Whitechapel - The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency Wed, 22 May 2013 09:59:57 -0700 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.1.4 & Feed Publisher The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216172#Comment_216172 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216172#Comment_216172 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 06:50:54 -0800 warrenellis
Kelly Sue's a writer. She does "manga adaptation" (what happens after translation but before you read it), which is nowhere near as easy as it sounds. She used to be a professional actor. She co-wrote a 30 DAYS OF NIGHT series with Steve Niles. She's published prose, edited, was one of the co-founders with me on the artbomb.net project, was in COMIC BOOK TATTOO like Em and various other anthologies, is just about to start some new projects at Marvel, used to have the job description "Smut Peddler" on her business card, and is currently cooking her second child.

I had to kind of twist her arm to do a week here, but the Marvel stuff is popping now, and she's had such a varied career, and has so many stories, that I thought it'd be a good idea 1) for her to show you what she's doing and talk about her work 2) for you, especially the budding writers, to be able to talk to her and ask questions.

Say hello to Kelly Sue now.

-- W ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216174#Comment_216174 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216174#Comment_216174 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:06:22 -0800 jbowline
Two questions, one that I've seen mentioned many times but never got the full story and one that I've never seen addressed.

I am aware that you and Fraction met on the old Ellis board. Was it just that simple, met, became friends, fell in love, or is there a juicier story there that's worth public consumption?

Second, in what ways has having child(ren) affected your work, both in the obvious ways, such as scheduling, and maybe less obvious, like what sort of projects you take on?

I look forward to reading this week. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216175#Comment_216175 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216175#Comment_216175 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:12:07 -0800 Paprika
I have just started working on a graphic novel with a writer. Its my first one. Do you have any advice that can help keep this process smooth and productive? ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216180#Comment_216180 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216180#Comment_216180 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:26:09 -0800 joshbales
I've always wondered: how does the whole "manga translation" process work? Do you translate the dialogue straight from the Japanese, or do you receive a rough, literal translation, and then go through and stylize/remodel the translated dialogue? It seems like it would be interesting work.

Thanks in advance. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216183#Comment_216183 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216183#Comment_216183 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:34:02 -0800 emsie
It's going back a little, but I adored your Demon Diary adaptation. It genuinely had me laughing out loud in places ('How DARE you admonish ME, demon?!'). I've always wondered just how much you, as the adapter, have to add to the script - beyond the localisation. Especially in terms of humour; as different cultures are bound to have different senses of humour. As the words match the images perfectly, I'm assuming not too much changes in terms of context, but what would a line like that I've quoted start out as in the Japanese?

Keep up the awesome work! Can't wait for your new Marvel releases :) ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216185#Comment_216185 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216185#Comment_216185 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:39:35 -0800 ericMesquivel
As Ellis points out in the introduction to this thread: you're pretty much a bundle of talent: you've acted, edited, composed comic scripts, written prose, taken photos, created human life, curated for the world's most celebrated paint-by-numbers museum, etcetera.

Do you think it's important for creative types to branch out into other mediums of expression? Is your comic book writing informed by your time as an actress, erotica author, editor and vice versa?

Also: I want you to know that whenever I reread that Agua Pesada scene from Casanova in which a super scientist murders a guest for insulting The Fab Four (written by Mr. Deconnick) I flash back to our Twitter tête-à-tête & weep a little bit.

Your super fan,
eric M. esquivel
www.ModernMythologyPress.com ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216187#Comment_216187 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216187#Comment_216187 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:45:07 -0800 kellysue
Second, I should apologize up front: I'll be more out than in today. I've got three appts on the books--in addition to needing to hit my page count--Fraction's away on business and my Monday stress level's elevated a tad above normal. Threat level orange or somesuch. Not that I expect there to be a real run on this thread, but those of you who do stop by... well, I'm not going to be able to get you your answers in the timely manner that would most please me. Things will calm down considerably tomorrow however.

Oh hey--HL's awake! Must go be a mommy for a bit. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216201#Comment_216201 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216201#Comment_216201 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:50:01 -0800 SigridEllis
1. I didn't know you did Demon Diary! I love that one! Which leads to my first question, is there a list, somewhere, of the work you've adapted? (I've done some cursory Google searching and couldn't find anything, which may simply mean I'm looking for the wrong things.)

2. Thanks, hugely, for the time you take to talk to people you don't know particularly. Here and in email you've been damn gracious, and I appreciate it. I especially appreciate because I am not always that gracious, though I'm trying to learn. Which leads to question two, do you consider yourself and introvert or an extrovert, and how much of each? I would guess you as extrovert, but people often look different online than offline.

3. Is there any way I can get advance copies of your forthcoming stuff so that Fantastic Fangirls can preview and review it?

4. Are you at all concerned that "Talullah" will become a trendy name? My son is named Miles, and suddenly I know a handful of kids a couple years younger than him all named Miles. Which isn't a crisis, but I personally *love* having a name no-one else has, and sort of wish "Miles" retained its original scarcity.

5. My partner and I split the housework, kid care, free time, and our jobs as evenly as we can make it. My days off from air traffic control are full of kids and school and home, so that J gets time for her job (she works from home mostly) and time to play Dragon Age, etc. How do you and Matt work it? Do you both work from home offices? Do you split things up by who has deadlines, or by day, or what? What's the hardest sticking point for you guys on time allocation?

6. You said in Matt's Internship a few weeks back that you live your life publicly because secrets are poison to you. What are the most positive things this approach -- no secrets -- has brought to you, and in what way?

7. Your career path as described by Warren is varied, but looks to always be creative. What are some of your creative goals, realistic and unrealistic both?

Thanks again for you time -- ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216216#Comment_216216 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216216#Comment_216216 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:08:19 -0800 ramtower
What's your approach to adaptation, from when you receive a translation to when you hand it off?

That's the big question, really, but I have a smaller, sillier one as well:

Do you spend more time on character voice or onomatopoeia? (I ask because I love doing sound effects, but I struggle too hard not to repeat myself. I probably waste too much time on something that maybe doesn't impact the reading experience much.)

I have tons of other questions as well, but I don't want to be a chat hog.

Cheers,
rich ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216217#Comment_216217 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216217#Comment_216217 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:09:34 -0800 ramtower The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216222#Comment_216222 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216222#Comment_216222 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:42:32 -0800 samhumphries
What are you looking forward to in this round of the Winter Olympics? Athletes, events, match ups, ceremonies, etc? ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216228#Comment_216228 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216228#Comment_216228 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:06:08 -0800 mimi-evelyn this is the first time I've come across an adaptor@o@
Pleased to meet you, I'd always believed that the people behind the english publication of Japanese manga I've read were like a mysterious force that never surfaces. I've been deceived^^
Could I please ask: what is your standing on OEL manga??
Do you read much?
How involved are you?
How do you think the balance between the import of popular Japanese series and the internal development of new western manga should be handled?
I found out about the residency through a post on Emma V's LiveJournal and I've been kinda involved with just chatting to some fellow new small press comic creators via Sweatdrop. I've started looking into the British manga scene and I'm just starting to come to terms with the how much is going on out there^^
What advice would you give to new OEL comicker's like me about working in the industry, and how can you see the situation changing over the next few years? ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216239#Comment_216239 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216239#Comment_216239 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:24:10 -0800 kellysue
I am aware that you and Fraction met on the old Ellis board. Was it just that simple, met, became friends, fell in love, or is there a juicier story there that's worth public consumption?

