How To Pace Your Webtoon: Comicbook Writing Tutorial

[@rainpooper7088]

Art simplification is a topic that personally interests me, be it character design or backgrounds. One thing I only really noticed when paying attention is that oftentimes, the webtoon artist leaves out the backgrounds or simplifies the characters (like a chibi version for comedic effect) in ways I really wouldn’t notice in casual reading. Knowing what you can leave out without jeopardizing the reader experience sounds like a great skill to have.

[@walterostlie]

That's a good topic. There's prolly not a magic formula but maybe I can come up with some ideas.

[@kuhmee]

4:10 “Whatever it is evil people do... I wouldn’t know, I’m not evil” *side-eye* 😂😂 that sent me

[@walterostlie]

I am totally not evil.

[@kuhmee]

@@walterostlie totally!

[@mangakaar186]

This channel is way too high quality for the views it get.

[@walterostlie]

I appreciate you, thank you!

[@kuhmee]

Agreeee

[@cassiscrowmatic]

Right?! Walter is the rare combination of good artist and good teacher.

[@walterostlie]

awwww, get out of here, you're making me blush.

[@monabadaj5075]

Definitely !

[@amiamarie2988]

I find it’s easy to leave a reader wanting more, By cutting off an episode at cliff hangers or new found information or a climactic moment. With every chapter the plot has to have moved forward so that it feels worth your time

[@msGirlyest]

Truee but I also want to add: deliver what you build up in the ending if the previous episode. For example, I read a webtoon where they leave at a cliffhanger where the protagonist is looking for her brother and is really stressed out and worried that he got kidnapped. In the next episode, right in the begginng the she finds her brother hiding under the bed, and then they move on to another conversation unrelated to what happened. It felt like all the build up from the last episode was for nothing significant and it made me disappointed 😅 Leave cliffhangers but also deliver what you set up for

[@cestlabitche1368]

Also don't overdo it. Cliffhangers really push readers in the edge of their seats but it also pushes readers away if you do it too often. It's like playing their emotions, leaving them hanging all time will feel like a betrayal.

[@cestlabitche1368]

@@msGirlyest exactly, this differentiates a god-tier, good to meh.

[@halululi634]

I also realize that when you apply this pacing pattern it will totally prolonged the series and make every episode worth reading, it's just all depend on how the writer executes the idea without losing the story line. With this, every writer can publish one hell of a great story.

[@walterostlie]

Yea, exactly.

[@EmilyPaxman]

Love the advice here! It could be confirmation bias though, since I already agreed with all of it, lol! I love that you brought up finding a focus for each episode - I think about this a lot too. I really like using Mary Robinette Kowal's take on the MICE quotient when structuring chapters or episodes (depending on the media) so would recommend people looking at that. Effectively, it's an acronym for things that a story can focus on: M - Milieu (this is a fancy word for place): conflict begins when you enter a place, ends when you either exit or accept the new location. The place causes the problems I - Idea: A particular idea or question drives the conflict. Conflict begins because of a question, resolves when it's answered. C - Character: There is a character/relationship that needs to change driving the conflict. Resolution comes when someone undergoes character change E - Event: An event happens! That event drives the conflict and is the thing that needs to be resolved. Different types of stories use these in different amounts. My comic is a fish-out-of-water story driven by a lot of small character interactions, so it has a lot of "character" and "milieu" episodes. On the other hand, I'm writing a book right now with a train that explodes at the beginning, and the rest of the book, the characters are trying to solve the mystery of WHY it exploded. It gets a lot more "event" and "idea" chapters. Anyhow, I could ramble on about this for forever. But seriously! Look up Mary Robinette Kowal and Mice quotient if you want another great resource on pacing. Great video as ever, Walter!

[@lauraostler4540]

Thanks for the info and your story sounds REALLY interesting keep it up!

[@cinder_flames]

I was literally looking for this yesterday this is great

[@walterostlie]

Awesome, hope it's a big help.

[@Circa_1700]

SAME

[@brillientan9202]

My webcomic genre is action so mostly i need to learn action poses and great shot perspectives soon since my comic just starting can you maybe have a video about perspective about person poses in the future it'll be a big help for me❤️❤️ love your videos

[@walterostlie]

Yeah, that's something I hope to do soon actually.

[@dreamingblue3939]

Same here. Mine is a fantasy/action comic about monster-hunters, so I've been trying to improve my action scenes too. I have a lot of trouble keeping it easy to follow, somewhat realistic/believable-looking, and interesting..

