I bet the butcher I could reach the meat on the top shelf. He said no, the steaks are too high.

If you haven’t been told this you are a really well spoken teacher of art and story. I really like the way you make cards printed with the information , these are very structured, easy to follow and understand. You give practical and useful information, you are another reason why I love KZfaq so much.

Advice from a soon to be published comic book artist ~ *Always have your Beginning and End planned and completed in your story, then fill out the middle last!* :-]

I used to try writing from beginning to the end...Key part being "used to". These days I usually begin with the beginning and the end, then brainstorm all the possible obstacles the protagonist could 'realistically' face to get from A to B. Could end up being a linear journey with a clear goal in sight, could end up being a big twist due to how drastically the end differs from the start. The journey is a lot easier once I know where I came from and where I have to be.

Ratatouille was so underrated. It's so good!!!

A great video. In relation to the Vader/Luke thing I always saw it that Obiwan told Luke that Vader killed his father as a metaphor. That Vader was the darkside which killed the good side of Anakin, killing the man he used to be.

Also, coming at the story from s different angle can help. I was getting stuck on a comic book script and decided to try and make one and complete it in a day. Instead of going through each scene and each piece of dialogue, I wrote a summary with scene beats and a very basic storyboard. I take notes of lines I come up with as I go. Worrying about little details too early on will stop you from completing your work.

I'd like to expand on your note about pacing - like all writing, there is no written rules. Oh the irony. But there are some pretty basic guidelines in most aspects of writing, many of which you mention, that can be followed. Regarding pacing, there are two types of scenes - Action, and Reaction. Sometimes they are amalgamated into a single scene, but it essentially boils down to Action = stuff happens, Reaction = how the characters reflect on it. When plotting (or looking at your first draft if you "pants"ed it, look at the events - the things that happen, plot wise. Those scenes should all show to some degree a character reflection. The higher scale impact of an event, probably the longer it takes to process it. If your story is jumping from action to action too much, the pacing is off. Slow it down. If things are going to slow, skip a reaction scene. To simplify, Action = Plot Development. Reaction = Character development. I highly recommend K.M Weiland's blog at HelpingWritersBecomeAuthors.com for a lot of really good writing advice. She's a novelist, but almost everything she teaches can be applied to general storytelling. Mark, I love that you do these videos - not just how to draw, but how to tell stories, how to put it all out there. How to maintain a positive mindset about everything creative, really. For a guy like me, it's a real help.

I think my problem is that when my story doesn't feel like it's good enough, I try to change it and aim for "Pixar" standards (which hasn't helped at all and only made me feel incompetent ._.) But then, seeing the stories you and other KZfaqrs make, I realized that I don't have to create the next "big hit"- and that I'd rather write because of my love for stories.

I usually create the plot twists first XD In my story I made an huge plot twist near the end that crush all the beliefs of the protagonist and he has to find the will to fight. I also made him cry for the first time in the whole story because he fells lost. I think that deciving the protagonist is one of the best way to make a plot twist since you don't only get shocked by the reveal but also empathize with his emotions.

I read a really nice piece of advice at some point for people struggling to, so to speak, connect the dots of their beginning and ending. „Think about what you’re protagonist wants. And then think of ways to keep him from getting it.“ It kinda just gave me a better sense of what these „problems“ are that they need to encounter and just slightly rephrasing it like this helped me visualize it.

“...too many dialogue scenes in a row we start to definitely get bored.” Ugh! This instantly took me back years ago when I took Anne Rice’s “Memnoch The Devil” and threw it in a corner. Talking, talking, talking! I picked it up again months later and finished it and thought it was good, but obviously the frustration has stayed with me to this day. I’m bitter.

I was always naturally a good story writer and artist,( Which to me is the best combination) but, you have excelled my learning form 0 to 100, you sir are like the god of this.

The problem that i'm having with my story is that i have a large amount of set situations and events that together do make a story, but i dont know how to string them all together. Its not like theyre random situations that im trying to link. Ive thought it through and ive got 80 percent of it planned to the T, but im not sure what drawing and writing to use to bring together together the bits ive done

OMG Darth Vader is Luke's father! 😨 Hehe couldn't resist :) awesome video Mark, I will be coming back to this as a refresher over and over 👍

Out of all of your videos, these are my favorites, because I always learn so much! As always, thank you for sharing!

It worked! I hoped for a story-related video and here it is :D. Thank you! This was a very supportive and instructive video on the topic. Maybe you have the power to fulfill wishes... You know, I've always wished for world peace, right? No? Oh, come on. ;)

formula writing isn't bad at all. i pretty much love all of edgar rice burroughs books and they are all the exact same formula. simplified: -hero has main goal to pursuit. -every chapter the hero is faced with a new dilemma that frustrates the hero's goal and distracts from the main goal. -the hero can rest during a crises, but each new chapter should begin with a new problem/crisis to overcome.

Thank you Mark! I love these advice videos and they are so helpful!

