From the Book - First edition.
Story basics: ideas, development, and visualization : Generating story ideas: getting started ; What comics stories need: developing your story ; Being about something in a world of static visuals ; Lights, action ... comics!: Making your story visual ; Important tips, warnings and considerations ; Have fun creating your story
Formatting a comics script in "full script" : Comics script methodology ; Durability ; Story structure and script formatting ; Formatting and editing ; Avoiding bad habits ; Know your destination
The almighty page : Page dimensions ; Page outlines can help ; Act structure and page breakdowns ; Page outline to script pages ; When telling is best ; Take it in stages
Talking to the artist and writing the script : Script as blueprint ; Words to describe art ; Shot calls: yes or no? ; Generality vs. specificity: making objects and actions clear ; Presentation order
Script energy: dialogue, text, and visuals : Using text ; Text or visual action? ; Seeing and hearing the story
Character dynamics : Building characters ; Developing the main character ; Naming characters ; Controlling idea and character ; Art and character development
World building: props, structures, and attitudes : Setting shapes narrative ; The physical world ; The historical setting ; The social and cultural atmosphere ; Reality, cartoons, and art style ; The backstory blues ; Setting as symbol
Pacing the story, part 1: Room to breathe : Streamlining the complications ; The joy of discovery ; Why pacing does not occur naturally ; Compression vs. expansion ; Art distension ; Talk while doing ; Time equals understanding, right? ; Story time is rarely real time
Pacing the story, part 2: Breaking the rules : Tempo and rhythm in comics ; Don't waste story time! ; Storytelling cruise control ; Formulaic comics narratives ; Inner vs. outer conflict (and pacing) ; What to do about bad pacing
Putting together a synopsis for submission : What is a story synopsis? ; Logline as plot armature ; Technicalities of the synopsis ; Putting everything together
Appendix : Mark Schultz talks about writing comics.
