STORY ARCHITECTURE
Introduction
- Story Potential – Genesis of All to Come <--- Everyone start here!
The library below covers every aspect of creative comic fiction, from the discovery process, to panel descriptions, to keeping tension present in the narrative. It's presented as a troubleshooting toolkit—search and find your topic; use it to fix a leak in your script or sharpen a specific mechanic.
Because this archive is so vast, it's chaotic to read straight through. It provides the components, not the assembly instructions.
The tools below are yours to use.
- Need more materials to work with on your own (full access to the StorytoScript.com archive), [grab the all access strategy session].
- Want the blueprints (a cohesive, step-by-step experience learning the craft), [grab the Working Writer's Guide or Storycraft for Comics].
My availability for full-scale developmental consulting is heavily restricted. For indie comic creators, I streamlined my process and assembled a series of audits targeting each stage of narrative development. Three financial entry points means no matter where you are in development, you can protect your investment and position your book for success. The audits provide immediate, professional-level stress-tests on your work without having to wait for an opening in my schedule.
- Structural inspection (a core audit on your outline), [grab the discovery audit].
- Progress inspection (an audit of your first 10 pages), [grab the cold read].
- Technical architect on site (oversight to your build), [grab the full SPA] OR [inquire about a consult].
Discovery and Structure
Advice on beginning your journey.
- Worldbuild AFTER Storybuilding
- Story Shine
- Comic Book Titles and Dangerous Misnomers
- High Concept or Gimmick Writing
- Moving Past the Conceptual Stage
- The Importance of Concept
- Understand this piece of Art to be a better Writer
- Comic Book Writing Fundamentals – UPDATED
- Most Important Parts of Writing
- Plot Points
- Preparation – TIP
- Where do you Start – TIP
- Know Your Story
- How many pages of script is my outline?
- Loglines: is my story any good?
- Character Flaws
- Does Your Story Have a Pulse?
- Choosing Your Best Comic Concepts
- Are you working on a Phantom Story?
- 3 Act Structure-Friend or Foe?
- Master Theme
- Discovering Your Story
- Outline Basics
- The Best Way to Name
- Stories That Matter
- Character Profiles
- Streamline your Outline
- More on Master Theme
- Gravity of the Story
- Goals NOT Problems
- Pitch your Climax
Story Fundamentals
The cornerstones of story.
- Promises Conventions Obligatory Scenes and Genre
- How Many Acts – TIP
- Story Checklist
- A Cornerstone of Good Story – TIP
- Genre Masquerading As Theme – TIP
- Tone, Mood, Style and Genre
- Character Trifecta
- Ensemble Casts
- Creating Characters That Stand the Test of Time
- Writing Solid Villains
- Master Theme, Secondary Themes and Character Arcs
- Surprise and Foreshadowing
- Fix your Flashbacks
- Point of View and Captions
- The Super Trifecta
- Effective Subplots
- Hooks and Cliffhangers
- Scene Sizes
Story Mechanics
Building off story fundamentals.
- The Subtext of Action
- Maximize Your Turns
- Sunk Without Escalation – TIP
- Loglines are the Real Deal – TIP
- Character Arc Payoff – TIP
- Scene Selection Part 2: Only Your Best
- Scene Selection and Narrative Drive
- Threat of Violence
- Story Arcs
- Combat Micro-Scenes
- Dramatic Narrative Emphasis
- Delayed Inciting Incident
- Pacing Primary Escalation of Violence and Action
Script Execution Technique
Specific methods on building out scripts.
