How did you go about drafting your webtoon?

Simplegray_OWO 2021-08-04 19:17:05 UTC #1

Hi Tapas,

I’m currently working on my first webtoon with the temp name Grim lord. I’ve been working on the story since 2017 and currently finishing up drafting the story. In my process of drafting I have organized all my ideas through an outline. It’s kind of like a timeline for my story so I can see how all my plot point tie together before going on to the script. I also have a separate docs for world building. For more seasoned authors of webtoons, I wonder how you guys went about drafting? Maybe you guys can give me some tips and inspiration.

Hexigate 2021-08-04 21:29:11 UTC #2

I usually start with a general arc in my head that I want the overall story to follow, with a beginning, a middle trend, and an ending. It would be enough for me to write down a synopsis or pitch to someone. From there, I spend a lot of time brainstorming the details: Who the characters are, what events they go through, what kind of world they inhabit. This is also paired with developing the characters in particular: what kinds of people they are, what emotional journey they will go through, things like that.

After all that, I start writing something down: Chapter by chapter. I'm someone who likes to edit as they write, so I'm scrutinizing every action a character takes, every line of dialogue, every scenario that plays out, etc. Sometimes I think the plot in that chapter should go a different way, so I change it. And there may be things that happen in that chapter that will affect things down the line, so I gotta play those scenarios out and judge whether its the direction I want to go with:

When I read novels, they play out like movies in my head. The same happens when I'm writing. So since I'm writing a script to eventually turn into a webcomic, I'm also thinking about what the setting will look like, how I want the camera shots to look, where characters will be on "stage," and lots of other things. This eventually translates into the actual drawing of a webcomic page.

I start with sketching out very basic figures, along with the dialogue lines already pasted into the canvas:

Then I draw out the lines. I also allow myself to take some liberties with the lines, they don't have to adhere to my red-line sketch layer exactly:

Then color:

Then background, shading, and finishing touches. I also rearrange where the dialogue lines are placed to complement each frame better:

I also want to add that throughout this entire process I'm still revising and editing and thinking of new ways I want to take this story. It never stops for me, even during drawing out the panels. There have been a couple times I've thought of some last-minute changes while making the comic pages, and I'm always happier with the story or the art afterwards.

I personally think that my drafting methodology is very messy compared to other writers and creators. But it's how I'm comfortable working, so yeah.

angie_draws_things 2021-08-04 22:20:36 UTC #3

My method is probably more sloppy that others, but I have the advantage of drawing a comic that is a weekly one-shot strip about canine silliness, so I don't have much by way of long-term planning to fret over.

I am usually standing around at work, being bored, when I get ideas. I have a small notepad in my pocket, so I usually scribble down the idea itself, and if I have the time, I will sketch out a rough storyboard with stick figures, lines, and scribbled text. It would make no sense to anyone else, but it is enough for me to remember what I want to do and the general layout.

This storyboard is usually sufficient for me to approach my sketchbook at home and draw the panels, ink them, then scan them and clean up/CG them. Once in awhile, I may have to do more work on planning a panel/strip.

I suppose if I were to offer any real advice, it is to always have scrap paper and a pen on you, because you never know when a good idea will hit you.
...the downside being that I get some good ideas in the shower, but fail to retain them long enough to get to some paper. X-D

Simplegray_OWO 2021-08-05 02:54:33 UTC #4

Your process is very interesting. I can tell you put a lot of time and effort into writing/drawing your webcomic. I think your process is very organized actually compared to mine. I still haven’t scripted my story because I’m always editing the outline. Speaking of editing, what do you look out for when editing plot points in the story? I’m curious. A Lot of times I find a lot of plot holes and must revise some parts of my story because of those plot holes. It’s tedious. Also thank you for putting the time and effort into thoroughly explaining your process. It helps alot and is a good reference source.

Simplegray_OWO 2021-08-05 02:57:06 UTC #5

I think your process is fine. Do what works for you. If it’s for one-shot comics strips I think your process is pretty efficient. You got the idea, you planned it through the rough storyboard and while doing that you figured out the layout and then you did the drawing later on. That’s pretty organized and very helpful especially for smaller strips. Also those shower thoughts do help though. Sometimes I'm in the shower for a long time and a random plot point hits me. Perfect place to think lol ^ V ^.

Hexigate 2021-08-05 04:35:42 UTC #6

I think when I wrote that up, I made it sound a lot more organized that it really is. It honestly feels like I'm just flailing around until something works.
And don't worry, I came up with my webcomic's general outline back in like 2015 and didn't actually start writing it down until 2020. And I'm still working on the outline every day.

Finding and getting rid of plot holes is a big part, and it is really tedious. Sometimes it's a small thing, and I can add in some lines or paragraphs that will clean it up. Other times it's a massive thing, and that's when headaches ensue. There was a massive plot hole in my current chapter, and I had to essentially rewrite the entire chapter to solve it, as well as plan out future chapters that have also been affected. But plot holes are just one part of the editing process.

I think the big thing I look out for when editing is the relationship between the actions of the characters, the consequences, and their reactions. The way I see it, "plot points" are the details of a back-and-forth relationship between the characters and the world they participate in. The characters try to enact change upon the world, and the world tries to enact change upon them.

I usually keep two factors about my characters in mind:

On the surface level, the "traits" of the characters.
On the deeper level, the backstories of these characters and how that reflects on their behavior today. But also where they're going to be headed farther down the story.

When I'm scrutinizing the plot points, I try to keep in mind how my characters will act and react, based on the two factors above. Even when I want this thing to happen, if my character(s) have to act like someone else, I'm not going to go down that direction.

I have the hardest time with this in dialogue. A lot of times I come up with a line that sounds great, but it doesn't work for various reasons:

The line doesn't really reflect the internal thought process or mentality of the character
It's just not their vocabulary
It leads to unnecessary complications in the plot

So I gotta either change up the words and alter the meaning, or get rid of it altogether.

Speaking of unnecessary complications, that's also something I look out for. If I can help it, I'm getting rid of drama that can otherwise be remedied easily. I don't like conflict that depends on trivial things like miscommunication unless it's to develop the characters. And even then I'm gonna keep it as minimal as possible. Otherwise the drama becomes melodrama.

If you have questions, let me know!