What is your storytelling approach?

When I illustrate and write my graphic novels/comics, I usually try the 'pantsing' method of writing and discover it as I go along. But I also do a bit of planning and write a guide so I'm not completely in the dark. So for the question, my approach kinda leans on screenplay a bit.

I write in a more screenplay style script where I mark if it is a left or right facing page, rough estimate of how many panels I might want and what will happen in those panels. This isn't a firm or strict script, but more like and estimated guess of what I think will happen. I change it up as I go if I get a better idea. Here's an example. This wasn't the final design of the page I went with, but was a first draft:

PG5 - Right
1. A blade is thrown, flying in the air,
Hunter: I’m tired of your excuses!
2. The blade sinks into a bamboo pole behind Aros, though we can’t see Aros’ face.
3. The hunter holds his hands up in frustration:
Hunter: You’re supposed to kill the miyape! I’m tired of hiding away!


PG6 - Left
1. Aros glares at the man,
Aros: It’s not that simple.
2. The man pulls another blade, holding it ready,
Hunter: Killing the miyape IS simple!
3. Multiple ghostly sparrows sit on bamboo branches, covered in flames,
Aros: Those sparrows are all over the forest, and they don’t belong to just any miyape…

Concept, sketch, write 1st draft, make art, write 2nd draft. Finish Art. Publish on line...find all of the errors after it is published.

Make a second, cleaner edit after about 5 comics are done.

Pretty much in that order.

I use the scripting method as I write as I go along. It serves me well so far.

a mix of Screenplay and prose. I tend to style my scripts after Alan Moore, Grant Morrison, and Neil Gaiman.

Wow! I'm surprised to see how all our methods are so different! Comics really are the best!

I usually write an arc synopsis in prose, then divide it into chapters, before writing a first draft of my script. Although the format of my scripts is closer to the screenplay format, I feel like the way I tell the story is closer to novels than screenplay.

My comic is adapted from a novel I wrote, so it poses a lot of challenges for me to say less words. I'm not super great at it, but I've really improved. I usually include in every chapter what I call my "signature panel." It's longer, more emotionally descriptive, and visually captivating.

In terms of plotting out the story I tend to work by epanding an idea through stages. By this I mean that I will write out a short paragraph of what is going to happen throughout an issue, I then expand and break it down beat by beat by writing a sentence out for each page. This is a basic overview of what will happen on the page.

I then write out the script in a screenplay like manner. This is where I will note how many panels will be on each page, a basic description of what the panel will look like and then what speechbubbles, captions or sound effects are in each panel.

I find that this helps me to be more efficient than I have been in the past when trying to make it up as I go along so to speak. It means that I can get into more of a flow with the art as I can do pages in bulk. Once all of the artwork and lettering is done I then make any neccesary tweaks to dialogue to try and ensure the best possible flow and make sure that the narrative is clear.

Before writing the script, I usually concentrate on the story's concept and outline. In this manner, I'll have time to review and make adjustments as the phrases develop.
You may view my work. https://globalcomix.com/c/code-tails-/chapters/en/2/1

I am a planner through and through. I need to know generally where my comic is going before I can start drawing.

For me, when coming up with a story, I just start when a list of possible chapters with quick descriptions for each one.

From there, for each chapter, I write out a good size paragraph of what is going to happen. After that, I can start planning out my script.

Seems like a lot but having all of this planned out helps keep me from letting my story go completely off the rails.