Comments on: Five Common Mistakes of Comic Book Writers (#1-5) http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/ How to write a superhero book, comic book or superhero novel and get it published Sun, 12 Feb 2012 08:42:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Fresh http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-130033 Fresh Mon, 30 May 2011 22:07:44 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-130033 What would be the urgency in a realistic superhero story. Think Heroes, but somewhat different In my story it's people who've been fucked over who get powers, people who "Deserve" powers. For example people framed for crimes, or people who've been ripped off ect people like that. What would be the urgency in a plot with Ex Cons, and people receiving powers, and trying to rebuild their lives aside from trying to get their powers together, aside from Law Enforcement going after them? Any suggestions for urgency? What would be the urgency in a realistic superhero story. Think Heroes, but somewhat different

In my story it’s people who’ve been fucked over who get powers, people who “Deserve” powers. For example people framed for crimes, or people who’ve been ripped off ect people like that.

What would be the urgency in a plot with Ex Cons, and people receiving powers, and trying to rebuild their lives aside from trying to get their powers together, aside from Law Enforcement going after them? Any suggestions for urgency?

]]> By: Guardian7 http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-78460 Guardian7 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 06:08:47 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-78460 Hopefully that will be the case. But I love my action and showing Perez style destruction going on... so hopefully I will be able to map exciting mundane with the utterly fantastic. Still a work in progress. But I am concrete in my resolution to do it... of course doing it right might help! (That's where you have been massively helpful to this imaginative artist). Again. Thanks! G7 Hopefully that will be the case.
But I love my action and showing Perez style destruction going on… so hopefully I will be able to map exciting mundane with the utterly fantastic.

Still a work in progress. But I am concrete in my resolution to do it… of course doing it right might help! (That’s where you have been massively helpful to this imaginative artist).

Again. Thanks!

G7

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-78456 B. Mac Mon, 13 Sep 2010 05:38:35 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-78456 I'm glad to hear that you've been encouraged. <br /> I feel like WWII will probably be an easier sell than most other historical periods, but there have been so many WWII stories that I think it'll be really important to distinguish yourself somehow. (IE: fresh character personalities and voices, scene selection, maybe a genre besides action, etc). I’m glad to hear that you’ve been encouraged.

I feel like WWII will probably be an easier sell than most other historical periods, but there have been so many WWII stories that I think it’ll be really important to distinguish yourself somehow. (IE: fresh character personalities and voices, scene selection, maybe a genre besides action, etc).

]]> By: Guardian7 http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-78439 Guardian7 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 03:24:41 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-78439 I found this article VERY interesting. PARTICULARLY... No. 5 - The series doesn’t have a clear audience. I am likely shooting for more of a Old School than New School one. If some of the younger people like it. Hey! The more the merrier! But I know for a fact I want it to appeal to fans of the older type stories (As mine take place during WWII). I am not certain I can actually capture the old school flair (As my art style is totally different from that style)... But I can definitely hit the atmosphere of the times (I have so much source material on WWII and image resources of nearly every aspect of the war, including what was going on stateside). I truly believe I can capture that more naive time that I love endlessly. I am finding this site not just helpful... but massively encouraging. Thank you. G7 I found this article VERY interesting.
PARTICULARLY…

No. 5 – The series doesn’t have a clear audience.

I am likely shooting for more of a Old School than New School one.
If some of the younger people like it. Hey! The more the merrier!
But I know for a fact I want it to appeal to fans of the older type stories (As mine take place during WWII).
I am not certain I can actually capture the old school flair (As my art style is totally different from that style)… But I can definitely hit the atmosphere of the times (I have so much source material on WWII and image resources of nearly every aspect of the war, including what was going on stateside). I truly believe I can capture that more naive time that I love endlessly.

I am finding this site not just helpful… but massively encouraging.

Thank you.

G7

]]> By: Leigh http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-76994 Leigh Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:07:34 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-76994 Riley, I would include a female because there are plenty of females who love this stuff and we get tired of our gender just being a love interest or family. I'm more likely to read something if it has a strong female character. Riley, I would include a female because there are plenty of females who love this stuff and we get tired of our gender just being a love interest or family. I’m more likely to read something if it has a strong female character.

]]> By: Leigh http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-76993 Leigh Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:04:36 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-76993 The generalization that women prefer less fight scenes drives me crazy. Especially since it's usually true! I don't understand my gender. If it hasn't got a fight scene it'll be less interesting. The generalization that women prefer less fight scenes drives me crazy. Especially since it’s usually true! I don’t understand my gender. If it hasn’t got a fight scene it’ll be less interesting.