Jessie! Weren't you on the WEF? Am I misremembering? Was it The Engine? It's not possible that I only know you from Twitter, is it?

Anyway, I wish I had time to write out the whole thing, but THIS IS THE FIRST QUESTION and, as I mentioned, today's a nutty day. So here are a bit of random details; you can sculpt your own narrative.

-- Because we met online, at one point in our courtship I thought Fraction was an older black man with a mustache.

-- Later I thought he was much younger than me, had bad teeth and wore a mullet. (He has Han Q. Duong and Charlie Chu to thank for that last one.)

-- I still have a t-shirt that says BLACK FRACTION.

-- We were married one year to the day from the night of our first phone call.

-- Our first phone call lasted 9 hours.

-- When Charlie gave Fraction my AIM handle, I chided him for it.

-- Most of our courtship is documented, either in AIM transcripts, emails or Delphi forum archives.

-- Honestly, when I look back at some of the gifts I bought Fraction in our first year or so together, it almost seems I didn't know him at all.

-- Because of a mixup with airport security, I very nearly got off the plane in KC and got right back on another plane headed back to NYC without ever seeing him.

-- Fraction's first gift to me was a pack of index cards wrapped in brown paper.

-- The first thing on our wedding CD is a recording of Jim Rockford's answering machine message. These last two items are related.

-- Seven (eight?) years in, he remains the one thing in my life I never second-guess... His is the voice that's always been inside my head.

Second, in what ways has having child(ren) affected your work, both in the obvious ways, such as scheduling, and maybe less obvious, like what sort of projects you take on?


Aaaaand--ha ha!--I have to go prepare for a phone call now. I'll get to this one next.

(I suck. Sorry.) ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216242#Comment_216242 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216242#Comment_216242 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:40:10 -0800 kellysue
I'm going to skip ahead and answer this one of yours out-of-order because it's super-easy:

1. I didn't know you did Demon Diary! I love that one! Which leads to my first question, is there a list, somewhere, of the work you've adapted? (I've done some cursory Google searching and couldn't find anything, which may simply mean I'm looking for the wrong things.)


Yes, there is! My almost-current CV is up on my site:

http://kellysue.com/about/

Okay, back in a bit--

xxx,

Kelly Soup ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216248#Comment_216248 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216248#Comment_216248 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:58:39 -0800 MattDemers
I've posted in some of the other residency topics about working to become an opinion columnist. Just wanted to get your view on what it takes for a person's work to grab your attention enough to follow them.

Thanks! ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216255#Comment_216255 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216255#Comment_216255 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:23:03 -0800 warrenellis -- Fraction's first gift to me was a pack of index cards wrapped in brown paper.

-- The first thing on our wedding CD is a recording of Jim Rockford's answering machine message. These last two items are related.


If only people knew how peculiarly sweet this is. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216274#Comment_216274 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216274#Comment_216274 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:48:56 -0800 michaelavolio
My questions are...

What would surprise people most about translation gigs?

What was it like working on Matsumoto's Blue Spring?

What's it like being one of two professional writers in a family?

What can you tell us about your upcoming projects? ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216288#Comment_216288 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216288#Comment_216288 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:33:21 -0800 helloMuller Hi Kelly Sue! ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216291#Comment_216291 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216291#Comment_216291 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:59:43 -0800 SigridEllis The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216293#Comment_216293 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216293#Comment_216293 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:14:44 -0800 costa_k
First off, thanks for doing one of these.

Secondly, I had a question about your upcoming Sif one-shot. Did you in particular pick Ryan Stegman as an artist, or was he someone Marvel recommended? I ask because I'm excited, I liked his work on The Riftwar adaptation. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216357#Comment_216357 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216357#Comment_216357 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:52:46 -0800 Corey Waits If only people knew how peculiarly sweet this is.

I really want to know this whole story now...

There are already some really great questions in here, so for now I'll just say hi, sit back and enjoy. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216358#Comment_216358 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216358#Comment_216358 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:23:54 -0800 Welland
Sure you have hundreds but just one or two will be a great help to me ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216380#Comment_216380 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216380#Comment_216380 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:15:24 -0800 kellysue Second, in what ways has having child(ren) affected your work, both in the obvious ways, such as scheduling, and maybe less obvious, like what sort of projects you take on?

Well, the obvious: my time isn't wholly my own the way it used to be. I spend more of my waking hours managing the household--planning meals, loading the fucking dishwasher (it feels like I do this three times a day), doing laundry, picking up after Henry, planning Henry's time, etc.--than I do anything else. Standard mom stuff. It's amazing what the addition of one tiny human being does to the workload.

Also probably obvious: I don't know that I could write about violence against a child right now. I'm hyper-sensitive to things that involve little kids--news stories, fiction, whatever. Before HL was born, I was a real junkie for those awful TRUE CRIME shows on cable. I collected books of crime scene photos! Can't bear them now. I'm told this will eventually pass--or lessen to some degree anyway--as I build my parenting callouses, but right now... I'm still just too raw.

(I should also say that I'm not particularly bummed--I mean, it's not like I have this awesome baby-murder story in me that I'm denying the world at present.)

Less obvious:

I've been pretty coy about my creative work for most of my life. It's convenient for me to blame gender-programming--but that's a tangent that, believe me, you don't want to encourage--but after a certain age, that's just an excuse anyway. (Like people blaming their rotten childhood's for their behavior at 35. Let it go. That made some sense when you were a kid but you don't get to point fingers when you're wearing the big boy pants.)

The combination of my age and the extreme limits on my time has taken those luxuries from me--I don't get to be coy; I don't get to be a perfectionist. AND THAT'S GOOD. That's very good. (My own mother would say, "It's shit or get off the pot time.")

This doesn't mean I don't slip. I mean, when Ellis asked if I wanted to do this residency I hemmed and hawed and kicked at the sand. The familiar, "What? Little ol' me?" dance. Luckily, my corner man doesn't abide that crap.

(Also interesting, my output has at least doubled since we moved to Portland. The obvious factor is that HL is in out-of-the-house care 5 days a week. But probably just a big: I have an office with a door. A Room of One's Own, if you'll permit me.) ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216381#Comment_216381 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216381#Comment_216381 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:22:07 -0800 kellysue I have just started working on a graphic novel with a writer. Its my first one. Do you have any advice that can help keep this process smooth and productive?

Tell me more. You're the artist? Is this work you're doing on spec? For fun? For a publisher? Are you working from a full script? Did the two of you develop the idea together or did one approach the other?