- Developing Mystery through Secrets
- Avoid Flat Scenes Don’t Forget the Wrestlers
- Attention to Tension Writing Hack
- Location Detail Dumps
- Character Arc Old Belief
- Highlight Reel NOT a Complete Narrative
- Silent Panels
- Anger is NOT Conflict
- Better Characterization
- Effective Full Page Art
- RIP We See
- Forced Character Goals Kill Narratives
- Stop Storyboarding Your Scripts
- Standard Format Documents
- Barren Dialogue
- Panel Descriptions
- New Writers IGNORE Comictography
- Beware the False Subtext of Profanity
- The Secret Turn Equation – TIP
- Unnatural Exposition – TIP
- Camera Direction a Dangerous Weapon – TIP
- When in Doubt Add Conflict – TIP
- Highlighting Minor Characters – TIP
- Practical Editing – TIP
- Stop Relying on Dialogue – TIP
- Don’t Center Stage Symbolism – TIP
- Comicbook Script Format – TIP
- Always Drive Forward – TIP
- Show it Don’t Tell it – TIP
- Don’t Focus on Plot – TIP
- Kill your Passive – TIP
- Numbers in Dialogue – TIP
- Introducing New Characters-the Details
- Fight Scenes that Resonate
- Kill Phone Calls and Texts – TIP
- Don’t Skim Details – TIP
- Comic Writing Crimes (*updated* 1/20)
- Make SFX Matter (*Updated 8/19*)
- Screenplay Sloppy Sound Effects
- Contradictions indicative of Poor Visualization – TIP
- Emotional Context and Visual Writing Wins Every Time – TIP
- Avoid Subtle Action Sand Traps – TIP
- Cut your Character Motivations – TIP
- Accents in Comics
- Loose Vs. Thin
- Cut Your Entrances (and exits) – TIP
- Does Format Really Matter?
- Off Panel Bubble Direction – TIP
- STOP Zooming – TIP
- Kill Your Continuity Panels – TIP
- Always Use Courier! – TIP
- Beware of Panel Dopplegangers – TIP
- One Face, One Emotion – TIP
- Pacing Dialogue to Reveals
- Breaking Bubbles – TIP
- Repetition, Enemy and Ally
- Comic Writing Trends
- Long Shots, Short Detail – TIP
- Moral Message vs. Saying Something – TIP
- Name your Red Shirts – TIP
- Opening Scenes
- Strikethrough – TIP
- Full Page Art – TIP
- Cuts and Transitions
- Pass the Passive Writing
- High and Lows – TIP
- In Media Res (*Updated 12/19*)
- Anchoring Sound Effects
- On the Nose
- Showing Not Telling
- A Screenplay is not a Comic Script – UPDATED
- Don’t Use Captions as a Crutch
- 10 Core Rules to Writing Comics
- Dual Name Characters
- Sample Scene Breakdown
- Visualizing Panels
- Talking Slick, Hip and Breaking the 4th Wall in Panel Descriptions
- Double Page Spreads
- A Lesson in Visual Writing
- Comic Book Script Template – [Download]
- Writing Natural Dialogue
- Engaging the Reader in 22 Pages
Process
Broader discussion of technique.
- Engaging the Reader through Consequences
- The Dark Side of Writing Violence
- Continuity of Action Eats Real Estate
- Creating Covers
- Situational Narratives and One Beat Concepts
- Edit or Rewrite
- Story Potential Assessment
- The Maxiseries Trap – TIP
- What Drives Your Story
- Verifying Your Concept
- Finishing a script
- Structure from Story Notes
- Beware of Beta Readers
- Mary Sues and Marty Stus
- Cowriting vs Hiring A Writer
- Plot Kills. Story first.
