Being retired, I have a lot of time on my hands. Over the years, since highschool, many story ideas still percolate in my head. I've been artistic since childhood, and about a year ago I got into digital art. While I don't seek a career in web comics, I still need an appropriate outlet for my creativity. I just want to have some fun. Webtoon seems to be the place to start. Your tips are valuable, and maybe something could come of it. If not, at least I had some fun. Thanks for helping to stimulate the brain cells!
That's awesome that you are thinking about making a Webtoon or any comic really. Especially if you are doing it for the joy of creativity. Let me know if you start and run into any questions. I'll try to help.
@@ysnmal It's actually going pretty well! Finished out the scripting, and I'm currently on the panelling phase. Want a few chapters done before I start posting it publicly.
I'm already doing the lineart for my first episode. Why u do me lyk dis, Walter? HAHA I did NOT realize that my whole first episode does NOT have my protagonist's first name anywhere until the end. Oh god, how did I not catch something so simple... Useful as always! I like the examples. I also noticed you've made your intro more concise. I really appreciate that! I think 10 minutes is a good spot for you!
For me a good indicator of a good beginning is if im excited to draw my beginning and the part right after. If im excited to draw episodes 1-3 (the beginning) I'm satisfied, but being pumped to draw episode 4-5 or something later shows me that not only am i excited for the beginning! but I wrote a solid enough base to be excited for what happens after the inciting incident/hook
Yeah that’s a pretty good gauge of your story. Though I have had the problem where I am excited and start drawing right away and realized later that I got a big plot hole ;)
Hey, I was wondering if you could do a video on how to get more popularity and audience engagement? I've started my story and I'm really pleased with the plot and graphics, but this will be my first ever Webtoon and I'm not sure how to make it stand out to potential readers. Thank you so much for these videos, I would never have dared to try this without your help!
Congrats! I will totally do a video about that. The most you can do right now is share your story everywhere and also go support other creators, become friends with other creators. Your group will help lift each other up.
Have you tried creating a social media page like instagram to better promote your webtoon? My webtoon would probably have no subscribers without my Instagram
I think more about the Charcters for my story. Mainly the main Character and then taking him throught the story process to the end. Really like your idea of analyzing Comics to see how you feel they worked or did not work.
Characters are my favorite part. I know for the sake of the story I need to get to the "point" of the story, but a lot of times I wish I could just come up with situations that would just highlight character personalities.
When I saw the title in the notif, I remembered u read my comic and I shrank to myself, holding my breath this entire video. Posting a nervous-sweaty-man meme feels like the most appropriate thing to do right now.
I always wanted to be a manga artist assistant because I love to draw but I gave up on that. Recently, I became interested in becoming a webtoon artist because it is more achievable. I only ever thought of drawing. Making a story is difficult to me and watching your videos is such a great help ☺️
Omg thankyou so much. Doing this contest I though I was going too slow with the story but it's nice to know that the hook built up within the first two episodes 🤩
Yeah, that's pretty fast. Nice work. I'm working on a story right now and I am really trying to cut a lot out to get to the hook faster. I need to take my own advice ;-)
Summery Character - Name - Life - Appeal ___ - Avoid similar sounding Names - Same starting letters - similar sounding - Hard to pronounce - Fits Personality and tone //Life and Appeal are closely related - Life is going to show what your character has to deal with and it also can be a catalist for the story - Appeal is going to be the characters personality traids that make them interesting to the reader Life can dictade your characters personality or vice versa like a character could be very smart and win awards but that makes them egotistical. Your Character trades does not always have to be positive, they can be negative. //Show the trades early. E.g. Sarah is a new mother, her stakes are high, she lost her husband to the aliens invading earth. (We can feel with her) The character and the story need to compliment each other. E.g. Blane is a spoiled rotten son of a billionair, his appeal is, he treats people like crap. An interesting story would be, what if Blane loses everything and has to struggle and get back on his feet and eventually become a better person. Every Story has a Hook, try to get to your hook as quick as possible. Most Webtoons try to get to the hook in the first 3 Episodes. In case of blane the hook was losing all his money. For Sarah it was losing her husband to the alien Attack. //Readers have a short attention span, you will need several hooks. Location/World Dependent on your story, your world might be its own character. Show your reader why this world is going to be appealing, how its going to affect your character and your story. A great way to see how its done is by analyzing your favorite Comics - How long did it take for you to know the main characters? - How many episodes before the hook hit? - How did they bring up characters names? - How many times were names repeated? - Create a time line for narrative map. May be do the same for comics you didnt like. Figure out why you dont like them. What did they do different, or not at all. //Keep your criticism for your self.
