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More than creating the art, telling stories was the primary reason I got into comics.
Ever since my early teens, nearly 20 years ago now, my brother and I collaborated on many story ideas. These stories where part of our play time and we'd often spend the time after school running around the local country club (a combination of sport club and leisure centre) acting out our stories before the family headed home in the evenings.
I have since tried numerous times to write some of these stories down with little success. Now however, work has begun in ernest to bring one of these concepts, simply called SH, to life. It was the first story we created together and it's very fitting it's the first I'm going to be focusing on. The concept and potential for SH was vast as it was originally created was vast and never ending. Initially I thought I'd need to condense and streamline it in order for it to be published and to an extent that's still true. But having consulted with a group on Facebook there seems to be many writers interested and willing to pen SH with me which got me to reconsider streamlining SH.
The way SH was set up by my brother and I all those years ago, it allows for many writers to come in and add their own story to the mix, expanding and enriching the SH 'universe'. I still need to write the backbone of SH and the key story plot, it's a plot that will cover around 10 graphic novels (in itself an indication of SH's potential).
But, small steps first.
Even without expanding the SH universe there's still a lot of ground work to cover and things to consider which are making my head dizzy:
Firstly, getting the right kind of writer for the initial comic. This is new territory for me. Not every writer will be right for the initial comic and it will required researching any writers. Although I got a few offers for free writing with a back end deal, doesn't mean I'd jump at the offer, and indeed I haven't. I still need to see what any writer can bring to the table and make sure their writing style is suitable. If it mean's I have to pay then I am prepared to do so. I've always been about quality and I'm more than willing to pay for it even if it means saving up a budget for the next year to pay a writer up front (+back end).
Then I need to think about the right art: I kind of know what I want from the pencils but it's going to be a toss up between the right style or the right visionary. I know a penciler who, although he's got a lovely art style and I would work with him in a heartbeat, it isn't quite the style I what. But he's a master at conceptualising and the depth he can bring to the art is immense. So what do I do? Which is more important at this stage? Aside from this, I then need to think about the colours: what do I want the colours to convey? Again I know an excellent colourist and he could work, but I do wonder if an experimental or artists style of colouring would suite SH more? Will there be inking? that very much depends on what kind of pencils I eventually settle on. Many assume I'd pencil SH myself but as I've told them that most likely won't be the case because a) my style wouldn't necessarily suite the subject matter, b) turns out I don't enjoying penciling sequentials and c) at every step my decisions will be based on what's best for the story and me penciling won't necessarily be the best.
Then, what would be the best way to publish it and with whom; do I keep it independent or approach some of the bigger publishers? I feel the best home of SH would be with a bigger publisher just because of the potential scope of SH, but it remains to be seen. But to hook a bigger publisher I need to make sure my story is solid and will catch their imagination otherwise it's a mute point. This puts more pressure on making sure I've got a solid writer. I'll have to see what independent publishers have to offer too.
And so the journey begins. I've got to say I am simultaneously super excited and horribly nervous. I still can't believe this is going to happen but it is - one way or another you'll be able to read SH one day whether it's through a big publisher or a limited run with an indie, it will get out there. I will blog about the process of getting SH published and I hope you'll join me on the journey.
For any creators out there I'd be interested in hearing your process when putting a story together. How do you go about organising your plot lines and ideas before writing the script?
Cheers!
Ever since my early teens, nearly 20 years ago now, my brother and I collaborated on many story ideas. These stories where part of our play time and we'd often spend the time after school running around the local country club (a combination of sport club and leisure centre) acting out our stories before the family headed home in the evenings.
I have since tried numerous times to write some of these stories down with little success. Now however, work has begun in ernest to bring one of these concepts, simply called SH, to life. It was the first story we created together and it's very fitting it's the first I'm going to be focusing on. The concept and potential for SH was vast as it was originally created was vast and never ending. Initially I thought I'd need to condense and streamline it in order for it to be published and to an extent that's still true. But having consulted with a group on Facebook there seems to be many writers interested and willing to pen SH with me which got me to reconsider streamlining SH.
The way SH was set up by my brother and I all those years ago, it allows for many writers to come in and add their own story to the mix, expanding and enriching the SH 'universe'. I still need to write the backbone of SH and the key story plot, it's a plot that will cover around 10 graphic novels (in itself an indication of SH's potential).
But, small steps first.
Even without expanding the SH universe there's still a lot of ground work to cover and things to consider which are making my head dizzy:
Firstly, getting the right kind of writer for the initial comic. This is new territory for me. Not every writer will be right for the initial comic and it will required researching any writers. Although I got a few offers for free writing with a back end deal, doesn't mean I'd jump at the offer, and indeed I haven't. I still need to see what any writer can bring to the table and make sure their writing style is suitable. If it mean's I have to pay then I am prepared to do so. I've always been about quality and I'm more than willing to pay for it even if it means saving up a budget for the next year to pay a writer up front (+back end).
