I've already envisioned creating something as massive as Craig Thompson's "Blankets". First on the list of things to learn is to tone down my expectations and focus on my deliverables.
(Credit: graphic novelty:
this is a scene from blankets, a really lovely graphic novel!)
The trouble is I've never made a graphic novel from start to finish. I've never even opened Comic Life. I have a good deal of learning ahead of me in this final semester.
More than anything stylistic, I think, I need to learn how to effectively tell a story in the comic medium. I've written poetry, short fiction, even longer prose but I understand that every medium is different and the storytelling skills required are not the same for every type of fiction. In the same way that a play differs vastly from a a poem (though each may be produced using the same consonants and vowels) the graphic novel is an entirely different beast than any I have encountered. I look forward to learning to navigate the panels with my words - this is the area I most hope to gain understanding in. While I have interest in learning the technological tools that will assist me in making my own comic, it is the ability to make a compelling comic book story that most excites me.
Additionally, of course, I'll need to learn Comic Life. I may need to learn some basic sketching (if I can't find an artist to collaborate with). My writing can always be improved (and I hope to improve it through this Capstone process). I'll need to become better with time management (a phrase which makes my skin crawl but one I'll need to become comfortable with considering my full course load, part time job and extracurricular activities).
It'll be a big semester but I feel prepared. After learning about archetypes and the phenomena of language throughout my Shepherd career I look forward to sharing something really spectacular as my farewell to undergrad.
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