Comic Book Writers

The best advice for a budding comic book writer is to become as familiar with different styles of comics and stories as possible. Read about the history of comics, observing how they and the public's tastes in them have changed over the decades. See what types of stories were quick fads and which have stood the test of time. Read and reread different styles of comics and see how the writers have developed characters, mood, setting, and continuity across issues. Attend local and national comic book conventions and talk to people working in the field. Ask how they got their start in the business and think about how you might go about getting your feet wet in this industry.

Most writers are also voracious readers. In addition to reading comic books, read novels, plays, memoirs, and biographies to learn the different ways in which writers handle character, plot, dialogue, and setting. Start to develop some of your own comic worlds, characters, and stories by fleshing out the details of each.

You can develop your sense of visual storytelling by visiting museums and seeing paintings that capture various actions, moods, and expressions. Practice storyboarding some of your own comic book ideas to gain a sense of what works in the confines of the comic book page and what does not.

Finally, you can test your interest and aptitude in the field of writing by serving as a reporter or writer on school newspapers, yearbooks, and literary magazines. Various writing courses and workshops will provide the opportunity to sharpen your writing skills.