CE alum Paul Allor's "Strange Nation" to be published by Action Lab Entertainment!

Comics Experience alum and staff member Paul Allor recently announced his first creator-owned mini-series, with artist Juan Romera.

Strange Nation, a four-issue mini-series, will launch later this year through Action Lab Entertainment.

But before that, an advance copy of issue #1 will be available from Paul at Emerald City Comic Con and Fabletown and Beyond.

According to Action Lab, Strange Nation is a madcap tale of tabloid myths. The story stars Norma Park, a reporter who discovers a bizarre conspiracy, tying together aliens, Sasquatch and mad scientists.

The book is already receiving great advance reviews, including this one from Multiversity Comics! You can also read an interview with Paul and see more pages over on CBR's Robot 6.

Paul is a graduate of the Comics Experience writing, lettering and editing classes, and is a longtime member of the Creators Workshop.

His previous works include Clockwork, Vol. 1, a collection of five-page comics, many of them workshopped through Comics Experience; Orc Girl, a one-shot with artist Thomas Boatwright; and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Fugitoid, a one-shot for IDW Publishing.

Congrats to Paul and Juan on this upcoming mini-series!

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If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
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Star Wars Episode VII previewed by Comics Experience Alums!

Every month at the Comics Experience Creators Workshop, we post up a monthly challenge for our writer and artist members. And in November, that challenge -- just for fun -- involved envisioning the future of the Star Wars franchise, in the wake of the big Disney/Lucasfilm announcement.

And two Creators Workshop staffers -- Book Club Manager Paul Allor and Workshop Art Moderator Gannon Beck -- teamed up to take their one-page story, shown below, to completion.

The story was even featured on iFanboy right here.

If you're interested in learning more about the Creators Workshop, you can hear Paul discuss it, as well as all his comics projects, on the Image Addiction podcast feed -- The Process: Sensation Spectacular – Episode 17.

Below, enjoy your preview of Star Wars: Episode VII by Paul and Gannon!

Paul is the writer of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #8 featuring Fugitoid from IDW, and the recently released Orc Girl published by Challenger Comics, as well as the Clockwork anthology.

Gannon is also actively involved in making comics with his creator-owned title, Space Corps, launched at this year's Baltimore Comic-Con, and other projects in the works (including the awesome Shark Puncher, written by Paul!

We're excited to see more work coming from Paul and Gannon!

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If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
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CE alum Paul Allor's "Orc Girl" premieres this weekend!

Writer Paul Allor's Orc Girl premieres this weekend, October 20, 2012 at Kokomo Con in Kokomo, Indiana.

Paul is a Comics Experience alum, Creators Workshop member, and on staff at Comics Experience as the CE Book Club Manager.

Orc Girl is Paul's new one-shot with artist Thomas Boatwright, and it's already receiving praise.

Comics writer Gail Simone recently called Orc Girl "one of the best comics I’ve read in ages" and "Funny, charming, bittersweet and moving...Absolutely lovely in story and art."

Orc Girl is a 48-page book, with a 22-page main story and four backup stories (two of which also appeared in Paul's Clockwork, Volume One).

The comic book is being published by Challenger Comics, the imprint of writer, designer, and publisher Ryan Ferrier.

Paul was recently interviewed on iFanboy and talked all about the project.

Paul has partnered with Kokomo Con’s organizers to offer an exclusive Kokomo Con variant edition of Orc Girl, with a signed and numbered print-run limited to only 100 copies.

In addition, artist Thomas Boatwright has contributed a 9x12 watercolor of Orc Girl, to be auctioned off at the convention, with all proceeds of the auction going to the Kokomo Humane Society.

After the con, Orc Girl will be available to order online in both print and digital form.

Paul also recently wrote Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #8 featuring Fugitoid, which introduces the popular character into IDW's turtles continuity. He discussed that project on an iFanboy Don't Miss podcast recently.

He is also the author of the Clockwork anthology, which contained 12 original stories on cross-genre characters such as space-faring gorilla pirates, heart-broken robots, a beautiful gunfighter, and even a man on death row.

Clockwork contained artwork by Comics Experience art alums and workshop members Ken Frederick and Carl Peterson, alongside well-known artists including JM Ken Niimura (I Kill Giants), Brett Weldele (Surrogates) and Nikki Cook (Memoir).

Both Orc Girl and Clockwork were recently discussed at length on the Pop Culture Hound podcast, Episode #11 with Chris Thompson & Taylor Lily, featured on Bleeding Cool.

The Hound guys called Paul "a guy who's really inspirational in the way he approaches the craft."

