Michael Edwards is one of many dedicated writers in the comic book world and he was nice enough to take the time and talk about his upcoming comic book The Return of Jeremy Munroe and shares some writing tips. Enjoy learning more about his work and how it came to be.Me: What is the story of your upcoming comic The Return of Jeremy Munroe?
Edwards: The story is about the bond of love between Jeremy Munroe and Linda Button. Jeremy died tragically in a car accident (which has me thinking of drafting a prequel called The Love Of Linda Button) leaving Linda mourning her fiancée. Upon visiting his grave on the anniversary of his death. A demon uses Linda's love for Jeremy to create a doorway, a link between itself and her. The demon tries to convince Linda that he is who he says he is and to the leave the cemetery and the power of Death. Linda starts suspecting that something is amiss and Jeremy returns to save her and give her the encouragement to move on and find some one else. Me: What was your inspiration to write this story?Edwards: I've had a terrible love life to say the least, and I have always been a classic romantic. Getting girls flowers, little gifts, complimenting them, etc. I decided since my love life was terrible, that I would write a story about love from a positive point of view. I completed the story in about a day, and it was a sign that this project was right. Me: What are the characters like? Edwards: Jeremy Munroe is a very loyal and gallant romantic. The type who would do anything for his friends and family. Linda Button is a very emotional, but strong woman. The two fell in love through a shared belief of what love is, and similar interests in poetry. They are the opposite of the cynical badass characters that show up a lot. Me: How is this story different than other comics on the market right now?Edwards: It is much brighter, a tale that adults, teens, and children can read. Which is very rare in the market place these days.Me: What other work have you done in both the comic book industry and other projects?
Edwards: I worked with Kreative House studios on doing a draft script for their second issue of a big crossover between two of their popular characters. I also released a self published novel called Word Of Honor.Me: How did you assemble your creative team and what has it been like working with them?Edwards: I sent out an add for an artist on Digital Webbing and Brent answered. We talked back and forth with him providing the first couple of pages and I was immediately blown away. His artwork captured the emotions perfectly. I knew Daniel Chan from previous projects that fizzled out due to problems with flaky artists. And I met Edward on Facebook. He offered me and others free work to help build up his portfolio. Ed was the one who designed Jeremy's appearance as Brent had only designed Linda. These guys have been the most polite and helpful partners I have worked with so far. And I hope we can come together on another project. Me: When and why did you decide to become a writer?Edwards: On and off since I was young I was always coming with story ideas, it wasn't until my late teens/early twenties that I started taking it seriously. Back then I was terrible, I wrote like those cheesy golden age writers and people had no problem telling me I sucked. This harsh criticism made me work harder at cause others jobs I tried out for didn't interest me. And being told all my life I couldn't do this, or can't do that cause my ADHD limits what I can do. I felt partly that I had to prove to people and myself that I am smarter than they think I am. That, and the pure joy of rereading a script you have finished and seeing the artwork come in.Me: What advice would you give to struggling writers?
Edwards: Alan Moore was right. Writing isn't just a weekend warrior thing. It is a lifestyle. Everything you do, whether it is raising a family, or working part time jobs has to be woven around your writing. When I first started, I wrote non-stop for up to 48 hours cause I was obsessed with becoming a whole lot better. And that is the only way you will break down doors and get hired. Be so good, they cannot ignore you. And give it time. Cause creating comics in the indie field can take a lot more time than mainstream comics. Depending on whether you pay for the art or not. The first hurdle is realizing how much you may suck and get to the point you don't suck as much.Me: When will The Return of Jeremy Munroe be released? Edwards: In 2013, an exact date will become clear from my editor since the story is a part of an anthology with other creators involved. Me: Thank you for your time Mr. Edwards, and I wish you the best of luck with Return of Jeremy Munroe!To keep up with the latest The Return of Jeremy Munroe news, like their Facebook page.
