Making a Book Rec.

[cursedbyartemis.livejournal.com]

I just finished reading through a book I picked up today.

Its called "Writing for Comics with Peter David."

For those who don't know, he's a pretty big name in the Marvel universe and outside. He wrote for 12 years for the Incredible Hulk and is currently writing for the latest run of X-Factor, which in my opinion is absolutely amazing, and reads like Film Noir more than a comic. He's also an accomplished novelist. In his book, he discussed so much about world-building, character development, plot keys and themes. It really isn't just for comics, though it does use key elements and examples from them to help explain. It really helps with dialogue, scripts, and scene setting.

Plus, he makes up exercises that I found really useful.

I wanted to share this one with everyone:

Fictionalizing Your Friends

1. Write a 100-word first-person narrative in which you have a character based upon a friend of yours describing him- or herself.

2. Write another 100-word first-person narrative in which that same character is describing you.

3. Write a third 100-wod first-person narrative in which that same character is describing a mutual aquaintance.

4. If you're feeling extraordinarily brave, show the three essays to the friend upon whom you've based it. More often than not, people won't recognize characters based on themselves. If you're friend does happen to recognize the portrayal and doesn't consider it flattering, go to step 5.

5. Find new friends.

(A follow-up exercise requests you to write a diary entry or two in your character's POV, or write letters to your real-life friends and family from that character.)



The mood in the book is humorous yet insightful. And I love it.

It also offers tips on character cliches and how to name characters or create sympathetic and 3-D villians. There's nearly one of these tips every page and one or two exercises per chapter. (I bought it for $20 at B&N, and even if you don't buy it, at least go check it out.)