Writing a Comic Book Memoir: Part 1

Hello Internet!

I've recently decided to tell the story about my mother's attempted murder and how it affected me as a person and eventually led me to writing and creating comics. I'm collaborating on a pitch for the book now with the superb Gale Galligan, and I decided to document the process on my blog.

Why you ask?

For a few reasons. The first is that I don't update my blog enough, so this is a chance for me to explore and talk about my own writing while taking on a type of project that I've never done before. The second reason is that I want to be held accountable for finishing the project, no matter how long it takes!

Right now I've written Chapter 1 (of 6) and Gale is working on character sketches. Once I get her permission I'll share them with you, but for now I'll show you a picture of the document I'm working on right now.

Riveting picture right there--document porn!

I'm currently envisioning the finished story at about 60 pages minimum, but for now Gale and I are only worrying about the first 10-page chapter.

More images and information to come!

Right now the only challenge I have is what to label the comic. Is it memoir? Or is it just a true story because it's a collaboration?

I'm interested in any and all thoughts on the subject!

If you have any questions please comment below and I'll address them in the next post. Until then keep reading and keep writing!

- Kenny

Comic Book Script Archive and Formatting

Comic Book Script Archive

One of the great things about writing comics is that there's no set format for writing a script. Unlike screenwriting, where there are lots of set rules that have to be applied to formatting. I've been playing around with my own template for writing comic book scripts in word, and I've been getting inspiration from The Comic Book Script Archive, which is a part of Andy Schmidt's Comics Experience.

What I like about the archive is that has lots of scripts from some of comics' greatest writers, as well as a template from Comics Experience for newcomers to use for their own scripts. While picking the same scripting style as another writing won't make you a better writer yourself, sometimes it just helps to see how some writers tackle different panel descriptions and how they communicate to the artist.

Some of the writers that are featured are Warren Ellis, Jason Aaron, Matt Fraction, Neil Gaiman, Mark Waid, and Brian K. Vaughan.

I actually used the Comics Experience template as a jumping off point for my own script format, which is pictured below.

Kenny Porter's Current Script Template

If you want more information on how to format scripts or create your own template I'd suggest reading Make Comics Like the Pros by Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente. They lay out how to create your own template in a very simple, concise way.

Comics Experience Make Comics Podcast Ep. 71 - Guest Appearance!

I was asked to talk on Ep. 71 of the Comics Experience Make Comics Podcast to talk about works inspire me to make my own comics. The other fantastic guests are Paul Allor, Amy Chu, Rich Douek, Bryan Richmond, and Joe Sergi!

Listen to the podcast

A big thanks to Joey Groah and Andy Schmidt, as well as the whole Comics Experience team!

Writing Improvements for Mr. Porter

I've been really lacking when it comes to writing up posts on this blog, but I do have a good reason for that. You see I've been putting my nose to the grindstone so much that I now only have a hole on the front of my face. I knew that I had the whole summer to write comic book scripts and pitches, but I didn't know I was going to spend the entire season doing exactly that.

I regret nothing!

Don't get me wrong, I go outside all the time. Between walking the dogs, going for runs, and taking strolls with my headphones on, I keep active. And a good book and a tall cup of iced coffee usually get me outside in the evenings.

The stories I've been working on are some of my best. Do I think that the things I've written in the past were bad? No, not at all. But I have seen an increase in creativity and skill from myself that I've never noticed before. Usually after a year or so I would notice a jump in my craft, but lately I've been jumping by leaps in bounds.

How can I tell without sounding like I'm giving myself fellatio?

That's a hard question (laughs like a schoolgirl at that pun), but I think I can answer it. The help that I've received from fellow writers and people in the comics industry has been phenomenal this year. The Comics Experience Workshop has been a huge help to me. The staff of Comics Experience, led by Andy Schmidt, is so knowledgeable and willing to push others to succeed that it should be criminal. Monthly challenges and critiquing other writer's scripts has kept me on my toes this year and I'm very thankful for it.

If you'd like to know more, here's a video for a bit of a visual appetizer:

Learn more about Comics Experience courses and the Creators Workshop community from Comics Experience on Vimeo.

If you're thinking about writing or drawing comics I can't recommend Comics Experience enough. They have classes for every aspect of the comic book industry and workshops each month that delve deeper into the creative and business sides of panels and gutters.

Instead of sitting around and asking yourself if you should create your own comics, why not just sign up and see if you like it?

Also, I want to point out that I'm not getting paid for this. This is pure opinion. Andy Schmidt has no idea that I'm writing this post.

So as I sip on this tall iced coffee before I go for my daily run, I want to remind everyone that they should always pursue what they love and surround themselves with others looking to succeed.

PORTER OUT!

*Drops invisible microphone*