Intro

In this tip I will go over all the steps to creating a comic or manga. I hope you find this useful!

Step 1: Ideas

Coming up with an idea can be hard. Sometimes you might find your ideas from dreams, or even be inspired by music. Even walking out around your home or traveling someplace new can spark your imagination.

  Sometimes you just can't find an idea, no matter how much you try! This is referred to as "writer's block" and can sometimes leave you stumped. Honestly, I really don't think something is just going to magically come to you if you just sit down in a chair and stare at the wall. 

If you do have writer's block, then try going on one of those story idea generators! This might seem crazy, but sometimes they can actually work. If you really like one of the ideas, then use a version of that as your comic!

     Other times, asking for a friend's  help can also work. If your friend is really imaginative then you might want to take some of their idea and use it for your book.

Step 2: Script

(Before reading this step, please look at my "Character Construction" guide in this series.)

       Once you have your ideas and everything, you should start thinking of what you want to happen in the story. When you have the basic draft of what should happen, then you can go on to making a script- the script is what almost every author goes through before diving in and drawing out their comic. Use the "Character Construction" guide I also posted to help you bring out the characters' personalities.

EX:

Avery: I'm up! Bye mom, I'm going to school!

Avery walks out of home and to the school, where her friend is already waiting for her.

Caroline: Oh, hi, Avery! You're not late today!

Avery: I know, right? I'm always late!!

Both laugh.

Step 3: Drafting

Create a basic rough sketch of your panels in Clip Studio or whatever software you use. Make sure to use the script that you've just created, and go ahead and add the speech bubbles!

It might not be easy at first, but if you don't quite like how one of your panels turned out, try drawing them at a different angle. If you had a panel facing the side of your character, try changing it up to the front or the back to see if it looks better!

Step 4: Inking

Once you've completed your basic sketches, go over with a pen and start drawing in the details, like the face, hair, clothes, and hands! If your comic or manga is going to be one in color, go ahead and color it! Quick TIP: Use a fill tool and place the basic colors of the objects, Then, use darker or lighter colors to shade!

Now that you've finished with your details, you should begin adding the words into your speech bubbles. Feel free to change it up a bit if it makes more sense to put it in different words!

 

Step 5: Publishing

Some people prefer to publish their books online as a webcomic. Others prefer to publish it into stores and places like amazon. Try looking up a guide for the best recommended comic publishing places and decide from there!

Conclusion

Throughout this TIP, I've shown you the steps of turning an idea into a comic, but now it's time to say goodbye. If you have any other questions you would like me to cover, you can say so in the comments. Again, I hope you've found this useful!!

• Artsy:3

(Please see my other one in the series)