How To Plan And Structure A Manga, Comic, Or Light Novel (Turning The Idea Into The Plot!)

The best stories start from good structures. Think of it like the foundations of a building: if a building is not structured correctly at the start, it may crumble more easily in the future. A book is the same way. In order to create your manga, comic or light novel in the best way, you will need a good structure, and plan. In today's video, I'm going to be showing you how to properly plan and structure your story, in order to build the correct foundation for your project! I go through my own process of planning for my own manga, starting with basic story structure of Beginning, Inciting Incident, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action and Ending. I think go further and talk about how to break that structure into a plan for your book, how to prepare for your major and minor scenes and how to consider your story arcs and volumes. I hope this video helps you with your manga creations!! 😁
0:00 Intro
0:51 Brainstorming
2:47 The Sentence Method
4:00 The Story Structure
6:09 Filling In The Gaps
7:40 Adding Story Arcs
9:38 Planning For Volumes
SUBSCRIBE to learn how to turn your manga into a masterpiece!
/ @midnightxcross
Want to learn more? Visit me on my other social media pages, for updates on my own manga 'Having Faith', and fun tips for you to try on your own projects!
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[@gojosatoru2796]

The biggest Challenge for me Is Thinking of A Mc that Doesn’t Jump into a fight and actually uses his brain and thinks

[@midnightXcross]

I love MCs that use a lot of thought and logic! I think the planning makes the fights a lot more entertaining when they do happen 😊😊

[@thehumanpractice2985]

Hai to Gensou no Grimgar comes to mind. Also My hero academia. Also Shinsekai Yori. I'm sure I'm missing a lot of references.... And I hope you have found answes on your own.

[@gritzxenus]

Read more manga and books about main characters who have high iqs

[@priyan7shu]

Like ayanokoji?

[@Sayoko666]

Death note is a good example

[@Frombeyondthehorizon6860]

Honestly the hardest part Is just sticking with a plot line idk how to even get past three pages let alone write an entire chapter that I will not delete a few hours later

[@JustFrogy-ux9od]

Same 😅🙂 are you currently writing something ? I am actually juggling with three scripts in the last 4 months 🤣😭

[@piahmynx]

I'm still in school and I always trying to think of my own story plot and sometimes the plot can already taken by others and it's really hard to create your own 😅

[@Parallax200]

I can't wait till the Day your channel garners much more views! Your content is amazing and i personally am very grateful for it! Thank you for your hard work!!

[@midnightXcross]

You're the best!!!! Thank you so so much 😁💖💖💖

[@MsArtGarden]

You make such a great teacher. It's great how many topics you go over to help people learn. :)

[@midnightXcross]

Aw thank you so much MsArt Garden!! 😊😊

[@gotogi83]

There's so much quality in your videos, you're gonna blow up.

[@kathycollin2229]

Did anyone else notice that in the Brainstorming section she was using her script as a highlighting example?

[@feightgg2120]

This was just what I was looking for! Planning story Arcs and this video helped so much. Thank you for your clear and thought out guide. You’re awesome!

[@wactp9516]

Thank you for this video, this helps me to plan out my story for my comic that I'm planning.

[@samuraiasm1834]

Man I really don't know how would I live life without this video like after seeing this video I feel like you have thousands of great points in this video so thank you so much for it I hope you are having a fantastic day and Samurai out.

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much!! 😁

[@thecompareablezombie]

The video is infomative, I have watched 3 of your videos using the infomation to work on my second light novel idea which is still forming in my head. While my first one will need to be put in the same planned structure. Also planning to make a one shot light novel as a testing grounds.

[@toymanreturns546]

That's a very insightful video on how to design and create a manga of choice, based on what genre(s) captures the artists the most. Thank you for such helpful content.

[@Lexibyss]

Truly loved your video. You explained very well!! 😊

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you! 😊

[@cxs7284]

Would you ever do a detailed video about planning and writing scenes? Thank you for the video by the way, it was very helpful! I like how you simplified and briefly explained every process!

[@midnightXcross]

Yes, I do plan on making a video about this 😊

[@dorkga1092]

Ok finally watched the video haha! Great job! As always, you explain things very clearly that makes it easy to follow along. Seriously, I've worked with some adults in their 40s and 50s who cannot explain topics coherently whatsoever. I really like the suggestion about being able to explain your story in one sentence. It's a good practice for that awkward moment when people ask what your comic is about lol. But also it'll push me to keep things simple for my actual story and for telling people about it to get them interested. Great video!

[@midnightXcross]

Aw thank you!! I'm so happy that you find my explanations clear and easy to understand 😊 Thank you so much for watching!!

