Broken Frontier

First let me apologize for my long absence.  What I anticipated would be a single week away from this site actually turned into multiple missed columns, though given the subject of this particular piece, I’m happy to say that I can actually incorporate my excuse into the soon-to-be-read blabbering below.

Long story short, I’ve been missing in action from Broken Frontier because I’ve been too busy writing comics and graphic novels.  It’s been a hectic couple of months with new projects going into production, and unfortunately, I’m not a skilled enough juggler to keep each and every ball in the air.  Thankfully however I’ve hit a patch in the road that allows me a moment of clarity, so I’m attempting to put as many of these columns to bed in hopes of not missing the bus again.

With that in mind, I come to today’s talking point.

The most common question I’m asked by aspiring comic writers interested in breaking into the business is, “I have this great idea for a graphic novel that I think would be a huge, orgasmic success that would revolutionize the industry.  How do I get it published?”

Realistic expectations aside, the most troubling part of that question to me is not the ego-driven success portion, but a single word that often goes overlooked by the person asking it.  “Idea.”

Surprise!  Everyone has an idea. By throwing your hat into the ring with only a semblance of what the final product would look like, you’re not only hurting your chances of being published, but also be taken seriously at all.

Here’s the thing.  If you can’t take the time to write your OWN story, why would any publisher invest THEIR time (never mind money) in you?  Waiting to dive into your sprawling fantasy-based epic until you’re given the green light to publish is like applying for a job at NASA with a degree from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown College.  You just wouldn’t do it, so why try to convince a publisher that you’re a great writer instead of just proving it to them with a kickass script?

My biggest pet peeve in life is laziness, and I hate to say it, but I’ve never seen more of it than in the comic book industry.  I’ve met some great creative guys and girls that I keep inside the Burns Family Circle of Trust (yeah, I stole that), but a lot of times I feel like the people looking to break in want everything for nothing.  In what other job would you start out as CEO without building up an impressive history of experience?  None.  So why do people think that they can hopscotch their way to the front of the line writing comics for publishers without ever having proven themselves?

An idea is just that… An idea.  Without adding meat, muscle and skin to your skeleton, you’re basically saying, “I can’t commit to doing the work.”  Your script, whether it’s chosen to be published or not, becomes your calling card.  Nobody is going to remember you for writing a really great sentence, but if you can make an impression with the full on script, you’re one step closer to seeing your “idea” become an actual, hold it in your hand, book.

Instead of playing X-Box, watching a marathon of Battlestar Galactica, or reading the comics you think you could write better, get yourself a cup of coffee and prop yourself up in front of a computer and do what you NEED to do in order to make it in this business.  WRITE!

Don’t think about writing.  Don’t dream about writing.  Don’t talk about writing.  Just write.

Believe me, if you can do that, you’ll be leaps and bounds above the competition and one step closer to being published.   Mark my written words.