I’m getting one question more than any other these days – whether it’s phrased as a comment (e.g. “I don’t know how you…”) or a straight up query (“How do you…”), people want to know how I’m managing my workload. I’m way overdue for a post here in any case, and it seems like this will be a good opportunity to talk about the projects I have happening right now as well as reflect a bit on the insane year that has been 2013. So, this, then, is…
…HOW I DO IT.
I am currently writing seven monthly titles – Superman / Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing and Red Lanterns for DC; Thunderbolts, She-Hulk and Inhuman for Marvel; and a creator-owned title called Letter 44 from Oni Press (read the entire first issue for free here!) That essentially means I’m generating 140 pages of script per month, every month. My pagecount for 2013 is 1116. If I stay on this path, my pagecount for 2014 will be something like 1680. Every script that gets turned in also (usually) requires at least one rewrite to incorporate editorial notes (those are thankfully pretty quick, most of the time), art review and then a lettering pass, all of which have their own deadlines. There’s also a PR component, represented by interviews, Twitter, Facebook, blogging, convention appearances and store signings.
In addition, I’m running a law practice – it’s small, but that doesn’t really matter as far as workload. (Small aside, for years, while I was breaking in, I never mentioned the day job. I was concerned about negative associations with that profession, and intimations that it was somehow easier for me than it might be for others who didn’t have massive student loans and 80-hour work weeks to contend with… seems silly in retrospect.)
There are other things I do that take up time as well, but I don’t know that you actually need my minute-to-minute itinerary. Suffice it to say that my ass is BOOKED UP.
It is extremely important to me that the work doesn’t suffer in quality because of obligations towards quantity. That’s obviously very important on the creative side, but also professionally crucial on the law side. I’ve always had to handle significant workloads, ever since graduating from law school, but these days it’s on an entirely different level. Here are a few strategies I use to hold things together and make sure the books remain entertaining and deadlines get hit:
1. Decide. This is ultimately the most important point. I considered this path carefully, and I have decided that I can handle it, and I will do what is required to make the preceding clause true. We all have much more time and focus than we think we do. We’re capable of amazing things. We just have to decide to do them.
2. Organize. I make lists constantly. I have a to-do list that appears in several different places (phone, email, whiteboard, desktop), which I update as new obligations hit my desk. (The idea being that I’m constantly being confronted with reminders of the next set of tasks on my plate). I have a stack of different-colored moleskines, each assigned to a different title, so I can quickly grab whichever book I need and all of the notes remain in one place moving forward. Everyone will have their own system, but I think that it is crucial to have a system. I have a good memory, but if I can offload mental processing power that I would otherwise use trying to remember what I have to do next, or what I’ve already done, so much the better.
3. Recognize. The world is constantly vying for your attention. That’s the entire purpose of the adspace that invades our consciousness during almost every waking moment. Try to eliminate distractions, to the extent possible – shut off your internet and phone when you’re working, write longhand first drafts, all of that. Beyond involuntary timesucks, there are the ones we choose – video games/TV/Netflix, screwing around online, getting hammered or high, just generally bumming around. “Wait,” you’re thinking, “that shit is what some would call fun.” Yup. I haven’t cut out the good times, but see (1) – I try to restrict that stuff to what I need, instead of what I want. This is where I might lose people, but it’s one of the most honest answers to the “how I do it” question. I do it by deciding that I want to do the truly important stuff well instead of spending time on stuff that, ultimately, doesn’t matter.
4. Say No. I turn down things all the time. You might not think so, based on the workload, but I do. I just said no to a gigantic project, because I didn’t think I could do that without compromising some of the other work I’m doing. I turn down(some) interview requests, store appearances, convention appearances, social stuff, even clients – this goes back to (3) – I know what I want to achieve, and if I can’t draw a relatively straight line between [x] (a potential obligation) and [y] (a goal), then I just say no. Hmm. It’s possible that I’m coming across as a bit psychotic, but it’s not really that bad – I love doing the work, otherwise I wouldn’t be so focused on trying to do it well.