And they praised Clockwork, specifically, saying "What [Paul] achieves in some of these five-page stories is an object lesson in how much you can do with such a small space."

Clockwork, Volume 1 is available online on Paul's Govt Comics website.

Paul also works as a comics editor on upcoming or released projects such as Girls' Night Out, Gutter Magic, Deluge, and Rex, Zombie Killer

Congratulations to Paul and Thomas on the release of Orc Girl!

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If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
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CE Alum Paul Allor's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series Hits Stores Today!

Writer Paul Allor's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #8 featuring Fugitoid hits comic shops across the country today!

Paul's story introduces the popular Fugitoid character into IDW's turtles continuity and features a cool mix of action-packed fun and compelling drama!

Paul is a Comics Experience alum, Creators Workshop member, and on staff at Comics Experience as the CE Book Club Manager. He recently wrote a Guest Blog on the book and Comics Experience which you can read right here.

There's already been a lot of coverage of Paul's IDW debut book -- check out the following sampling of the coverage for more!

Comic Book Resources (CBR) interviews Paul and shows preview pages from the book!
Read Interview

iFanboy's Don't Miss podcast features an interview with Paul!
Listen to the Podcast

Talking Comics interviews Paul!
Read Interview

The book features artwork by Paul McCaffrey, colors by John Paul Bove, and covers by McCaffrey and David Petersen (Mouse Guard).

Each issue of the Micro-Series spotlights another character in the TMNT universe. Other Micro-Series issues are written by Brian Lynch, Erik Burnham, Mike Costa and Barbara Kesel.

The series is edited by Bobby Curnow, a fellow CE alum and a professional member of the Creators Workshop.

Paul Allor is also the author of the Clockwork anthology, which contained 12 original stories on cross-genre characters such as space-faring gorilla pirates, heart-broken robots, a beautiful gunfighter, and even a man on death row.

Clockwork contained artwork by Comics Experience art alums and workshop members Ken Frederick and Carl Peterson, alongside well-known artists including JM Ken Niimura (I Kill Giants), Brett Weldele (Surrogates) and Nikki Cook (Memoir).

Paul has previous experience as a journalist, and one of his articles inspired the death row story in Clockwork entitled X-Row, illustrated by Aaron Houston.

Paul also works as a comics editor on upcoming or released projects such as Girls' Night Out, Gutter Magic, Deluge, and Rex, Zombie Killer

Congratulations to Paul on the release of his book!

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If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
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Comics Experience helps TMNT writer on his journey

Today we have a Guest Blog from Comics Experience staffer, alum, and Workshop member, Paul Allor.

Paul wrote a new comic book for IDW Publishing which hits comic shops across the country next week. Below he talks about how Comics Experience has helped him in his comics career.

You can also check out an interview Paul did on the book -- where he discussed Comics Experience as well -- over on Comic Book Bin right here.

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Guest Blog by Paul Allor
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Next Wednesday, comic shops across the nation will receive their copies of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #8, a comic book I wrote. This absolutely would not have happened without Comics Experience.

I've talked a lot in the past about the impact Andy Schmidt and Comics Experience has had on my career; about the industry insight Comics Experience has given me and the writing skills it has helped me develop. But it's given me more than that. It's given me a community.

Since this project was announced I've been talking to a lot of people -- readers, fellow creators, comics media -- and one question keeps coming up, in different forms: "How did you manage to break in?"

It's a question that kind of amuses me, because the answer seems pretty obvious: I didn't. The Turtles book is my first big work-for-hire gig, and an incredible opportunity. But at the same time, it's one of many, many steps along the way (albeit a very big step). These days, making comics isn't a binary proposition. You aren't in or out, a pro or an amateur.

Like most journeys, this isn't one you want to travel alone. And that's where Comics Experience comes in. The Comics Experience classes, and the Creator's Workshop, has given me a community of people -- writers, artist, colorists and letterers -- all on that same journey.

I can not even begin to tell you how much I've learned from the men and women I've met in Comics Experience. Together, we discuss and dissect the craft and art of comics creating. We trade tips on publishers and printers. We discuss legal issues and career developments. We're there for each other when we succeed, and when we fail.

When I was working on my first book, Clockwork, I workshopped several of the stories through Comics Experience, and asked approximately 12 billion questions about printers, paper stock, marketing and distribution.

Two of the artists in the book (Ken Frederick and Carl Peterson) are people I met in the workshop, another (ET Dollman) did my imprint logo, and yet another (Rich Douek) helped design the front cover.

The folks in Comics Experience are my friends, my coworkers and my collaborators. They played a direct role in giving me the skills, the experience and the confidence to pursue and write an issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for IDW Publishing. I absolutely couldn't have done it without them, and I hope they know it.