Fill me in. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216406#Comment_216406 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216406#Comment_216406 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 12:24:01 -0800 kellysue Howdy, Kelly Sue.

I've always wondered: how does the whole "manga translation" process work? Do you translate the dialogue straight from the Japanese, or do you receive a rough, literal translation, and then go through and stylize/remodel the translated dialogue? It seems like it would be interesting work.

Thanks in advance.

Sure. It's not all that complicated; it's probably exactly what you imagine...?

--I get a "literal" translation [no such thing, really, but let's keep moving]. I work with some ace translators, but Joe Yamazaki is a the guy I always request. He's top-notch.

(I have studied Japanese, but I'm far from fluent. Even if I was fluent, I suspect I'd still want to work with a native speaker. It's just my opinion but I believe there are cultural nuances that get missed by non-natives. I see it all the time in fan-subs. Anyway, that's just my preference, I'm sure there are non-native translators out there who would disagree.)

--The first thing I do is read through the script document.

--If it's a new property (read: an early volume, a series that's new to me or a one-shot), I hit the web and do my research. I read fan subs, wiki pages, review sites, etc. I want to know what's been done before and what, if any, translation issues people have already encountered.

--Then I start to work. I open up the script document on my screen and the tankoubon on my desk (my book weight is indispensable!). I go through balloon-by-balloon and rewrite. My aim is to produce dialogue that doesn't sound... foreign. Or stiff. (Unless the character speaking is foreign or stiff, obviously.) My, uh, philosophy, I guess, is to try to be as faithful as possible to what I perceive to be the author's intent. I want to show the Japanese (or Korean, in the case of Demon Diary) author the same respect I'd hope for were the shoe on the other foot. I don't want the book to sound like me. I've said this before, but I feel like if I'm doing my job well, my hand is invisible.

I also don't try to Americanize, exactly. I mean, I'll footnote rather than Americanize a specific cultural reference. But I do want you to forget you're reading the book in translation. I want you to forget everything but the story.

--The one thing that usually surprises people is that I need to bear in mind the size of the balloon--lest the rewritten dialogue cover up the art. Japanese is generally more spare than English, so sometimes this is tricky.

--If I need to, I consult experts--be they Japanese experts or, in the case of SLAM DUNK, for instance, basketball experts.

--Once I've got a complete draft, I read through the whole script out loud. I have another pass at it like that, then I send it to a proofreader who reads it not just for dropped words and misspellings, but also for comprehension and flow. I go through the script with the proofreader and make corrections. (I pay the proofreader out of my own pocket.)

--Then I turn it in and invoice it. That's it. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216416#Comment_216416 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216416#Comment_216416 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:13:41 -0800 kellysue Hey, residency partner *hug* ^_^

It's going back a little, but I adored your Demon Diary adaptation. It genuinely had me laughing out loud in places ('How DARE you admonish ME, demon?!'). I've always wondered just how much you, as the adapter, have to add to the script - beyond the localisation. Especially in terms of humour; as different cultures are bound to have different senses of humour. As the words match the images perfectly, I'm assuming not too much changes in terms of context, but what would a line like that I've quoted start out as in the Japanese?

Keep up the awesome work! Can't wait for your new Marvel releases :)

Thanks, Lady!

Humor is really tricky. On the one hand, I don't want to impose too much of myself on a script. On the other hand, sometimes the most literal translation just kills the funny.

Here's an example from SLAM DUNK v6.

Page 58, first translation:

Page 58
1 Sakuragi: Hahaha!!!
Sakuragi/FX: Hahaha Hahaha
FX: Dodooon (sound of stand tall)
Sakuragi: I am a phenom!!!
2 Taoka: …
FX: Waa Waa
3 Hikoichi: No…
4 Sakuragi: Call me the…
Sakuragi/FX: Hahaha
Sakuragi/FX: I’m so happy!
Sakuragi: The man who brings victory!!
Sakuragi/FX: From now on!
Kogure: Sakuragi!!


And what I turned in:

Page 58
1 Sakuragi: HA HA HA!!
Sakuragi/FX: AH HA HA HA
AH HA HA HA
FX: DON DON
Sakuragi: That’s right, people! I am a phenom!!
2 Taoka: .....
FX: RAH— RAH—
3 Hikoichi: Whoa…
4 Sakuragi: You can call me the Bus Driver!!
Sakuragi/FX: HA HA HA
Sakuragi/FX: HEE HEE
Sakuragi: …’cause I take everyone to school!!
Kogure: Sakuragi!!


My sense was that Inoue intended for that to be a comedic moment--the comedy comes from Sakuragi's hubris, but in English it just fell flat. So with the idea that I wanted to be true to the author's intent, I cranked up the language a bit and--I hope anyway--made the humor work.

Doing the lyrics in SENSUAL PHRASE was a similar puzzle. In some cases, I just needed to rewrite to make the rhyme structures work. In others, however, while we had the rights to the book, we didn't have the rights to the songs, so I had to stay true to the themes but write my own songs. IIRC, all the "little bird" stuff came about in that way.

Probably the stickiest situation I've ever been in with regard to dealing with humor was in the adaptations of the SLAYERS novelizations. The translator did something I found peculiar--he cut a fart joke, but he let a rape joke stand.

First, I didn't feel that was his decision to make--that was something that ought to have been worked out between me and my editor. (Had he not made mention of the fact that he'd cut the joke, we wouldn't even have known. That made me mistrust him.) But, okay, whatever, professionals can differ.

But seriously, you're presented with a rape joke and a fart joke and the one of those that you find distasteful is the FART JOKE?

DO NOT PROTECT ME FROM FART JOKES.

I restored the fart joke and reworked/toned down the rape bit so that um, it wasn't a rape bit any more. Again, I asked myself what was the author's intent. Did he intend to shock and offend? No, I don't think so. I think he meant it to be funny. Culturally, that just doesn't work for us, so I did what I could to make it funny. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216428#Comment_216428 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216428#Comment_216428 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:33:26 -0800 kellysue

Do you think it's important for creative types to branch out into other mediums of expression?


I'm tempted to say yes, go where your curiosity leads you! Be bold! "Here there be dragons!" and all that rot. But... That suggests that I had some kind of grand plan and boy... nothing could be further from the truth. I've never felt particularly certain about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I'd even hazard the guess that had I been able to focus a bit, I'd be further along. I can't know that, but that's my suspicion.

The thing is, I'm, uh, easily distracted. I like to try on other people's lives.

Is your comic book writing informed by your time as an actress, erotica author, editor and vice versa?


I'm sure it is. I mean, I see myself harping on a lot of the same themes, right? That's because those are the things that I really care about, the things that are of particular interest to me. And the things that get my blood up do so because of who I am--a product of my experience.

("Mr. DeConnick" made me laugh.) ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216430#Comment_216430 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216430#Comment_216430 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:40:06 -0800 Paprika Tell me more. You're the artist? Is this work you're doing on spec? For fun? For a publisher? Are you working from a full script? Did the two of you develop the idea together or did one approach the other?

