What resources do you use for creating your comic/novel?

[Fuzed]

Hi there everyone!

My name is Fuzed and I'm the author behind the novel Occidendum.

Occidendum | Tapas

I'm curious to know what my fellow authors (be it novel or comic) use to create their wonderful pieces.

I personally use a software called Scrivener to plot and organize my story and then write it all down into Google Docs. Are there any other pieces of software or even just some tricks that help you with creating your novel?

As for comic creators, what software do you use? Do you use any 3D models? How do you create your backgrounds? And what are your least favorite things?

Tell me all about it!

[pilot-obvious]

Hi! I use a lot of different resources for my webcomic! For drawing software, I use Clip Studio Paint and Adobe Photoshop. For writing my scripts, I use celtx (the free version)! They have a good script writing format and it also helps me keep all my stuff organized. Sometimes for documents that are added onto my episodes, I use Google Docs and then print them out/scan them in to get a more realistic effect.

I also use my photography for backgrounds! And sometimes I'll take pictures of myself to use as thumbnails if I'm lazy. haha

If I can't take a photo of a background, I'll mock it up in Sketchup! Or if I can't pose a certain way, I'll use a model from CSP to try and pose.

I didn't realize I used so many tools until I typed everything out LOL

[KizKat]

Hi there!

My comic is simple doodles, so it's just adobe PS for me.

Buuuut my illustrations I do are a little more in depth. I use a combo of PS, Illustrator and Cinema 4D for 3D models.

I broke down one of my last illustrations here:

3D helps me get angles that I find otherwise difficult. I appreshiate the clean vector lines that illustrator can make, but prefer shading and adding final touches in PS. One day I might just fully commit to vector images, but I'm not there yet.

In terms of resources, I also like to take a lot of inspiration from mythology. I have a few books that I use to help create characters around this, but my favourite one is The Mythology Bible by Sarah Bartlett. It has lore from all over the world, and is such a cool starting point for anyone who wants a introduction into a particular mythos they might not be familiar with.

[Leverance]

For editing I use Grammarly.

For writing, I read classics and other books to gain inspiration for my stories. I also watch YouTube videos for tips and such regarding writing. Writing names I tend to use different sites but Pinrest has a lot of good ones.

Generally brainstorming with other writers helps a lot too.

[LadyN]

When writing I use google docs as I find it easier and cheaper than other possible programs.

When doing comic page on the other hand, I use IbisPaint, without paying for the full thing. It doesn’t get in the way of illustrating. I know it’s not really considered “professional” but it’s easy for me to understand.

[foxnflames]

For outlines and concepts, I have manic scribbles in a notebook. Then I attempt* to write outlines in my iPad. Then I type in word then I slowly pour over every word when I edit. For references I have a bunch of tabs between my phone, iPad, and desktop

[Fuzed]

Hi there!

My drawing skills are limited to an uneven smiley-face so all of this is like a new universe to me.

That sounds like a lot of work. How long on average do you spend creating a single episode? Do you write all your scripts and everything on your own or do you work with different people?

That's a really cool idea to use your own photos as background. Do you make them look cartoon-ish or do you just go with the realistic photo? (This question might be explained when I look at your work but whatever, I'll ask anyway. )

I'm familiar with the CSP models because my friend and artist for the series uses them. But that's about as much as I know. Do you use them for all your characters or just for some important shots?

And yeah, a lot of the times you don't realize how much stuff you need until you write a list!

Well, good luck to you!

[azzy-m]

I mainly use Google Docs for making my outlines, though I might end up using Scrivener or a similar program because my outline is. a. mess. I really need something else if I want to decipher what's going on in my own story,

For drawing, I use CSP and, while I haven't used it yet, I plan to use this 3D modeling software called Tinkercad for backgrounds. Looks useful, haha.

[Fuzed]

Hey KizKat, how're you doing today?

From what I've seen, you don't employ this kind of illustrations in your comic. Where do you use those for? The final product looks stunning so I'm curious to know what project does it belong to? Or is it some freelance job? Please, let me know

The breakdown of your illustration is fascinating (watched it like 10 times before I wrote this reply, and even watching it as I'm writing it ). To someone that has literally no experience in drawing, illustrations, or any of that stuff, this is really fascinating. How much did it take you to finish that drawing and which part was the most straining? Is there some part you really enjoy and others that you would rather skip completely?

I've never heard of The Mythology Bible. There are actually some elements of mythology here and there in my novel, scattered all over the place so I might take a look at it. And my brother enjoys that stuff so I'll definitely take a look at it. I know it wasn't a recommendation but thank you nevertheless!

[Fuzed]

Hi there Leverance, how're you doing today?

