Flatplans, fan reactions, and the art of letting go
From planning a 160-page graphic novel to surviving the internet’s hottest takes.
Hello there!
Thought I'd give you a quick 'adventures in writing' update!
Last week was mainly taken up with flatplanning a 160 page graphic novel.
For those unfamiliar with the term, 'flatplan' is a call-back to my magazine editing days, where you start with something like this…
… and then fill in everything that makes up the issue.
It was one of my favourite parts of being an editor: a blank canvas every nineteen days or so. You'd work out the pacing and flow of an issue, seeing what could be shifted around from issue to issue. I get the same thrill of excitement when I sit down to plan out a comic these days – figuring out the reveals, page-turns, set-pieces and quieter character moments.
When I started in magazines, flatplans done in a programme called QuarkXPress before everyone moved onto InDesign. I also had a physical floor-to-ceiling version on the wall, every page printed out and placed like a puzzle when designed. I'd spend hours shifting pages around to get the flow just right.
I was such a flatplan geek.
These days, I build my plans in Notion, moving around pages as I block out an issue.
And for a 160-page graphic novel? Well, it's a beast! To keep it manageable, I broke the entire thing into eight sequences, roughly 20 pages each. Since this is an adaptation of an existing novel, the biggest challenge was deciding what to cut. A 300+ page book has far more action than can realistically fit in a GN, but the fun comes with tweaking scenes to make the most of the medium.
The outline is now with the editor, and I hope to start writing the script in a couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, on the internet...
The other big things last week were the launch of Star Wars: The High Republic — Fear of the Jedi and the announcement of the new Gwenpool book.
Fear issue one seems to have gone down well, which was a massive relief.
And as for the Gwenpool news... yeah, that was a whirlwind.
I only saw a little of the reaction — I’m mainly only on Bluesky these days — but I can image the response was similar across other platforms. Some people were excited, while others were absolutely livid!
Of course, the negative comments are what sticks with you.
As former Doctor Who, Jodie Whittaker said in a Sunday Times interview last weekend:
‘Rage is always loud—compliments are always quieter.’
Naturally, there’s passion involved. Fans are passionate people. They care. Really, really care. How do I know? Because I’m one of them!
And sometimes the reaction is a big booming ‘WHAAAAAT?’ – especially when the news drops out of the blue.
'They’re bringing Gwen Stacy back? And she’s a killer? With Wolverine powers?!'
'WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?!'
Add to that the assumption that she's replacing the original Gwenpool as protagonist and – BOOM! – you have the perfect recipe for a furore.
(Just for the record: Gwendoline Poole – the original Gwenpool – is very much at the heart of this book... and, trust me, has plenty to say about the snikty new arrival!)
The job of a press release is to get people talking, so mission accomplished! It's definitely done that. The real question is: should I, as the writer, get involved?
It’s certainly hard not to. This isn't just big news for the character or the book, it’s big news for me. Huge. My third Marvel superhero book on the bounce, writing characters I love, including — wait — Spider-Man?
Are you kidding me?!
I had multiple things to do when editor Jordan D. White first came to me with the pitch. I needed to find a story that would:
a) be fun,
b) intrigue existing Gwenpool fans while bringing in new ones.
c) remain true to the character while trying something fresh and exciting.
d) be something I could be proud of.
No pressure then!
So when you see folk getting upset, it’s hard not to jump straight in try to convince them that it's going to be alright and they should give it a go.
Or not to flinch people call you a hack.
Ouch.
Okay, so they don’t know me from Adam. And yeah, they've probably never read any of my work. But that doesn't stop it being a kick to the gut no matter how thick a skin you think you've developed.
Me being me, I wasn't content to just stick to the responses directed at me. Oh no. I went looking, actively searching for mentions of Gwenpool!
WHAT WAS I THINKING?
It's like picking a scab. I know I shouldn’t, but somehow I can't help myself.
I.
Just.
Need.
To.
See.
This is why I limit my time on social media, using the Freedom app to block all social sites until 7pm. I get a three hour window and it locks up tight again at 10pm.
But last Tuesday I turned Freedom off, because I knew the news was coming... and immediately went down the rabbit hole.
Most of the stuff I tried to ignore. The most abusive comments I blocked. And along the way I had some lovely conversations with folk who were either concerned about the series or were excited to see what we were doing.
The highpoint came with this lovely message from the writer of Gwen's original (and utterly brilliant) run:
(Thanks Chris!)
I love chatting to other comic fans, especially about the work I’m currently doing, but often wonder: is it good for me?
Plus, as a writer, surely the work itself has to come first.
That’s what I kept reminding myself this week as I wrote Gwenpool #5, the last issue in the series. This is the one that pulls it all together; everything we’ve been building toward, everything we’re trying to say.
Because in the end, that has to be the focus, right?
The stories themselves.
Over to you!
I’d love to hear what you think:
- Do you like seeing creators get stuck into conversations online – or would you rather let the books do the talking?
- And for the writers out there: how important is social media these days? Is it a necessity or a distraction? Should we just announce the work, then back the hell off?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Until next time, look after yourself and each other,