5. Run. I’ve learned that, despite points 2-4 above apparently being concerned solely with locking my life down as tightly as possible and micro-managing the hell out of every second of every day, that’s not great for mental health or creativity. So, I put myself in situations where my brain can just do its thing, away from the lists and schedules and rigor. I run every other day, usually for about an hour. I often set myself a question at the beginning of a run (what will Red Lanterns 30 be about? How should the final battle between Swampy and Seeder play out?) and then by the end of it, I often have my answer. It’s not a conscious thing – it’s about letting my mind just work, and the exercise tends to let that happen. I don’t know what the equivalent would be for others, but this is a crucial part for me – without it, I’d have cracked in half a long time ago. Plus, it’s, you know, healthy.
6. Pre-Write. I don’t often sit down to write without having a pretty solid idea of what’s going to happen on each page of a script. I do this by outlining issues in several phases ahead of time – usually in those multicolored moleskines I mentioned above. My first pass is just a general splorch of every idea or plot point that I think might fit in the issue. That isn’t always done all at once – it can happen over several days, as I have new ideas. That gets refined into a second pass that starts to look like an actual story outline – it’s a list of the plot points that need to be in the issue. Then that turns into a page breakdown, where I say that pages 1-3 will cover scene X, with points A-D covered, and sample dialogue. From there, I script. So, I’m almost never sitting and staring at a blank page. If nothing else, I can type in the page breakdowns to the script, so I have, say, 50% of the finished product that I can shape if I have to. I’m a firm believer in the idea that you don’t have all of your good ideas at once. Your subconscious needs time to work on a story, to build on existing ideas, and getting your first version of those ideas down (somewhere, anywhere) frees up your mind to find the next iteration of those thoughts.
7. Sit Down and Don’t Stand Up. When it’s time to script, sit down and don’t stand up until it’s done. I usually write a full script in a day, most often in 3-5 hours. I often go somewhere that isn’t my usual environment, like one of several local coffee shops or bars (bars, I find, are better for pre-writing, while coffee shops are better for scripting, but each to their own), but your mileage may vary. The point is that I try to put myself in a situation where I can just do that – turn off phone, turn off internet, etc. (see (3).) This one might not work for everyone – some people write in chunks and it works just fine – but this post isn’t about how they do it, it’s about how I do it.
8. Decide. Seemed important enough to put it on the list twice.
So there you have it. More or less, how I do it. I expect that this will evolve – I don’t know that I’ll always be writing seven monthly titles – I’m doing it now because I don’t want to drop off books that I don’t feel like I’ve “finished,” or where I might be letting people down if I did. However, several of the books I’m writing do have planned endpoints (for me, not necessarily for the books), and so I think I’ll move along to new projects here and there in time. Seven is a lot. I’m not pretending it’s not.
Now that you’ve slogged through all of that, here are a few more general thoughts on the books I’m working on, in no particular order:
1. Superman / Wonder Woman – This project made me nervous, initially, but that’s one of the reasons I knew I should do it. I also really wanted to write Superman and Wonder Woman, and the idea of getting to explore emotional beats with them that might not otherwise be available was a huge attraction as well. The reception has been fantastic, better than I could have hoped – I’ve heard from a lot of people who thought they’d hate it, but have been won over, and that’s one of the best things a writer can hear. Tony Daniel is doing some of the best work of his career (in my opinion), and I am incredibly excited with the way the first arc (which runs through #6) wraps up. I’d never really done gigantic-scale superhero action before this series, but I think it will read as epic and very emotionally satisfying. I hope!
2. Inhuman – I’m applying many of the lessons I learned on S/WW to this series. Epic scope with many strong character beats. The great thing about this series is that it’s not going to feel like anything else Marvel’s doing, and it’s going to be able to utilize surprise in a cool way because so much of it is new. Plus, of course, Joe Mad – I’m so lucky to be working with the artists I’m working with these days. Speaking of that…
3. She-Hulk – …Javier Pulido. The man is brilliant. If you missed it, Axel Alonso tweeted a few pages from She-Hulk #2 that will explain what I’m talking about. In the script, that’s just a page of two folks chatting, but Mr. Pulido brings it to life like nobody’s business. And if he can do that with a conversation page, wait until you see the action stuff. She-Hulk is an incredibly fun, funny series, and I’m really looking forward to it showing up on the shelf in six weeks or so.