Fill me in.

Oh Cheers.

Well I had just started drawing again after a 10 yr hiatus working on more far out network / hacker culture based work. I was posting my stuff regularly and someone got in touch asking me to illustrate a few pages of a screenplay they had developed. I read it and it was funny enough for me to loose a small amount of pee. I got back in touch and asked if he would be up for me developing a graphic novel based on his screen plays. So I'm the artist, its for fun but we will be releasing it as a web comic and the writer has got some interest from production companies so the two could compliment each other. I'm kinda doing it for experience and focus. Having two wee kids myself I can only work quite slowly on it. I'm kinda classically trained which strangely I find a hindrance when it comes to working at any speed i.e. its hard to stop myself titting around, standing back and staring at each line to make sure its balanced correctly etc.

I realised my question was stupidly wide so Ill narrow it down a bit.

- Me and the writer have never met, should we meet or at least phone each other.

- What is the most annoying thing I could do to his good work

- What sort of speed should I be working at? (currently 1 page every 2 - 3 weeks(I got a job, kids, doing a phd and started bodybuilding after a drunken new years resolution to increase my muscle mass)) ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216459#Comment_216459 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216459#Comment_216459 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:28:11 -0800 MagicSword! "You mean you haven't heard The Beatles?" tone of voice. And I'm often asked what would be a natural way to express something in English and have to respond - well, in English no-one would even be saying anything in that situation. So I don't envy you trying to tackle that, or trying to adapt the many, many Japanese jokes that hinge on a very Japanese response to hubris or ignorance.

I'm actually trying to read my first manga in Japanese at the moment, so I've been thinking about that a lot, and it's great to read your take on it. Thanks! ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216462#Comment_216462 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216462#Comment_216462 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:55:44 -0800 tcatsninfan
How would one go about getting involved in manga adaptation? I have an English degree and experience in the "real world" but it occurs to me that there isn't really a definitive career path for adapting manga. It's something I'm interested in pursuing, just not sure how.

It'd be great if I could just start out small, doing research and that sort of thing. I don't even want money, I would just like the opportunity to gain experience. Do internships exist for this sort of thing?

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216466#Comment_216466 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216466#Comment_216466 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:39:43 -0800 adaengine
Are there any particular types of stories or story elements that you think just universally DON'T lend themselves to a comics format very well? What do you think are the storytelling limitations of the format? Or maybe there aren't limits, just elements that require more difficult techniques to convey? Are there stories that you think MUST be prose or MUST be graphic to convey a certain effect, or do you feel anything can be conveyed in either medium if you plan it out the right way? I'm working on both prose and comics projects (prose by myself and comics with a great artist partner), and while I love doing them both, I'm trying to develop better mental techniques to use both formats to their fullest, no matter what story I'm trying to get across. I know that one format is clearly more cinematic than the other, but do you have a deliberate way of approaching it as a writer when you actually select a subject or a scene to include? I hope that question isn't too muddled. Thank you! ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216494#Comment_216494 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216494#Comment_216494 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:22:23 -0800 emsie The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216552#Comment_216552 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216552#Comment_216552 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 14:07:13 -0800 obliterati A Room of One's Own, if you'll permit me.)Oh! Oh! I'm totally naming my next cat "Woolfgang". ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216579#Comment_216579 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216579#Comment_216579 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:15:43 -0800 kellysue 2. Thanks, hugely, for the time you take to talk to people you don't know particularly. Here and in email you've been damn gracious, and I appreciate it. I especially appreciate because I am not always that gracious, though I'm trying to learn. Which leads to question two, do you consider yourself and introvert or an extrovert, and how much of each? I would guess you as extrovert, but people often look different online than offline.

Hm. I'm probably an extrovert. I'm good at parties and such but I do go through long periods of time where I'd really just like to stay in my house. I'm very much a homebody.

That said, I'm *definitely* more of an extrovert than Fraction is. He's really good at panels and such--things that are clearly performance-based. But he can be remarkably shy in social situations.

3. Is there any way I can get advance copies of your forthcoming stuff so that Fantastic Fangirls can preview and review it?


I'm embarrassed to say I don't know the answer to this question. My best guess is that you should contact Arune Singh in Marvel's PR department...?

If anyone else knows, feel free to chime in.

4. Are you at all concerned that "Talullah" will become a trendy name? My son is named Miles, and suddenly I know a handful of kids a couple years younger than him all named Miles. Which isn't a crisis, but I personally *love* having a name no-one else has, and sort of wish "Miles" retained its original scarcity.


Well, "Kelly" was an insanely popular name in 1970 and thus I go by "Kelly Sue." And Fraction? "Matthew John." So, if Tallulah picks up in popularity, she'll hardly suffer anything we haven't. (I've heard it suggested that the name might catch on because of the Maisy books, but I don't know.) Anyway, Tallulah presents gobs of nickname options. (HL already calls her "Tuella.")

One of my early picks for her was Bellatrix, but I'm not crazy about "Bella" (my mom has little yippy dog named Bella) and with the Twilight connection... Um... No.

Anyway, Tallulah is named for Tallulah Bankhead. I wanted a sort of patron saint for her--someone who didn't know when to sit down and shut up. (We won't tell her about Ms. Bankhead's more, um, colorful foibles until she's older.) We entertained Eleanor, too--for Eleanor Roosevelt and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Oh, and her middle name will likely be Louise for Louise Brooks, who said, "If I ever bore you, it will be with a knife."

5. My partner and I split the housework, kid care, free time, and our jobs as evenly as we can make it. My days off from air traffic control are full of kids and school and home, so that J gets time for her job (she works from home mostly) and time to play Dragon Age, etc. How do you and Matt work it? Do you both work from home offices? Do you split things up by who has deadlines, or by day, or what? What's the hardest sticking point for you guys on time allocation?


I take the early shift. Mornings start anywhere from 5:00am to 7:00am, depending on when he wakes (usually right around 6am) and I'm on kid duty until I drop him at school at about 9:15. We play, I pack his lunch, get him dressed, make his breakfast and do the morning drop off.

Then I usually come home and pick up around the house a bit, then take my coffee and go to my office to work.

Fraction usually gets up between 11 and 1. He deals with emails and phone calls and whatnot until about 4:30, then he goes and picks HL up from school and I start dinner. After dinner we have some family time together then Fraction handles bathtime, story time and bedtime. I clean up from dinner and run the dishwasher. If all goes well and HL closes his eyes at 8:30 like he's supposed to, Fraction goes back to work and works until around 2 in the morning. Then he empties the dishwasher for me and sets up the coffeemaker so I just have to hit the button in the morning. I'm usually in bed by 10.

Lather, rinse, repeat... That's our basic schedule though and that's regardless of who's on deadline. (There are ALWAYS deadlines. If we tried to schedule around them... well, that would be impossible.)

Weekends are a mixed bag.