I actually use Grammarly as well. I find it a lot better then the built-in spellcheck. Do you use the free version or the premium one? I've never used the premium one, so if you do use that one, would you say it's worth it? If you don't, just ignore I asked

I also love reading to gain inspiration, but I always fear I will end up copying someone's idea. I really need to be careful with that one... And don't even get me started on names. I hate coming up with names. It's such a hassle and whenever I do end up with a name, I never like it for more than a day. If only my characters could be assigned numbers, would make my life a lot simpler.

And yeah, I love brainstorming ideas with other people.

[Fuzed]

Hi there Harelow, how's it going?

I think that many people prefer Google Docs (myself included) because it's usable on many different devices and easy to share and collaborate on.

I've hear of IbisPaint somewhere but my memory is that of a goldfish so I've got no idea where. And don't worry about being "professional", we're here to have fun, after all.

[Leverance]

@Fuzed Just call me Lev ^.^

I do as well, I'm considering getting the premium checker in the future.

I take inspiration from various places so it doesn't feel I'm copying, to be honest. I usually save up a lot of names in my notes and I rarely change them.

Me too!

[Fuzed]

Hey there Foxnflames, how are you today?

Do you scribble into a real notebook or a digital one? If it's a physical one, do you then retrace it into your iPad/PC?

How do you find writing on an iPad? I personally can't write more than 100 words there. It's just so slow. I always lose the state of flow when I'm on my iPad. My thoughts work a lot faster than my fingers when I'm on my iPad so it's just really frustrating.

And you've got no idea how many tabs I've got opened. I'm surprised my RAM hasn't exploded by now.

[Fuzed]

Hi there Azzy, how're you today?

I also started with Google Docs at first but with my atrocious memory and poor planning skills I really needed something to help me. And Scrivener was my choice. Not regretting it at all.

If you would be buying it, search online for a discount code. You can find a 50% one on the internet if you search enough.

Tinkercad, huh? Never heard of that. Might want to ask my artist if he knows of it. I'm sure he uses CSP but not sure about Tinkercad. How does it work?

[Fuzed]

Sure thing Lev, nice to meet you!

I work with an editor that helps me with this stuff so I most likely won't be getting a premium checker any time soon. But I considered it earlier when I was still working on my own. I feel like it could really help one become a better writer. Even though I would need to be careful not to rely too heavily on it. I want to be a writer, not Grammarly.

Yeah, I try to read a lot of books and if I see something cool I write it down. And if I see a scene that could go a different way and would be even cooler or more captivating (for me personally) I write that down as well.

What projects are you working on? I will gladly take a look at whatever it is you're working on.

[foxnflames]

A physical. If I can actually read what I’m writing, I rewrite it in a manner than makes sense

I like it, I have the pro and an Apple Pencil so it’s pretty seamless. I’m getting used to how smooth it is, I miss the grit of pen on paper. I think faster than I write so I like that I can erase easily rather than cross out.

The last chapter I forgot to outline so I just started typing and now idk where to end it

And my endless tabs are probably why my computer is so slow sometimes lol

[Leverance]

Nice to met you too, Fuzed!

I feel it can help me a lot too but I need more money before I can use it. I do take the corrections with a grain of salt, though.

That works too! I generally have a summary what happens in my chapters before I write them down in my chapters.

Currently working on His Obsession.

His Obsession | Tapas

[VibrantFox]

My current comics are just slice of life and comedy so any writing is either in a random notebook, ms word or notepad. It seems disorganized but there's a method to the madness I promise.

As for art everything is done in Medibang Paint, from sketches to lines to colors as well as effects. Or FireAlpaca if I'm trying to animate something, which is rare. I own CSP but I've yet to put it to use. My goal is to use it for backgrounds in the future but I still find it kind of intimidating.

The only other resources I tend to put to use is Magic Poser if I'm having trouble figuring out character poses or poses where characters interact and online or photo references for environments/architecture (mostly for illustrations)

[Fuzed]

I can imagine it must feel pretty weird to not be able to feel the grit. I'm not sure how I would deal with that. But as I've said, I can barely draw a smiley face so it probably wouldn't matter to me.

I almost never outline my chapters in detail. I have a general idea of what I want the reader to get from this chapter, but never in detail. That's why some chapters are 1.2k words long while others are almost 3.2k long. It all depends.

And yeah, endless tabs are the real problem. But there just aren't tabs I don't need.

[Fuzed]

Oh, I've actually seen your series around. It's BL if I'm not mistaken? I'm personally not into that stuff so pardon me if I don't give it a read. But I'm sure there are a lot of people that would and will enjoy it, so keep up the great work!

The way me and my editor work is that she always suggests and comments what she would do differently and it's always my call to decide. A lot of the time there just isn't room for discussion and what she wrote is objectively better, but sometimes there are just things that I feel like I don't want to change.