Then I need to think about the right art: I kind of know what I want from the pencils but it's going to be a toss up between the right style or the right visionary. I know a penciler who, although he's got a lovely art style and I would work with him in a heartbeat, it isn't quite the style I what. But he's a master at conceptualising and the depth he can bring to the art is immense. So what do I do? Which is more important at this stage? Aside from this, I then need to think about the colours: what do I want the colours to convey? Again I know an excellent colourist and he could work, but I do wonder if an experimental or artists style of colouring would suite SH more? Will there be inking? that very much depends on what kind of pencils I eventually settle on. Many assume I'd pencil SH myself but as I've told them that most likely won't be the case because a) my style wouldn't necessarily suite the subject matter, b) turns out I don't enjoying penciling sequentials and c) at every step my decisions will be based on what's best for the story and me penciling won't necessarily be the best.
Then, what would be the best way to publish it and with whom; do I keep it independent or approach some of the bigger publishers? I feel the best home of SH would be with a bigger publisher just because of the potential scope of SH, but it remains to be seen. But to hook a bigger publisher I need to make sure my story is solid and will catch their imagination otherwise it's a mute point. This puts more pressure on making sure I've got a solid writer. I'll have to see what independent publishers have to offer too.
And so the journey begins. I've got to say I am simultaneously super excited and horribly nervous. I still can't believe this is going to happen but it is - one way or another you'll be able to read SH one day whether it's through a big publisher or a limited run with an indie, it will get out there. I will blog about the process of getting SH published and I hope you'll join me on the journey.
For any creators out there I'd be interested in hearing your process when putting a story together. How do you go about organising your plot lines and ideas before writing the script?
Cheers!
Inking Legend Joe Sinnott Passes Away
STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY OF JOE SINNOTT: It with great sorrow that we must announce the passing of Joltin’ Joe Sinnott on June 25th at 8:40am at the age of 93. He went peacefully with the knowledge that his family, friends, and fans adored him. He enjoyed life and was drawing up until the end. He always loved hearing from all of you and having your comments read to him. Each and every one of you were special to him. The Sinnott family requests their privacy and understanding during this difficult time. Please send condolences to: The Sinnott Family 27 Spaulding Lane Saugerties, NY 12477 Thank you again for being such loyal and dedicated fans and friends to Joe. He considered all fans friends, and seeing you at cons and reading your messages was what kept him young at heart. RIP Joe Sinnott October 16th, 1926 - June 25th, 2020 Inkers Challenge stand in condolences with Joe Sinnott's family, friends, The Inkwell Awards and his many fans in the comic book industry and
Nomintated for an Inkwell Award!
This should have been up sooner but it's been a hectic week! Quite the rollercoaster with a lot of downs.
But there was some ups, one of which was being nominated for an Inkwell Award in the Most Adaptable category for my inks on Halo Lone Wolf and Alien: Rescue!
Voting is open to the public. It's been open since the 23rd but it ends Friday 29th February. If you'd like to vote the link is below:
https://inkwellawards.com/inkwell-awards
I'm very much the underdog going up against the titans of industry that inspire me: Jonathan Galpion, Marc Deering, Jay Leisten even! Oh man! Yeah, I'll need all the help I can get! Lol.
Anyway, I appreci
HAPPY 2019!!!
Hello Watchers!
I hope you've had a lovely Christmas and are looking forward to 2019!
2018 has been the toughest year of my life since coming back to the UK in 2006. Going into 2018 I knew that was on the cards and was bracing for a difficult year. And difficult it was! But I knew it was a necessary journey through the dark tunnel to reach the light at the other end.
The worst of 2018 was losing my beloved Baba, our family African Grey who had been with the family since around 1992/3. We had many parrots in Nigeria and he was the one who survived with us through very dark times. Losing him was heartbreaking and I miss him dearly. He was al
Hello... :D
Hello Watchers!
My goodness, it’s been a long time! One would think I dropped off the face of the earth. I just wanted to let you know I am still here. I’ve not been as prolific an inker as I used to but for good reasons. Although personal issues have been among them the bigger reason has been SH.
What’s SH? I hear you say. It’s my comic series. I’ve been making a lot of progress with the writing and this year I’m tackling it if full force but it’s a mammoth task and writing takes time and this isn’t a short story I’m working on. There’s not much art to share yet, but I do post the
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Best of luck with this!! I'll be cheering you on!