4. Letter 44 – this is my first creator-owned project since Strange Attractors, and I could not have asked for a better reception. The first issue sold out, the numbers are very healthy on subsequent issues, and fingers crossed, we’ll get to tell the whole story as planned. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, and you enjoy any of my other books or cool real-world sci-fi in general, I urge you to click on the link to the first issue above. It’s about a Presidential conspiracy to cover up a manned mission to the asteroid belt to meet aliens who have set up residence there, and it should appeal to fans of anything and everything.
5. Red Lanterns – Guy Gardner now has a ‘stache! DC has been incredibly cool about letting me turn this book into a revenge saga based around sort of a space biker gang. People seem to dig it, and we’re really just getting rolling. The pieces will start to fit together soon, and you’ll be able to see where I’ve been heading since my first issue (#21). There’s a definite plan in mind here, and it’s going to be big.
6. Thunderbolts – man, this book is fun. I love the lineup, and I love being able to write stories in essentially any tone. You want grim, write about Punisher. You want tragic, write about Red Hulk or Venom. You want idiotic, write about Deadpool. I can do ANYTHING!!! There’s an upcoming arc written with sort of an Indiana Jones-esque feel to it, to which I say “Yay comics!”
7. Swamp Thing – my first book in the Big 2, and where I think I’m doing some of the most creative work of my career so far. Swamp Thing has always been a book about risk-taking, and I’d like to thank everyone who’s followed me on the Avatar’s journey after Scott Snyder stepped away with Issue 18. Swamp Thing has made a bunch of 2013 best of lists, which is hugely due to the incredible work of artists Jesus Saiz, Kano and Javier Pina and the colors from Matt Wilson. Just stunning work. There are amazing things on the way in Swamp Thing in 2014 – we’re just going to grow from here.
Beyond those projects, I also have some new creator-owned stuff I’m working on, including sort of a jam project, as well as an epic I’ve been working on for years, and more. It’s truly astonishing to me to think about where I was just a year ago (no Big 2 work announced, although I had the Swamp Thing job by then) and where I am now. I’m incredibly thankful to everyone who’s taken the time to read, review or talk about my work in 2013, and I’m looking forward to great things in 2014. Happy New Year!
December 30, 2013 at 6:19 pm
Reblogged this on Cowboys Don't Swim and commented:
Reblogging this because I think it’s fascinating for Charles Soule fans, comics fans, and writers in general.
December 30, 2013 at 6:24 pm
Excellent blueprint for Success Charles. Keep up the great work.
December 30, 2013 at 6:38 pm
Let’s get this man out of his day job! Great post, but I STILL don’t understand how you do it! Hope you can keep up the steam all through 2014 – and congrats on a well-deserved streak of strong writing. All the best!
December 30, 2013 at 11:24 pm
Couldn’t get the link for “Letter 44” Nº1 to work – but searched for it, and this worked for me: http://io9.com/read-the-first-issue-of-letter-44-the-comic-everyones-1472795323
December 30, 2013 at 11:32 pm
Urgh – thanks for the heads-up. Fixed. I wish someone had mentioned that 1300 visitors ago!
December 31, 2013 at 12:13 am
No problem! Enjoyed the book, by the way, and will try to pick up the rest!
December 30, 2013 at 11:57 pm
As a aspiring writer I feel like this post has given me a few great tips. Thanks Charles! im diggin your books keep up the great work!
December 31, 2013 at 12:47 am
[…] “How I do it” by Charles Soule […]
December 31, 2013 at 2:34 am
What can one do but learn from this? Thank you sir!
December 31, 2013 at 5:20 am
Saying it and actually doing it are two totally different things. I give you a lot of credit. Also, if you run every other day for an hour, you must be covering at least 10K in that time. Also very nice.
December 31, 2013 at 2:45 pm
[…] YOU DOING THIS???”—in fact I asked him that the last time I saw him—so he has written a blog post to explain so he doesn’t have to waste precious time answering that question any […]
December 31, 2013 at 3:07 pm
[…] YOU DOING THIS???”—in fact I asked him that the last time I saw him—so he has written a blog post to explain so he doesn’t have to waste precious time answering that question any […]
December 31, 2013 at 4:29 pm
This was a great read. As a 3L currently set to graduate in the next few months, I have struggled for years trying to find the time to explore creative endeavors while completing law school. It is nice to know that it is entirely possible to find the time to go down these creative avenues.
