Overcomplication: THE SEQUEL

So, now that the basic synopsis stuff is out of the way, let's take a moment and talk about story construction...and why it's failing.

1. You don't actually understand the story you are writing.
2. You are creating "extra" characters before you have a "main" character/ story focus.
3. SPACE OPERA
4. 1000+ pages required for story


Number One there is the most common problem. You don't understand what sort of story you're writing. You don't have a clear picture of the beginning and the end which is mucking up the middle and turning everything into this vague murky mess. As the writer, YOU MUST KNOW WHAT YOUR STORY IS ABOUT! Concepts are fine. We all have concepts. At some point, those ideas must be solidified into a solid mass. Don't be wishy-washy! Make concrete decisions about your story telling.

Number Two I will expand upon in another post. This is a dangerous addiction for many novice writers and something we must discuss at length.

Number Three is the taboo we've been discussing all quarter and something that many of you jumped on like rabid animals once all restrictions were taken away. Space Opera's are not Star Wars: A New Hope. That is a singular (READ: SINGULAR) complete movie. If we never saw ANY other Star Wars films, we would still be able to understand Star Wars: A New Hope. For this assignment, you should strive to write Star Wars: A New Hope.

A SPACE OPERA can be likened to the ENTIRE Star Wars Universe. (Including the prequels, sequels, animated films, comics and novels.) There are a MILLION characters and plots and scenarios and powers and planets and aliens and...it's all a big headache. A Space Opera is a franchise. Epics get old very fast. Pick a plot that doesn't require a complete history of the universe to understand before we can begin reading it. Remember, you WILL NOT BE THERE TO EXPLAIN TO YOUR EDITOR/READER WHAT IS GOING ON. All you have is the story.

Number Four is something easily remedied, especially if you're the one drawing the comic. Submitting a story right now that's 1000 pages+ in length seems awesome...but let us play the devil's advocate for a moment. Have you ever written 1000 pages of script before? 500? 200? Have you ever drawn that many?

Most artists average 22 pages a month which equals out to 264 pages a year. To get 1000 pages out, you're looking at roughly 4-5 years of work. Long works are fine, but why not start with something smaller? Many people find it difficult to stick with a project that long, especially in the beginning of their careers.


Overall, I know some of you feel like I'm trying to squash you down or hold you back. I'm doing neither. There's a time and a place for all things in this world, however, as artists and writers starting out, it is important to learn to walk before you leap into a full run. If you aren't walking steady yet, don't force yourself into a run. Practice really does make perfect. It's all right to start with something smaller than EPIC.