referring to me, seeing as I'm the scumbag lawyer who loves comics so much.

Here's the first book that we should resurrect and publish:

[Dr Maturin]

Tooooo controversial.

[manwithnoname]

Thanks for the words of encouragement and advice, but I didn't mean that I wouldn't be good at it; they wouldn't like my stories.

I would write about topics -- overtly or subtly -- that SHOULDN'T be seen as partisan issues, but would wind up that way, anyways. I have a scumbag attorney friend, who once he gets rich, could start his own comic company. I hope he hires me.

I actually wasn't trying to be encouraging, as weird as that sounds. Encouragement is good, but truth and facts are better. Do you recall the controversial and legendary V for Vendetta? The comic is highly caustic, but somehow the original editor (Karen Berger?) saw through the politics -- she saw a GREAT story.

Another possibility, somethings need to sit on the backburner to develop over years, of course, to the frustration of the writer. Guys like Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, and today's pro's talk about ideas and characters their writing about now from childhood ideas/sketches. Kurt Busiek is coming out with an Astro City Samaritan Special featuring a character he created around 10 years ago. Only now does he feel he can write the story.

Self-publish, or vanity press is always an option. Many self-published work gets noticed, and later scooped up by Marvel, DC/Vertigo or Image. Hate or like Bendis, but that's what he did with Jinx. He just did it, and it didn't sell enough to make any money. Fast forward to present day, Charlize Theron is producing the damn movie and is slated to star in it. You can never plan these things, just try to get your product out there.

In the prose world, Andrew Vachss is my ultimate hero and inspiration. It took him a long time, and I mean a very long time, to get his work published. Publishers deemed it too violent and that kiddy porn was not being trafficked over the internet, kids would not show up at school to kill other students and teachers, then kill themselves; they thought he was making these things up. But, he knew he was right, he knew the message had to get out to warn and educate people. His work is not based on subtlety. If you or anybody has read his work, you know what I mean. His writing is what I aspire to. I'm currently re-reading his work, and it still gives me chills, good and bad.

Don't. Let. Anybody. Stop. You. Especially yourself.

[David Panzer]

Don't forget Dave Sim. He created Cerebus the Aardvark and basically published it himself, by creating a company with his then-wife and called it "Aardvark-Vanaheim" back in 1977. Fast forward to March '04 and the last issue of Cerebus (#300) comes out.

If none of the comic companies want to do your story, publish it yourself. Always an option

[manwithnoname]

I could never be a comic writer because they'd reject my ideas.

I sent a few in to DH when they had that open invitation thing a few years ago.

Another thought on your post: My LCS had a local high school teacher & students come in and choose any comic (quarter bins, of course). The assignment was to take any comic, white-out all dialogue and captions, and re-script/dialogue it. This is very similar to the old Marvel-style of making comics. It's great practice, though. You could use this as a sample to show DHorse your talent (using a DHorse comic, of course). It can showcase how well you write dialogue, expositional narrative and use of other aspects of comic storytelling techniques. This will give DH or any other company a better idea of your talent.

I've read many editor interviews saying that it's hard to judge a writer's talent based on an idea or concept.

Many writers seeking work in Hollywood write a spec screenplay to show their skills.

[Jan]

I've read many editor interviews saying that it's hard to judge a writer's talent based on an idea or concept.

Many writers seeking work in Hollywood write a spec screenplay to show their skills.

I think that almost would have to be the case. Ideas are nice but unless the writer proves that s/he can produce professional quality work, ideas are pretty worthless.

JMS covers how to send spec stuff to companies in his Complete Book of Scriptwriting and includes handy things like sample release forms.

Jan

[Dr Maturin]

Oh, they wouldn't pass. It's a sad state of affairs, but they wouldn't. Here is an example of why...an interview "Blowhard" Bill O'Reilly conducted with Vince Flynn last year:

O'REILLY: Right. Mitch Rapp does do that. And then you say that, you know, we've got CIA guys who are assassins.

Now, when you bring the material to Hollywood, because there's no question your books are very entertaining, sell an enormous amount of copies. And they're slam dunk action movies.

FLYNN: Yes.

O'REILLY: So you bring your material to Hollywood and what do they...?

FLYNN: Well, there was a producer in a large studio last year, and we're trying to get a movie made with that studio, so I can't really say anything. But the producer said, she read "Memorial Day" and said, "I hated it. It was more Bush than Bush."

And I'm standing there thinking, you know, politics have nothing to do with this.

O'REILLY: Right. You should be making movies because you want to make money and entertain.

FLYNN: The president in the book was a Democrat. And can't we all get on the same page that terrorists trying to detonate a nuclear warhead in New York City is a bad thing?

And so I think that their hatred of Bush gets in the way of them making a good business decision. Beyond that, you know, I think they're afraid that it might affect their overseas sales, because it won't play as well abroad. I disagree with that. And then thirdly, I think that they think that they will be targeted for assassination if they make a movie like this.

O'REILLY: Really. I think it would be they're targeted for disdain by their cocktail buddies.

FLYNN: Exactly.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,172748,00.html

Now, Flynn IS an advisor to the show 24. I've never seen the show, so I can't comment on it. He isn't the greatest writer form-wise, but his books are entertaining and they would make great movies. But they won't be, at least not for the time being.

[manwithnoname]

Oh, they wouldn't pass. It's a sad state of affairs, but they wouldn't.

Don't take this the wrong way, but you're making excuses. What do you think V for Vendetta is about? It has an obvious political bent, but, at the same time, it's a great story.

I recently saw Hustle and Flow the movie. Have you seen it? It focuses on a black pimp/hustler and populated with a lot of black actors/people -- written/directed by a white guy. In the special features portion of the DVD, the writer/director kept getting turned down by every studio out there, but John Singleton (Boyz 'N the Hood, Four Brothers) believed in the story/movie and kept the script going around Hollywood. Singleton shopped the script to the same studios that already said 'no' the first time. Finally, Singleton believed so strongly in the movie that he decided to spend his own money. Singleton said that the cardinal rule in Hollywood is to never spend your own money in making your own movie.

I've read over the years about too many movie execs wouldn't know a good movie script if it hit them in the face.

Also, just b/c some famous writer got turned down and appears on the O'Reilly show, really, doesn't mean anything.

Comic-wise, Fabian Nicieza (sp?) got started in comics in the production dept (glorified gopher: making coffee, stocking toilet seat sanitary covers and whatnot) or the marketing dept. The point: Fabian started at the bottom and, with persistence, got somebody to give him a chance.

I forget which, but Matt Hollingsworth or Dave Stewart (both outstanding comic book colorists) started out at DHorse as an intern or butt wiper of some kind.