Graphic novels, a variation of comic books, are slowly but surely gaining popularity with tweens and teens. Thousands who just went to see Thor are eagerly waiting for the opening night of Captain America, Green Lantern and The Avengers. The movies that are expected to generate millions in the box office will also refresh curiosity in graphic novels.
Creating a graphic novel combines writing and illustrating with great creativity. It can be educational, exciting and fun. For young graphic novel enthusiasts the process of creating a graphic novel can be a great adventure that exercises their inner artists and makes a great project for long summer days.
Barbara Slate, graphic novelist and author of You Can Do a Graphic Novel guides readers through the same process she learned in her early days working for Marvel and DC Comics-a process she has simplified for the classes she teaches and for the syndicated column she writes.
The book teaches readers how to:
· Be creative in a way that works for you.
· Find your own artistic style!
· Create characters that get people's attention ... and hold it!
· Develop a great plotline and write believable dialogue.
· Lay out pages to keep the story moving forward.
· Keep those creative juices flowing when you get stuck.
About the Author:
Barbara Slate has done it all. Her first character, Ms. Liz, appeared on millions of greeting cards, in a regular comic strip for Cosmopolitan magazine, as a spokesperson for Dupont's Lycra and as the star in a series of animated segments on NBC's Today Show. Her big break in comics came when she created Angel Love for DC Comics. From there, she created, wrote and drew Yuppies from Hell, and Sweet XVI for Marvel and put her own spin on the Disney classics Beauty and the Beast, Pocahontas, Archie's Betty and Veronica, and Mattel's Barbie. Barbara's art has been exhibited in many galleries and reviewed by The New York Times.She is profiled in the seminal work A Century of Women Cartoonists. Stan Lee, Chairman, POW! Entertainment and Chairman Emeritus, Marvel Entertainment, calls Barbara "titanically talented." She is currently busy being a mom, doing a graphic novel titled, I Got Married and Other Mistakes, and teaching. Her website is barbaraslate.com.
You Can Do a Graphic Novel
ISBN: 9781592579556
Alpha Books, $19.95
MY REVIEW:
I really loved You Can Do a Graphic Novel. This book is great for kids and adults alike. It's bright, colorful and full of drawings. With chapters such as Your Story, The Creative Process, Creating Characters, Writing, Layout, and more, this book as everything you need to get started writing a graphic novel. There is even a glossary in the back to help you understand the terms used in the book.
You Can Do a Graphic Novel would make a great, fun way to get your kids writing. And drawing. This would make a great unit for the homeschooler for the middle school and high school. It is possible for younger ages to this book also. As long as your child can read, write, and draw, they will learn a lot from this book, regardless of grade level.
This would also make a great summer project. Keep the kids engaged with their reading and writing while having fun. My 12 year daughter wants to use the book. I think this would make a great family project also. Have the writer in the family write the story. The artist draw the pictures. Even the younger kids could help by giving ideas for the story, and what the characters should look like. How awesome would it be to give books for Christmas (or other holiday) presents that your family has made together?
Sounds great, right? How would you like to win your own book?
The Giveaway:
Enter to win a copy of You Can Do a Graphic Novel.
To Enter the Giveaway:
Do any (or all!) of the following:
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7. Leave a comment - Do you or your kids like to draw? Has anyone in your family ever tried to do a graphic novel?
That's right, no mandatory entry. You choose how you want to enter!
*This giveaway ends on Monday, July 6th at 11:59 pm Open to US only. The winner will be selected by random.org. I will notify the winner by email. The winner must respond within 48 hours to claim their prize, or another winner will be chosen. I will verify entries.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. I received one book for review purposes. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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