Thank you for making these videos! I am currently adjusting the flow of my story and the characters and their personalities while also binge-watching your videos!~
I will tell you this honestly. I always feel like I am not good enough still. It's is there talking to me everyday, as I draw. So it doesn't go away. All you can do, is force yourself to sit in front of a blank canvas and draw something, everyday. The thought gets quieter all the time, some days it may get loud, but tomorrow or the next week, it will be quieter again. All you can do is sit in front of the canvas and draw something. Maybe somedays a great drawing, maybe more days a crappy drawing. That is okay to have crappy drawings. But you'll get more and more good drawings, and the thought gets quieter and quieter. But you just draw everyday because you want to draw everyday.
What I really like about these webtoon tips youtube vids is the comment section. Every vid I watched about creating webtoons has this comments where every artist is supportive of others' progress and work. I hope we can keep this up. Loving this community.
Agreed. It's a bunch of cool people making cool things and I love how people are supportive and not so self-focused. We need to do more to nurture that kind of vibe in the rest of the world.
Ah so thats why i have a HARD time remembering characters name from Korean series even tho i LOVE that series. Their name sound very similar to each other and a bit too long for me to care.
Thank you for this! Just went back to my OC and sorted out issues I didn't even notice before!! Hopefully now I can get this webtoon started the right way! (: keep up the great energy!!
I'm gonna admit. After just discovering you from a few days ago, and posting my appreciation comment on that one video, I quickly felt embarrassed when I watched that intro of you saying this series of yours that I've been mentally taking notes on "will not focus on the creative aspect" and that you're basically gonna only post videos regarding the supposed finished stories of your audience. I've only started planning mine for a couple months😂 and I'm not even done-😂! Still, I appreciate the content and will continue to *study* at an early stage for future reference😆
I am sure I will bounce back and forth between technical and a little bit of the creative mindset. The truth is, there is no magical code for becoming a better artist or a better writer. You simple have to draw a lot and write a lot. So I don't like spending time on "this is how to draw a hand" I'd rather focus more on "don't forget to draw hands, so you can show the emotion of your character" It doesn't really matter how well the hand is drawn, as long as we know it's a hand. Of course over time of drawing a bunch of hands in your comic, you'll naturally get better. I'm not sure what my point is, but I appreciate you watching always ;-) Thank you!
Great Video. I often see the stories I want to tell as movies in my head and sometimes they start off Cliché with the suddenly-thrown-into-action scene. This made me think about how to better introduce a reader to the story. Thank you! :)
I tend to do the same thing, I like starting of the story in the middle of the action, it’s an easy way to start off with energy, but since the reader doesn’t know the character, it can be meaningless to them. So it’s a tricky balance.
Drawing on a tablet makes my art look shit. Ugh. I have a story that I’ve developed for a week and a half, but idk how to transfer my art skills over to the digital medium. This is gonna be a tough one. Oof.
I've learned that there are people who have struggled an unknown path ahead of me and paved it. It only makes sense to use their paved path as much as possible before I have to branch off in a different direction and start paving my own path.
