Graphic Novel Training
Here's something you can do to jumpstart the realization of an ambition--creating a graphic novel. This is all theoretical, of course, since I don't know of anyone who's actually done this. Plus, the younger you are, the better. But if there's enough passion and dedication, plus the will to improve, then there's always the strong chance for success, right?
It all takes five stages:
STAGE ONE: The Starter 12
Duration: One calendar year
In this stage, you will create one short comics story a month. Each story will be 8 to 10 pages long. Take two weeks to write and two weeks to draw (or the whole month to write and draw at the same time). As you go from one story to the next, get feedback, determine which areas you can improve, and allow areas for experimentation and personal styling. Simple, right?
By the end of the first year, you would have 12 short comics in your portfolio.
STAGE TWO: The Intermediate 6
Duration: One calendar year
In this stage, you will create one short comics story every two months. Each story will be 16 to 20 pages long. Take one month to write and one month to draw (or the whole of two months to write and draw at the same time). As you go from one story to the next, get feedback, determine which areas you can improve, and begin to solidify your personal writing and drawing style. Simple, right?
By the end of the second year, you would have 6 additional short comics in your portfolio.
STAGE THREE: The Power 3
Duration: One calendar year
In this stage, you will create one short comics story every four months. Each story will be 32 to 40 pages long. At this point, you might want to train yourself in writing the script before drawing. So, take six weeks to write and six weeks to draw. At this point, you're getting a good grip on your personal writing and drawing style, as well as planning out your "shortcuts" to increase your productivity and preserve your endurance. Simple, right?
By the end of the third year, you would have 3 additional short comics in your portfolio.
STAGE FOUR: The Grand 2
Duration: One calendar year
In this stage, you will create one comics story every six months. Each story will be 48 to 60 pages long. Take three months to write and three months to draw. By this time, you've got your style and pace down pat. Simple, right?
By the end of the fourth year, you would have 2 additional comics in your portfolio.
STAGE FIVE: Your First Graphic Novel
Duration: One calendar year
In this stage, you will create one comics story. Your first graphic novel, with a page count of 100 to 120 pages. Your writing and art are rock solid at this point.
And... apart from having your first graphic novel, you have a portfolio containing a whopping 23 short comics. You can sift through those 23 and choose five to eight of the best ones to create an anthology of comic shorts.
After five years, you should be well-equipped to dish out a graphic novel--or a five- to eight-story anthology-- every year. If you begin this "program" in your early 20s, you'll be able to do an annual release before you hit your 30s!
Oh, the things I should have realized back then. *sigh*
It all takes five stages:
STAGE ONE: The Starter 12
Duration: One calendar year
In this stage, you will create one short comics story a month. Each story will be 8 to 10 pages long. Take two weeks to write and two weeks to draw (or the whole month to write and draw at the same time). As you go from one story to the next, get feedback, determine which areas you can improve, and allow areas for experimentation and personal styling. Simple, right?
By the end of the first year, you would have 12 short comics in your portfolio.
STAGE TWO: The Intermediate 6
Duration: One calendar year
In this stage, you will create one short comics story every two months. Each story will be 16 to 20 pages long. Take one month to write and one month to draw (or the whole of two months to write and draw at the same time). As you go from one story to the next, get feedback, determine which areas you can improve, and begin to solidify your personal writing and drawing style. Simple, right?
By the end of the second year, you would have 6 additional short comics in your portfolio.
STAGE THREE: The Power 3
Duration: One calendar year
In this stage, you will create one short comics story every four months. Each story will be 32 to 40 pages long. At this point, you might want to train yourself in writing the script before drawing. So, take six weeks to write and six weeks to draw. At this point, you're getting a good grip on your personal writing and drawing style, as well as planning out your "shortcuts" to increase your productivity and preserve your endurance. Simple, right?
By the end of the third year, you would have 3 additional short comics in your portfolio.
STAGE FOUR: The Grand 2
Duration: One calendar year
In this stage, you will create one comics story every six months. Each story will be 48 to 60 pages long. Take three months to write and three months to draw. By this time, you've got your style and pace down pat. Simple, right?
By the end of the fourth year, you would have 2 additional comics in your portfolio.
STAGE FIVE: Your First Graphic Novel
Duration: One calendar year
In this stage, you will create one comics story. Your first graphic novel, with a page count of 100 to 120 pages. Your writing and art are rock solid at this point.
And... apart from having your first graphic novel, you have a portfolio containing a whopping 23 short comics. You can sift through those 23 and choose five to eight of the best ones to create an anthology of comic shorts.
After five years, you should be well-equipped to dish out a graphic novel--or a five- to eight-story anthology-- every year. If you begin this "program" in your early 20s, you'll be able to do an annual release before you hit your 30s!
Oh, the things I should have realized back then. *sigh*
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