create a graphic novel

I’ve found a plot I like. My friend had concocted it and was unable to bring it to life/put it on a page. So I took over, tweaked it and now am finished the story board and two complete pages.

It’s totally depressing. It gets me down to work on it. But I’m a glutton for punishment and I think it will be beautiful when I’m all done. I’m using a ton of materials (pen and ink, charcoal, acrylic, watercolour, collage, photography etc.) and varying which one I use depending on the page. Quite an undertaking, but getting the storyboard out of the way may have been my biggest challenge.

OK. I did have this under ‘write a book’, but I’m bringing it back here because I feel it fits better. And it should really be write a graphic novel, but this goal has way more people. Anyway.

Current ongoing thing, as I described it before: girl who returns from the dead to help the living, and has to battle with various human and supernatural nasties in the process. Modern urban setting, veering into various otherworlds and mindscapes.

I mulled over whether or not to try doing the artwork for this one myself. I finally decided: best not. I went to art college, briefly, but I didn’t have too hot a time there. I was frequently told I couldn’t draw. After some years I’ve concluded that while I can too draw, dammit, I don’t do it spectacularly well – and that applies to people in particular.

I can do people in a very cartoony kind of style, but while that might just about suit something comedic, or perhaps semi-autobiographical (and I have an idea for that floating around, but I’m not working on it right now), it wouldn’t suit this story. It needs realism, and the closer I veer to realism the less realistic I can get anyone’s face, if you get my meaning! And my real niche in art is collage, which while it would be fun and kind of cool to use in places, would have to involve me going out and finding suitable willing models to photograph. Which sounds like a bad way to use up good writing time. And if I’m not confident in my art being much good, and if the idea of doing it doesn’t sound fun, I figure I’d be better off finding an artist. And I also figured I might be more likely to find a collaborator here, hence the move back.

Progress? I mentioned this under the other goal, but I have a synopsis for a story arc that would be 8 24-page (OK, I thought 16-page, but I did a recount) issues in comic form, and issue 1, if you like, is well under way.

I’ve started a whole bunch of graphic novels. I’m working on one right now, but I only pick it up when I’m high. It’s my dream job…picture books for grown ups.

Jonathan Harker goes to see the reclusive Count Dracula.

But I need more ideas. :(

finaly make a hard cover!

I’ve begun doing research, writing, and sketching!

After i’ve written out the story i’m writing, i figuire this will be a good direction to go in. I’m already drowning in ideas as always.

By mR. hOPKINS

I’ve decided to turn a friend’s story (work in progress) into a comic book. Just the first couple of chapters, as a birthday present or some such, partly for him, but also to give myself some practice.