Alright, this is step one when trying to write a comic book.

Well, actually, there is no “step one” unless you’re writing a licensed property. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves because that’s another animal, and I’m still trying to figure that one out. But here’s a place to start when you don’t know how to start writing—and I will talk about how to write licensed stuff in a later chapter.

Something stuck with me when I heard Greg Rucka on the Word Balloon podcast probably a decade ago. You should puke it all on the page. I’m paraphrasing, but I am confident Rucka used the word puke. Whatever idea you have, just open that (insert preferred word processor) and start typing the next great American GRAPHIC novel.

I have found that getting that raw idea out of your head and onto the empty page does several things. The first thing and most important: the page is no longer blank. My empty mind will ruminate on an idea for days, weeks, and months. The scenario will flow in my head nonstop. Then, I will ask many questions pertaining to the story, plot, and character. But none of those questions will be answered unless they stare right before me.