- How to Work With an Editor
- Talking Head Dopplegangers – TIP
- Talking Heads Kill Comics
- Recognize Split Narratives – TIP
- Editors Improve your Work – TIP
- Try to Break Your Story – TIP
- Actions Over Words – TIP
- The Strength of Weak Points – TIP
- Effectiveness In Expression – TIP
- Meet Your Deadlines – TIP
- Effective From Page 1 – TIP
- Works in Star Wars But NOT for You – TIP
- Environment Matters – TIP
- Every Gap is Not a Plot Hole – TIP
- Character Design is Trivial – TIP
- Damn the Prologue, Full Speed Ahead – TIP
- Every Story is Two Stories – TIP
- Wrong or Right in Comic Writing – TIP
- Steps to Create – TIP
- Ideas are Cheaper than Dirt – TIP
- Editors Make it Better
- Sacrifice your Ego for Story
- Homeless Guys Have an Opinion Too – TIP
- Real world premises – TIP
- Mini-series Outline – TIP
- Start With Your Second Act
- Works in the Movies, Not in Comics
- Editing Page Weights
- Aim Small – TIP
- Criticism – TIP
- Bad Aliases First – TIP
- Writing Workload – TIP
- Shower with your Theme
- Send Your Characters Out For Coffee
- Dialogue During Action
- Effective Prologues
- 5 Tips for Writing Female Protagonists
- Works in the Movies NOT in Comics Part Two
- First and Last
- DON’T Kill Your Darlings
- Writing to Strengths and Weaknesses
- Fictitious Terms and Exotic Proper Names
Economics of Comics
The business and financial side of comics (and writing).
- Maxiseries and Graphic Novels with Less Money
- Artificial Intelligence in Indie Comics – NSFW adult content
- Economic Breakdown The Man Who Died Twice
- Kickstarter for Comics Part 3 – Almighty Algorithms
- Kickstarter for Comics Part 2
- Work For Hire
- Comic Page Rates and Creator Budgets – UPDATED
- It’s hard to FIND a professional but easy to BE ONE
- Business Structure For Comic Professionals
- How to Hire an Editor
- Not Getting Screwed By Publishers
- Getting Ahead as a Comic Writer – TIP
- A Simple Contract Truth – TIP
- Business or Passion – TIP
- Bad Business Strategy – TIP
- Stick to your Strategy – TIP
- More Tips on Hiring Talent
- Size Matters. Stay Small. – TIP
- Not Getting Screwed by Contractors
- Know Your Audience – TIP
- Pitching to Publishers – TIP
- Hire the Best Editor You Can Afford – TIP
- Portfolio Tips – TIP
- Long Term Success
- Working for Free and Being a Shmoo
- Hiring Good Comic Artists with Less Money
- The Thousand Dollar Page Rate
- Kickstarter for Comics
- How to Find an Artist for your Comic Script
- How to Find Comic Writing Work
Miscellaneous
Everything else.
- Writing Comics is Fast and Easy
- You Have One Year To Finish
- Movie Reviews that Don’t Suck
- Follow the Right Advice
- Visual Direction and Dialogue Punches
- What kind of Brick Layer are you?
- UPDATE – October 1
- UPDATE – Mid September 23
- How to Build Writing Confidence
- Surviving in the Age of AI
- Removing Social Media
- Kickstarter for Comics Part 3 – Almighty Algorithms
- Are we running out of stories?
- Kickstarter for Comics Part 2
- It’s hard to FIND a professional but easy to BE ONE
- Writing Contest Results
- Famous Writer Scripts Teach Nothing
- Successful Cowriting
- Copyright and Wrong
- Comic Storyboards – [Download]
- A Better Way to Pitch
- The Privilege of Writing – TIP
- You Can Do Better – TIP
- The Necessity of Enjoying the Work – TIP
- How to Get Started in Comics
- You are a Mirror – TIP
- Overcoming Writer’s Block
- Other Books on Writing
- Character Designs
- Proper Pitching
- Timing – TIP
- Death of the Super Hero Genre
- Time Management and More
READY TO UPGRADE YOUR TOOLKIT?
You've unlocked the fundamentals. Now, master their execution. Whether you're engineering your magnum opus or building a career as a professional scriptwriter, dive into the advanced narrative mechanics available at StoryToScript.com. This archive includes over 140,000 words of advanced technique, covering topics like:- The Ultimate Fight Scene
- Complete Character Arcs
- Scripting Unforgettable Panels
- Stories without Character Arcs
- Scripting an Outside Outline
- Symbolism
- Throughlines: Threads of the Story Tapestry
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