[@kimbobimify]

I know you posted this 3 years ago, but I love this video! I've always wanted to draw comics but I'm still very new to the whole process. Do you have a video on maybe how to introduce different characters and how best to pace it? I have a handful of side characters but don't want to end up smashing them all in the first episode

[@QueenSiv]

Yo did he say your horse breaks down? This horse must be seriously breaking it down for you to have to stop this horse better be shmoovin

[@moart4u883]

Oh, lord... I had to pause the video cuz I started laughing when you were saying to avoid giving a history lesson/exposition dump at the beginning, bc I was just going over my script and wondering if I should cut that that part out, and then sure enough, you said it! lol Thank you for that!!

[@yogosapphirey]

*me the whole time...✍🏾✍🏾✍🏾 Great video!

[@triangle8441]

You said to say hi in the comments, so hi! I listened to this while shading an episode lol.

[@walterostlie]

Thank you very much! I really appreciate it. Have fun shading!

[@kuremyona7017]

My boyfriend and I always give every anime 3 episodes before we decide to keep with it or not ^_^ 3 is a good number. Thank you for making this!!!!

[@walterostlie]

I try to do the same as well

[@ozymandias4762]

I'm glad I found your channel, I've been literally binge watching your videos before I somewhat release my WEBTOON. Thank you so much for making these videos!!

[@walterostlie]

Thank you for watching!

[@KimBryanArt]

I've done the arc-into-mini-three-act-structures before and it has helped so much! I also like to write extra notes about subplots and how they help the main plot.

[@RuberSocks]

Hmm, about the length, I think I'll plant to create a really popular series that goes for 80 episodes, and then go on a hiatus for an unspecified time.

[@kayomi8304]

Thank you as always for making such informative videos! I'm watching you as I work on my comic and it helps a lot, I've had multiple moments where I fixed stuff after hearing your tips haha :D

[@낫수드락닐]

Thank you I'm planning to start my own webtoon.... It's really informative.

[@nondisclosureforreal]

Nice job. Thanks for the tips.

[@walterostlie]

No problemo, hope it helps.

[@Iggyshere]

Good ideas to start and keep a spark in a story(ies).😊

[@kubraaksak6103]

Most quality channel ever about webcomic! Thank you!

[@LeoArmada]

I think one of the best ways to hook readers is to show the close futures high point in the first few panels and then jump back in time in the events leading up to that like how AOT did it, and more long term would be boruto(Walter prob said this not sure but still wanna share it)

[@camiloj.obreque3597]

I love the fact that this have 0 dislikes that shows how great this content is

[@mommy-mar]

so glad i found this channel

[@legalloli4626]

Thank you so much for this video! It was very enlightening and it gave me hope too! :)

[@ceecee8507]

yesss thank you i needed this

[@walterostlie]

Hope it helps.

[@lauraostler4540]

I love the community you've created Walter you encourage positivity 😊

[@Nikke283]

When it comes to comic writing, I always have my struggles and I totally admire people who can write a script out of nowhere to a perfect comic (or movie) If I do this without having an Idea it ends in a disaster. Over the years i figured I have to write down a shortstory/novel /series (or whatever the lengh is) first. In this progress ov writing I can turn my story back and forth, fix plotholes (so far I see them) and doing character development. This must no go to the point I could go out and sell it as a book, but at least so far to bring my inner "movie" to life. Once I have this i can start to convert it into a comic. I look like a director in a movie how can I tell this story on a interesting way. At this point some scenes get new arraged some went to the the rubbish bin and others got caved out more until I start thumbnailing and stuff.The backside of this method is obvious: If you ask me right now, how long is your webtoon I cant answer this with: 154 Chapters or so. Since I thumnail the story Issue by Issue I observed that some is going faster in a comic- some is slower. In april I send my "timetable" to my langue guide, just to find out that I need more panels to give the chapter more "drama". I decided to accept this but so I send my shedule to hell. The truth is that I have no Idea how long (in exact Episodes) it will be in the end. I just can say I know how it will end. Since you said its necessary for a contract I would say I might remain in canvas..(when I have finally my million Issues buffer, I truly need)

[@walterostlie]

