I absolutely write scripts first! Once a script is finished, or locked-in enough, it becomes the blueprint. I determine the amount of design work I need to do and after that I make a complete storyboard out of the entire script. I only start effectively making actual pages after I've gone through those steps.
I will admit, though, that my workflow is based on my experience with animated productions, where these steps are vital to have an entire team work consistantly on a single project.
Early scene of my script for Chapter 02
Int – Nan’s Orphanage – Daytime
Panel of ZACK putting down BLIP on the table, KYARA is standing by the side door. “Blip, I’d like you to meet Ky, Ky this is Blip.” Zack says.
“You named it Blip?” Kyara says with an eyebrow raised.
“Well yeah, it’s a lot more personal than BL-17.” Zack says.
From Blip’s POV (using the same HUD as in CH01) we see him scan Kyara. A warning goes off and an image of her rummaging through the Sanctum crates pops up. THREATH DETECTED Blip jumps off the table and charges at Kyara, intent on striking her with a powerful blow. But as he rams her he just bounces off. Kyara laughs at the little robot’s efforts. He straightens himself, shakes his little cannister head and looks up. He realizes his short stature, jumps back and skitters to safety behind Zack.
“I don’t think he likes you very much.” Zack says whilst picking up Blip.
“It’s a robot Zack, they don’t have feelings.” Kyara says while walking towards the computer.
“gasp you take that back!” Zack says while shielding Blip from Kyara’s words.
Kyara rolls her eyes. She looks at the dismantled Warmachine head on the table. “So did that thing have any cool secrets?” She asks.
“Surprisingly yes!” Zack says opening a bunch of folders.
Kyara looks at the computer screen. It’s filled with a lot of stuff she doesn’t understand. A bunch of green lettered gibberish in a black window, a lot of numbers and statistics. There’s also a window opened with a bunch of files. Next to these files there’s a list of dates. She notices one of the files is dated 25/06/6993. “Wait, this file is from 6000 years in the future?” she says.
“Huh, what are you talking about?” Zack says while leaning closer. “That’s not from the future, the Forebears just counted the years differently from us.”
“I guess that does make more sense.” Kyara says “So what is it?”
“I dunno, let’s find out.” Zack says opening the file. It shows an out of date map of an area that strongly resembles the scrapfields. On it a region to the north is marked along with text in an illegible foreign language. Kyara squints her eyes and looks a bit closer.
“Looks like the Forebears were interested in that area.” Zack says.
“I think I know where that is.” Kyara says.
“You do? How?” Zack asks.
“See that mountain ridge, that’s east of the scrapfields. And that marked spot, I’m pretty sure that’s the old mine.” Kyara says.
“Really? But then you should go and find out what’s there!” Zack exclaims.
He turns to face Kyara with a gigantic smile on his face, eyes wide open, sparkling with wonder.
Kyara looks down at him, arms crossed and one eyebrow raised.
Zack’s expression changes to a more worrying one.
“What?” He says.
“Just a few days ago you called me mad for going on these ‘crazy’ treasure hunts. But now you’re the one encouraging me!” Kyara says.
“That was one of the old guy’s crazy stories.” He waves his hand dismissively. “The fact that you actually found something is nothing but a fluke. This however, this is different!” He points to the computer screen. “This is an actual map, made by actual Forebears. No amount of gossip can match that.” Zack says.
“Well if you’re so excited about it, then maybe you should come with and see for yourself.” Kyara says throwing a hand in the air before dropping down on the table.
“Me…” Zack points to himself “out there…” he points outwards. “No no no, that’s far too dangerous.”
“Naaah, the old mine is perfectly safe, no one ever goes there anymore. It’s believed to have been picked clean decades ago.” She throws her hands dismissively. “But maybe you can find something everyone else missed.”
“I don’t know Ky.” Zack says turning in his chair away from Kyara. “I’m just not cut out for adventuring like you.”
“You wouldn’t be alone! I’d be there with you, every step of the way!” Kyara says.
Blip, still in Zack’s lap, sees the computer screen and the map on it. He tweets, jumps from Zack up on the desk and bleeps and bloops excitedly. Zack looks surprised.
“See, even the robot agrees.” Kyara says gesturing towards Blip.
Zack pets Blip‘s cannister head “You think I should go out there buddy?” He says. Blip cheerfully bleeps in response. “Fine then, I’ll do it.” Zack says “What’s the worst that could happen?”