Walterre i need help!! It's the 20th may today and i still haven't posted my short story and i am stressing out! This is the last month of my school so i am super busy! But i have first the episode ready but i dont wanna post just the first one i wanna post 2 together but if i upload 2 together my episode 3 is not yet ready What should i do? I wanna post it this month tooo aghhh
I think in the long run it won't matter too much if you post one at a time or post the first two. Unless your first episode is a little slower and it really needs that second episode to get the message across. It's really a toss up, I don't think there is a single one answer to one-at-a-time or all-at-once.
@@walterostlie my first episode is not very interesting that would want the reader to read more or subscribe so i have to put my second episode as well because it explains the story well and the ending is a cliffhanger so it may make the reader more interested.. the thing that takes more time when i make my episodes is the coloring part, i am really slow and i don't like it alot that's why i can't complete my episodes on it's due date..
"Why you didn't connect with that st-" "IT SPENT 15 PAGES EXPLAINING RANKS, POWER SYSTEMS, AND 400 NAMES, AND I STILL DONT KNOW WHO THE PROTAGONIST IS!!"
4:38, I don't know if this was on purpose, but this is basically exactly how the start of Finding Nemo was (just replace aliens with a barracuda and humans with fish).
Ty for your advices...🥰🥰 It really helps me a lot! And also comforted me... I'm 14 yo and I'm new to this so I watch videos about webcomics, manhuas etc... My art style is beautiful, not to brag but it's true..🥴 still, I still feel insecurities like will my manhua excite the readers... Will it be popular.... And other things... I had this though bcz I wanted to show Readers of how my story will be interesting.. and also I felt excitement... As time goes by, I came to realize that making comics takes a lot of effort... And so, I admire those authors, artists etc.... But I'm still motivated on making this comic of mine..
This video helped me beyond belief. One thing stumped me though. I am making my Main character somewhat of a mystery because i am planning on writing a prequel explaining his life before the story im writing. Will this cause my story to flop?
Really helpful videos. 👍 I want to start but I'm struggling to find the right gadget to digitally paint on. Should I use an IPad pro or a graphic tablet with a display instead(Wacom)? Would be nice if someone could give me advice on it. 😅
I'm listening to *all* of your webtoon videos while making the character refs for my story... I start officially making panels in 2 weeks and I'm awfully nervous, but you're definitely helping me! Thank you for giving us so much info about the process of making a webtoon
I'm glad the videos are helping. I feel your nervousness with having to start panels. I'll be starting my new project around the same time. We can be nervous twins. Good luck.
@@JemelWatson Woah!!! I totally forgot that I made this comment! Anywho, so!! I started my comic shortly after writing this down, and its been going on semi-smoothly for 2ish years now! I've been struggling to consistantly update it because of school, but I'm working my hardest! It's my pride and joy
Hi, I'm an artist and writing a story to make a webtoon... I wanted to get some advice and clear my doubts about it but I don't have anyone to help. would someone like to help me, please
I’m at the part talking about naming characters, and the part where it recommends avoiding giving characters similar names, which makes sense but it’s kinda funny for me bc I’m thinking about Johnny Ghost and Johnny Toast from VenturianTale, who not only both share the same first name but also their last names rhyme as well lol. But they both stick with you and are hard to forget. Only issue I see is if you’re not very invested with them it can be tricky to remember who is who but it’s not too bad lol
Can you create a tutorial of when it is a good time to use a panel image (box shape) and when you don't need to use it - just have a full image. Example: Joe vs Sindra comic.
For sure, I'll start thinking about a video that focuses purely on that, but have you watched this other video of mine? It may answer some of your questions. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-o_DNKCBPxkc.html
I have a story in mind for a webtoon or web "manga" i would like to make but I am so inconsistent with my art it's not even funny. I kinda wanna get someone to help with the art for me but I don't how to pay them back or anything. Real struggles of being me.
