6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (PDT) | Thursday 23 July 2020 

Panel Description: Austin Osueke (publisher of eigoMANGA) will moderate a series of Q&A sessions with comic book writers Jeff Loew (The Frog Princess), Brandon Chen (Somnia), Mohammad Umair Ali (Somnia), MinoMiyabi (5D), and Natashia McGough Clarke (Danity Kane). They will discuss the fundamentals of comic book outlines, scripting, writing, and overall storytelling. (Link: https://youtu.be/OmGVE_oJkXg)

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• Start writing your story like a screenplay, first. It helps to have feedback from collaborators so you don’t feel so alone on your project. 
• If everything feels too familiar or like other things, then it’s probably a story everyone has heard before.
• Put characters first and the story second. While focusing on the characters, they will help you create their own story and drive it.
• What draws people in at first is the art, but what will keep them there is the story.
• Draw out the panels yourself, regardless of your ability. It’s important to be able to have an input as to what you imagine for your story. The artist will be able to see your vision while giving more feedback on your ideas. 
• Remember to compromise! Especially in team settings or with publishers, compromising on print design and such can mean a lot. 
• If your story aligns with very common story arcs (the hero’s journey, etc.) then add to the story by giving your characters unique experiences at different beats, twist norms, and/or find ways to enter your experiences or culture to the story.