I am no expert, but No one is, right? Anyways, I hope this helps a lot, and this is how I do it. That don't mean that Im right or Im wrong, though!

10) Think of the genre- Horror, comedy, Romance? Whatever it is, have the genre in mind when making a plot and such, that way you stay on track!

9) Think of how your character would react to anything- Even stupid questions like "What if a dog popped in my characters lawn" These seem strange but by george it gives you a whole new 3 dimensionality that you wouldn't normally get!

8) Make the design 'feed' off the personality. As in, make the characters clothes, facial features, and hair off of the personality, so that people can take one look at him or her and say "OH YEAH!" Or something to that effect

7) Write out the dialogue or scenes or little bits you want to remember, grouped by scene, this can be as quick as humanly possible, just to put them on paper before you forget it. If you can, and have an idea, jot down a drawing or two of some motion or of an emotion. You'd be surprised how these seconds long sketches may give you insight to the character.

6) Plan out a play by play of the plot, This may seem stupid if you "Have all of the action on the previous paper" But if it's all jumbled up, when you go to plan the panels, it will be SOOOOO confusing! Especially if your notes are super long like mine!

5) NOW STOP EVERYTHING. And sleep for a day or direct your attention to practicing the drawing or something, just don't, I REPEAT don't work on the plot. This may seem like a step back, but a stop in creativity or a whole step away from the comic over night or for two hours is sooooo good. Because when you come back, and think again, your ideas will have changed a little, usually for the better!

4) After you have the plot 100% ready to go, Do some research on some backgrounds, or take pictures of backgrounds. You have to have them, and as much as I'd like to get around them, Dammit, you need those annoying things! So, if you have a school setting, take some pictures of your class, or of a school! If it's set in a city, take some pictures from the city. Or even, if your background is nowhere to be found around you, or you don't have a camera, Royalty-free and free use pictures are your BFF.

3) Do some research on panel layouts. Even if you think you know them well, just trust me and REALLLY look at some of your favorite comic or manga that have already been published. Look at the panel layout, how the characters introduce themselves, and where the text and sound effects are, as well as some pen techniques. And don't just loo at one person. If you're fixing on doing a romance comic, look at some horror, You'll be amazed at how much you'll learn! And don't COPY the layouts or compositions, Gather insight on how they do it, and translate it into your style and learn by doing.

2) Break down you plot PAGE BY PAGE. this is a pain in the butt, no doubt, but it is soooooo good to help you get rid of stupid stuff or unneeded dialogue or even unwanted and boring scenes all together! this planning will help to make sure that you will get everything put together well. Also, write out what pages are, like two pagers, so you know which ones to keep together. You'd be amazed at how much it helps!

1) Remember this should first and formost make you happy. If you love it, it will show in your art, and others will love. and that IS a fact.

GOOD LUCK!