Author struggle rant thread

[Van]

AAAAAAH WHY IS SCRIPTING SO HARD EVERY SINGLE TIME THE STORY CHANGES COMPLETELY AAAAAAAAAH oh well at the very least it's been more than a week and I still like it so far, hopefully there will be no rewrites again again

*writers can join in too, I had to choose one of the genre topics

[DNoble]

I actually abandoned writing out scripts ahead of time a looooong time ago. It's a big advantage of being both writer and artist, I do much better designing the flow of my story visually, and I'm able to give myself a general jist of what the characters are going to say. I find it's a lot easier to write the specifics of dialogue in after I know A: the facial expressions and body language that are going to accompany said dialogue, and B: the amount of space I have to work with fitting the bubbles comfortably in with the artwork.
I have been told I'm crazy for doing this, and it definitely comes with some drawbacks of its own, just like any method, but it's WAY more comfortable for me to work with.

If you're just a writer working with an artist, then my best advice is to trust the hell out of your artist.
If you can't figure out how to represent something visually, do the best you can and ask the artist to do their best to fill in the gaps. If your artist decides 1 panel needs to be 2 panels or 2 panels need to be 1, trust them and let them make those changes.
Your job as the writer is to determine pacing, themes, narrative, characters, and dialogue. The artist's job is to handle composition and flow. Often those things will have some overlap, so drawing the line between them can be a little messy, but it's okay if the script isn't represented 100% perfectly once it translates over to comic pages; sometimes fixes need to be made on the fly based on specific unforeseen details, and that's totally okay.
Especially if you're both writer and artist, but even if you're just writer, the Script is, to some degree, a guide, not an excact 1:1 immutable law.

[ccpena616]

Scripting is the fun part for me. I don't have any problem with it. My biggest struggle would have to be finding a devoted artist for a project. The sad thing is one of my stories would've been drawn by now hadn't been for corona. Immediately RIGHT AFTER the pandemic started. I'm also in a situation where I can't get a job because of my autoimmune which means I'm more likely to DIE from the virus... so I can't PAY artists. I have to rely on rev-share which makes things even more frustrating.

I'm just locked in this situation until I find treatment which really really sucks.

[anon63020056]

I gave up on scripting so long ago, because sometimes the whole situation of my story changes and decides that it's going to be different. So instead I j just let it go with the flow, see what fits and if it's consistent with the story so far and does it actually fit the plot I am going for. Like I cant even draw but when writing plays or just story, I stopped trying to script, because my characters want things to happen their way and don't care about what I have.

[Van]

hmm, I can get what everyone is saying about the script process
but the thing is my mind can get messy quick and I want to include alot of things into my comic that may accidently contradict/ret-con another if I don't take my time to script everything carefully out and plan any potential fill time for the next big point

[Lirina]

I'm writing a novel so not sure how applicable my advice is but what I do is writing down the essential conversation points that need to happen or what cannot be said and then figure out the rest when I'm writing the chapter

[MrSpy]

I think making a rough flow chart and map of the story with only keywords of main plot points to showcase the main flow and structure of the story would be helpful. Then, you revise it couple of times before going into making a script. Also, try making a geographical map of your world. It might not seem much, but it really helps to provide ideas for your story.

[esmesn]

detailed scripting is so overrated for me tbh. i've definitely got a plan, I know all the events and the arcs, but i'm not afraid to add random major changes to the script halfway through if it works out, or do something crazy with the art/setting/panels when I get to that chapter. It's the only way i have motivation, keeps it all fresh

but ig my one tip is to always be writing down your thoughts. I've got three random pages in my notes app, one for episode summary notes, one for dialogue ideas, one for characters. if i get an idea relating to any of those things, applying to the immediate future of my comic or something many months away, I pull out my phone and write some indecipherable notes. it's great

[smokesalty]

JUST KEEP WRITING AND YOU CAN EDIT LATER. I used to be stuck in a constant cycle of editing, but going on with the script and plotting what comes naturally can help you get a decent portion of your story done.

If scripting isn't for you, maybe having key lot points written out and doing the art and dialogue based on what feels natural can help. Some people find scripting constricting, others find it helpful. For me scripting means I can see pacing, dialogue and plot points clearly because I cannot write on the go to save my life.

[AwesomeSoFar]

If you're just a writer working with an artist, then my best advice is to trust the hell out of your artist.

as a writer that worked with a bunch of artists before I 100% agree. every single change an artist has made to my script - and there have been a few - has been only for the better. it blew my mind how they could make my story flow better than I could. although once they join the project, it really becomes more like "our story".

the Script is, to some degree, a guide, not an excact 1:1 immutable law.

I start all of my scripts with pretty much exactly that. "view this as more of a guide than a script".

[Kuma]

Writing scripts is easy for me. I do have an issue with overworking myself because I love my job and I tend to keep working. My issue was way worse a couple of years back, to the point I had several medical issues just from overworking. Currently, I'm a bit better at balancing between my free time and work time.