Creativity
I had a really productive weekend. It was very satisfying, mainly because it's been awhile since I've been able to say that. Granted, the holidays were busy and I guess you could say I was pretty productive from October through the beginning of January, but that "production" wasn't really doing anything to stroke my creativity. Commissions are fun to do and they certainly helped pay for my new computer, but once the work is done it's just sort of . . . done. Easily forgotten about.
So for the New Year I've vowed to start working on some of these other ideas I've had percolating in my brain over the past few years. That's one of the reasons I decided to reduce the publishing schedule for YHT - so I could have time to work on some of this other stuff.
Over the weekend I finished the submission package for my first new project. I'm proud of the cartoon, but at the same time I'm worried that it might not be good enough to get noticed by the "powers that be". I've come to find out that's a worry that every creator has no matter how established he/she may be. But I'm trying to stay optimistic. If it doesn't get picked up it's no big deal. It wouldn't be the first time my submissions have received a rejection. I've got several more ideas where that one came from, so I'll just keep plugging away.
For the record, I'm really not comfortable talking about this new comic strip yet. Mainly because if it doesn't get picked up by a publisher I really don't know if I want to pursue it independently. Maybe in a few weeks I'll divulge some more information, but for now I'm gonna keep tight-lipped about it. I pretty much just want you guys to know that I'm not squandering ALL my extra time playing Guitar Hero.
So now that I've finished the submission package for this new strip, I'd like to start thinking about another project that I have in mind - a graphic novel.
I've been wanting to write a graphic novel for quite some time now, but the idea just seems so daunting that I didn't know where to start. I visited some of my favorite artist's and writer's websites trying to get any tips I could find on creating graphic novels. I've bought a book on how to create them, and I study a stack of my favorite GNs to see how the creators approach the introduction/set up, plot, climax, and conclusion.
The scariest part about creating a graphic novel is the idea of writing the thing. Where do I start? What process do I follow to write it? Should I do multiple drafts? Doug TenNapel carries around note cards to scribble down plot points as he thinks of them. Then he arranges them in chronological order to help when writing the script. Other writers simply start by writing the script with complete panel descriptions and dialogue.
I like TenNapel's method, but I didn't like carrying around a small stack of note cards. I'm one of those guys who hates having a bunch of crap in his pockets, and having those note cards in my pocket along with my wallet and chap stick was a little too much.
I also don't like the idea of writing a script. I get bored typing on a computer for a long period of time, and since I'm the writer AND the artist I don't really need to lay out panel descriptions for myself. I already know what I want the panels to look like.
So I decided to attack the graphic novel the same way I'd attack my comic strip. I bought a new notebook - college-ruled - and I'm going to start thumbnailing everything out in the book. I already have the basic plot all figured out; it's just a matter of getting it on paper.
So that's the goal for the next month - write out a graphic novel. I'm assuming it'll take a month, but it may take longer. Once I finish with the writing, I'll move on to the art and we'll go from there.
Unfortunately, I've probably wasted too much energy talking about "wanting" to do the project that I'll never actually do it. You guys can hold me accountable. :)
- Wes
So for the New Year I've vowed to start working on some of these other ideas I've had percolating in my brain over the past few years. That's one of the reasons I decided to reduce the publishing schedule for YHT - so I could have time to work on some of this other stuff.
Over the weekend I finished the submission package for my first new project. I'm proud of the cartoon, but at the same time I'm worried that it might not be good enough to get noticed by the "powers that be". I've come to find out that's a worry that every creator has no matter how established he/she may be. But I'm trying to stay optimistic. If it doesn't get picked up it's no big deal. It wouldn't be the first time my submissions have received a rejection. I've got several more ideas where that one came from, so I'll just keep plugging away.
For the record, I'm really not comfortable talking about this new comic strip yet. Mainly because if it doesn't get picked up by a publisher I really don't know if I want to pursue it independently. Maybe in a few weeks I'll divulge some more information, but for now I'm gonna keep tight-lipped about it. I pretty much just want you guys to know that I'm not squandering ALL my extra time playing Guitar Hero.
So now that I've finished the submission package for this new strip, I'd like to start thinking about another project that I have in mind - a graphic novel.
I've been wanting to write a graphic novel for quite some time now, but the idea just seems so daunting that I didn't know where to start. I visited some of my favorite artist's and writer's websites trying to get any tips I could find on creating graphic novels. I've bought a book on how to create them, and I study a stack of my favorite GNs to see how the creators approach the introduction/set up, plot, climax, and conclusion.
The scariest part about creating a graphic novel is the idea of writing the thing. Where do I start? What process do I follow to write it? Should I do multiple drafts? Doug TenNapel carries around note cards to scribble down plot points as he thinks of them. Then he arranges them in chronological order to help when writing the script. Other writers simply start by writing the script with complete panel descriptions and dialogue.
I like TenNapel's method, but I didn't like carrying around a small stack of note cards. I'm one of those guys who hates having a bunch of crap in his pockets, and having those note cards in my pocket along with my wallet and chap stick was a little too much.
I also don't like the idea of writing a script. I get bored typing on a computer for a long period of time, and since I'm the writer AND the artist I don't really need to lay out panel descriptions for myself. I already know what I want the panels to look like.
So I decided to attack the graphic novel the same way I'd attack my comic strip. I bought a new notebook - college-ruled - and I'm going to start thumbnailing everything out in the book. I already have the basic plot all figured out; it's just a matter of getting it on paper.
So that's the goal for the next month - write out a graphic novel. I'm assuming it'll take a month, but it may take longer. Once I finish with the writing, I'll move on to the art and we'll go from there.
Unfortunately, I've probably wasted too much energy talking about "wanting" to do the project that I'll never actually do it. You guys can hold me accountable. :)
- Wes
Labels: Randomness
posted by Wes at 6:53 PM
2 Comments:
I know what you mean about talking about your projects. As a rule I try to spend more creative energy actually working on the thing than telling people how excited I am about it. But man is that hard sometimes!
10:43 PMOh man, your story in Sasquatch was so awesome, I'm really looking forward to this graphic novel. See, now you HAVE to finish it or you'll have disappointed a fan! Guilt, guilt, guilt!
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