Need help starting comic series

[Phoenix237 353]

Okay so I have an idea for a comic series, which I am now at a point where it seems like its going to be a long series.

 

Before I go into detail, here is my situation. I am not planning on creating this series right now. Currently i am in the planning stage. Meaning in coming up with characters, story, etc.

I am taking my time to make sure that the story is decent. I don't expect it to be praised, just decent enough that people will like it (in other words decent). As for my art skills (as it will be drawn by me and since it is a comic series I am planning) I am already improving my skills and when I complete my planning stage I should put the look I want. So that's where I am at.

 

My main problem right now is that I need writing tips and advice. I have great ideas and themes, but I never written before.

I know that a comic and a written fic are different in some ways but what is your advice. I have had maybe paragraphs which summarizes the scenes (which I think will help on this part) but I need advice on how to tell the story. How to write it is where I need advice and tips.

 

Also what is your advice and opinions on alternative versions. You see In my series, it's in an alternative world of MLp that is completely different (it is). So should the characters stay exactly the same, or should they have minor or major differences, or does it depend on the environment.

 

Thank you for all help and advice.

 

-EDIT-

I should have explained by what I ment with "different world"

 

It's kinda a what if scenario or maybe an alternative universe thing.

 

The idea happened after I did a fan image of the MLP cast in Halloween costumes (I do it early so what).

Anyways I wante the cats to match monters or creatures with their personality.

Then I sarted thinking and one thing led to another.

 

Basically it's an alternative world

This is my summary. It's a working progress and it doesn't do much except tell you what it is about.

 

Summary;

"The land of Equestria used to be a place of peace. A land without monsters. When Celestia and Luna defeated a Dark Form, they did not realize that his dark energy would not disappear. In his defeat his dark energy transformed most of the population into monsters. His defeat had caused the greatest spilt in history.

1000 of years later the nation is split into two. One one side the residents are not considered monsters  and is ruled by Celestia. On the other side the land is home of the monsters know as NIGHTMARES, that is ruled by Luna. Both sides have few residents that strive for coexistence, but it does not seem likely. Both sides hate and fear one another."

 

It's a world where the nation is spilt into two. The mane cast are monster residents (which by the way I picked great monsters they should represent don't worry about that) and they have to live in this world.

 

It's mostly an action comic series I am planning on making.

As for violence levels?

It's not going to be gory don't worry there. I would say shoen manga action comics violence levels.

Edited September 18, 2013 by Phoenix237

[Brony Number 42 10,069]

If you are making a MLP comic that is "completely different," then maybe you should make your own setting. If you want it set in the MLP world, then maybe you should make it consistent with the canon. I don't know what you mean by different. On the one hand, setting it in an existing world saves you work because back story is already there. But on the other hand, you are constrained by that same back story. If you are doing an alternate MLP, then that could confuse people, because they don't know how your setting matches up with the existing world. It's just my own tastes, but I would say either make it consistent with MLP world, or do a totally unique, non pony world.

 

As for writing tips, use styles from comics that you like. It's okay for something to be derivative. I think the best stories are ones that you yourself want to see. Unless your tastes in comics suck, haha.  Outline the story arcs and plot points and figure out how you want to get from point A to point Z. Then let things evolve organically. Then again, I never wrote a comic, so what do I know?

[OkBuddy 586]

A good place to start with writing is finding some inspirations that might help you get your story going. Many great writers have their inspirations. One great example is Bill Waterson, the creator of Calvin and Hobbes. He had many different inspirations for his comic strip, like Krazy Kat, Peanuts, and Pogo. So my advice is to get some inspirational pieces before you begin.

[Phoenix237 353]

If you are making a MLP comic that is "completely different," then maybe you should make your own setting. If you want it set in the MLP world, then maybe you should make it consistent with the canon. I don't know what you mean by different. On the one hand, setting it in an existing world saves you work because back story is already there. But on the other hand, you are constrained by that same back story. If you are doing an alternate MLP, then that could confuse people, because they don't know how your setting matches up with the existing world. It's just my own tastes, but I would say either make it consistent with MLP world, or do a totally unique, non pony world.

 

As for writing tips, use styles from comics that you like. It's okay for something to be derivative. I think the best stories are ones that you yourself want to see. Unless your tastes in comics suck, haha. Outline the story arcs and plot points and figure out how you want to get from point A to point Z. Then let things evolve organically. Then again, I never wrote a comic, so what do I know?

I should have explained by what I ment with "different"

 

It's kinda a what if scenario or maybe an alternative universe thing.

 

The idea happened after I did a fan image of the MLP cast in Halloween costumes (I do it early so what).

Anyways I wante the cats to match monters or creatures with their personality.

Then I sarted thinking and one thing led to another.

 

Basically it's an alternative world

This is my summary. It's a working progress and it doesn't do much except tell you what it is about.

 

Summary;

"The land of Equestria used to be a place of peace. A land without monsters. When Celestia and Luna defeated a Dark Form, they did not realize that his dark energy would not disappear. In his defeat his dark energy transformed most of the population into monsters. His defeat had caused the greatest spilt in history.

1000 of years later the nation is split into two. One one side the residents are not considered monsters and is ruled by Celestia. On the other side the land is home of the monsters know as NIGHTMARES, that is ruled by Luna. Both sides have few residents that strive for coexistence, but it does not seem likely. Both sides hate and fear one another."

 

It's a world where the nation is spilt into two. The mane cast are monster residents (which by the way I picked great monsters they should represent don't worry about that) and they have to live in this world.

 

It's mostly an action comic series I am planning on making.

As for violence levels?

It's not going to be gory don't worry there. I would say shoen manga action comics violence levels.

 

Also thanks for the advice

Edited September 18, 2013 by Phoenix237