I developed as a writer while working on animated TV shows. You pre-edited in the storyboard phase before making the first drawing. I approach novel writing the same way, hitting my story-beats at a certain point in the script and make sure to pace it so the reader doesn’t get restless.
Submitting your query to an agent is like applying to a University.
Based on what’s happening in the publishing industry with AI creating distrust of debut authors’ novels, I’m going old school. I thought of using my typer, but then I thought, I have hundreds of animation pencils. So…I can handwrite my first drafts faster than I can type. Analog proof it ain’t AI.
26 years ago many years before ebooks, my wife Cathie and I wrote noir historical crime fiction novels publishing them (under the name Cathie John) in hardcover and trade paperback editions. 13 years ago, I uploaded them on Amazon Kindle editions. I think they still hold up.
a.co/d/00DZRfMY
I finally completed completed my beat sheet/outline for my Fantasy-Horror novel. @patrickcotnoir.bsky.social @theduckwebcomics.bsky.social @bobafettfanclub.com
Mychal keeps running into delays! @darickr.bsky.social @theduckwebcomics.bsky.social @indiecomicszone.bsky.social @imaginarystories.bsky.social
www.theduckwebcomics.com/Bloodwing_Fi...
I’m also scribbling/handwriting my first drafts in sections and finding I connect more strongly with what I’m writing. Then when I type it into my computer, I find I’ll see it with a fresh pair of eyes.
What’s your working method?
@annetibbets.bsky.social @comicbookyeti.com @darickr.bsky.social
Newport, Kentucky of the 1940s and 1950s (aka Little Mexico), is the illegal gambling capital of the United States, years before Las Vegas is a twinkle in Bugsy Siegel’s eye.
@darickr.bsky.social @theduckwebcomics.bsky.social
Mychal can feel slightly overwhelmed by the intensity of the Combs Family!
@darickr.bsky.social @theduckwebcomics.bsky.social @indiecomicszone.bsky.social
www.theduckwebcomics.com/Bloodwing_Fi...
I’ve been noodling around my agent query letter. I found it’s best to cut out a couple of lines that can create potential stumbling blocks for agents to trip over. So, I cut out my logline that I wanted to start with but is basically unnecessary.
(The pic is my collection of pencil stubs 😄)