I look forward to the next step of our journey.

-- Paul Allor

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If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

CE Alum Paul Allor's "Warlord" Published in "Barsowia."

The Barsowia anthology recently featured a story written by CE alum and Book Club Manager Paul Allor with illustrations by JM Ken Niimura (I Kill Giants, Amazing Spider-Man).

Barsowia is a Galician-language anthology, published in Spain.

"Barsowia has published the work of some extraordinary comics creators over the years," Paul said. "We're quite honorored to be included among their ranks."

The story reprinted in Barsowia is "Warlord," a part of the Clockwork anthology. You can read the English-language version online at www.clockworkcomic.com.

The Clockwork anthology contained 12 original stories on cross-genre characters such as space-faring gorilla pirates, heart-broken robots, a beautiful gunfighter, and even a man on death row.

Clockwork contained artwork by Comics Experience art alums and workshop members Ken Frederick and Carl Peterson, alongside well-known artists including Brett Weldele (Surrogates) and Nikki Cook (Memoir), as well as JM Ken Niimura.

It was also recently announced that Paul will be writing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #8 featuring Fugitoid. Paul's story will introduce the popular Fugitoid character into IDW's turtles continuity.

In addition to writing, Paul works as a comics editor on upcoming or released projects such as Girls' Night Out, Gutter Magic, Deluge, and Rex, Zombie Killer

Congratulations to Paul and JM Ken Niimura on the release of their work in Barsowia!

CE Staffer Paul Allor Talks Comic Writing on "Vodka O'Clock" Podcast, Ep. 1210!

Episode 1210 of the Vodka O'Clock podcast, hosted by CE alum and Workshop member Elizabeth Amber-Love, recently featured CE Book Club Manger and alum Paul Allor discussing his projects, comic book writing, and Comics Experience!

It's a fascinating interview for anyone interested in making comics, and covers a wide range of topics.

For example, at one point, Paul discusses a death row inmate whose story he covered as a journalist and the incredible impact of that article on the people in that inmate’s life.

As Amber explained in the accompanying article on her website:

"This story later inspired one of Paul’s comics in 'Clockwork.' The story 'X-Row' was illustrated by Aaron Houston.

It’s one of the stories that shows how Paul tried to think outside the box and in comics that means outside the panel. He wrote panels that are not linear in a form typically structured around sequence."

Paul's artist-collaborators have included people such as JM Ken Niimura (I Kill Giants), Brett Weldele (The Surrogates), and Matthew Wilson (Wonder Woman), and he talks openly about his experience producing Clockwork and reaching out to industry editors.

In addition to his writing, and the release of his anthology, Clockwork, Paul also discusses his recent work as an Editor on upcoming or released projects such as Girls' Night Out, Gutter Magic, Deluge, and Rex, Zombie Killer.

Check out the full interview here!

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If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
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iFanboy's "Making Comics" with Andy Schmidt Podcast, Episode #12 posted!

The twelfth episode of iFanboy's Making Comics with Andy Schmidt podcast has been released!

In the twelfth episode, iFanboy host Josh Flanagan and former Marvel and IDW Editor (and Comics Experience founder) Andy Schmidt discuss "Marketing".

As explained over on iFanboy:

"Marketing comics...is about the hardest thing in the world...We’ll talk about some of the ideas and tools creators have at their disposal, and the importance of thinking about marketing when it comes to comics. It turns out there’s a lot to talk about."

In particular, Andy discussed the approach taken by Comics Experience Book Club Manager, Paul Allor, when he marketed his anthology Clockwork, Volume 1 to editors in the industry. In fact, you can read the full "convention panel" story Andy mentioned on the podcast in the CE Blog report on NYCC 2011 right here.

Listen in to hear a lot of great ideas on marketing!

Check out this new episode, plus all of the previous ones on iTunes, or listen to them right here:

Listen to Episode #12, "Marketing"

Listen to Episode #11, "Artist Portfolio"

Listen to Episode #10, "Inspiration"

Listen to Episode #9, "Online Networking"

Listen to Episode #8, "Building A Page"

Listen to Episode #7, "Professionialism"

Listen to Episode #6, "The Comic Book Script"

Listen to Episode #5, "Convention Networking"

Listen to Episode #4, "Good Feedback"

Listen to Episode #3, "Long Stories or Short Stories?"

Listen to Episode #2, "Finding Collaborators"

Listen to Episode #1, "Start Writing"

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If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
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Comics Experience Staff on Digital, Creativity, Courses, and Community

Comics Experience staffers have been out and about lately, discussing everything from digital comics to how to revive your creativity. Here's some highlights and links!

