eComics, eBooks, books or comics?

eComic reader on a full screen computer or laptop. When downloaded and made fullscreen the clarity of a comic is superior to the clarity of image found in solely text based fiction.

While everyone is considering the impact of ebooks on the book world I thought I'd look at a different subject and that is the comparison between the ecomic, comic, book and ebook. 


Both comics and books have extended themselves into the electronic world as well as having various readers made for them but only the book has made any real headway into the portable reader separate from the standard computer or laptop anyone has.


There are pros and cons to having both types of stories available on screen rather than as printed versions. But which type of story telling best suits a computer or reader screen or is traditional the only way to go?


eBooks mean a great saving in space and possibly cost from the printed book. They make it possible to have multiple stories, no matter their length, crammed into the space of one. But most readers and computers have a lower dpi than desirable for extended reading. This means sore eyes, especially when the screen is glowing, and tiredness. There are readers where this problem is solved mostly through a non-glowing screen and liquid ink. Still, text is crammed into a small screen, buttons break and the batteries need to be constantly minded. Also, not every reader has a great bookmarking or cataloguing and finding system, making it hard to find the book you want or place you were. Also, by reducing books to their title and author alone in a long list, there is a dissociation and a lack of appeal to the book selection process. That problem is also partially solved by thumbnail book covers that appear in the list but these are very small and the draw that the artwork has in full size is also reduced.


In fact, I've sent out files for review and also printed copies and while it did take a while for each to come back as time is precious for most people, responses were always far slower on PDF versions from printed versions. This suggests that it is more appealing to read printed copies, complete with covers, than it is to read a manuscript printed on A4 paper. After that, it is more appealing to read a manuscript printed on A4 paper than onscreen. Now, this is a select and unplanned trial but there does seem to be some value in the traditional book that just isn't there in the ebook.

Most ereaders are small and designed for text only fiction.

Books seem to be best in their traditional format for many reasons but having them available on ereaders can also provide an ease of access to information that is essential when doing such things as research on the fly. And yet again there is a problem with any research material containing illustrations being downloaded to an ereader and that is the tables and graphs are squashed to near unreadable for the amount of information made small. The other benefit of an ereader is the book baggage in extensive travel is greatly reduced. Otherwise, in most instances books remain the better option than the ebook. 


Comics have only made it online in certain countries but with translation and Internet access to reader sites this means that most people can read them from anywhere as long as they're translated into a language the reader can read. This means that fewer stories are available. The reason that economics haven't taken off is that pricing and copyright generally haven't been sorted out. Also, the big comic houses you're most aware of, the ones currently churning out movies instead, haven't extended into the ecomic market near as much as they could. Like ebooks, ecomics range greatly in their quality and there are a lot of beginner comic artists and writers establishing themselves on the Internet in order to somehow secure a deal. This does mean that a reader has to wade through some waffle to get to what is readable but by and large the quality is good enough once it is hosted on a reader site.


eComics generally don't have a required reader program but there are some out there so that you can save and read downloaded copies in the format and filing system of your choosing. They usually only work on computers and laptops but this does offer full colour and a glossy finish, much like what is found in the original print. Add to this that the text is usually larger so the dpi issue isn't quite so much of a problem, the screens are usually large so scrolling isn't always required to read a whole page and the rate at which a person can read a comic is far faster than that of a book so that the eyes don't get nearly as sore.

For research, the larger ereader offering full colour and a greater dpi is the only way to go.

Also, the attention span given most things on a computer screen is less than that given to a hard copy book so the transfer of a comic to an ecomic doesn't have nearly as many reader concentration issues as a book to an ebook, whether on a computer screen or a reader. In comics, there are usually 30 odd pages per issue, or 'chapter' in book language, making them a snap to read while doing other work or following facebook, twitter and most other forms of entertainment. They're also far easier to read while watching a show than books (personal experience aplenty on both) and because the stories can be read quicker you can churn through many more stories while researching specific story lines or subjects than when reading books. And because of the overlap in audience members, the writer's societies and reference materials, all story lines converted into book or comic share more similarities than differences.


All in all, for ease of reading and preferences I think the list generally goes like this: 

• Book
• Comic
• ecomic
• ebook
• Manuscript
• PDF file

But due to other interfering factors brought on by circumstance such as travel or research the list can change to something like this:

• ecomic
• ebook
• Book/Manuscript
• Comic
• PDF file

Really, it all does come down to what you're doing at the time but I do believe that the ecomic is far superior to the ebook in many ways, if only the comic publishers worldwide would actively print them online.

Physiological reactions to watching and reading stories

There is some documentation and a few theses on the physiological reactions a viewer has to watching movies or television. Here are two theses I found links to online:

• The CDVPlex Biometric Cinema: Sensing Physiological Responses to Emotional Stimuli in Film by Rothwell, Lehane, Chan, Smeaton, O'Conner, Jones and Diamond.
• Fear: A Psychophysiological Study Of Horror Film Viewing by M Adam Palmer.