An all-around nerdette, I’m a comic book connoisseur, horror aficionado, video game addict, anime enthusiast and an aspiring novelist/comic book writer. I am the head of the comic book department and the editor-in-chief of Entertainment Fuse. I also write and edit articles for Comic Frontline. I am also an intern at Action Lab Entertainment, a comic book publisher at which I edit comic book scripts, help work on images in solicitations and help with other comic book related project. My own personal website is comicmaven.com.
Edwards: The story is about the bond of love between Jeremy Munroe and Linda Button. Jeremy died tragically in a car accident (which has me thinking of drafting a prequel called The Love Of Linda Button) leaving Linda mourning her fiancée. Upon visiting his grave on the anniversary of his death. A demon uses Linda's love for Jeremy to create a doorway, a link between itself and her. The demon tries to convince Linda that he is who he says he is and to the leave the cemetery and the power of Death. Linda starts suspecting that something is amiss and Jeremy returns to save her and give her the encouragement to move on and find some one else.
Me: What was your inspiration to write this story?
Edwards: I've had a terrible love life to say the least, and I have always been a classic romantic. Getting girls flowers, little gifts, complimenting them, etc. I decided since my love life was terrible, that I would write a story about love from a positive point of view. I completed the story in about a day, and it was a sign that this project was right.
Me: What are the characters like?
Edwards: Jeremy Munroe is a very loyal and gallant romantic. The type who would do anything for his friends and family. Linda Button is a very emotional, but strong woman. The two fell in love through a shared belief of what love is, and similar interests in poetry. They are the opposite of the cynical badass characters that show up a lot.
Me: How is this story different than other comics on the market right now?
Edwards: It is much brighter, a tale that adults, teens, and children can read. Which is very rare in the market place these days.
Me: What other work have you done in both the comic book industry and other projects?
Edwards: I worked with Kreative House studios on doing a draft script for their second issue of a big crossover between two of their popular characters. I also released a self published novel called Word Of Honor.
Me: How did you assemble your creative team and what has it been like working with them?
Edwards: I sent out an add for an artist on Digital Webbing and Brent answered. We talked back and forth with him providing the first couple of pages and I was immediately blown away. His artwork captured the emotions perfectly. I knew Daniel Chan from previous projects that fizzled out due to problems with flaky artists. And I met Edward on Facebook. He offered me and others free work to help build up his portfolio. Ed was the one who designed Jeremy's appearance as Brent had only designed Linda. These guys have been the most polite and helpful partners I have worked with so far. And I hope we can come together on another project.
Me: When and why did you decide to become a writer?
Edwards: On and off since I was young I was always coming with story ideas, it wasn't until my late teens/early twenties that I started taking it seriously. Back then I was terrible, I wrote like those cheesy golden age writers and people had no problem telling me I sucked. This harsh criticism made me work harder at cause others jobs I tried out for didn't interest me. And being told all my life I couldn't do this, or can't do that cause my ADHD limits what I can do. I felt partly that I had to prove to people and myself that I am smarter than they think I am. That, and the pure joy of rereading a script you have finished and seeing the artwork come in.
Me: What advice would you give to struggling writers?
Edwards: Alan Moore was right. Writing isn't just a weekend warrior thing. It is a lifestyle. Everything you do, whether it is raising a family, or working part time jobs has to be woven around your writing. When I first started, I wrote non-stop for up to 48 hours cause I was obsessed with becoming a whole lot better. And that is the only way you will break down doors and get hired. Be so good, they cannot ignore you. And give it time. Cause creating comics in the indie field can take a lot more time than mainstream comics. Depending on whether you pay for the art or not. The first hurdle is realizing how much you may suck and get to the point you don't suck as much.
Me: When will The Return of Jeremy Munroe be released?
Edwards: In 2013, an exact date will become clear from my editor since the story is a part of an anthology with other creators involved.
Me: Thank you for your time Mr. Edwards, and I wish you the best of luck with Return of Jeremy Munroe!
To keep up with the latest The Return of Jeremy Munroe news, like their Facebook page.
