Layouts!

This is basically how I write comics. They start out as a series of thumbnails and then I make rough layouts where I work out any problems, look for tangents and tighten up character design. Pacing, time elapse and clarity are all very important to comics (or any other media that tells stories visually), and this step is very crucial to good pages.

I tend to get drunk sometimes while doing layouts. I find that drinking helps relax your mind so that you can see the story in a different light. Often we get too wrapped up in seeing something one particular way and need to step back.

I like to reference great visual story tellers. Will Eisner is probably the king when it comes to sequential art, but you should also check out Darwyn Cooke, Becky Cloonan and Sarah Picelli. Another good source is Genndy Tartovski (from Dexter's Lab, Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends). Particularly Symbionic Titan.