EVEN WITH ZERO DRAWING SKILLS.
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The first time I picked up a graphic novel for kids, Smile by Raina Telgemeier, I fell in love with the medium and I knew that one day I wanted to write my own graphic novel.
I was a writer, though, not an illustrator. (That ambition came later.) What was it about graphic novels that made them so attractive to me as a creator? Why would any writer consider venturing into a new, intimidating format when they lack the most obvious requirement: artistic ability?
Reason 1: Accessibility
When Smile came out, there were only a handful of graphic novels for kids. I was working in libraries at the time and realized their value immediately. I devoured all of them and so did the kids.
Graphic novels are:
- Approachable
- Quick reads
- Attractive
- Shareable
The artwork and dialog in graphic novels support each other, so it is very easy for young readers to understand the story and get context clues for potentially difficult vocabulary. Additionally, kids love the confidence that comes from finishing an entire book. The art styles that have emerged from this rising trend are as bright and attractive as a Pixar animated film. And because of how easy and enjoyable they are to read, they are considered cool. Kids read the same books and they talk about them.
It has been especially helpful in encouraging reluctant readers, and ESL students.
Reason 2: Market
It’s been over fifteen years since Smile was released and the graphic novel scene has exploded. Many may say that the market is oversaturated now. But the market is still strong. The demand continues to be high.
The market is competitive.
Well-crafted graphic novels sell well, but publishers have limited slots so your book has to stand out. Then again, it’s the same for all children’s books, graphic or not.
Self publishing a graphic novel for young readers runs into the same obstacles as selling other books to children. Online platforms can make it easier to find readers, though.
So if the market isn’t easier than selling a prose novel, why should writers consider writing one?
While the market is competitive, there is a higher demand for graphic novels than prose novels. There is an especial appetite for something new. (Though not too radical because publishers are by nature conservative.)
This leads to reason #3.
Reason 3: Creative Liberty
Graphic novels allow writers to tell stories in new ways. Picture books are generally for pre-readers, but graphic novels give writers a way to use visual storytelling for emerging and growing readers.
Think how much more compelling history can become when you can see what happened and experience it with the characters. Nonfiction has always been an ideal space for images. Graphic novels provide a familiar medium for kids to absorb the facts and learn new things.
When writing a story for young readers, you want to remove barriers and hook the reader right away. With graphic novels, readers know that the characters they see on the cover are the characters they will see in the book. Readers can get right into the story.
Publishers and booksellers also recognize hybrid models. More narration than a graphic novel, but more illustrations than prose novels. Traditional prose has its limitations, as do graphic novels. Hybrid allows you the freedom to use the strength of both mediums. (Check out The Last Kids on Earth written by Max Brallier, and illustrated by Douglas Holgate.)
Reason 4: Writers Required
May be silly for me to say, but graphic novels need visual artists and writers. Actually, there are often multiple artists involved. Designing and drawing, inking, coloring, and lettering. No one, not even illustrators, start creating graphic novels with all the necessary skills. (I shouldn’t say “no one”. But it’s rare.)
Comic books and Manga use a team to create their projects. Yet, graphic novelists frequently attempt to do it alone. (No wonder graphic novels take years to produce.) Whether you are coming from a writing or artistic background, you have to assess your own skills and decide whether it is worth it to you to take the time to learn the other necessary skills or if you want to collaborate.
Many publishers are hesitant to pick up a graphic novel script without an artist, especially if you are an unproven author. Picture books has a long history of publisher relationships with illustrators, so the publishers prefer to reach out to their illustrators to pair with writers. But they have more difficulty finding willing artists to collaborate as the primary illustrator for graphic novels.
I believe the reason is fundamentally financial. Graphic novels require a huge commitment from the artist, much larger than for a picture book. The work they do compared to what the writer does, appears lopsided, but the writer is paid as the primary creator. So, artists often feel they don’t need a writer to create their own graphic novel.
But I’m here to say that artists that choose to go it alone face just as large a learning curve as a writer who decides to do their own art.
I should know. I chose to learn how to illustrate. It’s a beast to learn, but I have also spent more years learning to write. One isn’t necessarily easier to learn than the other. You just might have more natural inclination to one than the other.
There are a lot of good graphic novels published, and there are many mediocre ones, too. Ones, that while I read, I can tell the creator came from an artistic background, and is still learning storytelling and writing skills.
Graphic novels are not just for artists. They need writers.
Reason 5: Challenge
Writing anything is challenging. But once the skills start coming more naturally, you get comfortable with the types of challenges.
I knew from the day I read Smile that I wanted to be part of the graphic novel movement. It excites me.
I also knew I did not have the writing skills to complete a graphic novel script. Over the years, I built up my confidence, wrote a few novels, and experimented with different forms of storytelling. And one day, I had a story I knew needed to be told visually.
I wasn’t really sure where to start, so I just jumped in. The script came together fairly quickly, and I sent it to my agent. She liked it, we made revisions, and then I faced the question of whether I was going to find an artist to collaborate with me, or if I was going to attempt to illustrate it myself.
Well, you know what I chose. I was already learning how to illustrate before I wrote the script because I always intended to one day be author/illustrator of a graphic novel. Still, I underestimated the work involved. It has been very slow going for me. But I don’t regret any of the time I’ve spent learning. If nothing else, my visual storytelling skills are strong. In the end, I will likely hire a colorist, and possibly other artists, as well.
The scope of the project often feels impossible, and I think that is part of the appeal for me. I like to prove to myself that I can do impossible things. (Evident in my love for triathlon.)
I am not a savant. I don’t have exceptional talent for writing or illustrating. But I am exceptionally stubborn. I will learn what I need, even if it takes me decades.
And if I can do it. So can you.
Feeling revved up to write a graphic novel, but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Read the next post in my series to find out how to overcome common obstacles writers face when attempting to write their first graphic novel.
Still not sure whether you want to try your hand at graphic novels? Let me know in the comments below.
Want to read more original work? Check out my Medium account for flash fiction, personal essays, and articles.
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You can find my book recommendations in my Bookshop, Amerixicana Books.
And if you are looking for classic literature for class, or for your home collection, check out my publishing imprint, Simply Classic Books.
D. Higbee 
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