]]> By: Riley http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-70142 Riley Thu, 08 Jul 2010 11:54:39 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-70142 Thanks! I was worried that sales wouldn't be as great because of no female, but your answer helped. Thanks again! Thanks! I was worried that sales wouldn’t be as great because of no female, but your answer helped. Thanks again!

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-70078 B. Mac Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:52:05 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-70078 I'd recommend doing whatever you feel comfortable with. I suspect the audience for this sort of work will be overwhelmingly male whether there are female teammates/tagalongs or not. (See, for example, SHIELD comics with Maria Hill* as the Director, Avengers comics with Spiderwoman and Maria Hill, Power Rangers, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc). <br /> *And, tangentially, the most awesome Chicagoan in comics! Admittedly, it's a damn short list. I was, ahem, not amused when <a href="http://www.superheronation.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/youreadeadmantonystarkyoujustdontknowityet.jpg" rel="nofollow">Tony Stark makes her get him a coffee in Civil War #7</a>. Attempting such shenanigans on a real Chicagoette is likely to end badly... if you're lucky, she'll bury you dead rather than alive. I’d recommend doing whatever you feel comfortable with. I suspect the audience for this sort of work will be overwhelmingly male whether there are female teammates/tagalongs or not. (See, for example, SHIELD comics with Maria Hill* as the Director, Avengers comics with Spiderwoman and Maria Hill, Power Rangers, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc).

*And, tangentially, the most awesome Chicagoan in comics! Admittedly, it’s a damn short list. I was, ahem, not amused when Tony Stark makes her get him a coffee in Civil War #7. Attempting such shenanigans on a real Chicagoette is likely to end badly… if you’re lucky, she’ll bury you dead rather than alive.

]]> By: Riley http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-70071 Riley Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:23:29 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-70071 Hello, in my story, I have 4 male heroes and a villain. Do you think it would be better if I threw a female character in whether it be as a hero or as a main side character or would it be fine if I didn't have one? This doesn't mean I won't have any female characters like family and love intrests, I'm just wondering if I should have one in the main cast I will focus on. Hello, in my story, I have 4 male heroes and a villain. Do you think it would be better if I threw a female character in whether it be as a hero or as a main side character or would it be fine if I didn’t have one? This doesn’t mean I won’t have any female characters like family and love intrests, I’m just wondering if I should have one in the main cast I will focus on.

]]> By: Con-El http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-58522 Con-El Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:54:18 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-58522 Ok cool, thanks guys. I'll look into the writer's block article as well. Anyway I'm trying to work through my apprehensions so hopefully I can get something this time. Wish me luck! And I wish you guys luck with all your endeavors as well. Thanks again. Ok cool, thanks guys. I’ll look into the writer’s block article as well. Anyway I’m trying to work through my apprehensions so hopefully I can get something this time. Wish me luck! And I wish you guys luck with all your endeavors as well. Thanks again.

]]> By: brett http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-58508 brett Fri, 09 Apr 2010 10:54:18 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-58508 I understand where you're coming from Con-el, but similar to what b.mac and becca said above, you just have to 'write through it' Sure, the first few chapters might not be ideal, but you'll find your footing before the first draft is through! I understand where you’re coming from Con-el, but similar to what b.mac and becca said above, you just have to ‘write through it’ Sure, the first few chapters might not be ideal, but you’ll find your footing before the first draft is through!

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-58484 B. Mac Fri, 09 Apr 2010 05:11:49 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-58484 Hello, Con-El! I have a few ideas... <br /> --As Becca noted, keeping at the writing might be effective. A rolling stone gathers no moss... sticking with the writing might cause you to fix what you don't like rather than give up on the project altogether. <br /> --If you are substantially unhappy with where the story is headed, perhaps you could try twisting the story rather than throwing away everything. For example, I sort of liked the world I came up with for Superhero Nation, but I didn't like the original protagonist I had, so I switched protagonists and was able to salvage a lot of my work. <br /> --Have you seen <a href="http://www.superheronation.com/category/writers-block/" rel="nofollow">our articles on writer's block</a>? I think those might be helpful. <br /> --It sounds like your standards might be a bit too high for the first draft. It's great if you can churn out awesome origins and deep, rich characters and great concepts, but on the first draft that will probably be the exception rather than the rule. Don't get bummed out because it's not turning out awesome enough on the first go. (If you've seen <a href="http://www.superheronation.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/SN-script-pages-1-12-april-7-2010-upload.doc" rel="nofollow">the first draft I'm working on</a>, you know it's darn bland, but it's sort of like a scaffolding I'm building on). I'd recommend finishing the first draft and making the magic happen when you rewrite it. <br /> --Don't cry! Writing should be mostly enjoyable, I think. I mean, we're definitely not doing it for the money, right? ;-) Hello, Con-El! I have a few ideas…

–As Becca noted, keeping at the writing might be effective. A rolling stone gathers no moss… sticking with the writing might cause you to fix what you don’t like rather than give up on the project altogether.