This post also gave me hope that I can balance a law career and/or use the skills gained from obtaining a law degree to possibly begin non-traditional careers.
Thanks.
December 31, 2013 at 7:00 pm
[…] how does Soule do it all? He offers some insight on his blog, breaking down the strategies he uses “to hold things together and make sure the books remain […]
December 31, 2013 at 7:56 pm
Wow. So that’s how you do it! Cool. I just hope you get some vacation time now and then.
Been utterly loving your DC work so far, especially Red Lanterns. And plan to cross the corporate divide for She-Hulk. How accessible will Inhuman be for someone who isn’t a big Marvelite?
December 31, 2013 at 9:44 pm
You were THE writer in 2013. Keep it up!!!!
January 1, 2014 at 12:00 am
[…] busy Soule — like Walters, he’s a lawyer — has high praise for Pulido, writing on his blog that, “The man is brilliant. If you missed it, Axel Alonso tweeted a few pages from She-Hulk […]
January 1, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Reblogged this on Lady Batman and commented:
Some good advice for the New Year from one of my favourite writers.
January 1, 2014 at 1:38 pm
Reblogged this on Lady Batman and commented:
Some good advice for the New Year from one of my favourite writers.
January 1, 2014 at 2:00 pm
[…] Read Charles Soule’s complete post. (Thanks to Robot 6). […]
January 7, 2014 at 6:05 pm
A belated Happy New Year to you! Cool insight there Mr Soule and very enlightening. I think quite a few people are also amazed that not only you manage that workload but maintaining the quality. Looking forward to what you are going to do with the Inhumans!
January 16, 2014 at 8:46 pm
I always wondered how you managed to put together that anthology back in the day as well as your regular job.. after reading this post, I had no idea 😀
Congrats on your well deserved success and best of luck in the future!
January 17, 2014 at 12:57 am
Thanks so much, Cth – nice to hear from you!
January 16, 2014 at 9:52 pm
Fascinating stuff, but really, you’re not trying. Take on a few more books – we need a Legion comic, for starters….
January 17, 2014 at 12:57 am
Yeah yeah.
January 17, 2014 at 12:43 am
Fascinating insight into your writing process & work ethic. Passed it on to my aspiring artist son. We are both looking forward to your interpretation of the Inhumans ( I remember their first introduction FF # 45 to the Marvel Universe ) . The release of the Terrigen Mist resembles the Wild cards concept, but the addition of the history & culture of the Inhumans adds an extra potential; it becomes an intriguing way to explore the “Other” in society (race, ethnicity, cultural- linguistic etc.) , Best of luck.
January 17, 2014 at 12:56 am
Thanks very much! I see it in a very similar way.
January 23, 2014 at 1:13 am
A little late, but only read this now via a thread on CBR. This is a question I’d wondered myself actually, as it seems each week I hear about a new book with you on writing duties!
Very interesting read, and I guess it helps that you are doing something you enjoy as well (well, usually enjoy, I imagine!) otherwise you’d probably go insane.
Just wanted to say I’m loving your work on Swamp Thing and I keep meaning to checkout more of your work. I don’t buy a lot of Marvel, but Inhuman sounds like the next Marvel title I’ll pickup.
June 24, 2014 at 4:19 am
[…] script as quickly as three to five hours (plus, as he says in his instructional essay, “How I Do It,” multiple drafts and reviews). But as amazing as that productivity is, the real […]
October 23, 2014 at 10:58 pm
[…] helm. This guy is pretty amazing, he writes for several comics while also practicing law in NYC and this is how he does it. I’m really glad to have this book dedicated to Jennifer’s lawyer adventures with a […]
October 28, 2014 at 3:10 pm
[…] Soule, a super-prolific writer of comic books and a partner at a law firm, wrote that he solves most of his story problems while going on runs. It’s amazing how simple exercise can open you up to new ideas and huge potential. Follow […]
October 28, 2014 at 8:57 pm
[…] Charles Soule, un escritor de cómics y socio en un bufete de Abogados, escribió sobre “como resuelve la mayoría de sus problemas mientras corre” […]
March 23, 2015 at 8:59 am
He visitado este artículo de gran actualidad pese a que lo
has escrito hace un montón de tiempo. ¡Sigue siendo genial!