An Introduction to Writing Comics with Paul Carroll

Course Summary

This six-week course will serve as an introduction to the writing of comics, perfect for those new to writing but with an interest in comics, and those with some writing experience looking to get started in a new medium. This course includes: script writing, creating layouts and pitch documents, an exploration of the industry, a look at the current scope of comics in Ireland today, advice on getting started as a comic writer, navigating the world of events and conventions, and figuring out the finances behind making small press comics.

Course Outline

Week 1: Introduction and Scripts

The first class will focus on introductions, the basics of storytelling, and the basics of comics as a medium. Participants will also work towards reverse-engineering complete pages, as a tool to develop their understanding of the medium.

Week 2: Layouts

Participants will begin the practice of developing layouts for comic pages, as a tool to use while writing their own stories.

Week 3: Layouts (cont.), Events and Funding

The third class will continue the development of layouts as a tool for practice, as well as provide participants with an understanding of events in Ireland, current funding opportunities, and the costs involved in producing comics.

Homework assignment: Participants will be asked to generate three ideas for stories, one of which will form the foundation for work later in the course.

Week 4: Outlines and Pitches

Participants will examine pitch documents and outlines in practical sessions, to build up their knowledge and skillset. The primary focus of this week is to give participants the skills they need to communicate their ideas to collaborators and editors, while broadening their understanding of the medium.

Week 5: Pitch Documents and Collaboration

Participants will continue working with pitch documents, and will work together and individually on the development of scripts based on existing pitches.

Homework assignment: Participants will be asked to complete a four-page script for one of their story ideas, based on an outline developed in-class.

Week 6: Final Scripts and Final Notes

Participants will create layouts for the scripts, and present their final scripts to the class, as a means of practicing the art of public pitching in a safe space. The final session will include further notes on crowdfunding, anthologies and festivals.

In addition to in-person teaching, this course has ready-made resources to provide participants with additional learning materials. These include:

• A range of complete comics, scripts and pitch documents
• Additional slide decks on personal branding, building an online portfolio, building a website, using social media, and the business of comics
• A practical breakdown of how to develop complete comics without an artist and without AI

Course Outcomes

Upon the completion of the course, participants will have the tools needed to craft and pitch comics of their own, alongside a broad understanding of comics as a medium and an industry.

Paul Carroll is a writer and comic creator from Dublin. He is best known as the editor of Turning Roads, Down Below and Fractured Realms, and the creator of Dark House. He has been working in comics since 2015. He is a founding member of Limit Break Comics, Cupán Fae, and IrishComics.ie. In 2023, on the back of Paul’s work as an Editor, Limit Break Comics was nominated Best Publisher at the European Science Fiction Society Hall of Fame Awards.