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On the Revive Your Creativity blog, Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt, as well as staff members Rob Anderson and Paul Allor, explained how they try to "stay creative on a consistent basis."

Andy offered several thoughts including seeking inspiration from outside of comics, and experimenting with new approaches in your writing you've never done before. Rob discussed the importance of relaxing your mind, while Paul seeks inspiration in art (among other places) and uses structure to drive himself forward even when he's not in the mood.

The article features tips from 12 writers in all. You can read it right here:

Keeping the Creative Juices Flowing

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Book Club Manager Paul Allor was recently interviewed on the Graphicly blog and he discussed Comics Experience, his anthology Clockwork Volume 1 available on Graphicly and the merits of creators trying their hand at short comic scripts.

Check out that interview here:

Interview: ‘Clockwork’ Writer Paul Allor and the Art of the Short Comic

Paul also did an interesting guest column over on Graphicly, analyzing the benefits of digital comics for creators.

As Paul put it, "Print comics can be a cruel mistress, especially for a self-published creator," whereas with digital, "...the needs of your story [can] dictate format and length."

Paul offers several tips for comic creators considering entering the digital realm.

Read the full article here:

Guest Commentary: Paul Allor on Embracing the Freedom of Digital Comics

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General Manager Rob Anderson was recently interviewed on the Comic Book Fury podcast.

Rob first discussed his upcoming book, Rex, Zombie Killer, but then went on to have a fairly in-depth conversation with host Tim Robinson on Comics Experience courses and the Creators Workshop community.

Rob pointed out that not only was the Rex, Zombie Killer story started in a Comics Experience course, and then subsequently workshopped in the Creators Workshop, but every member of the creative team had some connection to Comics Experience as well.

Check out the podcast interview here:

CBF Interviews #2 : Rob Anderson on Rex, Zombie Killer and Comics Experience

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If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
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COMMUNITY NEWS: Paul Allor's Clockwork Anthology (& Scripts) on Graphicly!

Comics Experience alum and Book Club Manager Paul Allor has released his comic book anthology Clockwork, Vol. 1 on Graphicly.

And, for a limited time, you can read all twelve stories, totaling 60 pages of storytelling, for only 99 cents!

Graphicly digital comics can be read on your desktop, mobile phone, tablet, and the web.

Of special note for those interested in making comics, this digital version also contains the original scripts for all twelve stories as a Graphicly exclusive.

Paul is known on the Creators Workshop for his clean, concise scripts, and this is a great opportunity for writers to view the completed artwork along with the original scripts!

The book contains artwork by Comics Experience art alums and workshop members Ken Frederick and Carl Peterson, alongside well-known artists including JM Ken Niimura (I Kill Giants), Brett Weldele (Surrogates) and Nikki Cook (Memoir).

Space-faring gorilla pirates, heart-broken robots, a beautiful gunfighter, and even a man on death row are among the cross-genre characters featured in Clockwork, Vol. 1.

Check it out on Graphicly right here!

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If you want to make comics, write, draw, letter, and color comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
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COMMUNITY NEWS: Paul Allor Interviewed on CBR!

Comics Experience Writing alum and Creators Workshop member Paul Allor was recently interviewed by Comic Book Resources (CBR) regarding the release of his first book, a collection of short comics titled Clockwork, Vol. 1.

In the interview, Paul discusses how the approach he took to Clockwork originated with Andy Schmidt's Introduction to Comic Book Writing course, in which students write a complete 5-page comic book script with a beginning, middle, and end.

Paul told CBR:

"In that class, Andy told us that writing a strong and complete five-page comic is actually harder than writing a longer work.

I really took that to heart. So, after the class ended, I decided to continue honing my craft on stand-alone five-page stories. Clockwork, Volume 1 features 12 of them, and another 12 are currently in production for Clockwork, Volume 2.

Read the full CBR/Robot 6 Interview with Paul Allor here.

Paul gathered together an amazing array of artists to bring his stories to life including Comics Experience art alums and workshop members Ken Frederick and Carl Peterson, alongside well-known artists including JM Ken Niimura (I Kill Giants), Brett Weldele (Surrogates) and Nikki Cook (Memoir)

Anyone who enjoys anthologies, great comic book stories and art, or has an interest in studying complete, short comic book stories should definitely check out Clockwork! The stories inside range from westerns to outer space, and take you from death row to a child's home.

Paul recently wrote about the lessons learned from Comics Experience in producing his book in a special guest blog.

You can read Clockwork, Vol. 1 online for a limited time at www.clockworkcomic.com, and can order the print version in the Clock Shop.

