The Road to Manga - Story, Paneling, Project Management 101

It is never too late to start...That is what I told myself when I first took up drawing seriously at 18 with the big idea of becoming a professional mangaka. Of seeing my books in the bookstores and touching the hearts and minds of readers.A shy girl from a poor immigrant family in a sleepy provincial village in Bavaria, without any connections or funds. I knew that I would have to learn fast, be bold, be courageous. And I knew that I would make my dream a reality.And I did.Not right away but the following 4 years of constant study, self-imposed drawing bootcamps, searching, learning, project development and hunting down editors at book fairs and conventions paid off.First I started winning drawing contests. Then I finally got a break at Tokyopop Germany and Carlsen Manga and became a professional mangaka, art teacher and illustrator, working for publishers and commercial clients. This allowed me to move to the city of my dreams and to go to university.After more than a decade of an eventful life, I went on to new ventures, projects, always in search of new knowledge. But one thought that never left me, a secret wish, was to go back to teaching and that I could pass on my knowledge to others. So many people want to make their own manga but so very few manage it. The hurdles vary, but most of them CAN be pushed aside, if you have the right tools at your disposal (I am not talking about art supplies, but they help) and know how to avoid pitfalls.My methods may not always be conventional but they are effective. It might be never too late to start but we better start now, since I have so much to teach you.I want you to realise your goals and live your dreams.Just like I did.