[@Kayy4]

This was super helpful, thank you so much 🙏🏾

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@lloydbradly307]

Thank you for the writing tips, and you look like a beautiful person.

[@royalvm7241]

I have had lots of ideas about a story but didnt know where to start.This video helped so much with organising my ideas and creating a structure!Thank you!

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@allyb1772]

this is extremely helpful. thanks to this video, i finally realized what was missing in my story and i came up with a decent climax and goal for my characters!! thank you so much ☺️

[@midnightXcross]

Glad it helped! 💖💖

[@LaCantinadeltarlo]

Very useful and very good video, the scheme brings clarity, and clarity brings better communicability for the story

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much! 😁

[@nocturnalnikkole3448]

Thanks so much! I have too many story ideas with characters but It takes me a while to know what part goes where with the plot. I'm working on an older story inspired by a parable but with a twist but my character is an Ovine girl. I have a fitting title name for my story as there is plenty of research material. It's coming smooth for me to do her personality and her character design as I showed other people and they find her interesting. I'm happy that shes definitely not a Mary Sue. Yet it's the main goal part as I have more than one as she goes through hell in her life. This video is really helpful though and I might just complete something this year.😆🥰

[@rikka9438]

Thank you for the wonderful advice! I've already started mine and still stuck on making the cover but everything is going smoothly!

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you! I'm so pleased that my video helped you 💖

[@tatsumaki9397]

Thank you, you covered everything.

[@PERFECTTHYCELL]

Another helpful video thanks so much 😊

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you for watching! 😊

[@inumidunsanda5935]

thx for this video. I am writing a comic and after watching this video I realize my story is all over the place. may rewrite the entire thing

[@dorkga1092]

I won't be able to watch this until later today but I'm certainly looking forward to it! It's a topic I definitely need help with right now. Can't wait to check it out😀👍

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much!!! 💖💖 I hope it helps you!!

[@Ramen5000Manga]

ahh thank you midnight this has helped me a lot.

[@aIienn]

Thank you! Your so helpful!!!

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much for watching!! 💖

[@starwing2814]

Thank you for the video!!! I needed this!!!!😭😭😭 I'm still in my planning stages. I have a bit of trouble in determining character goals & having too many ideas.

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much!! I'm so happy you enjoyed the video 😊💖

[@starwing2814]

@@midnightXcross This really helped!!!!

[@Ada-zg2qb]

Thank you!!!!!

[@hollowdiamond4284]

This video is the thing I needed.

[@midnightXcross]

I am so pleased to hear that!! Thanks for watching 💖💖

[@itsshaz1333]

Loved the video midnight

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you!! 😁

[@letmetranslate4249]

Keep it up👍🏾

[@stiankallhovd7041]

Awesome video! You explain things in a very easy and encouraging way, and I can tell from the comments that you’ve inspired a lot of people! 🥳 Given my experience as a storyteller, one thing I would slightly disagree with, is how you use the term «climax» in the romance arc example. I agree that your description is an important part of this story arc. But I would usually think of climax as the final confrontation between hero and villain (or love interest) where either hero or villain is successful at the end. Still, you’ve done a really good job explaining how a story can be broken down into a few steps! 👍 I’m currently working on turning my screenplay into a visual novel with RPG elements, which will make it similar in style to the game «Eternal Radiance» on the Nintendo Switch. I’ve recently begun practicing my drawing skills, and I’m sure I’d also enjoy creating manga once this project is complete! 😊

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much! I'm really happy that you enjoyed the video. 😊 I also appreciate your advice and feedback. I agree that that term would work better for more of a confrontation. I think I will need to update this video in the future with some better examples! I hope your visual novel goes well and I wish you all the best! It sounds very exciting.

[@Brekdak]

Wow, I'm late finding this so helpful, I was wondering whether my idea was worth putting any effort into. It has no name but it's about a half-zombie detective and a regular human detective.

[@thehumanpractice2985]

I'm building a story that sort of has a some sort of false mid-climax like right in the half, and an actual climax later, but everything is sort of one arc. I'm having issues not making the mid-term not too vague. How you managed to divide the structure really helped a lot. Mabe I was looking at it tooooo separated. Having a sentence that reduces the overall plot is great advice. I think it needs more suspense and tension, and adding some foreshadowing for the reader in the first half so they know MC needs to figure more stuff out, but not making it too obvious. I'm having trouble getting references for such a story tho. (Or maybe I just want to watch/read more stuff ahhaah) Thank you so much! I just stumbled upong your channel, and it looks soooo goood!!! See yaaaa

[@clauteletuby]

can we get an update

[@thehumanpractice2985]

I@@clauteletuby I can't even hand it to read it because I followed another persons advice and I just write what I think works and want to write instead of making it completely linear from straight to end. It's turning out great but messy and slow without an editor or something similar, but I iwll do it like this anyway. Thanks for asking. It's a bit under 50% done. I think I will have it completely written by next year and hopefully edited and all next year. It's a novel, and it's looking like it wil come in two volumes of around 600 pages each. " But it's an approximation, really... Sneakpeak: it's a story where you decide wat characters will do, and depending on that you go ahead to certain "timelines". You get different endings. Like a text-based visual novel adventure.