The only person I can think of that will work for free for you is ... you. ;-) Everyone starts with inconsistent art, it gets better over time, but there will always be good days and bad days, awesome drawings and poop drawings. Work on your comic every day and you'll get there. it's okay for the art to change and improve from the first page to the last page. Good luck.
@@walterostlie thanks for your words of encouragement. The more I think about it it all depends if the story is good, without the best artwork. But there's always the perfectionist side of me that wants everything perfect. But I'll do my best with what I'm able to do. Cheers and thanks again.
Alot of my favorite manga had not so great art but as it improved it got better and better. I want to make a WEBTOON but I’m preplanning season one way in advance before I start it. I’m afraid to walk into plot holes and such but it’s damn hard to make a compelling story in general and this process made me appreciate those who made it bc despite the plot holes and issues with their story over all it still had a decent audience and overall compelling story despite their flaws
I've noticed that original creators launch their first three episodes on the same day. is it necessary to do that to be original? Or it's just make it faster to get noticed by webtoon editors? Please answer my question .
Original comics are already working with Webtoon editors. The reason 3 episodes are posted at launch is to give readers enough material to get hooked to the story and subscribe to the comic at launch. All originals comics will do this. All canvas comics should do the same thing because if someone reads 3 episodes they are asked if they want to subscribe by the website, great way to boost subscriber counts. watch ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xjW1D24mIaE.html
Thank you for sharing. I like to think of where I want to start and end. Then from there I try to model it like clay lol. I still working on becoming better writer .
I tend to have a very go with the flow writing style also. It has it's positives and negatives. It's hard for me to be too structured, makes me feel like I'm doing homework.
Hey, I'm a pretty new sub but can I just say how much I appreciate your videos and how you format them? I have a pretty short attention span and most tips and tricks videos are hard for me to watch if the intro goes on for too long. Your introductions are just the right length and keep me focused! Kudos to how you write and say your script (if you have) by the way! Super easy to understand and categorized so the information you're providing really sticks to my mind.
Thanks! Yeah, I totally write a script, otherwise I would start rambling and my videos would be 1 hour long... like the q&a videos ;-) I do my best to get to the point, spit it out, and move on, So I'm glad that style is appealing. Thanks for letting me know!
Hey Walter! I published episode 2 of Sincerely, Yours (H)! Loved the video as always! Wahh I'm kinda nervous of the time limit since it takes me a lot of time to finish an episode (lesson harshly learned) but I know it's normal for a complete noob like me and I really need to manage my time better huehue. Thank you for the video! I'll use this knowledge for future webtoons! 😍💕
Thank you so much! I’m planning on 5 episodes~ The plot and the script are already done and one of my artist friends offered to do the flat colors so that’s great! 😄 Just a lil heads up, episode 3 is where things get a bit exciting~
My big struggle is having a large cast and I realize after watching your vid, that my problem was the main characters were still not fully introduced by ep 3 as there has been attempts to squeeze alot into the first 2 episodes. How do you know when you have too much backstory information?
You do too much videos about webtoon (not complaining I like it), but you don't do more webcomics? After Haxor ending in 2018 and its almost 2021? Doesn't compasate work for webtoon? Btw I love your videos, continue your nice work!
A lot of people ask me about Webtoon, which is why I have a few videos about it. Especially right now, since the contest is running, a lot of people are curious. However, a lot of the stuff I talk about is applicable to all comics; webtoon, webcomics, and print comics. For example this video you commented on, isn't webtoon specific. What kind of videos would you like to see? I love suggestions.
@@walterostlie I love this videos! It helps me a lot (right now Im doing preparation stuff before post my comic in maybe July) continue with that, my question was about your own webcomic, If after 3 years of ending Haxor you aren't going to work In a new one? If it's worth work to webcomics? But for sugestions maybe I would love to see how much a webcomic time can consume in a daily life and If its worth working on that. But in general you are doing a great job! No complains here xD
Oh, I understand now. I was working on a comic called Metalshark Bro for the last 2 years that was for print comics. I tried to convince the book publisher to put it on Webtoon as well, but they didn't want to. Right now, I just started my new project, currently writing and designing. It will be a new Webtoon. Very excited about it. Hopefully around July/August I will be able to announce more information.