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If you want to make comics, write or draw comics, or improve as a comics creator, you'll find like-minded friends and colleagues in our online workshops and courses. We hope to see you there!

Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
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COMMUNITY NEWS: Paul Allor Releases Clockwork, Volume 1

Comics Experience Writing alum and Creators Workshop member Paul Allor released his first book this week, a collection of short comics titled Clockwork, Vol. 1.

The book contains twelve stories, written by Paul and drawn by different artists, including Comics Experience art alums and workshop members Ken Frederick and Carl Peterson, alongside well-known artists including JM Ken Niimura (I Kill Giants), Brett Weldele (Surrogates) and Nikki Cook (Memoir).

These stories defy genre lines, taking you on a journey from the Old West to outer space, from death row to a child's home, in a book that combines dynamic storytelling and true heart.


Comics Experience founder Andy Schmidt noted:

"Paul Allor is continually testing boundaries -- both his own as a writer and those of the comics medium. Every story in this impressive debut book contains something new -- something reached for -- and the result is awesomeness obtained."

Paul recently wrote about the lessons learned from Comics Experience in producing his book in a special guest blog.

In addition to those listed above, the book also features artwork by Silvio dB, Ben Dewey, Jesse Hamm, Aaron Houston, Leandro Panganiban, Borch Penya and Juan Romera, with cover colors by Matt Wilson.

You can read Clockwork, Vol. 1 online for a limited time at www.clockworkcomic.com, and can order the print version in the Clock Shop.

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Posted by Rob Anderson
rob@ComicsExperience.com
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GUEST BLOG: Paul Allor uses lessons learned to produce Clockwork

A guest blog by Paul Allor discussing his new anthology, Clockwork, Volume 1

In less than a week, my first comic book will come off the printers, and begin a 1,000-mile journey to my home. A few days after that, I’ll hold a copy in my hands for the first time.

This is, to put it mildly, a pretty awesome feeling. Clockwork, Volume 1 contains twelve stories, each drawn by a different artist, including JM Ken Niimura (I Kill Giants), Brett Weldele (The Surrogates) and Nikki Cook (Memoir).

A year ago, a project of this scope, with this artistic talent on board, this early in my career, would have seemed impossible. But the knowledge, skills and support I’ve gained through Comics Experience made the impossible possible.

My Comics Experience involvement began in Andy Schmidt’s Intro to Writing class, where each student completes a script for a five-page comic. Andy taught us that writing a five-page story is more difficult than a longer work, and that if you can tell a complete and compelling story in five pages, you can also do it in twenty-two.

After the class ended, I decided to put those lessons to use. I figured that if writing short comics is more difficult than longer works, then I should continue to hone my craft on five-page stand-alone stories. Fast forward to less than a year later, and I’ve written twenty-four of them. The first twelve appear in Clockwork, Volume 1.

The stories are all over the genre map, from wacky sci-fi action to quiet slice-of-life, and everything in between. But they have one thing in common: every one of them incorporates the lessons I learned from Andy Schmidt. Every one of them is a call back to my writing class, where, step by step, Andy took us through the process of developing, plotting and scripting a comic story.

Andy taught us the basics of story and the importance of character. He taught us about conflict and turning points and the rules of good dialogue. Whether I’m writing about space pirates, Old West cowboys or monster hunters, those same building blocks apply.

But my Comics Experience involvement didn’t end there. I also took the Lettering and Production class, taught by veteran letterer Dave Sharpe. This class gave me a newfound respect for letterers, and allowed me to letter nearly every story in my book.

I also recently completed the Introduction to Comic Art class, taught by Robert Atkins. I’ll never be a great artist (or even a good artist!), but I took the class to learn about the fundamentals of sequential storytelling, and Robert provided exactly that. I believe the insight I gained in that class will make me a better writer, and a better collaborator.

Finally, I’m also a member of the Comics Experience Creators Workshop. The workshop is a true community, where writers and artists come together to critique each other’s work, trade industry news, and discuss collaborations.

I met two of the artists in Clockwork, Ken Frederick and Carl Peterson, through the workshop. Additionally, several of the stories in Clockwork were put through the workshop, and I’m continually amazed by the depth and quality of the critiques I’ve received there.

If you want to be a comics creator, Comics Experience is the place to start. Trust me, I know.

If you’d like to check out Clockwork, you can read it for free in Web comics form at www.clockworkcomic.com, and purchase the hardcopy at govtcomics.bigcartel.com. Drop Paul a line at paul@govtcomics.com to let him know what you think!

Posted by Rob Anderson
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