Sound, colour, action and surprising events play a big part in creating that emotional impact which in turn creates the physiological reactions of increased or decreased muscle tension, increased heart rate, increased or decreased in saliva production, sweating, steady or increased breathing etc. It has been said that being engaged in watching an action movie is a little like exercising because you keep tensing your muscles to run or react just as a character you're drawn to does or when a sound and event scares you. The reactions aren't quite to the same level, as you would agree if you exercise at all, but there is definitely a reaction. If you doubt me them go watch a big, loud film where the protagonist is made to run about to survive. Enjoy, engage but pay just a little bit of attention to your reactions. You'll be surprised that it isn't only that little jump of fright you get when the monster goes "Boo!" or the explosion slams into your ears.

How many of you tensed up seeing him go through the top of the door?

Also, if you haven't watched District B13 then get cracking. It's a fantastic movie. Originally in French but you can easily get subtitled versions. Pierre Morel also directed Transporter and Taken.

Movies or shows can also create lasting reactions. During and after viewing horror you might feel anxiety, sleeplessness, fear and phobia. These all have the potential to last many years if nightmares occur, anxiety isn't addressed, and a common fear is compounded by other experiences to become phobia while phobias can be maintained by the reiteration that this particular thing is something to fear, seeming to justify the excessive reaction when average fear would have been more appropriate.

Enjoyment of a film or movie can also have a lasting effect. Laughing lots will shape the way you look at the world and also embed a particular set of ideas into your mind as enjoyable or worthy of laughter. Desire felt can also further shape your sexual preferences, although it is very unlikely to change your base drives. 

So it continues. Many studies, whether watertight or not, have been done on the impact of movies and television as there is some concern over the shows viewed shaping the mentality of the young. Will a person watching violent shows as a child grow up to be more violent than otherwise?

Hard question to answer but my personal opinion is that the shows just feed you information on how to act on your rage and how to disregard your own morals if there is adequate need. It doesn't make you essentially angrier to begin with. Just more knowledgeable on how to act on it which is, I suppose, what many wouldn't like and yet many others would, depending on the job you are aiming for. Not everyone in society is asked or required to be quiet and peaceful. But I guess, even if you lacked the training you can get that if you prove yourself aggressive in a useful way.

Why we watch is another matter but it does involve emotional responses, endorphins and addiction.

So do we have physiological reactions to written words? 

In short, yes. I bet you've had sleepless nights, sat there tense in your seat, been traumatised by a book's topic and felt your skin scrawl at particularly gruesome descriptions. I bet you might have also felt a tingle of desire at reading a well written sex scene. Ever feel stressed, tense or nervous while reading a book? What about that physical punch of betrayal that hits near the heart? Have you ever cried? Emotions and physiological reactions go hand in hand so it isn't surprising that if you've emotionally invested yourself in a character or story that you'll feel some of what they are portrayed to. It isn't surprising that it reflects in your body's reactions. 

Unfortunately there aren't so many studies available on the impact of seeing written words on the human system. I believe we are less worried about it although I'm not entirely sure why, given that many of those scary and violent movies and shows were originally books, in which the gore is explicitly explained. Same goes for sex scenes. There might not be a picture but there is one painted in words and the safety of the characters is not always mentioned as a concern, leading a reader to consider that particular acts would be fine to try without proper knowledge being applied.

Writing is an almost direct line from a mind to media without regard for the reader's reaction unless marketing knowledge is forcefully applied to the imagination and thought processes or used upon editing. As such subjects are often explored to great depths and with an almost complete disregard as to how acceptable the topics are, the words used are and whether the way any of it is said is offensive. This is why when you write a letter, email, message or notice it doesn't receive nearly as much attention as required for the content to be acceptable - see my writing in anger post. If the writer is intending to market the work to a wide audience containing varied opinions and appreciations then the content of the work will be adjusted accordingly.

Never undervalue the careful use of the editing process. It is like remembering your pleases and thankyous.

So for the most part what follows is part my understanding of what happens through years upon years of reading and part observation, general knowledge and what little is gleaned from researching the topic.

In stories constructed purely of the written word physiological reactions also occur but the immediacy is dulled by the lack of sound indicators, flashing movement and quick surprises (there is surprise but, as noted, the immediacy is lost so you don't jump in your seat when reading a surprising event, you just mentally say "Oh!" or "Huh?" and move on, thinking as you read).

The impact of the written word is dulled to the point where only the active use of the imagination can fire a strong physiological reactions. Just scanning without engaging will not bring about such reactions unless you flip across indicator words like:

• Hate
• War
• Rape
• Torture
• Hope
• Feast
• (A list of naughty words) - this is a youths friendly site thank you so I can talk about sex but just not be explicit. Youths do actually know such a thing exists.
• Death

etc.

