After working on commercial manga for several years, the work involved in the preliminary stages of transcribing the storyboard, including communicating with editors, has become almost routine, so I'd like to share it with you in the hope that it will be helpful for those creating manga.

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*As a premise, this is a story about manga production where the plot has been approved and production has begun.

 

*This may be a slightly biased method, so please read it with the mindset that there is another way.

 

I don't write my names on paper, but write them directly in a manuscript-sized file.

 

I can quickly export to PDF and share it easily.

 

The dialogue part of a name can be handwritten, but if it's in a font, even if it's temporary,

 

• It looks good and is easy to read

• It conveys the type of font you want (manga style, round gothic, etc.)

• You can export the text data and hand it over to the editor, making it easier for the editorial department to do the typesetting

 

So I arrange the text and submit it.

 

After the name is finalized (leaving a copy of the name in Clip Studio Paint as a backup),

I clean up the data as is.

Flow before naming

1. Create a scenario using document creation software

2. Prepare the scenario for copying and pasting

3. Load text into each page using Clip Studio Paint's Story Editor

4. Move the text around on the screen and arrange it as dialogue

 

I'll explain the actual tools I use.

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1. Create a scenario using document creation software

Like a typical drama script, I write the names, lines, and stage directions in that order.

I write the stage directions in detail until I can clearly imagine in my head "where is it, what time," "how is the character moving," and "what expression is the character making when they say this line," and can share them with my editor.

 

I share the finished version with the editor, and sometimes I talk to them on the phone to finalize each line,

until there is no need to change anything further.

At this stage, I can solidify expressions that haven't been written yet, such as "it's better to say this line with a mocking look than with a frustrated look," or "it's better to say it quietly than banging the table."

 

I use Apple's Pages here.

As far as I know, it is the only document creation software that allows vertical writing, but the only downside is that half-width characters are tilted sideways.

 

Of course, there is no problem creating it in horizontal writing.

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2. Prepare the scenario for copying and pasting

Duplicate the scenario pages and create data for copying and pasting.

Delete everything except the dialogue, and leave one line blank for each line.

Leaving one blank line has meaning!

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3. Load text onto each page in Clip Studio Paint's Story Editor

Create a new file in Clip Studio Paint with the same manuscript size and number of pages as the delivery.

Copy and paste each page into Clip Studio Paint's story editor.

 

If you leave one line space between each line in Pages, you can copy and paste multiple lines of dialogue at once.

You won't understand the value of this until you try it, so please give it a try...!

 

This article below has more information about the story editor.

I learned it using it too.

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4. Move the text and arrange it as dialogue

You can apply the speech bubbles later.

You can also change the font and line spacing all at once in the story editor.

*For detailed instructions, please refer to the link above

 

Page Management and Using the Story Editor [EX]! It's very easy to understand.

 

When you actually divide the panels, you'll probably find yourself thinking, "I think this line should go on the next page," or "I want to add a few more lines."

You can change it flexibly.

(However, I think it's best not to make too many big changes at this stage.)

 

I hope this will be helpful for your manga creation!