This is such good advice!!! And something you’ve always helped me with! It’s such a good reminder that even though Tom leaving and Daisy following can be adequately communicated in two panels, adding a few close ups really heightens the suspense and tension and elevates the mood. I always remind myself not to rush through those moments that matter.
Thanks, Anna! I still have to remind myself of this, especially when working on my middle grade book when I want things to keep moving quickly. But it's so important to give certain moments more beats or emphasis..
I love this post! One of the things I love about comics is the ability to show scenes from all sorts of angles, and this gets to the heart of that, but even deeper! I never really thought about how you can even show things that others might not see (clenched hands on the napkin), which totally adds a new dimension for the reader.
Good point, Mike! I hadn't thought about it in that way, but you're right that I'm showing things that aren't necessarily seen by the characters in the scene.
Such a great post, and just in time for a page I'm working on that's currently all talking heads. Thank you!! I also really appreciate you sharing your own before and after panels.
Thank you for sharing, and including the great reminder of Wally's info. I'm grateful for the support you share through your Substack / your creative experiences - so appreciated! I have enjoyed your work/play in comics since you spoke with SAW members a few years ago when sharing your graphic novel The Great Gadsby. Yesterday while searching for a particular artist's name who draws on sheet music, I happened to stumble upon this interpretation of Gadsby. I thought of your book, your work and how there are so many ways to 'show and tell' parts of a story. When scrolling to the end of this page, you'll see a Gadsby 'scene' by Lena Erlick https://people-too.tumblr.com
I'm so glad my newsletter has been a support to you, Earla! Thank you so much for sharing that! Also, wow, I LOVE that sheet music Gatsby version. So unique and special!
This is such good advice!!! And something you’ve always helped me with! It’s such a good reminder that even though Tom leaving and Daisy following can be adequately communicated in two panels, adding a few close ups really heightens the suspense and tension and elevates the mood. I always remind myself not to rush through those moments that matter.
Thanks, Anna! I still have to remind myself of this, especially when working on my middle grade book when I want things to keep moving quickly. But it's so important to give certain moments more beats or emphasis..
I love this post! One of the things I love about comics is the ability to show scenes from all sorts of angles, and this gets to the heart of that, but even deeper! I never really thought about how you can even show things that others might not see (clenched hands on the napkin), which totally adds a new dimension for the reader.
Good point, Mike! I hadn't thought about it in that way, but you're right that I'm showing things that aren't necessarily seen by the characters in the scene.
Such a great post, and just in time for a page I'm working on that's currently all talking heads. Thank you!! I also really appreciate you sharing your own before and after panels.
I’m so glad you find it useful, Alece! Sometimes talking heads can work, just not for every page.
Wally wood! I have that in my studio on the wall 💖
It’s on my studio wall too, Leda!
What an informative post! I love how you give examples, specifically how you show your own before and after spreads! So helpful!
Thanks so much, Kelcey! I keep having to remember that examples make everything so much clearer!
Thank you for sharing, and including the great reminder of Wally's info. I'm grateful for the support you share through your Substack / your creative experiences - so appreciated! I have enjoyed your work/play in comics since you spoke with SAW members a few years ago when sharing your graphic novel The Great Gadsby. Yesterday while searching for a particular artist's name who draws on sheet music, I happened to stumble upon this interpretation of Gadsby. I thought of your book, your work and how there are so many ways to 'show and tell' parts of a story. When scrolling to the end of this page, you'll see a Gadsby 'scene' by Lena Erlick https://people-too.tumblr.com
I'm so glad my newsletter has been a support to you, Earla! Thank you so much for sharing that! Also, wow, I LOVE that sheet music Gatsby version. So unique and special!
That Wally Wood panel examples sheet is amazing!!!! Totally saving this post to share with my own subscribers.
It really is genius! Wally Wood conveys so much on just one page--and so much easier to understand visually than describing it!
When I started I thought to myself “I wonder if she knows about Wally Wood” and there it was!
Yes, this Wally Wood sheet is so brilliant!
This is terrific! Thank you for this little-big lesson!
Thanks so much, Amy!
When you had to give context for what The West Wing is, I felt so old. But also knew exactly what you were taking about with the Walk and Talk!
I get it, Melissa! It gave me pause whether I needed to explain it or not, but I decided to err on the side of explanation!
Great reminder, thank you! I’m saving that Wally wood image for reference.
Thanks, William! Yeah, I have that Wally Wood image on the wall of my studio. So good.
Loved this! Saving for myself + students :)
Thanks, Susannah!