The contract stipulates the amount of episodes you're contracted for. Basically they agree to pay you for 50 episodes. It doesn't state that you have to tell a complete story in 50 episodes though. Your story could be 300 episodes, you'd have to renew the contract 6 times to get to 300. If the contracts didn't renew, the story would just sorta "die" on whatever contract you left off on. Now what happens if I a contract "dies" that's kinda a weird grey area and you'd want to figure that out during the contract negotiations if you knew that your story would be longer than the initial contractual episode count.... Contracts are fun ;-)

[@Nikke283]

@@walterostlie Im not sure if a contract works anyway since Im such a snail XD. In November, when I hopefully start uploading I might have solved at least the more pressing problems (a) I love my english profreader very much, in fact she is my oldest online friend, but Im not sure she managed the Job because her shedule. b) Time vs. my physical and technical skills vs. my OCD )

[@cestlabitche1368]

We're almost the same in process. I also ensure that there is less or no, if possible, plot holes so I take a long time before making the actual comic. Keep on creating. Will be looking forward to your work!

[@christinasusan8235]

I recently discovered your channel.. and I'm grateful I did! This channel is wayy too underrated... ❤️

[@Haggispk]

Currently in the process of writing my first comic book, thanks for the useful insights

[@unisayart]

Thank you so much for this advice. I needed this video!! I will totally shout you out in my socials!!

[@walterostlie]

Thank you very much, I appreciate you.

[@TamPop]

Other people miss The OA!! 😭Really helpful vid

[@walterostlie]

Yeah, I need another season of the OA

[@babywooseok]

your videos are very helpful! thank you! 💙

[@walterostlie]

Thank you for watching!

[@Aidan-ku6tz]

I go too fast when i write things. Any advice to fix this problem?

[@gatjensb]

Really great info, thanks for taking the time to make it!

[@perachd9002]

Thank you so much for your videos, I always find them very helpful! You deserve more views :)

[@justcousins8066]

I was just having this problem thanks so much again!!!

[@abbyrobinson5472]

Your videos are so helpful and inspiring!!! Thank you

[@marieaudreyngonloka2165]

I want to start my first comic and I have an idea for the story so I’m gonna update you guys on how it goes 🙃

[@M1LKBO1-]

Your advice is so helpful u deserve more veiws dude ☺️☺️☺️

[@walterostlie]

Thank you!

[@writing_comics]

Great advice as always, mang!

[@walterostlie]

Thanks, dood!

[@monabadaj5075]

I would have published only one episode if it wasn’t for this video, Thank you so so so so so so so Much!!!!!!

[@javanehamilton1311]

Just what I needed thank you very much

[@kelly-san]

These vids are so useful!

[@clydestuff3199]

bruh your so underrateddd

[@lauraostler4540]

Yesssss this is what I needed

[@hannabosley5175]

mmmmmm yes that's some good pacing info right there :D

[@_graymatters]

"their horse breaks down" *XDDDDDDDD*

[@TambriArt]

"huggy kissy face" action 😂

[@walterostlie]

That's story genre, right?

[@mysteriouswolven]

I like your shirt.

[@mysteriouswolven]

Off topic, but yea.

[@walterostlie]

Thanks! You can get yourself one if you want ;-)

[@mysteriouswolven]

@@walterostlie I just might!

[@kbowdesign]

First off, great video! Not only informative but fun as well! Secondly, I have a question that I’ve been grappling with… I have most of my story written out and defined characters but I haven’t figured out the ending yet… if I have most of my plot set, would you recommend beginning episode writing or ending the story first?

[@clarisse91]

Awesome video! thank u so much :)

[@StarAffectus]

Thank youuu!

[@dani4469]

clutch 🤝 really appreciate it

[@bambummy7102]

AAAH YES THIS!!!

[@LightningKid50]

Thanks Walt, this was very helpful! I was wondering how do you think a prologue or chapter 0 fits into the pacing for a webtoon? Should it be treated as its own chapter in the initial 3 or an extra added before or alongside the first 3?

[@walterostlie]

I am usually against prologues, just as a personal stylistic choice. I tend to find them unnecessary, at least at the very start of a story. Remember, it's not a chapter 0 to a new reader, it's chapter 1 as far as they are concerned. So if it's not a great episode on it's own two feet, it shouldn't be the start to your story.

[@kristipearce4819]

@@walterostlie That’s a really good way of thinking about it. I currently have an “episode zero” in my script. I haven’t started drawing yet, as I want to finish the script first. I do want to establish the world, though. Is a short prologue and then leading into the story be acceptable as an episode one?

