Stan Sakai wrote:
The word balloon (or talking bubble) should be part of the composition when you first lay out the panel or page. Remember, in the western world we read from left to right and top to bottom, so lay out the balloons so that we naturally read them in that order. I hand letter my own stories, so I make sure I leave room for the balloons. In the Spider-man Sunday newspaper strips that I also letter, Stan Lee insists that Alex Saviuk write the dialogue on the original pencil art. This assures that there is enough room (and also Stan doesn't need to refer back to the script pages when looking over the art). I letter in the dialogue, then send the art back to Stan. He sends it out to Joe Sinnott for inking, who returns it to him. Stan then sends it off to the colorist. What would we do without FedEx!
Unfortunately, many writers new to comic books tend to overwrite and cram too much in one panel or page. I suggest before changing the story too much, you talk to John and explain your feelings about panel layouts and story pacing.
Yes, word balloon! I knew it was something along that line. When adding in the word balloon, I get stuck on what to really do layout wise, such as how big and what I want the panel to look like, angle wise, etc…It’s harder then I thought! But’ I’ve looked through some comics to give me some ideas. So far, I’m going to stick with the traditional boxed panels until I am comfortable with getting a little more creative.
I did my first page of rough panels and for a first time, they looked horrible. I showed it to John, and he redid it- with his “first interpretation” of how it would go. It’s amazing to see someone who has done this for a while, just come up with a page of rough panels in just 5 minutes! (Well he scribbled stick animals for me LoL!)
John gives me creative freedom with the layout design and give me tips on how to write out what my Characters are saying. It’s a bit challenging, but in most of the comics I’ve read, even in yours, the panels have Little to No words, which John Encourages me to do as much I can. He said if you can express something w/o words. DO IT.- So far- I am pretty good at that. I don’t know how long this Practice panel layout is going to be, he won’t let me do a Final page, till he thinks its good enough.
He also said that if my script says 7 panels, but I may have to make more- to make sure that the panels fit within the page. So like if at the end of the script (of a chapter) the character walks out of the room- make sure that that is at the bottom of the page- and not at the beginning or the middle- of were a new chapter may be. (I hope you understood all that)
Wow! That’s amazing that you and many other artists tag team on Art and such, that’s great!- Hurray for Fed Ex! ^_^
Ok BIG question. I’m Working on my project for my partner John, who wont stop hounding me enough to get my work done+ college + Religious study= One Stressed person<-- that person being me. 
I drew him as a lion, but he said he looked cheesy.
Ohhhh. A lot of what your saying Iv never even hurd of! Wow- I like that little tool!