The "hardest sticking point" is when HL doesn't co-operate. Sometimes he's wide awake at 3am and one of us has to get up with him for a bit. Or, you know, he gets sent home from school sick and there goes my work day. That's the toughest part. (It's not always HL-related, in fairness. I can lose a day of work to phone calls or filing or the minutia of managing the business just as easily.)

6. You said in Matt's Internship a few weeks back that you live your life publicly because secrets are poison to you. What are the most positive things this approach -- no secrets -- has brought to you, and in what way?


I want to be careful about this--keeping secrets is definitely something that does me harm, but there's a big space between living publicly and keeping secrets. You don't have to broadcast your business in order to not be keeping secrets, you know? It's just sort of my default setting. I tend to process out loud.

As Fraction's profile in particular grows, however, we're finding it necessary to... well... to re-evaluate how accessible we are. It's something we're feeling our way through.

And there are times when there are things that aren't mine to broadcast on the internet, right? Also opinions that I'm wise to keep to myself. I'm learning discretion. I'm just a little late to the party.

I'm not sure I've actually answered your question. Hm.

7. Your career path as described by Warren is varied, but looks to always be creative. What are some of your creative goals, realistic and unrealistic both?


I'd like to write a prose novel. Or FINISH a prose novel.

I'd like to tackle an on-going comic.

I've got THREE other 30 Days of Night ideas that I've run by Niles at various times, one of which deals with the Suffragette movement and is very near to my heart. I'd really like to make that happen.

In less concrete terms, I'd like to get to the point where I've learned to trust the process. I would like to be able to jump and trust that the net will appear. It always DOES and yet, every time I face the blank page I have to go through hours--or days--of hand-wringing, self-doubt, distraction and torture first. I'd like to learn to skip that part.

I'd like to be more brave. That's true in many arenas. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216580#Comment_216580 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216580#Comment_216580 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:18:18 -0800 DC I’m in the process of transition between self-contained short comic stories and long format (graphic novel or a series). Since I’m not used to long format writing, what are your advices on keeping the reader interested, not making the story drag,… basically moving on from short to long while keeping up the quality?
Thanks for your time. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216583#Comment_216583 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216583#Comment_216583 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:24:24 -0800 kellysue Do you spend more time on character voice or onomatopoeia? (I ask because I love doing sound effects, but I struggle too hard not to repeat myself. I probably waste too much time on something that maybe doesn't impact the reading experience much.)


Hiya, Rich!!

(Folks: Rich does what I do, only he does it for games instead of print.) (Also, he's a fabulous human being and has the cutest curly-headed boy you've ever seen.)

Right. So. Character voice or onomatopoeia?

Well, I may be your polar opposite. Character voice deeeeefinitely. As far as sound effects go, instead of trying NOT to repeat myself, I have developed a vocabulary of sounds that I actually work to keep consistent within a series.

Here's part of my chart for SLAM DUNK:
SOUND ACTION
PAA PAA Dribbling the ball.
THUNK Head-butting.
SHPP Passing the ball.
SHUFFLE SHUFFLE Movement of the entourage.
RR-IING RR-IING School bell
SHNNG dunk
SWISH basket
WHUUP sound of spin
WHACK sound of Ayako hitting Sakuragi over the head
HWEET sound of whistle
BONK Sakuragi gets bonked on the head


I mean, the Japanese sound effects are consistent, so why shouldn't I be? In addition to saving me time, I think it aids the reader.

Unless... am I misunderstanding you? ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216585#Comment_216585 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216585#Comment_216585 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:31:01 -0800 kellysue What are you looking forward to in this round of the Winter Olympics? Athletes, events, match ups, ceremonies, etc?

Sam Humphries, you know the answer to this question.

I want to see White bust out the double McTwist 1260, baby.

(I love the Olympics--Winter AND Summer--and I'll watch preeeetty much anything they want to broadcast, but in my heart of hearts I want 24 hours of Shawn White TV.

As Fraction is a big fan of Womens Beach Volleyball, I'm pretty much guilt-free too.) ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216586#Comment_216586 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216586#Comment_216586 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:33:22 -0800 kellysue
Turned in a proposal today, but never managed to run the vacuum; win some, lose some.

Later. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216591#Comment_216591 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216591#Comment_216591 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:09:29 -0800 SigridEllis The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216595#Comment_216595 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216595#Comment_216595 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:09:21 -0800 warrenellis Anyway, Tallulah is named for Tallulah Bankhead. I wanted a sort of patron saint for her--someone who didn't know when to sit down and shut up.

Same reason my kid's called Lilith. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216596#Comment_216596 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216596#Comment_216596 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:09:44 -0800 jbowline Weren't you on the WEF? Am I misremembering? Was it The Engine? It's not possible that I only know you from Twitter, is it?
I was a lurker on the WEF and a very rare poster on The Engine. As far as I'm aware, you'd only know me from Twitter. But hey, at least I'm memorable.

New question, and I will not be upset or insulted if you choose to pass on it. In Fraction's last residency, you made mention of recovering from addiction. From some simple math, it seems that you were pretty well into adulthood when you kicked whatever you were addicted to. It's obvious that such an experience would affect your life. Do you feel like you "lost" some of your 20s, for example, or were any of your "big life decisions" delayed (intentionally or otherwise) because of what you went through?

I appreciate your and Fraction's candor; I'm interested in hearing about what you've experienced from someone so good at expressing their thoughts. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216605#Comment_216605 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216605#Comment_216605 Wed, 27 Jan 2010 19:02:34 -0800 Brandon Seifert Sif?

Someone asked about Tallulah, and I'm honestly curious about HL. Why Henry Leo? Where'd that come from?

(My legal first name is Henry, but I grew up with my mom calling me Brandon — long story. All "Henry" ever got me was made fun-of in high school, but now I see folks like you and Fraction, Jess Nevins and Colin Meloy naming their kids Henry... I'm curious what this resurgence is about.)

You talked about your daily routine — what's it like on the writing end? How do you structure your daily writing time?

Thank you for doing this! ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216702#Comment_216702 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216702#Comment_216702 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:20:38 -0800 kellysue Wow this is awesome!
this is the first time I've come across an adaptor@o@
Pleased to meet you, I'd always believed that the people behind the english publication of Japanese manga I've read were like a mysterious force that never surfaces. I've been deceived^^

Oh my goodness. I feel inadequate to the mystique!

Could I please ask: what is your standing on OEL manga??
Do you read much?
How involved are you?


I'm not sure what you mean by "my standing" on OEL? Are there people who are for or against it? Is this a contentious issue? I'm sort of indifferent, to be honest with you. (I fear this is where I disappoint you.) I'm not even sure I understand the concept. Are OEL comics simply English language comics done in a Japanese style? If so, what aspects? Roughly 200-page digests? Japanese-influence in art-style? In narrative? (A discussion of the latter would fascinate me.)

Or does this simply refer to original English language books put out by publishers who have traditionally imported and adapted books from overseas?

How do you think the balance between the import of popular Japanese series and the internal development of new western manga should be handled?


