Writing a book vs. Making a comic?

[thoughtfulboxful]

I've been an avid webcomic reader for about a year now and I have a couple of ideas I'd like to bring to life as comics. The drawing part isn't much of an issue for me, and I'm a good storyteller (according to others), but lately I've been wondering about format.

How do know when a story should be told visually or verbally?

Lately, my story ideas have been coming up really visual in my head like "this totally should be a webcomic" though I've never actually MADE a comic before. But I don't see these stories of mine working as written books. So I guess I'd like to know from anyone really how you determined the format of your stories. Did you originally plan to write it as a book? Are you mainly a comic writer? Thank you!!

(Oh yes, I'm new to Tapas, so "Hello!")

[anitacomics]

Hello and welcome!

I actually never had to think about it, because I'm a visual storyteller and rarely consider writing prose. I do write some short stories, sometimes, to practice.

Do you have visual images coming to mind when shaping the story? If so, a comic would be best. If, instead, you mostly have a mood, but not a clear idea of how to portray it, I'd go with prose. You can definately write every genre in every form.

Uuuh, this migth be the most generic reply I've ever written. Gonna think about it.

[saerel]

Hello!
I know that hesitation.
I think a big part of the question here is , what do you enjoy doing the most? Because it'll be a strain no matter what, so you should pick what you enjoy.
If that doesn't help, maybe try to draw/write one chapter in both formats? Then ask your friends what work best, and what they'd read.
Do you draw, yourself? Or do you think about hiring someone to draw for you? 'Cause then of course a question of costs will arise..

Good luck, no matter what you do!!

[punkarsenic]

this is smth i think abt a lot, as a prose writer and comic creator.

i largely make something a comic rather than prose because i love comics, theyre easier to get out there, the serialised nature helps motivate me, and there... a bit more fun? a little less serious. as part of my scripting/writing process, though, i write TWAW out as a novel that should go alongside it so i didnt actually choose on or the other.

i think who's narrating your story is important on the verbal / visual element. comics can have 1st person elements, but theyll always be largely third person; youre always going to be drawing things the MC isnt registering. if you have a narrator who's very internal, with lots of internal monologue, and also quite oblivious, and thats important to how the story is told, a comic would probably prove a challenge.
on the other hand, if you have a story that is set in places that are visually beautiful and exciting, and/or it's full of action, and/or a funner, less serious story, the comic route sounds nicer. books can be light hearted and full of action and all that, but i think the comic medium provides a lot of freedom to be a bit weird, while also having fun.

i think prose also has more ability to be slower, whereas in comics theres a bit more of a requirement for drama or action or something. everythings a bit bigger in comics - usually. theres always space to subvert the genre.

i dunno, really. i cant think of a book (a good book) that wouldnt be enjoyable as a comic, but i can think of a multitude of comics that wouldnt do well as books. mainly because youd lose out on the brilliant visuals.

id say its best to try it out - write your first chapter, and draw your first episode, and see which you prefer?

(also, welcome!!)

[ratique]

It depends on many things, the ultimate choice is up to you.

If you are good with words and want your readers to fill in the blanks with their own imagination, writing a book is the way to go. You can tell a lot of story much more quickly than a comic often can do (Since drawing the artwork takes a lot of time for most of us).

But if you are an artist and your fingers are twitching when you are thinking about turning your writing into a comic, then go ahead!

You are targeting a different market with a comic vs a book as well, so be aware of who you want to reach with your work, where you want to publish it, how you want to post it and so on. The internet is great and options are virtually limitless.

[thoughtfulboxful]

Thanks for all your advice guys! I do my own art, which can be frustrating when I have more ideas than i can bring to life at a time. I can safely say I have two web comic ideas I want to create, but like I said, I'm always working on something 🙃 I might experiment with both formats and see how they measure anyway though

(I honestly love this community and I just got here XD)