The Carver's House

If you want to make your own graphic novel, or at least a graphic "novella," there's no better time to start the ball rolling than this coming January. So that, by the time the next Komikon comes along, you'll have something to show. Where do you start? How do you go about it? While every creator has his or her own system, I've outlined a method below, one that I've contemplated on using but never got around to trying it out. Phase 1: Opening Up To Story Ideas January is about beginnings, so spend 31 days being an active sponge. The objective of this month is to write down every idea that comes your way. You have to be actively looking for story ideas--reading newspapers and magazines, watching the news, surfing the net, even listening to friends--and jotting them down in an idea notebook. The ideas don't have to gel at first, and they don't have to be stories in themselves. They can be quotes, a flash of insight, a cool concept, a reflection, a memory...

I didn't think I could make it to the Komikon. The tail end of last week was a bit of hell, having to leave work at 4:30 am and 5:30am last Thursday and Friday, so my consitutution wasn't exactly at its best. But the clouds parted by Friday night, sending the sign that, yes, I should drop by the annual "mukhang komiks" event. The moment I made it through the entrance of the Bahay ng Alumni, I was immediately asked for an autograph, then I ran into Elbert Or and his lovey. I told Elbert that I really hope the comics anthology he initiated in 2007 would see the light of day soon. I did an eight-page short for that one. Unfortunately, nothing's definite as far as that's concerned. I wove my way through the crowd, spotting a number of familiar faces, and felt right at home amidst the flurry. I was still drowsy from lack of sleep and had intended to make my way up to the second floor for coffee at the Chocolate Kiss, but I found myself at the table of Hazel Manzan...

Thanks to Budj for the info: Besides the convention proper on November 22, 2008, there will be activities held from November 17 - 21 at the UP College of Arts and Letters (UP CAL) and in the UP College of Fine Arts (UP CFA) for KOMIKON. Our schedule is as follows: November 17 (Mon) KOMIKS 101 Talk Venue: UP CFA Auditorium "KOMIKEROS FOR HIRE" Filipino Comic Artists Working for Companies Abroad Time: 10:00am - 12noon Panelists: Harvey Tolibao, Wilson Tortosa, Gilbert Monsanto, Melvin Calingo "KOMIKS IN EDUCATION" Including Comics into the Curriculum Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm Panelists: Gerry Alanguilan, Gilbert Monsanto, Elbert Or, Jose "Chong" Ardivilla, Emil Flores November 18 (Tue) OPENING of EXHIBIT at UP Faculty Center Galleria 1 UP CAL Workshop: "Comic Making for Writers" Time: 2:30-4:30pm Venue: UP CAL (classroom to be announced) Speaker: Jonas Diego November 19 (Wed) UP CAL Workshop:...

Gilbert Monsanto is set to release through his Sacred Mountain Publications the premiere issue of Bayan Knights , which brings together Pinoy superheroes of various creators. In an Philippine Daily Inquirer article , Monsanto intends to have Bayan Knights serve as a springboard for new creator-owned characters. "“The idea behind Bayan Knights is to introduce the characters and their creators and hopefully lead the readers to look for their own published comics books.” The first issue of Bayan Knights is set to rock the upcoming November 22 Komikon at the UP Bahay ng Alumni . Read the full PDI article , or visit the Bayan Knights blog . Image from the Philippine Daily Inquirer website.