Given my answer to your previous question, I'm clearly unqualified to weigh in.

I like good comics. I don't care where they come from. And ultimately, I think grouping all Japanese comics together does the incredible breadth of styles and subjects a disservice.

I found out about the residency through a post on Emma V's LiveJournal and I've been kinda involved with just chatting to some fellow new small press comic creators via Sweatdrop. I've started looking into the British manga scene and I'm just starting to come to terms with the how much is going on out there^^
What advice would you give to new OEL comicker's like me about working in the industry, and how can you see the situation changing over the next few years?


I suppose I'd give you the same advice I'd give any aspiring creator? THINK, but try not to be so critical of your own work that you paralyze yourself. Don't be deterred and keep striving to improve.

I wouldn't advise anyone to focus on making American manga. (I don't even know what that is.) Focus on the story you want to tell.

...

That sounds like such greeting card dreck, but it's sincere. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216704#Comment_216704 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216704#Comment_216704 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:25:18 -0800 kellysue I've posted in some of the other residency topics about working to become an opinion columnist. Just wanted to get your view on what it takes for a person's work to grab your attention enough to follow them.

What sort of opinion columnist?

I'm a big fan of Ellen Goodman, but I don't read her weekly or anything.

I'm not sure I can actually think of an opinion columnist that I read regularly.

Hm...

I do wish you luck, though. I think that's a noble aspiration. (It's like wanting to be a professional thinker.) ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216706#Comment_216706 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216706#Comment_216706 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:27:23 -0800 kellysue If only people knew how peculiarly sweet this is.

I think I need "peculiarly sweet" on a t-shirt. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216709#Comment_216709 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216709#Comment_216709 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:38:45 -0800 kellysue What would surprise people most about translation gigs?

That I'm not actually a translator, probably. Adapter is such an awkward job description. And rewriter is almost worse. Dialogue editor probably comes closest to fitting the bill.

What was it like working on Matsumoto's Blue Spring?


Utterly terrifying. I am such a fan of Matsumoto... on the one hand I didn't want anyone else to touch the book and on the other, I was near-paralyzed with the fear of fucking it up.

What's it like being one of two professional writers in a family?


I guess the best I can offer is that it's almost exactly what I imagined it would be. The biggest difference between the fantasy life that Fraction and I used to imagine aloud when we first met and our current reality is that we don't share an office.

What can you tell us about your upcoming projects?


Boy. You'd think I'd be dying to get to that question, wouldn't you?! Unfortunately the answer is NOTHING! Literally nothing that I have in the works is cleared for discussion yet.

I'm probably allowed to say that I do have more work for Marvel in production and that I have a few anthology pieces for other publishers in the works. Also that I'm working with CHUCK BB, who is crazy-awesome. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216710#Comment_216710 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216710#Comment_216710 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:41:18 -0800 kellysue I keep thinking of something to ask, but I can't come up with anything useful. So, in the meantime I'm gonna ponder over photos of HL's awesome lunch boxes.
Hi Kelly Sue!

HELLO MULLER!!

I just made myself giggle. That's embarrassing.

Dude, I am such a fan of YOUR work. Really and truly. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216711#Comment_216711 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216711#Comment_216711 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:49:07 -0800 kellysue You'll have to excuse me as I squeal over the fact that you did Sensual Phrase. I love that series, in all its deeply melodramatic glory.

YAY! That book was So! Much! Fun!

And "Tropical Butterflies Alive in Winter" is one of my favorite stories in 24Seven. (Fraction's "Static" is deeply, deeply disturbing.)


Ain't it?! ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216712#Comment_216712 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216712#Comment_216712 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:55:07 -0800 kellysue First off, thanks for doing one of these.

You're so welcome.

And if I haven't said it expressly just yet, thanks to you and everyone else in this thread for you interest--not just in me and my stuff, but for... what am I trying to say? For giving a damn.

Secondly, I had a question about your upcoming Sif one-shot. Did you in particular pick Ryan Stegman as an artist, or was he someone Marvel recommended? I ask because I'm excited, I liked his work on The Riftwar adaptation.


DUDE. I'm excited too! I do a silly little dance in my chair every time art comes in. I think he's fantastic and I'm not sure how I got so lucky.

I want to say that HE WAS MY IDEA ALL ALONG, but that, sadly, is a lie. CB suggested him to Alejandro, I think. I did do a chair dance when they showed me his samples, though. I want credit for that! ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216715#Comment_216715 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216715#Comment_216715 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:57:05 -0800 kellysue I really want to know this whole story now...

The funny thing is, it's probably already on the internet somewhere.

There are already some really great questions in here, so for now I'll just say hi, sit back and enjoy.


Hi! It's nice to see you, as always. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216717#Comment_216717 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216717#Comment_216717 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:59:58 -0800 kellysue What tips would you give a wannabe writer with , no degree or learned schooling in writing other then two G.C.S.E’s in English lit and language, no working experience as a writer and no real clue where to begin…………I know big ask.

Sure you have hundreds but just one or two will be a great help to me

What's a GCSE?

You could do worse than starting with Zinsser's ON WRITING WELL. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216718#Comment_216718 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216718#Comment_216718 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 14:00:55 -0800 kellysue The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216739#Comment_216739 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216739#Comment_216739 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:01:18 -0800 samhumphries Sam Humphries, you know the answer to this question.

I want to see White bust out the double McTwist 1260, baby.

Oh, I know, and you know I'll be watching too. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216749#Comment_216749 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216749#Comment_216749 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:35:44 -0800 monstersandgods
1. Will you and the family be making another appearance at heroescon this year?

2. Knowing that you and Fraction are both working on Asgard-related projects at the moment, do you share creative ideas about what to do with the characters and where you're wanting them to end up, or is it a solo process?

3. I've recently started churning out short stories, some of which I would like to turn into web-comics, comics, or graphic novels. What would you say some of the most important things to keep in mind are when converting from one medium to the other? ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216752#Comment_216752 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216752#Comment_216752 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:28:30 -0800 warrenellis The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216754#Comment_216754 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216754#Comment_216754 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:32:35 -0800 monstersandgods The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216869#Comment_216869 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216869#Comment_216869 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:53:16 -0800 helloMuller Dude, I am such a fan of YOUR work. Really and truly.

Thank You!
(And I haven't forgotten yet. Just bizzeeeee!)

The biggest difference between the fantasy life that Fraction and I used to imagine aloud when we first met and our current reality is that we don't share an office.

Do you still want to share an office or do you think it would be too distracting? ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216877#Comment_216877 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216877#Comment_216877 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:43:39 -0800 Robson
She used to be a professional actor.

I keep forgetting about this aspect of your creative life - what're some of your favorite roles?

