Hm... you've hit on an interesting point, CA091. Speech bubbles are one of the key things an artist has to take into account before starting. I'm sure everyone does it a little different than everyone else. For some people, they simply draw the characters the way they want and paste them together once it's all done, in the way they want. This gives them the option of allowing space as they are looking at it on the screen.
I, on the other hand, draw all my panels on one sheet of paper, exactly how I want it to look on the screen. After creating over 200 pages of comics, I've somehow adapted to having a sort of instictual sence of spacial planning. I reherse the script in my head, and allow for the space I think the bubble will take up. It takes practice, for sure. I think the only thing you can do it keep at it. And be sure to keep the same font all the time. Small font is good, it looks professional in my opinion. Just make it readable.
I hope that helps some. It's hard for me to explain, since I'm not always mentally aware that I'm doing it myself. It just comes natural after a while.
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