I love the way you explain stuff! As being new to everything that has to do with trying to make a webtoon, your videos help me so much! Of course, I don't get all of it, but like you said the more I do it, the more it will make sense, and it has! So please don't ever stop doing your videos because I really need them!!
You can, but try to make it "fun" or make it fit within the parameters of the story. Like if it's a spy story, it could be a file report that someone is reading. It should feel like part of the story, not just a shortcut.
@@sweetdulce364 Any helpful guidance would be specific to your story, so it's hard to give you much more than that. Basically, just make it seem like it fits in your story. Could be the main character narrating, could be a cool stylistic thing. Look at the first episode of my webtoon, I do what you're talking about and I just tried to make it look cool to make it fun. But you can also make it part of the story, depending on your story. www.webtoons.com/en/sf/ghost-bats/episode-1/viewer?title_no=2348&episode_no=1
@@walterostlie Thanks to guys like you, guys like us don't have to hustle as much when breaking out.....just asking though, I really wanna go digital but my current financial status isn't that good....any advise?
It's hard to say since I don't know your situation. Maybe look at what you spend money on every month and cut stuff out to save up. Eating at restaurants, videos games, Netflix, coffee, junk food, movies, drinks. Try to cut out everything except food and rent. Maybe take on a side job. You could already be doing this. Look on eBay for used equipment, contact local design, print, video game companies to see if they have old gear. Start cheap, learn, upgrade. Good luck,.
Ahhhh your videos help me so much. I’m about to start my second WEBTOON later this month once my drawing tablet comes (My iPad expired and I can’t use Procreate anymore) and this is so helpful.
You look and sound like someone who would teach at Hogwarts and be Hermione's favorite teacher. Edit: i looked up your webtoon 'Haxor' and it's amazing!! The beginning immediately got me hooked up. I'm still on Ep. 2 but i can tell it's goldd
Hey walter, thanks for the tips though! I just upload my first webcomic when I found your video. Truth to be honest, your how-to videos are so much more easier to follow, I wish I had discover you a bit sooner :( Also, do you have any tips on promoting your comic if you just started? Many thanks though!
Hey, congrats on uploading your first comic. At least you figured it out, so that cool and the next time it will be super easy. For promotion it's hard. Share your comic a lot, tell your friends. The big one is supporting other creators around your same popularity. Then you can become friends and help each other. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the support of the comics community. And of course it takes time.
The characters in these videos? I just make them up for the example. Though I do have a character named Sarah in my book Cubicles, she didn’t rob a bank or run from aliens though.
So the hook is basically posing a situation that the reader wants the answer/end-result to? The first thing that builds tension? The introduction to a new problem that is set apart from their normal life? Great video btw as always bro u never let us down 👌🏻👌🏻
Can you get any information about webtoon green light. I have searched online and emailed webtoon support but no response. It sounds like a great way to get your comic noticed and turned into an original
I am not super clear on it either. They have an episode that sorta explains it. It sounds like there will be 9 stories total. Not any info how they were picked. www.webtoons.com/en/fantasy/webtoon-greenlight/what-is-webtoon-greenlight/viewer?title_no=1988&episode_no=1&webtoonType=WEBTOON&ogTagImageUrl=%2F20200423_74%2F15876167214645difD_JPEG%2F04_EC9E91ED9288EC8381EC84B8_mobile.jpg%3Ftype%3Dcrop540_540
Oooh, I really needed to hear this about “how long until the hook hit.” I tend to get long winded in telling stories...my current WEBTOON idea takes 10 chapters to get to the hook😳😂 Guess I need to go do some editing😅😅
I have looked at all of the first 1 or 2 pages of the comics and mangas I own before I watched this video. I stuggle with whereand how to start my comic so its nice to hear the thing I found more elaborated on.
