I don’t know how other writers do it, but I start with writing out my basic concept for the piece (which inevitably and often morphs as time goes on), and then by laying out all the characters I can think of, in rough terms.

The problem is that characters rarely stay who I thought they were; they change. They have their own ideas.

They INSIST.

But for now, they’re just ideas, rough outlines of people with vague thoughts about what happens to them.

But they exist, and I’m going to ruin their lives.

Target: 300 words
Written: 1141 words, novella: The Mungk

Read: Yours, Cruelly, Elvira
Comics: Southern Bastards 13-16
Music: Young Americans, David Bowie