[@NeverlandsPhantom]

You are very kind

[@nephtaliejalbert]

This was helpful! I have 4 story arcs planned. How do you know when to do a final arc of your series?

[@midnightXcross]

Awesome!! I'm so happy to hear that 😊😊 The way to know when to do the final arc, is when things in your story start to wrap up. If you're reaching a point when it make sense to end your story, then that's when you do it. But if there are still plot points still unanswered, and part of the story left unknown, then it still needs to continue. If there is no where left to go, and everything has been answered, then you're ready to do your final story arc!

[@nephtaliejalbert]

@@midnightXcross Ah okay. I understand. I do have another question: The Who, What, When, and How? Are far can I go with these questions for my own story?

[@michaelnalukuli4477]

This is hilarious, watch anime and read comic and now I am here trying to create story of my own.😄😄😄😄. Tittle of comic or can be manga is Mystery : tale that never ends. It will be four volume and each volume with different title. What you think?

[@midnightXcross]

I absolutely love that idea!! 😊

[@michaelnalukuli4477]

@@midnightXcross thanks

[@mohammed81970]

I have a lot of brain storming ideas But I'm too lazy to write it Down 😅 however, if I forget the Idea ,then it's not worth it If it sticks in , the it's a good impactful idea ✌️✨

[@midnightXcross]

There's so many ideas, too little time hahaha 😂😂 I love writing down my ideas though. But I also agree that the best ideas stay in your mind anyway!!

[@JoiskiMe]

Thanks a lot for making this! I've been looking for something like this that focuses on manga! I have some questions, do you have any thoughts on "journey"-style story structure? (I'm thinking One Piece etc) There's a lot of content on single character-focused stories, but not so much on group/team on a journey. I'd love to learn about how to make a story that doesn't necessarily focus on one character's arc alone.

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much!! That's a very good question. I do love seeing the journey style structures, and I think it is very interesting seeing stories that focus on many characters, rather than just one main character. I might make a video on this kind of plot structure in the future too! 😊

[@JoiskiMe]

@@midnightXcross I'd be so grateful if you did! You come with so insightful and articulate information that it's like I'm having an education here! You're doing a great job!

[@lucasguillou9741]

Thank you for these really useful tips ! Would you say it would be a good idea for a multi volumes LN to try and offset the story arcs and each volume’s arc ? Like for example having the first story arc end at the half of the volume’s arc then the second story arc goes from the half of the first volume to the half of the second etc ?

[@lucasguillou9741]

Also having a story arc start during the previous story arc’s resolution would be fine ? Sorry if I’m not very clear, I’m French and it’s kind of hard for me to formulate this in a comprehensive way >

[@midnightXcross]

I think that would work really well! It sounds like a good way to keep track of your arcs between volumes. 😊

[@Kuroi733]

Do you have another video that breaks down Arcs more in depthly? I'm having a hard time grasping the concept

[@midnightXcross]

I don't yet, but this is definitely a topic I would like to talk about in the future! 😊

[@NinoItahe]

One of the thing that I am used to do before writing is to plot a timeline and states the major event and consequences of these event on it. Moreover, I think it is a good for longer story when u divide your story into volumes and arcs is to have a summary that describe that volume or arc. This way of organizing things help me stay on track of things. I wanted to ask a question do you need to have all the story finished before thinking about publishing or finding a manga artist to work with to convert it as I am currently working on a long story that is divided into 3 sequels with each squeal having a minimum of 7 volumes. Volume in my story usually divided into several arcs as I see the volume is the big hat that cover several arc that related to each other, as if I am dividing the story to several books (book 1, 2 ,3 ...etc). Do you think the volume should be shorter than that?

[@midnightXcross]

Oohhh that's a great idea!! I'll have to make a video on timeline writing. I think that would help a lot of people 😁 No, you don't have to have to whole story finished. In fact, a lot of publishers are more likely to accept you with one chapter finished, and notes/script for your story, and character designs. They do this because it is easier to pair you up with others in the company, and for them to decide to make changes as you create your story. As for the length of your manga, I don't think it matters that it has several arcs per volume. Page number is more important though. How many pages is each volume?

