Bex Glendining on graphic novel writing
In Bex Glendining’s second year of university she lost her grandmother and sorting her thoughts through writing turned into On Starlit Shores. They now welcome you to a beginner-friendly graphic novel workshop to teach you how to bring a script to life.
Turning ideas and prose into a comic page can be daunting so you'll work through that together and start thinking in panels. You'll look at panel breakdowns, learn how to identify key moments, and convert dialogue to speech bubbles and action into manageable panels. You’ll have the option to work from a choice of scenes or bring along some of your own writing to be turned into a comic script.
After a break from long-form content after On Starlit Shores, they’re now in the process of writing the pitch for their next graphic novel while also working on their first novel draft.
When did you get into graphic novels?
Towards the end of college. I started with cape comics like Batman and Marvel and from there discovered the world of independent comics and graphic novels, notably E.M. Carroll's Through The Woods.
Who do you draw inspiration from?
I'm inspired a lot by artists I see online, but thinking about it, I grew up knowing of Claude Monet as my mum loves his work. So I would definitely say I've been inspired by Monet, even without realising it.
What is your writing process?
It's a bit messy, as I find if I have a thorough outline I lose interest or struggle to build it into a full story. Instead I try to give myself a rough idea of the story, and jot down any important plot points or scenes I really want to hit/include and then go from there. I'm a bit of a 'wing it and see' writer, for better or for worse, but it keeps me interested in moving the story forward without feeling like I'm pigeonholed.
What inspired you to write On Starlit Shores?
I lost my grandma in my second year of university and struggled to process it. I started playing with the idea of writing something to help me sort out my thoughts and emotions and in time it turned into a graphic novel. The first draft was a completely different story, and it went through many iterations, but grief was always the main focus.
What can people expect from your workshop?
A beginner friendly introduction into graphic novels and how to bring a script to life. It can be daunting turning ideas and prose into a comic page, between the illustrations and dialogue break up, so we'll work through that together and start thinking in panels.
What else have you go coming up?
I'm in the process of writing the pitch for my next graphic novel, and I'm also working on my first novel draft, which is completely different. I took a bit of a break from long-form projects after finishing OSS, but I'm excited to get back into it now.
Bex Glendining’s workshop on graphic novel writing takes place at Droit House in Margate on 18 October, as part of this year’s Margate Bookie. Book tickets.