[@sophiamccullough9975]

So what I’m planning is I get Thur the first propagandist story and then it will switch to what his sister was doing this hole time then I’m starting another comic lol so I’m having to put together 2 stories but I love doing it lol iv stared using references for most of my stuff and it has just gone so much faster on making panels lol btw the comic is called. .air. It is a sci-fi the other one is a survival story lol

[@rue23ko]

Make a list of the things you need to convey to the reader, ejemplo que tal giy is evil, that sword is made by that wizard, y luego think how to visually convey that, and then check list. Why I need to write this episode. Label each story tag: story narrative ep, character trait ep, action ep, backstory falsh back ep, the better you use different type of episode, is better, to make it interesting.

[@mariamambokadze5157]

What's the optimal frequency of releasing webtoon chapters? considering the fact that posting every week is impossible for me. Will the viewers still stick if it's released monthly? I understand it mainly depends on the plot and webtoon itself but still, is the audience side of webtoon website eager to wait for high quality content for a monthly, or they prefer to read weekly or even twice per week even though the content might not be that good?

[@walterostlie]

If you stay consistent with your schedule, produce quality content, and are upfront about any hiatuses, I think most readers will put up with whatever schedule you have. There's also no reason why you can't make smaller seasons and take longer breaks. It's good to gain readers as you are producing new episodes, but remember, those episodes will live up there forever, so new-new readers will be able to enjoy all the episodes you've posted over the months or years. So pick a schedule that will allow you to have a healthy, productive, and sustainable career. Don't worry about the short term approval of fickle readers.

[@beastbook4950]

Is there a way to charge per ep ?

[@cassiscrowmatic]

That little tangent about television felt a little personal lol. What show hurt you? XD

[@walterostlie]

The OA on Netflix. Very weird show and the last season ended on a really wtf so super annoying

[@Magillana]

writing, the bane of my existance...

[@guitarhero640]

how do you draw long panels / pages ? (like comparable to atleast 2-3 pages long panel)

[@walterostlie]

Just draw it on a long canvas and then cut it into smaller files using croppy kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpawc4qMp9x3p8k

[@Octorden]

I know how you feel about the OA.

[@walterostlie]

I wanted another season so bad

[@Octorden]

@@walterostlie same. S2 was so good. I have no idea why it got cancelled. Fools.

[@anniefarrell9907]

Hi!

[@alnicacherelledelapena5231]

I enjoy thinking of making a webtoon than actually making one.

[@sleepingkoalas9554]

"20-40 is decent however 50 or more panels is where a lot of the webtoon originals live." me planning 31 panels in my first episode: oh

[@walterostlie]

31 is a good amount of panels.

[@aeestha]

Ah yes, kicking a duck, the evilest thing anyone can do owo Thanks again walter, learned a lot!

[@samidubzart6538]

omg The OA!!! Seriously, they screwed us

[@HugeFrigginGuy]

Great video as always! Here's a comment to get you that sweet, sweet, algo boost!

[@MeesterMartz]

I dunno man, kicking a duck sounds bratty damn evil to me

[@harrihaven2]

Great insight! My wife and I have been working on our own webcomic, and this video is super helpful for me to step back and workshop the story by: 1. Breakdown the script into episodes and label what kind of episode it is (world, character, plot, action) 2. Establish subplots/objects to keep the reader satiated as they journey to the final resolution 3. Put the characters through hell (or show they are their own hell). The more a character improves the more satisfying the story! 4. For yourself, state what makes your webcomic unique/special/awesome and then make sure it's shown to the readers in the first 100 panels. Thanks for sharing what you've learned! We're going to checkout Ghost Bats. :)

[@fishtaxes5057]

“I’m not evil” HMMM Sounds like something an EVIL GUY would say.

[@walterostlie]

I swear in not evil. Just ask any of my henchmen.

[@Lina_G93]

the OA ............ why do you have to remind me?!

[@walterostlie]

It hurt so bad

[@nootnootman6353]

noot noot

[@walterostlie]

noot noot

[@dreamingblue3939]

noot noot

[@mink2882]

noot noot

[@hugom2668]

O A !

[@walterostlie]

I really wanted another season

[@cestlabitche1368]

I'm really learning a lot. From the vids and your replies. From the creative process down to the contracts, monetization. And also, this wonderful community you have gathered that is full of passion and encouragement. Thank you so much.