–If you are substantially unhappy with where the story is headed, perhaps you could try twisting the story rather than throwing away everything. For example, I sort of liked the world I came up with for Superhero Nation, but I didn’t like the original protagonist I had, so I switched protagonists and was able to salvage a lot of my work.

–Have you seen our articles on writer’s block? I think those might be helpful.

–It sounds like your standards might be a bit too high for the first draft. It’s great if you can churn out awesome origins and deep, rich characters and great concepts, but on the first draft that will probably be the exception rather than the rule. Don’t get bummed out because it’s not turning out awesome enough on the first go. (If you’ve seen the first draft I’m working on, you know it’s darn bland, but it’s sort of like a scaffolding I’m building on). I’d recommend finishing the first draft and making the magic happen when you rewrite it.

–Don’t cry! Writing should be mostly enjoyable, I think. I mean, we’re definitely not doing it for the money, right? ;-)

]]> By: Becca http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-58481 Becca Fri, 09 Apr 2010 04:08:44 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-58481 Hey Con-El. I'd recommend writing really fast. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month - in November, you write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days) could help you get your ideas down and finalized before you start to lose interest. If you can get your first draft down on paper quickly, chances are your interest and your excitement will stick around. Hey Con-El. I’d recommend writing really fast. NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month – in November, you write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days) could help you get your ideas down and finalized before you start to lose interest. If you can get your first draft down on paper quickly, chances are your interest and your excitement will stick around.

]]> By: Con-El http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-58479 Con-El Fri, 09 Apr 2010 03:50:33 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-58479 Um, hi everyone. This is the first time I'm posting anything. I've been surfing the site for days now and am so pleased to have this site. It like I found my family. My online, comic book-loving family. And it's great! But I'm have been struggling with a problem that's been preventing me from fully materializing my ideas into a reality. Ok so, I can think of a great concept to turn into a superhero story, an ok or totally awesome origin and even deep, rich characters. All of that is no problem for me. What is the problem is that they don't stay with me long. A few months at the most and than I'll start to not like the idea or think it could be better and I'll ultimately scrap the idea in favor of starting over with a new idea. And the process will begin again. I'm to the verge of frustrated tears. I HAVE great ideas but I can't seem to finalize them. Can anyone give me any advice that might help me focus and stick with my ideas? Um, hi everyone. This is the first time I’m posting anything. I’ve been surfing the site for days now and am so pleased to have this site. It like I found my family. My online, comic book-loving family. And it’s great!

But I’m have been struggling with a problem that’s been preventing me from fully materializing my ideas into a reality. Ok so, I can think of a great concept to turn into a superhero story, an ok or totally awesome origin and even deep, rich characters. All of that is no problem for me. What is the problem is that they don’t stay with me long. A few months at the most and than I’ll start to not like the idea or think it could be better and I’ll ultimately scrap the idea in favor of starting over with a new idea. And the process will begin again. I’m to the verge of frustrated tears. I HAVE great ideas but I can’t seem to finalize them. Can anyone give me any advice that might help me focus and stick with my ideas?

]]> By: B. Mac http://www.superheronation.com/2009/01/06/five-common-mistakes-of-comic-book-writers-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-27496 B. Mac Sun, 10 May 2009 22:09:35 +0000 http://www.superheronation.com/?p=1729#comment-27496 Umm, Chulance, that sounds kind of inane. --25 characters in 5 episodes will be extremely hard to get aired/published. I'd recommend cutting down your cast of heroes dramatically. The biggest cast I can think of is Heroes, which got up to maybe 12 recurring characters after four seasons of hour-long episodes. Getting to 25 characters after 5 half-hour-long episodes sounds like a really bad idea. Viewers will not be able to keep that many characters separate and you will not have enough time to develop them. <br /> --If your goal is getting published/aired, I think the porn has to go. Umm, Chulance, that sounds kind of inane.

–25 characters in 5 episodes will be extremely hard to get aired/published. I’d recommend cutting down your cast of heroes dramatically. The biggest cast I can think of is Heroes, which got up to maybe 12 recurring characters after four seasons of hour-long episodes. Getting to 25 characters after 5 half-hour-long episodes sounds like a really bad idea. Viewers will not be able to keep that many characters separate and you will not have enough time to develop them.

–If your goal is getting published/aired, I think the porn has to go.

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