I already drew the first and half the second page for my story (I already know where the story is going and have all the things done) they have easy characteristics and/or features and characters traits
Awesome, congrats on starting the comic. It's a really hard step for a lot of people, so way to go! Let me know when you start posting it online and give me a link.
Hello Walter! You're videos are very helpful, thank you for taking your time to help us 😊. I have a question (I can't find an answer to it): Am I allowed to watermark my webtoons? It wouldn't be cool if someone would try to steal my work ... and if I can watermark them, can I watermark each panel? Thank you so much for your time! 🙏💙
You can, but I wouldn't worry about it. Everyone puts art out the internet? Can someone steal it? Sure. Will they? Maybe. But art is hard to sell even when it's your own art and if someone wants to resell your artwork, they will get around your watermark. Most art that's stolen is when an artist draws marvel/DC/disney/pixar stuff. I don't think I've heard of someone trying to knock off independent webcomics. The watermark is just going to ruin the experience for your readers.
I'm so thankful that you've been posting these videos to help us get excited about our webtoons! Just today I was starting to feel down about audience engagement with my webtoon in the short story contest and this really cheered me up! My "beginning" for my current story is already finished but I'm gonna try to apply this advice to my next one!
Happy I could cheer you up! Don’t worry too much about the engagement, it takes time. If you haven’t already, try to connect with other creators and support them, make friends, they’ll help you in return. At least most will... the cool ones :)
I wish I had found this video before I started working on my webtoon. :( I haven't posted anything yet, but I've finished the first two episodes and I'm now on my third with a completed script. Aside from some sloppy art (which is much improved by the third ep), I messed up a main character's introduction and it's looking like the hook won't come in until the fifth or even sixth episode... I like my story, but I'm still trying to decide whether I should go back, redo the entire introduction, and start over fresh or not.
I don't know if you want to start completely over. You will always realize something could be better as your become more skilled. You can look and see if there is something in particular that's bothering you and try to add some dialogue, panels, or an episode that would fix it. You got this! Let me know when you start posting.
@@walterostlie Thanks! I think I'll just keep moving forward and try to learn from my early mistakes so I can keep improving as I go. The first eps will be a bit sloppy, but I'll try to go back and tidy them up a little without redoing them completely. Thanks again for the advice- I'll let you know when I decide to post.
Thank you for making these videos, new sub here :) Question: you've mentioned examples of an action/ fantasy plots, but what about "slice of life" type of plots? What makes a good hook in non-action stories? For example, I'm writing a comic about a guy who lost his belief in hard work, and I'm trying to make the readers care, but it's hard to do that.
Agreed, slice of life can be tricky, you don't have the energy of action to keep interest. I think you have to look at your character and think about why he would be likeable, why would readers care about him? Is he kind, is he helpful? Why is he lost? Did he lose his beliefs because of something a lot of people can relate to? Find was to make the readers see themselves in this person, see their own struggles in your story. When readers become a part of the story, they are engaged and will stick around for the conclusion. Step back and ask yourself...why this guy?
Dude! I found your channel a day or two ago, and am so blown away. All of these guides are insanely helpful, and SO well-explained!! I've recently started the writing stages of my first webcomic, which has been a longstanding dream of mine to do, and your videos have been absolutely invaluable to the process (as well as inspiring, when I'm not quite in the zone to create). BUT, most of all, the fact that you reply to commentators' questions -- and interact with your audience in such a consistently kind and helpful way -- outshines it all!! Seriously. This is also the first time I've commented on RU-vid -- I want you to know how much I appreciate what you're doing! 😂 Never change, my dude. So glad you're here.
Thank you, Tori. That’s incredibly kind of you to say and gives me a lot of inspiration to continue making videos. So thank you for taking the time to comment, it means a lot to me. Really happy that I am helping people make comics, its what I wanted.