For Shakespeare, do you prefer the comedies, histories, tragedies, or none of the above? ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216904#Comment_216904 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216904#Comment_216904 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:07:38 -0800 OldAuntAmy Do you think that it's coincidence that lo these many years ago, I was assigned Tallulah's Lament as my title for Week 32's assignment on the MLF?
Week 32: Titular Titters
And to keep slightly on track, who are your favorite writers working today?
Piles of love,
OAA ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216917#Comment_216917 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216917#Comment_216917 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:29:38 -0800 kellysue
Amy, Amy, Amy! How I've missed you, m'dear.

Oh, you've gone and gotten me all misty.

Sniff.

(The Tallulah thing kind of blows me away. I had no recollection of that at all.)

Anyway.

I actually came by to say that the residency is meant to wrap up today and I haven't answered all your questions and I'm not going to get to all of them before the witching hour. (I somehow started, um, cleaning my office and now it's 2:30 and I have actual work I have to do today and the kidlet has to be picked up by 5. Oops.) If Warren and Ariana will indulge me, here's what I'm thinking: any questions posted before midnight tonight, I promise to address over the weekend. Then on Monday we can lock up the thread.

Is that cool? ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216918#Comment_216918 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216918#Comment_216918 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:42:16 -0800 warrenellis The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216919#Comment_216919 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216919#Comment_216919 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:45:35 -0800 kellysue The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216926#Comment_216926 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216926#Comment_216926 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:53:29 -0800 helloMuller
sorry ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216946#Comment_216946 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=216946#Comment_216946 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:08:47 -0800 shining_lion The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217221#Comment_217221 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217221#Comment_217221 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:46:43 -0800 Seantaclaus kellysue - Ditto what shining_lion said. It's greatly appreciated, and enjoyed. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217378#Comment_217378 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217378#Comment_217378 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:32:57 -0800 kellysue Well I had just started drawing again after a 10 yr hiatus working on more far out network / hacker culture based work. I was posting my stuff regularly and someone got in touch asking me to illustrate a few pages of a screenplay they had developed. I read it and it was funny enough for me to loose a small amount of pee. I got back in touch and asked if he would be up for me developing a graphic novel based on his screen plays. So I'm the artist, its for fun but we will be releasing it as a web comic and the writer has got some interest from production companies so the two could compliment each other. I'm kinda doing it for experience and focus. Having two wee kids myself I can only work quite slowly on it. I'm kinda classically trained which strangely I find a hindrance when it comes to working at any speed i.e. its hard to stop myself titting around, standing back and staring at each line to make sure its balanced correctly etc.

I realised my question was stupidly wide so Ill narrow it down a bit.

- Me and the writer have never met, should we meet or at least phone each other.

Yes, I think so.

- What is the most annoying thing I could do to his good work


Claim ownership. See, this is where this could get sticky. You might want to get an agreement in writing, so that you're both protected.

- What sort of speed should I be working at? (currently 1 page every 2 - 3 weeks(I got a job, kids, doing a phd and started bodybuilding after a drunken new years resolution to increase my muscle mass))


I think you're the only one who can determine how quickly you can work under the circumstances. I'd say if there's too much time between sessions of sitting down at the drawing board, you're going to have to sort of restart your engine every time--and that makes everything harder. Personally, I'd go for shorter, more frequent work sessions... but I'm not sure how well that tip translates from writing to drawing. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217393#Comment_217393 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217393#Comment_217393 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:40:41 -0800 kellysue How would one go about getting involved in manga adaptation? I have an English degree and experience in the "real world" but it occurs to me that there isn't really a definitive career path for adapting manga. It's something I'm interested in pursuing, just not sure how.

It'd be great if I could just start out small, doing research and that sort of thing. I don't even want money, I would just like the opportunity to gain experience. Do internships exist for this sort of thing?

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Internships absolutely exist with the publishers. And Fraction and I had an intern once, but I'm not sure how common a practice that is. (He was great, by the way. And I recently got an email from another creative writing student at his school looking for an internship. If we were still in KC, I'm sure we'd take her up on it.)

Unfortunately, there's no direct path into adaptation--none of which I am aware. I fell into it sort of backwards (like, it seems, every job I've ever had), and I've been hearing for a good three or four years now that the trend is to cut budgets by eliminating the role--having the editor and the translator do my job between them. That makes sense, as really mine is the only position that *could* be cut, but of course my ego demands that I insist the books suffer. (As do the already-overworked editors.)

You know, I suspect your smartest move would be to set your sights on a position in editorial. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217420#Comment_217420 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217420#Comment_217420 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:12:31 -0800 kellysue Are there any particular types of stories or story elements that you think just universally DON'T lend themselves to a comics format very well?

What do you think are the storytelling limitations of the format? Or maybe there aren't limits, just elements that require more difficult techniques to convey? Are there stories that you think MUST be prose or MUST be graphic to convey a certain effect, or do you feel anything can be conveyed in either medium if you plan it out the right way?

I'm working on both prose and comics projects (prose by myself and comics with a great artist partner), and while I love doing them both, I'm trying to develop better mental techniques to use both formats to their fullest, no matter what story I'm trying to get across. I know that one format is clearly more cinematic than the other, but do you have a deliberate way of approaching it as a writer when you actually select a subject or a scene to include? I hope that question isn't too muddled. Thank you!

It's not particularly muddled, it just isn't an easy answer. Every time time I start to formulate a response--a set of rules or a declaration of best practices--I think of books or stories that violate those rules and I'm lost again.

There's nothing I'm about to say that isn't terribly obvious, but let's think this out together:

Comics are primarily--not exclusively, but primarily--a visual medium, so while a story about the life of the mind is possible, you're going to have to approach it a little differently. We'll eventually need to see WHAT your characters are thinking and not just THAT they're thinking, right? I mean, a comic of two guys sitting at a cafe discussing philosophy is going to get pretty dull after a while. (As soon as I say that though, I'm struct by the challenge. How could you reflect the themes of their discussion by how you chose to focus panels and what else might be going on in the cafe? I bet it could be done and I bet it could be really cool--I don't think it would work as a gn, but as a short piece, it could be fun.)

The cliche is SHOW, DON'T TELL, right? That actually applies to all fiction writing, but particularly so to comics. What that's meant for me is that I lose my crutch--that bit I enjoy so much where I entertain myself with what I think is a novel description or turn of phrase--the part where I'm entertained by the sound of my own voice? Well... it's a bit self-indulgent in prose, but I'll likely get away with it. Some of it, anyway. In comics, unless you're publishing the SCRIPT, the form doesn't allow for that sort of thing. You can force it in in captions, but it's going to be glaringly obvious and hopefully you'll recognize it and be embarrassed enough by it that you'll cut it before your editor has to.

Aaaaand of course I can think of one very famous comic book writer who violates that notion regularly and does so to great effect. So... where does that leave us?

It leaves me a bit inarticulate, it appears.

