Zub Tales

With my current work schedule it’s been difficult to put together the kind of tutorial articles. Even still, I try to keep up with questions from aspiring creators on my Tumblr page. If you’re not following me there you might have missed some interesting information or helpful advice.

Here’s a second hub (here’s the first one with 50+ questions answered) where I’ll paraphrase the best questions I’ve received about work-for-hire/writing for Marvel and point you toward my answers:

GETTING STARTED

Q: Once you’re a writer for Marvel/DC, how does it work? Are you just waiting to be assigned projects?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/171014148175/how-does-it-work-when-you-sign-up-with-dc-as-a

Q: How do you submit an original/creator-owned concept to Marvel/DC?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/174630734045/have-you-ever-submitted-an-original-series-idea-to

Q: How do you get started on making comics?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/171802782820/what-advice-might-you-bestow-on-a-16-year-old
and
http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/170252147500/what-would-you-recommend-for-someone-trying-to

Q: How do I sell my story ideas to Marvel/DC?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/171014792625/could-someone-sell-dcmarvel-stories-every-now
and
http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/181742701120/hi-im-a-writer-who-loves-to-write-comic-i-wrote

Q: How do you pitch a mini-series instead of an ongoing series?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/171014351725/hi-i-love-your-articles-about-writing-comics

Q: How do people from foreign countries submit their work to Marvel/DC?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/170347209290/is-it-possible-for-people-from-other-countries-to

Q: What does a story pitch look like for Marvel/DC?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/180987887075/hi-jim-what-is-the-format-in-writing-a-outline

Q: How do you complete a draft and revise it?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/182031443640/drafts-how-the-heck-do-they-work-ive-written-a

Q: How do I send a message to a Marvel editor?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/181586131315/how-do-i-send-message-or-a-letter-to-different

Q: Is it okay to pitch several publishers the same project at the same time?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/180104877485/for-an-unestablished-writer-trying-to-get-a

Q: How do you negotiate your contract with an editor?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/180104439995/how-do-you-deal-your-contrats-with-an-editor-do

Q: How do you balance the amount of words with the art when scripting?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/180033905375/hello-jim-something-i-noted-about-your-story-arc

IDEAS AND WORKING WITH THE CREATIVE TEAM

Q: Do you write full script or “Marvel Style”?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/177271910860/kinda-weird-question-but-do-you-prefer-witting

Q: How do you plan out your work on a monthly comic series and stay organized?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/179053801325/can-you-describe-your-organisation-planning-when

Q: How much of the story do you share with the artists you work with?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/172393188630/how-much-of-your-storyidea-you-should-share-with

Q: How much visual reference do you send to the artist?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/172041387835/hello-first-off-as-a-high-school-senior-or-the

Q: How much input does the artist get on the story you’re working on?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/171633205440/dear-mr-zub-in-your-personal-experience-how

Q: Now that you’re a regular Marvel writer, do you still have to “pitch” your future stories? Are there any restrictions?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/182110075785/hey-jim-i-read-in-one-of-your-earlier-answers

Q: How do you do research and prepare for writing work-for-hire characters?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/179077715195/hello-big-fan-of-your-work-especially-of-no
and
http://www.patreon.com/posts/19735863

Q: Do you ever have story ideas rejected by your editor? If so, what do you do?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/178449870800/did-you-ever-have-some-ideas-or-stories-that

Q: When you write the comic script, do you have a clear vision of how it looks in your head?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/178140750730/hey-jim-when-writing-comic-scripts-is-it-often

Q: How far ahead do you plan your stories?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/177738360380/how-far-aheadout-do-you-normally-right-for-you
and
http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/180985686655/hi-jim-ive-always-wondered-how-far-ahead-a

Q: How do writers at Marvel/DC decide when a character will age?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/177341299470/i-always-wondered-when-writers-decide-that-its

Q: How does it work when a character’s costume changes? Who decides on that?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/180310299165/who-decides-when-costume-changes-for-characters

Q: Do you decide the sexuality of characters you write for Marvel/DC?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/179826062195/is-it-the-writers-decision-to-make-a-certain

Q: How do you feel about killing characters at Marvel/DC?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/175333563050/how-do-you-feel-about-the-use-of-violence-and-more

Q: How does it work when you create a new character for Marvel/DC?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/173562110750/i-really-love-snowguards-design-and-wanted-to-ask
and
http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/170616607860/some-writers-have-created-new-characters-for

Q: If you create a new character for Marvel/DC, can you restrict how they’re used?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/170616792730/if-somebody-had-a-new-character-for-green-arrow-or

Q: Can an editor demand changes be made to a script you write? What happens if you walk away from a project?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/172506598685/can-the-editor-or-somebody-else-to-demand-changes
and
http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/172519996930/if-you-walk-away-from-a-project-cause-your-story

Q: Can an editor force a writer to work on something they don’t like?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/172503058590/can-a-writer-at-marvel-be-assigned-to-write-a

Q: Do you write descriptions for covers for the monthly series you’re working on?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/172502729670/do-you-write-covers-i-mean-do-you-send-your

Q: Do you have to get permission to use characters that guest star in your series?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/172272797750/ive-been-wondering-one-thing-imagine-that-in

Q: What changes when you become a Marvel/DC exclusive writer?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/171610697495/what-changes-with-exclusivity-for-marveldc-when

Q: How do you negotiate deadlines with your editor/publisher?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/168004723515/hi-jim-i-was-wondering-how-would-you-recommend

Q: What’s more difficult – writing character dynamics or the plot?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/179789110165/what-is-the-most-difficult-in-a-superheroes-team

Q: How has writing for commercial properties changed the way you write?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/182031733905/how-has-writing-for-major-publishers-like-marvel

OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKING IN COMICS

Q: How did you get your start working in comics?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/170150550480/howd-you-start-getting-into-comics-also-can-i

Q: How much money do you make writing superheroes? Are you rich?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/179554433995/im-thinking-about-writing-comics-but-i-wanna-make
and
http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/170347326155/how-much-an-average-writer-get-from-dc-if-you

Q: Do your creator-owned series make money?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/168622777220/hi-jim-do-your-image-series-make-money-and-if

Q: What were your catalysts for pursuing storytelling as a career?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/179552657580/what-would-you-say-were-catalysts-for-you-pursuing

Q: Do you think that blocking fans on social media is bad for business?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/174851191045/i-notice-that-a-lot-of-marvel-writers-block-fans

Q: How do you get motivated to write or draw?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/179832948785/what-advice-would-you-give-to-an-aspiring-comic

Q: How do you stick with a project once the initial creative burst of ideas has worn off?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/174369774375/i-have-a-lot-of-creative-interests-and-as-a

Q: How long does it take to write a comic script?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/174369602755/jim-about-how-many-hours-a-day-do-you-work-on

Q: How do smaller publishers stay afloat with such low sales numbers?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/173733012330/mr-zub-since-you-are-very-knowledgable-about-the

Q: Would you be interested in personally mentoring a new young writer?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/173065934835/would-you-ever-be-interested-in-tutoring-a-young

Q: What do you think of Marvel/DC’s publishing model?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/181552419900/hey-mr-zub-i-love-your-run-on-the-chanpions

Q: What’s the best way to support my favorite comics?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/179519021580/what-is-the-best-way-to-support-the-writers-and

Q: Is working in comics worth it?
A: http://jimzub.tumblr.com/post/171126913210/hey-jim-a-loaded-question-but-i-just-want-to

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If you found the above Q&A links helpful, feel free to let me know here (or on Twitter), share the post with your friends and consider buying some of my comics to show your support for me answering all these questions instead of doing paying work. 😛