Draw Out the Story: Ten Secrets to Creating Your Own Comics

by Brian McLachlan

From single-panel comics to full-blown graphic novels, there are dozens of ways to use comics to tell a story. And whether kids want to write or draw something funny or scary, long or short, made-up or true-to-life, cartoonist and author Brian McLachlan maintains there are just ten crucial things they need to know to get started. Using colloquial text, images, and examples, each chapter hones in on a different secret to creating great comics. Budding comic artists will learn how to make text and illustrations work together, how to give characters personality, how to choose the right tool for each project, and much more.

A worthy addition to the how-to comics canon, Draw Out the Story simplifies advanced concepts for younger readers, providing invaluable lessons and pointers for kids who want to learn to write and draw — and imagine — great stories.

Genres: Nonfiction, Graphic Novels, Writing, Art, Childrens, Middle Grade, How To

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 10, 2013

Reviews

[Tyler W2/3]

it okay I think it a little boring

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doodling is a prevalent art form in schools around the world. Most children will draw pictures or silly symbols on homework, binders, arms, or tables. Many of them may assign stories or names to a particular doodle, a dinosaur with a top hat and monocle may be known as Jeffery and he might have a whole story behind him. Jeffery’s creator may not realize it, but she has just started the process of making a comic. Brian McLachlan is a cartoonist with a dream; he wants to help young people on the way to make their own comics. His book, Draw out the Story: Ten Secrets to Creating Your Own Comics, is the perfect guide for budding artists and story tellers alike. He takes his audience through the book as though walking them through a personal lesson with himself personally. His language is easily accessible without so much of a hint of condescension, and his comics demonstrate perfectly whatever point he’s making with words. Draw out the Story offers ten secrets, or tips, to creating a comic. Rather than focusing on writing plots or on drawing pictures, he zeroes in on how to marry these two skills and use comic grammar to produce a high quality comic. McLachlan covers everything from storyboarding to timing to the value of simplified art to conveying metaphors or allusions to an audience. This book is a charming guide for how to draw out one’s own story, made all the better by its humor and helpfulness!
McLachlan offers the reader clear and helpful instruction accented by demonstrative comics and tidbits. McLachlan is sincere and straight forward with his readers, steering clear of belittling them while still giving thorough explanation to comic jargon or hard vocabulary. The book promotes simplicity both in sentence structure and in the art presented to enhance the text. McLachlan keeps things clean and organized, making it easy to follow through the explanations and the fun activities of all ten tips. The layout of this book keeps the reader’s eye and interest with the full pages of colored comics, the colorful titles and highlights to help break up the text, and plentiful mini comics. Every page is a new load of fun and information, which is perfect for keeping anyone’s attention. McLachlan is a cartoonist himself, and it shows clearly in his writing. He’s truly a master passing on some tricks of the trade. This is valuable book and learning tool for all children interested in art or stories. McLachlan fills his pages with depictions of characters from all walks in life. Draw out the Story: Ten Secrets to Creating Your Own Comics is truly a great resource.

[Eric Beaty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes an amazing approach to storytelling with tips I've never heard in any other writing book. It's a quick and entertaining read and definitely worth reading multiple times.

Though it's a book about drawing your own comics, it's more focused on storytelling than actual drawing. As such, this isn't the sort of book you need if you're looking for an instruction manual on drawing in general. But if you're looking to improve your storytelling craft--whether with art or in general--I definitely recommend giving this book a try.

Though it's mainly for young adults, as an adult myself I've gotten many valuable tips from its pages. The activities at the end if each chapter are particularly insightful.

Overall, this book has given me a slew of great ideas for my own writing, and now I'm considering doing storyboards for my own novels.

[Kathleen Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boils down the wordy to the succinct. A great little guide for all comic writing enthusiasts.

[Galion Public Library Teens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review by G.H. : "It taught me how to draw comics."

[Alexia]

Skews younger, obviously. Would be good for a kids’ class or workshop, especially the exercises. Since i’m older and have read scott mccloud i didn’t get that much new out of it.

[T.P. Jagger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific blend of tips, examples, and corresponding exercises to boost comic-drawing skills!

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Draw Out the Story: Ten Secrets to Creating Your Own Comics,” by Brian McLachlan

A fun book to learn from when making single-panel comics to full-blown graphic novels and ways to use comics to tell a story. Whether makers want to write or draw something funny, scary, made-up or true-to-life, cartoonist, author Brian McLachlan shows there are ten crucial things they need to know to get started.
This book is a keeper for those who wants to learn how to make any comics, and, or, graphic novels.

[Raina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Professional verbiage:
What is style? What is genre? How do you come up with good story ideas? These are the kinds of questions this short nonfictional book addresses. McLachlan covers comics conventions, the strengths and weaknesses of the sequential art medium, and gives the reader lots and lots of suggestions of ways to practice making comics themselves. Most of the narrative is presented in paragraphs with illustrations to demonstrate the techniques discussed. The illustrations are colorful, kid-friendly and clear. While the title is slightly misleading (these aren’t exactly “secrets” per se) this would be a fun text for a class or workshop on creating comics for any age, as well as an engaging choice for kids wanting to learn more about storytelling with pictures for themselves. There is one potentially problematic practical issue, however – the book is on the smaller side and bound in such a way that it does not stay open without assistance. Readers may desire to keep the book open while they practice the techniques, and the book design is not conducive to this kind of use. In virtually every other way, however, this is a great introduction to the art and science of comic book making for those looking to get into the world of graphic novel creation.

[Hayley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this book was just ok. It repeaded alot of information that the author just said into a little comic. Brian sometimes over explained the simplest things like a detaild or non detaild comic. I was happy to see that he put in a real comic about pirates. It was a better example for me so I know what a good comic looks like. This is a great book to learn from. I suggest that atleast you try an activity that he put in the book. A good one to try is the one on page 55. It shows you that you can make amazing looking characters by using a triangle, rectangle, oval, and circle. It really dosent matter how detaild your comic is, as long as you do a good one.

[Winnie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, and as an adult learned as much as any beginner at any age. Each chapter contains easy to understand text mixed with comics that help illustrate the points. At the end of each chapter are fun exercises that further help you comprehend the lessons. If you want to learn how to create comics, graphic novels or even illustrate a book, you'll learn a lot from this book. I suggest you try it out.

[Great Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Learn to create your own comics with expert tips and tricks for creating stories, making text and illustrations work together and using different styles and genres. The comic style format will spark the creativity of budding comic artists.
Reviewer 20

[Beth]

With ten sections filled with secrets readers will learn more about the art forms and have ideas to help create their own comic. The comics grammar lesson is helpful when introducing a class to the elements of a comic, too.

[Intisar Khanani · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever wanted to learn how to write and illustrate a comic, this is a great book to start with. McLachlan's writing is engaging and positive--he almost cheerleads you through the exercises at the end of (and sometimes in the middle of) each chapter. Definitely recommend.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very helpful book! I would give it to any budding comic artists. Very practical.

[Librariansteph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent how-to guide for aspiring comic/graphic novel writers. Filled with drawing and writing tips as well as tips specific to the form.

[Jenni Frencham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great graphic novel about drawing comics and graphic novels. There are lots of good tips and ideas for drawing your own comic.

[Laura Phelps · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great advice and tips for kids who are interested in delving into the graphic novel/comic format. For budding authors and illustrators, this is a gem!

[Hilary]

Very well done. Informative and inspiring!

[Marla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maine Student Book Award Nominee 2014-2015

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great nonfiction read. Clear steps and practice activities. Use this to help frame a new kind of writing activity. Use with MacBook Comic Life.