Most words we pay attention to when scanning will be of the negative variety or connected with desires such as sex and food as we tend to instinctively keep an eye out for threats more than we tend to keep an eye out for love or relaxation. That is all connected to survivalism and not pessimism.

While scanning, the rest of the words become filler and are by and large ignored unless containing content relevant to your search - the reason why you are scanning rather than reading.

As such, at its basest level - when presented separately - the written word has a stronger impact when it refers to a threat, to our desire and to our survival. Many argue that fear should be gotten rid of or that it is useless. This is completely the wrong way to approach life. Phobias, the overreaction to things feared, are crippling so this type of fear also pose a problem regarding survival. Fear, just plain fear over a thing or event, is a reaction that will help you survive and so should be embraced when felt and acted upon. Don't just stand there wondering what it is you're feeling and why. Move! React!

Side note:
The same goes for pain, hate, disgust etc. You are meant to react. Pain tells you something is wrong and needs attention. Emotional pain is the same just that it likely deals with relationships and your thoughts rather than a physical problem to attend to before you bleed out or drop dead. If you feel pain and have the chance to react be thankful. Not everyone feels pain the same way, some can't at all, and so their ability to react in a timely manner is inhibited.

So if writing has its greatest impact when words, topics and ideas related to survivalism are used then inserting fear, cynicism, hope, betrayal and desire into your work, both in words and in the events will ensure that your book has the greatest impact it could have.

Love you ask? Love isn't necessary for survival but it does help it. It is a long term emotional response and not an immediate. It makes you act to protect and care but it doesn't impact upon you unless you feel love in the first place. By that I mean reading and viewing love won't make you love, it just refers you to what you do know if you do at all. Otherwise, it is intangible. Writing on love and inserting the word love in a text has less impact than sex or desire because the latter has a more immediate connection to survivalism than the former. Something has to be there to be loved (partner, child, friend or family) in order for love to be felt and how that something comes about is through sex and desire. Desire is the initial draw card to love, leading to both love and sex, leading to move beings to love and protect. At the moment it is a chicken and egg question but without desire you'd only have rape, possessiveness and violence so no matter whether it is the chicken or the egg I'm completely thankful that love is in our list of emotions.

So can you see why love stories, now that censorship has been reduced, have crept closer and closer to porn? Why the writers are more concerned with physical appearances and why so many people read them for the sex scenes alone - of which the average number is growing from 3 per book? Why they are sold with covers focused on the physical attractiveness of a character? Why you almost never (I only added the almost in case there really is one out there) see an ugly but intelligent and loving man portrayed on the cover? Why you almost never see the same for a woman?

I should also mention that desire could be expressed as hunger or greed, both of which have great impact.

Love, protracted sadness, trust, thoughtfulness, awe, appreciation and such like have less of an impact than those topics directly related to survivalism. This is not to say they have no impact, just that the impact is less and so the read is more calming and 'light' as we call it. This is why love stories are sold as chic lit and chic lit is portrayed as airy nothingness read for the sole pleasure of wiling away an afternoon in relaxation, without challenges. This is quite false as chic lit and love stories can address some rather heavy and demanding issues. Still, the impression remains as the focus of the book is usually about a topic that has a lesser impact on your body.

That just leaves you wondering where humour falls, doesn't it?

Humour is made by playing with ideas to create laughter. Play is essential to survivalism as it also is part of invention and finding solutions to problems. Humorous topics do actually have a great impact upon the reader but this isn't always the case when only a word is shown, unless it is classed as naughty. In the following case "smile" likely doesn't make you smile near as much as seeing the word "fart".

Humorous events and topics can be used for the greatest impact but separate words such as laugh and smile don't create as strong a reaction as those words related to survivalism. Words like laugh and smile are limited by memories and associations (you can create a more direct association if you use "fart" than "laugh"). Showing laugh and smile to someone won't create humour without a reference. It will only refer the viewer to a humorous event or situation they know of.

Also, the most powerful reactions would be smiling or laughing and a slight calming of the system from the release of endorphins. Writing an entire event or a series of comic events that keep a reader laughing throughout will create a lasting impact though, especially if it becomes one that can be referred to on use of the words smile or laugh.

So humour sits at the halfway mark and has its most powerful impact if explored in full.

On another side note: The best humour for creating a lasting reaction is known as black humour. Anything that approaches and breaks taboos will last a long time in a readers or viewers memory. Watch this for why.

So for a writer to achieve the most resounding physiological impact and thus a reader's deep connection to a story the writer should include topics or events that induce fear, cynicism, hope, humour, betrayal and desire.

But books with great impacts and heavy themes aren't the only ones to sell well. If there is a glut in the difficult books market then writing a book with less of a physiological impact might be advisable. In which case including topics and events that inspire love, protracted sadness, trust, thoughtfulness, awe and appreciation could help you sell your book as your book would then allow the reader to relax and meander through your work at leisure.

It is up to the writer and publisher to chose the appropriate topic and style as both heavily engaging books and alight reads are enjoyable and worthy or reading.