To answer the initial question of the thread, I use both drawings and music to write out my comic scripts. Whenever I have a premise, the first thing I do is flesh out the potential characters behind it. Loose sketches of people, places, maybe even a few interactions.
When it comes time to music, I usually create a playlist first that's based on the premise and atmosphere of the story. Like, if I have a story that has like a hippie-vibe to it (and I do~), I take music from the 60s and 70s, maybe a few from the 80s cuz I love the 80s. And then I listen to each song with the premise in mind. Using the initial sketches, I write out different scenarios each song visualizes for me. Afterwards, I do rough editing, piecing the scenarios together and adding in-between writing to get from point C to point J.
Now, as for the new questions!
What stories do you like to write?
I love writing horror/thriller/Noir. There is just something very magical about exploring the unknown, solving mysteries, and trying to find out what's happening (only to be thoroughly surprised). It's also noted that I like psychological horror more than straight gore. It allows you to actually think about what's scary and can be a good challenge when you're not relying on blood and guts.
For me, that's why so many horror movies that use gore are not remembered. And why people still remember "Courage the Cowardly Dog" is scary.
What got you interested in writing in the first place?
It was actually my father and my aunt. They were good story-tellers, lemme tell you. And with my request, they'd tell the best horror stories. Never any gore in them either. As a kid, my aunt told me this story about a witch that plagued a small town, and that gave me nightmares for a few good nights (in a good way, tho XD).
That's kinda why I took up reading horror anyhow. I started out with Goosebumps and I gradually went to works by Stephen King and H.P.Lovecraft. Slowly, I asked myself, "I wonder if I can do the same!"
What have you written so far and what inspired you to do it?
Well, I've recently finished a script called "An Eye for An Eye". It's about a young woman who took a deal to get dark magic and plot out an 8-year long revenge against the people who ruined her family. It's very crime-based, and kinda deals with topics that can be hard to discuss in an open conversation sometimes (gangs, public housing, etc.). I didn't write it with the purpose of providing a message to give to readers or giving my stance on those topics, per se.
Rather, I was inspired to do the story because I have a place in my heart for "family stories". Stories that depict families protecting each other and supporting each other. Ever see those movies where the parent has to fight bad guys to save their kid? I'm a fan of those.
And I also wanted to give my hands at writing a story that could make someone tear up, if not cry. I know I shed some tears writing the script, and I can only wait to start working on the comic.
Do you have any upcoming projects or sidelined projects that you're really invested in?
Yep! I've got a 9-comic series that I've been working on for a while. I don't really have a name for it (I keep calling it Parapsychology, but it's unofficial), but it's a cosmic-horror type series that has connected storylines and characters. It's the biggest project I've made so far, and I'm looking forward to finishing it so I can read it!
I've been a bit busy with scholarship events and internships, so I haven't been able to make pages. But my goal is to have at least a chapter done for each one so that I can get a role on the story itself.
What do you want the most out of your writing? Fame? Fortune? Experience?
Fun.
I want fun from my writing. I never really went into comic making for the fame or money. I've been doing them as a hobby for as long as I can remember, but this is the first time that I wanna do a big project and have it posted where more people can read it. It's always going to be a passion for me, never really a source of income (though I guess some commissions or patrons on the side never hurts).
I'm just a story teller. I wanna finish something so that I can go back and read it. I want to relive that same child-like excitement I had (and still have) when I read stories.