Getting into Manga...

For nearly a year now, I've been working with Manga Hero, the company that created Many are Called, Paul, and Judith (all about to be released on new editions).  I started editing for them about a year ago, and this past fall I was asked to rewrite their comic on Pope Benedict XVI, which was an honor and a neat opportunity.  We're finishing up that comic right now, and I'm about to start on a new project for them, an original comic based on the book of Esther. I've been writing it for about a month now.

I'm really enjoying the challenges of the manga format, which to me seems like a meld between the novel and the screenplay.  I like visual writing, since I tend to think in images.  But screenplay writing has many strict conventions which I'm still struggling to learn.  Writing a manga, at least for a small company, doesn't seem to be so strict.  So long as I'm communicating to the artist, we're good.

Readers regularly ask me if I'm planning another Fairy Tale Novel (specifically, another Rose/Fish or Blanche/Bear book). The answer is, not now.  Between starting Chesterton Press, managing John Paul 2 High and various other projects, and writing/editing for MangaHero, I think I'll be busy for the next year or two.  I like to think of this as a nice transition, because I've got something totally new I'd like to start writing.  Right now I'm stuck behind a writer's block that's about a mile thick (or so it seems), but I really hope I can start writing in earnest soon.

So when I do come back to the Fairy Tale Novels, it will hopefully be with a fresh mind and some new plot ideas.  But for now, I think it's time for a rest.  If you can call it a rest... ;)

In the meantime, I hope to post more on my progress on Esther soon!

Comments

Christie said…
Wow, I wonder what put it in your mind to update your blog because I was just watching your interview on Life on the Rock a few nights ago and subscribed, but was sad to see you hadn't written in a while.

I really enjoy manga and am looking forward to when I have the disposable income to be able to purchase, rather than borrow, books again! Especially since I have yet to read Waking Rose, which I know is probably going to be my favorite.

Rest well, if you can! God bless you.

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