[@NinoItahe]

​@@midnightXcross I am glad that you liked the idea ☺️ I have written 3 volumes so far. On average volume has 95 pages using a Letter size paper "21.59 x 27.94 cm" but it I still have to go back edit and change some stuffs as they represent my first draft. let's say about a hundred page on average for each. Do you think it should be shorter or longer?

[@midnightXcross]

I think 95 pages seems a little short, however, that still works fine! Most manga on average have about 180-200 pages. Some manga can be shorter or longer though, depending on the kind of story you want to tell. For your personal project, having a smaller amount of pages like that may suit better. It's totally up to you 😊

[@yokiyo1981]

Oda be like: 🤷‍♂🤷‍♂(oda planned his 1043 chapters before hand, its so surprising.)

[@Monstergaming-qm2tm]

actually he planned most of it but it was longer than expressed to he made up new stuff to stretch the story

[@Monstergaming-qm2tm]

97% of the story was already planned tho

[@gabrielakubilus8205]

A goul that i have is to write an mc that isn't bubbly and nice but a mc thats more cold and less nice and be barely able to express emotions

[@robinkom9032]

U r the best

[@midnightXcross]

Thank you so much!! You're the best too 😊😊

[@roiichi6258]

Can u put English captions on each video? Thats helps me understand you better :)

[@saf1819]

thanks

[@midnightXcross]

Thanks for watching!! 😁

[@jameshatton7092]

Love interest is discovered and there is a spank…. WAIT NO SPA- SPARK I MENT SPARK

[@CrossJeniel]

I have brain storming ideas for my own stories my DVD collection music dc collection

[@thegremlinduke2190]

I am still coming up ideas for my own stories ideas how I like draft draw whatever come to mind if there's another idea in mind draw it and with the characters, I write of paper first then write on documents while changing the character a bit I am still world-building and I don't care it takes me years I will have a book series out there or a one-shot.

[@midnightXcross]

That's sounds awesome!! I can't wait to read your story when you are finished creating it 😊

[@thegremlinduke2190]

@@midnightXcross I probaly won't like the others my mind change and get distracted easily and I try to read more often. But I have people with me and I am a loud reader. I watch anime but I never read light novels. How I fix that without need to read light novels?

[@thegremlinduke2190]

@@midnightXcross Because I have a western idea, then a dark fantasy, monster hunter guild but every idea I change my mind and bailed on it. Maybe I wasn't cut out to be a writer.

[@thegremlinduke2190]

@@midnightXcross Never mind I change mind I have a dumb weird question in my mins about manga and light novel.

[@midnightXcross]

I think you should just do whatever you would like to do! If you prefer to watch anime, then you could just do that. If you want to read light novels, there are places where you can sometimes read them for free online. 😊 Also, one thing that I like to do is listen to audiobooks. With an audiobook, someone narrates and reads the story out loud, so I don't have to read it. I usually listen to them while I'm drawing my manga. They aren't really available for light novels, but a lot of regular novels are turned into audiobooks. If you don't want to read out loud, it may help if someone else is reading out loud instead.

[@lightninginmyblood]

Is the posters behind are about your manga

[@frobocop926]

please make a video about How to Write a Dark Fantasy LN

[@midnightXcross]

Yes, I can do that! 😊

[@frobocop926]

@@midnightXcross thank you 😁

[@samsoncat1587]

beeeesssst channel

[@midnightXcross]

beeeesssst commenter!!! hahaha thank you so much!!! 😊 I really appreciate your kind comments 💖

[@aphrodite7194]

Just choose a mc with a power so op that the story writes itself.

[@BuddhaNature]

Say I wanted my manga to become an anime series? Would I need to write arcs into the story?

[@dannysdungareedanceoff8481]

Manga already have arcs That's like asking if a book or novel should have chapters when you turn it into a movie or show

[@BuddhaNature]

@@dannysdungareedanceoff8481 I’m talking about a one shot manga. Naruto started off as a one shot. Clearly you’re not the expert you’re talking like you are.

[@Agatecartplayz]

What would bleach be described in one sentence for better understanding

[@purplehoneycomb6456]

Endless loops of rescue arcs

[@samzeyel8220]

such bright eyes....its kinda mesmerizing lol sorry

[@stick3013]

how did i a gamer end up here? i was thinking about making a novel for a while about an mc hunting/killing gods of a different worlds or just one world where humans can turn into gods i watch/read too much Isekai 😐

[@depotemkin]

Subtitles are not displayed correctly and look as if a Dutch person is trying to pick up English words by ear :(