There are so many ways to tell a story, each with its own merits and audience. Storytelling originated as oral messages and dance, usually with a narrator. Artists among the audiences, so enthralled by the stories, recorded them on cave walls. Nothing much has changed since. This is still how we tell and record stories.
The alphabet allows storytellers to convey and record larger and more complex tales, leaving space for the reader’s imagination, though young readers still need illustrations to learn and form concepts to match the words.
Today, with so many mediums available to communicate a message, a writer can and should explore which best suits the story they want to tell. From novels, screenplays, podcasts, auditory books, picture books to comic books, how does the writer choose? Fast global internet makes all mediums possible at the same time. A writer is now encouraged to print their novel, make it digital, record an auditory version, support it with electronic visuals and interactive sites as well as appear in person to promote their work.
As a writer, I’d rather just write, but that’s no longer an option. I need to be a social media guru as well.
When we developed our alphabet and language, we forwent pictures for more complex narrative. Children’s books remained the exception but comic books, relying on pictures to tell a story, didn’t materialise until almost 8,000 years after the first cave paintings in Bulgaria.
Children are now more visually orientated than previous generations and are reading less than their predecessors. Comics are catering to the gap in literacy, though are no longer just superheroes and villains in coloured strips with exaggerated actions. Comics have progressed into graphic novels; up to 200 pages of rich illustrations expressing deep, meaningful messages. Parents and teachers are now grateful for comics, or graphic novels as they’re referred to more and more, pitched at the reluctant reader,
That’s why I’m illustrating my middle grade action adventure story with my artist cousin, Robin. We are creating engaging characters and enthralling settings and I hope, like so many other writers, parents, and teachers, it will encourage reluctant readers to explore the magic of reading. In the meantime, I am learning social media skills to keep up with my readers.