This is completely new to me and I wondered if anyone has any information on resources or experience in this area.
What a great medium, too often looked down upon, combining the power of words to that of images.
As far as writing a graphic novel goes, the experience is more akin to writing a screenplay than it is to writing a book. You must think visually, almost exclusively.
Omit any wordy description of the inner "lives" of characters (thought process, emotions) to replace them with visual cues - or dialogues - that betray them. For example, describing the body language or facial expression of the character rather than writing "he/she is reminded of..." is the way to go. You want the artist who will put your story onto the page to get a crystal clear image of what you are aiming for through your descriptions, and you want to achieve that with as few words as possible. Try to deliver "
quick visual punches" rather than elaborate and overly detailed paragraphs that will drown out your intentions.
In such a visual medium,
shapes,
colours and
composition become your primary weapons alongside
words. It is often tempting for a writer of novels and short stories to overlook the former and rely on the latter. But it is in the balance between all those elements that the true essence of graphic novels dwells. Use the way your characters are positioned in space, the way they dress and carry themselves, to reveal who they are and their importance within the story. Do not relegate framing / composition to a tool used to make pretty pictures or dynamic action scenes.
When you have something very specific in mind, do not hesitate to attach rough sketches of a panel, or even an entire page, to your screenplay.
Numerous classics of the medium now come packaged with their original script, and I encourage you to read them, since they remain the best way to learn from the masters. One in particular has been a major influence on the way I approach writing graphic novels: the special edition of Grant Morrison and Dave McKean's Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth.
Best of luck in this endeavour.