How to Write a Reality Comic
While it may seem like writing a reality-based or autobiographical comic is an oxymoron, to have a strip (online or in print) that makes sense and connects with readers requires some writing ability. With fiction you can bend your universe in whatever direction you want; your characters always say the right things and it's only funny when it's supposed to be. Reality, on the other hand, is sticky, stubborn and frequently inappropriate. That's where writing comes in: knowing what to pick out and what to leave behind without turning fact into fiction. Here are some ideas for penning a reality comic.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- A life to draw from
- Notebook that goes everywhere with you
- Digital voice recorder
Instructions
-
-
1
Look at life from a spectator's point of view. That's not to say that you should only be an observer--living your life is what will offer the best material. Being able to look at any seemingly ordinary situation from a different perspective will give you the best idea of what will impact a stranger who is reading your comic, maybe for the first time.
-
2
Carry a notebook everywhere you go. In your purse, backpack or briefcase keep something with you to jot down ideas, instances and conversations that are too good not to use. For the technologically inclined, a small DVR (digital voice recorder) can be used either for notes-to-self or for recording busy situations like parties where making physical notes would be impractical.
-
-
3
Decide how "real" you want to be. There is plenty of wiggle room between writing a strictly autobiographical comic and one that is merely reality-based. Some situations will translate easily to the page and others may need a bit of help in the form of narration or setup stories earlier on. This is where a knowledge of pacing and flow within that particular strip and the story as a whole are important.
-
4
Edit for the sake of clarity and comedy. Conversations that twist and turn for an hour may lead to a great punchline, but may turn off your readers before getting to the last panel. Try to pick out the parts that serve the story and use that for your comic strip. Alternately, look for mini-punchlines or natural breaks and decide if the conversation will hold a reader's interest for more than one installment or update.
-
5
Know your limits. Webcomics and self-publishers can usually get away with pushing the envelope further than those in more traditional markets, but you have to decide where that line is that you do not want to cross. For some it's strong language; for others ethnic jokes are out or making fun of disabilities and disease is territory they choose not to explore. But the option also exists to let it all hang out: the good, the bad and the ugly and that's OK too. These choices reflect not only on the comic work, but on the writer and artist involved.
-
6
Be willing to laugh at yourself just as much--if not more--than you laugh at others. A variation of the Golden Rule: treat others with respect. Spread the comedic quips, zingers, pratfalls and serious moments as evenly as possible to avoid alienating a friend, family member or coworker.
-
7
Understand that some people may not be thrilled to be in your comic. Reality strips frequently cover both the ups and downs of the writer's life and those you share it with. Not everyone is going to appreciate being immortalized in this medium, especially if the first joke is on them. Be aware of this and if you find that someone is really opposed to the idea, steer clear of using their likeness (no matter how vague it may be) or words in order to avoid potentially serious ramifications.
-
1