This helps out so much. Thank you Crilley!

I always love and appreciate your advice and videos, thank you mark so much for being my inspiration!

I am grateful for your videos. I rediscovered arting this past summer and have learned so much from you and other youtubers. I had an idea for a graphic story and knew how I wanted it to end. I came up with a beginning and as I developed the middle, it didn’t work out with that beginning. So I created a new beginning working from some middle ideas back. Since then the beginning has changed. Now I am going to use the other beginning and middle with a different ending of a graphic short. Reduce, reuse, recycle.

Thx Mark, Ive been subcribed for a few years now and all your video, whether it your how to draw, or elements of writing a story. They really have inspired to make my own graphic novels some day, and become an even greater artist like you so thank you, and Happy Holidays to you and the family.

Thanks for the advice! Now I can continue my story! 😊 Keep up the good work!! 😃

Hey Mark! Thanks for being such a great help and inspiration to all of us aspiring artists! You're one of my biggest inspirations!

These tips are so helpful! It even gave me an idea for my book! Thank you so much, Mark!

This is the type of content that is pure wholesome KZfaq as it was always meant to be. Great work!

Thanks a lot for this video! I've been thinking about starting my own story and I've had trouble with thinking up things for the middle. So this really helps! ^^

Oh my word, thank you!!! I've been struggling with this for a week and this is just what I needed :D

Hi Mark

I always struggle for stroies for my animations and these help a lot :D

this really helped! Got my thoughts going on new problems and solutions to the middle of my story. Thank you

This is exactly what I needed!

Very informative video! Thank you for making these videos on the basics that many don't cover- it makes a big difference :D

This is super helpful and _really_ practical advice just thank you so much for this video deserves way more views

So nice tips mark Thank you

Thanks for the video. I've been working on my own manga for sometime. I really felt like my middle was a bit dry, maybe a bit slow and uninteresting, as I found it took time to introduce the world and characters properly. Your advice was quite inspiring and gave me a few tips and points to consider as I likely make some revisions. God has given you some amazing talents; keep up the good work! :)

This is a great video! THANK YOU!!!

Mate... you are amazing. I am writing my first book and you are such a great help ! Thank you for everything.

Great video! even though i havent seen it, its probably super helpful and great

I got the Mastering Mangot 2 a few days ago from my boyfriend for Christmas and I just discovered your channel through it! Your work is awesome!!

I got Manga Art! I've been loving it so far. Really different style sometimes than your usual manga books, and I appreciate that. Another book for my Crilley collection!

YES. FINALLY! Strangely enough, I have no problem with beginnings and endings, but somehow, interpolating the two seems to be where I end up falling flat! Glad to see this show up. ^^

ok the way you dealt with pages 86 to 88 in book 1 was super cool

Thanks Mr. Mark!

I really love your videos! You are always very helpful. I hope to write soon 🙄

great video ~ was super useful

I'm going to japan and publish my manga one day.. even though i don't know how to draw.. I'm getting in there.. -Everyone can draw.. Source: Internet.

You are really good... The explanation u do... The art you create is really great... Thank u very much.

Thank you!

A way I usually use to keep high stakes stories interesting is by not simply saying "the world is gonna end" but showing how smaller parts of the world are suffering. Maybe a small segment about a town thats struggeling to find food or a family coping with the loss of a loved one do to whatever the main big threat is. It helps people relate to the issue on a more conperhensable scale and gives an idea of why you should care about the world thats being threatened

Hi Mark, I've a question for you. Maybe for some upcoming q&a video in the future: Which particular manga or anime best showcases the points you mention in this video? Keep it up man!

You give such great advice, and your art is even greater. thanks! :D

I always have a tendency to restart my story over and over again never being satisfied how it is; I like the idea of using an existing genre as a reference if you can't think of anything.

Thanks alot

Thanks Mark Crilley

when mark mentions #10... *thinks to myself* "my beginning part of the story is bland" *cries bc its re-written 1000 times*

Thank you for this lesson. Very practical points. Have you considered a book on how to write the novel in the practical way you have here. Giving example

so, is a good example of a shocking twist when a villain is mistaken to be dead after a battle of some sort but comes back stronger later?

thank you for posting. your videos are always helpful. was wondering what markers you use for shading??? thank you in advance, an aspiring artist

hey mark...you are really a good drawer

This drawing is adorable

I haven’t watched the whole video yet only 1:58 of it. Mark mentioning LotR and the middle being the longest part, struck a thought at how one can tackle the middle of the story. The middle is the journey your characters take to get to the end. Sprinkled throughout are their trials and tribulations for the characters to reach the ending. There may be funny moments, sad, and happy ones and they help shape the characters or introduce lore and backstories for them. Its kinda of a way to say, let’s cram as much as we can do to document their life before the ending. We introduced these characters and maybe the plot, villain in the beginning. This how they lived for the middle. Now watch it come to a close in the ending.