Do I have a deliberate approach, you ask? Sure. I have some rules, some games I play with myself. They tend to change from project to project (Gaiman once told me--and I don't know if this is his or if he was quoting someone else, but it's brilliant--You never learn how to write a book. You learn to write the book you're writing. In my experience, that's gospel truth.), things like give them a reason to turn the page, and ask yourself, does this scene advance the plot? ...but I'm finding that trying to nail down a list for you is like trying to pin down mercury. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217423#Comment_217423 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217423#Comment_217423 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:15:40 -0800 kellysue Are you guys liking Portland? I remember you guys moved here during the meteor shower. Will there ever be any interesting Portland-based comics heroes aside from when Wolverine passes through the northwest?

Loving it so far. These old growth trees are so beautiful. I'm struck by it daily.

Are you reading STUMPTOWN? I haven't sat down with it yet, but I'm psyched.

Oh! Oh! I'm totally naming my next cat "Woolfgang".


Awesome. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217424#Comment_217424 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217424#Comment_217424 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:16:59 -0800 kellysue I have a 'technical' writers question, hope you can help.
I’m in the process of transition between self-contained short comic stories and long format (graphic novel or a series). Since I’m not used to long format writing, what are your advices on keeping the reader interested, not making the story drag,… basically moving on from short to long while keeping up the quality?
Thanks for your time.

If you're bored writing it, they'll be bored reading it. If it feels false or forced, it is. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217426#Comment_217426 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217426#Comment_217426 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:17:54 -0800 kellysue The third issue of my comic, COOL KIDS, is about Louise Brooks. Or, rather, attempting to use Louise as a role model. :grins: Thanks again for taking the time to do this -- I really appreciate it.

I'm going to require a copy of that. Perhaps we can work out a trade. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217428#Comment_217428 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217428#Comment_217428 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:19:15 -0800 kellysue Same reason my kid's called Lilith.

That right there is cutting to the core of the matter. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217438#Comment_217438 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217438#Comment_217438 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:28:03 -0800 kellysue New question, and I will not be upset or insulted if you choose to pass on it. In Fraction's last residency, you made mention of recovering from addiction. From some simple math, it seems that you were pretty well into adulthood when you kicked whatever you were addicted to. It's obvious that such an experience would affect your life. Do you feel like you "lost" some of your 20s, for example, or were any of your "big life decisions" delayed (intentionally or otherwise) because of what you went through?

Sure. I was 2 months shy of my 30th birthday when I kicked, so yeah... I'm kind of retarded--in the most literal meaning of the term. A lot of the growing up that most people do in their 20s I sort of had to crash-course into my early 30s. (Aaaaand a lot of it, I'm still working on.) I didn't get married until I was 32, didn't have kids until 37. But you know, I don't have the luxury (or curse, really) of being able to see the gazillion different fractal lives I could have lived had I made different choices at different times. The, uh, other Kelly Sues in other worlds live those lives; I get this one. The choices I made--right or wrong--made me who I am and, you know, I'm happy. I've got things pretty good. And maybe those crash-and-burn years gave me the gift of humility, which probably contributes more to my relative happiness than any other character trait I've got going. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217440#Comment_217440 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217440#Comment_217440 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:32:29 -0800 kellysue Hi Kelly Sue! It's nice to see you around here again. I enjoyed your contribution to Fraction's residency quite a bit. I hadn't caught that you were doing Marvel work; has anything been announced besides Sif?

Not yet; keep watching.

Someone asked about Tallulah, and I'm honestly curious about HL. Why Henry Leo? Where'd that come from?

(My legal first name is Henry, but I grew up with my mom calling me Brandon — long story. All "Henry" ever got me was made fun-of in high school, but now I see folks like you and Fraction, Jess Nevins and Colin Meloy naming their kids Henry... I'm curious what this resurgence is about.)


I can't speak for everyone else, all I can tell you is that we wanted a name that sounded like a nice guy, a guy who would help you move your couch. A "Henry" would come over if you needed him. That's really all there was to it.

("Leo" has been in my family for 5 generations.)

//You talked about your daily routine — what's it like on the writing end? How do you structure your daily writing time?//

Hm. I'm not sure I do. There's a lot of self-hatred and flagellation involved. I don't really recommend my technique.

(Unless you mean, like, WHAT I'm writing on a particular day, then I am absolutely married to OmniFocus, which I would be lost without. And I'm a big David Allen nerd.) ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217443#Comment_217443 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217443#Comment_217443 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:38:14 -0800 kellysue 1. Will you and the family be making another appearance at heroescon this year?

I don't think so! And I'm completely bummed. But Ms. Tallulah is scheduled to make her appearance somewhere near the end of April and I think we're going to need to catch our breath for a bit.

Fraction is going to San Diego. The rest of us will play that one by ear but that's the earliest we could consider any cons.

(You and Heather should probably take pictures of your cute outfits and post them to Twitter for me so that I can pretend we're hanging out.)'

(Was that creepy? I think I just came across as creepy.)

(Shit.)

2. Knowing that you and Fraction are both working on Asgard-related projects at the moment, do you share creative ideas about what to do with the characters and where you're wanting them to end up, or is it a solo process?


SIF, as much as I loved it, was a one-shot. So, I mean, we talked some, but it's not been an extended consult or anything.

3. I've recently started churning out short stories, some of which I would like to turn into web-comics, comics, or graphic novels. What would you say some of the most important things to keep in mind are when converting from one medium to the other?


Boy. I've never actually done that, so you've got me. Scroll up a little to see me fail miserably at defining my approach to prose vs. comics. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217453#Comment_217453 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217453#Comment_217453 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:54:06 -0800 kellysue Do you still want to share an office or do you think it would be too distracting?

As long as our living quarters afford separate offices, I suspect we'll have them. (Fraction has the TV on while he works, I prefer the quiet.. stuff like that.) ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217469#Comment_217469 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217469#Comment_217469 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:35:57 -0800 kellysue
Thanks for your patience, all. BRB. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217517#Comment_217517 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217517#Comment_217517 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:05:40 -0800 kellysue I keep forgetting about this aspect of your creative life - what're some of your favorite roles?

It might be the productions, rather than the roles, that make these fond memories for me, but:

Lorencova in Havel's Temptation
Romeo (yes, Romeo) in Romeo & Juliet
Mistress Quickly in Henry IV, Parts I & II
Echo in Eleemosynary

For Shakespeare, do you prefer the comedies, histories, tragedies, or none of the above?


That's like picking a favorite child, isn't it? Maybe histories, but boy... if that's true, it's by a very slim margin. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217518#Comment_217518 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217518#Comment_217518 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:09:10 -0800 kellysue Who are your favorite writers working today?

Uh... off the top of my head Joan Didion and John Irving. (I'm staying away from comics because I'd essentially be naming all my friends.)

Mwah. ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217519#Comment_217519 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217519#Comment_217519 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:09:51 -0800 kellysue
Did I miss anybody? ]]> The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217522#Comment_217522 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217522#Comment_217522 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:28:07 -0800 warrenellis The Kelly Sue DeConnick Residency http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217528#Comment_217528 http://freakangels.com/whitechapel/comments.php?DiscussionID=7632&Focus=217528#Comment_217528 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:40:05 -0800 kellysue