EXPERIENCE AND CREDIBILITY

LATEST

Between writing comics (MY JOY!) and helping run an upcoming animated show for LEGO, it has been a busy season.

First up, I’ve turned in my final issue for the Jay Garrick mini-series, and I can’t believe it’s almost over. I finally feel like I know these characters, and I hope that I can play with them some more further down the line.

Speaking of, here is a little special PREVIEW of a guest star in the next issue by the great Diego Olortegui with beautiful colors by Luis Guerrero.

If you’d like to order the next installment (issue 5)

FOC (FINAL ORDER CUT-OFF) for JAY GARRICK FLASH #5 is JANUARY 28TH… Call a local store, or get online, and buy that puppy!

Next we have all things Green Lantern.

I’ve been overwhelmed by the response to issue 7 - We’ve discovered the impetus for our earthbound Green Lantern, Hal Jordan, to return home, but the mysteries deepen as we explore WHAT is going on with the emotional spectrum.

I’ll tell you, huge reveals in issue 8 and 9 Then it’s a whole new ballgame for our ongoing Green Lantern story.

FOC for issue 9 is February 18th!

And look at this knock out cover of Jessica Cruz. Sam Humphries and Yasmin Flores Montañez have put together a very important back up for the Green Lantern books that you’ll NEED to read!

On the Flash Gordon front, I’m steadily plugging away. I’m really trying to embrace a kind of Edgar Rice Burroughs, unrestrained imagination vibe. Weird Sci-fi ideas mixed with action adventure staples. I think it’s going to turn out pretty wild and worth your time.

The first issue is going to be FREE on… wait for it…FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!

Sat, May 4, 2024- so make sure you find your nearest comic shop to pick one up!

TAKE THE POLL!

I’ve been running a poll on “X” about the state of the comic book industry and how we get more readers. There’s a couple hours left if you’d like to take part in it.

HERE

WHERE I’LL BE.

Last year I hit the convention circuit pretty hard, and I told myself I wouldn’t do that this year…I have a feeling I lied.

I’ve got two upcoming dates if you’d like to come say hi.

MARCH 15 - 17, 2024

METRO TORONTO CONVENTION CENTRE, NORTH BUILDING

Appearing: Fri, Sat, Sun

TICKETS HERE!

MARCH 29-31, 2024

ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER

Appearing Friday and Saturday…

TICKETS HERE!

FINALLY …

CRAFTING

Now, you’ll get a lot of varied advice on this, from a lot of different people.

I’ve heard, rightly, you shouldn’t work for free. I’ve also been told that “ghost writing” is unethical and terrible (it is-ish.) But, I’ve done both, MANY TIMES.

“You should just hold out for what you want to do!” they’d exclaim.

Oh to have the luxury…

When I first tried to “break in” I said yes to working on anything and everything within reach. A sketchy producer knows a guy who needs a thing? “I’ve got the thing!” I’d yell, and blast through a script for the off-chance he was legit FOR FREE. Almost 99 percent of the time he wasn’t legit, but I was hungry, so I took the chance.

Was this wrong?

Probably… but… FOR ME, there was a lot of good that came from each of those experiences.

Through ghost writing, I really learned to take notes, to write quickly, to harden that skin for what was to come (REJECTION! YAY!)

Working for free actually made me a better writer. Maybe it was the sheer AMOUNT and variety of things, or navigating crooks and charlatans that said they knew better, but I could tell, with each “ACT ONE” I was honing my skills.

NOT TO MENTION the scripts that I started amassing based on something like, “Producer X is looking for a story with vampires, but it can only be in one location, and set in New Mexico (tax credits) but they need it by Sunday!”

BOOM! Done.

Sure, that guy was full of it, but now I have a cool little monster flick in my back pocket (which I adore.)

When you are starting out, I don’t really believe you can be that discerning. You need to get experience, and you need credits.

Experience just comes from doing, and credits are the byproduct of having done them. But the reality is, most people are not going to spend money on someone that has no experience. It’s a terrible paradox.

So what do you do?

Again FOR ME, very job I got was predicated on the job I had done before.

I helped some friends develop (aka write them all) stories for their animated pitch. It went NO WHERE, but now I was able to say I helped develop some animated shows, and I could point to the bibles, the slide show, etc. That gave me a little bit of credibility. That credibility compounds, until someone who doesn’t know you did it all for free, just assumes you’re a professional writer. BECAUSE what kind of knucklehead would do all this work for free!?

Do I wish there were some projects I didn’t get involved in?

Honestly, no.

The worst of them gave me incredible stories, and a butt-load of experience to avoid the same scenario when the stakes were higher later on. I shudder to think what would happen if I stepped into true, professional, paying gigs without the knowledge I had accumulated when there was no real money involved.

All I’m saying is this.

There’s no RIGHT WAY.

But also, don’t stick your nose up at potential work. I’ve seen a lot of talented people wait for the “perfect” thing, and you know what,? They’re still waiting.

Now, don’t run out and find the nearest liar…I mean producer to help you sell your dream project, but do start creating that network. Do work on your own things. Do learn to take notes, and navigate the world of the unscrupulous.

You’ll be glad you did when you get your break. Which you will.

Just keep going… just keep writing.

J