I’ve been thinking a lot about the creative process, and how this differs from creator to creator. I’m a Type A personality with OCD tendencies. I like things neat and orderly. My creative process has a set number of steps – the preceding always falling into the following step.
When I approach a new comic, I write an outline for the series. The outline for Alex Priest looks something like this:
*Minor Spoilers*
Issue One – Initialize plot. Introduce characters. Reveal big baddie. Small victory.
Issue Two – Baddies retaliate. Something exciting happens.
Issue Three – Mourning and revenge.
Issue Four – Complete failure.
Issue Five – Regroup and triumph.
Issue Six – Sneak in a sixth issue somewhere?
*End Spoilers*
In creating this outline, I’m forced to think about the entire arc of the story. Where are these characters going? How am I going to get them from point A to point D? Not to mention B&C. And, in thinking about the story arc, it forces me to section the story into issues. To determine how much I can pack into each book.
Once I have that outline down, I can focus on each issue. So, next, I’ll write a single paragraph that summarizes the entire comic issue – from beginning to end. I’m currently working on issue two of Alex Priest, so I’m going to continue with this comic as an example.
*More than Minor Spoilers*
You’ve been warned
The demons mobilize. The vampires move through the sewers, making their way to a hospital – turning dozens of victims. While all this is happening, Alex is walking Janelle home after their first run-in at the mausoleum. Old feelings resurface, and the two spend the day together in bed. With focus on the vampires, the demons strike LC&B. Someone is abducted. Duke finally gets through to Janelle, bringing her and Alex back into the building. They – Janelle and Alex – discover who is missing. The demon with the braided horns relishes his prize. Issue end.
*End Spoilers*
The next step – which I’ll cover in my next blog post – is breaking this paragraph down into pages, finally determining end page count.