I agree, Crilley-sensei. The lack of steaks is a big problem I've noticed in most stories.

I really love the cyberpunk genre and im happy that netflix is starting to promote it with altered carbon and mute later this month. I hit a wall with story im writing based in this world but yeesh is the middle hard . This video helped clear out a lot :) Hoprfully cyberpunk 2077 gives me more ideas lol

Nice Video😉

If you only know the beginning and the ending, you have a premiss - if you have the beginning, the ending and the middle you have an idea.

i dont exactly listen to what Mark Criley is saying when i am listenting, i just listen to him when i draw because he is soothing

I’m trying to convince my mom to make a comic class is our home school co-op, so I’m finding a bunch of videos (mostly yours)

BUT I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A STORY WHEN THIS WAS POSTED XDDD

I've watched a LOT of your videos and I LOVE everything you do! I know this is off topic - I was just wondering, do you find it hard to recreate a scenery (with just drawing) when adding a lot of detail to the surroundings? I know that some people will create a background from different angles, then add the characters on top of everything in Photoshop. And that should be pretty easy to do, but I don't have a scanner at home or anything like that... I know I could go to a store, I just don't want to show my art because I'm not ready for that yet. So I'm left to just drawing everything over and over again. Which is totally fine! It's just more time consuming. I don't have a lot of time at this moment, but I thought if you read this and knew what I was asking, or anyone with advice, I would REALLY appreciate it! Thank you!

Can u make a tutorial on to make a comic title cover? Pls and thank u

I think I'm the kind of person who'll get really emotionally invested in the characters, accidentally kill them while crying, question myself and slowly bullshit my way to the ending which I've already thought out. I would be such a disappointing writer, too bad, it's just a hobby to get crazy dreams out of my head

listen i probably wont get a reply but have you got any advice for a comic creator? btw i love your videos

Could you go over 4th wall breaking in writing stories? I’d like to know how I could use it for comedic effects but I don’t know how to start at it.

Hi from Brazil, nice job

Hey Mark, I been wondering the answer for this question I was wondering if you could answer it. When turning a reference on your phone into black and white, does it have to be in Mono or Tonal or Noir?

Watching you draw this scene, I couldn't help but think....I NEED a Brody's Ghost Live Action Film! Of course, if they botch it I'll have to hunt down the executives and burn them at the stake. It's too good a concept to ruin!!! ...actually, maybe a company just picks you up to turn it into an anime. That would friggin' rock! Talk about hard work, though. I myself am always more intimidated by the difficulty of animation work as opposed to the much simpler comic/manga work. I dunno if you feel the same.

HTTYD has great storytelling if you’re looking for an example

My manga is different because it’s like the Case Closed Mangas, There is one case at the start of the story and then there are two more cases that come after the first one so it wouldn’t really have a middle you can say it has a long middle but at the end of the manga the third case isn’t solved because that case is solved in the next book.Dose anyone have any tips on how to not make the plot too long and stretched out.Dose this make my manga strange or bad,because some people tell me that it doesn’t make sense or that it’s not normal for a manga to have a plot like my manga.

Can you please make a video that you explain how todraw anime faces a love drawing and want to draw from my imagination so thank you and please if you have time do that video

I've debated within myself but I'm going to say it... no story is truly original! It's just wording and characters. The hero has a thousand faces but is the same guy.

Only thing about adding characters: if you use that principle too many times, it won’t be interesting anymore and it’s going to be redundant. It’s as if to keep your story going, you just add characters. Not that I’m a pro at writing stories, but from what I read, I can say that adding too much characters can be bad.

Put the hat on! Put the damn hat back on the pen! On a more serious note, it'd be really interesting to hear your thoughts on experimental story telling.

I'm amazed at how well you draw trash & clutter 😏

Is Brody's Ghost finished and will you start a new series after it?

Hey Mark! Great video as always :) Im sorry this is kind of unrelated, but my channel is based on drawing too, and I think im producing quality content! It dosent seem that I am growing though :( any tips? Thanks!

How about t doing this Brody scene in color

Hey mark crilley i want ask you something i have heard something about i need learn much thing before draw manga and my question is ¿what should i learn if i want begin in the art world before make my man manga style?

What shadow marker is he using at 20:00 ?

sweet حلو

Very good good good good

Plz can u do a tutorial on a BIRD!!!

Can you draw and son

Please draw Mother and son

how to draw anime elder sister and younger brother.. please

I am currently working on a story about a anorexic girl....and having a very hard time. When I try to work on it, I feel doubtful and end up erasing most of what I write. I know how it ends and I like my beginning but the middle is really messing me up.

Heres a real pro tip from a guy who isnt published: If the middle isnt working out for you, then make a story thats just a beginning and and ending. Who needs a middle, right?

Speaking of Star Wars and writing as you go along: did George Lucas know he was going to make Luke and Leia siblings before they had them make out?

i wish broady's ghost was an anime like if wish broady's ghost was an anime