So since my blog was lost to me a few days ago. that means That my “No Excuses” segment was already lost. So I’m re-posting this again. Sorry for those of you who already read this one. But i feel like its important to have this on the web. So bear with me… and it can’t hurt to read it again. It has some good ideas in it…
So this is the new official start to a new segment I’m going to have here on the blog called “No Excuses.” The point of this segment is going to be to encourage people to go out and create. My focus will be the creation of comic books. Mostly because that is what I’m an expert in. But what I say could be adapted to any field of creativity from writing, to cosplay. The reason I’m starting this is because I’ve found the number one reason that people don’t follow their dreams is because they are afraid and/or too lazy to chase them. And they make up excuses to justify their fear or laziness. “I can’t make my comic cause I don’t know how to draw.” “I can’t do a comic, I’m a terrible writer.” “I can’t make this comic, I’m not famous, no one knows who I am.” “Who would buy a comic from me? I’m a nobody.” There are no excuses. If you want to make a comic, then do it. Where there’s a will there is a way, and success comes from hard work and determination, and nothing short of it.
TODAY’s post is addressing the excuse: “I can’t make my comic because (a) I can’t write (b) I can’t draw (c) I don’t have the time do write, pencil, ink, color, and letter my comic.”
Just like all of these poor reasons not to create, it’s just an excuse, nothing more. And if you truly believe this is an obstacle for you that prevents you from creating I will provide you the solution.
The truth of the matter is You are not alone (hey look thats the title of the post!) There are hundreds, if not thousands of people out there that want to create a comic book just like you. And MOST of them are just like you. They can write, but not draw, or draw but can’t write, or simply they don’t have the time to do everything themselves. All they need is to find their other half to complete the project.
Go to the comic shop and pick up a few indie comics…. go on, i’ll wait……..
….. back yet?…. no?….. okay i’ll wait some more…..
Hey look your back! What did you notice from those indie books?… other than the fact you’ve never heard of them before. No, its not that they artwork is mediocre. NO! it’s not that they’re printed on cheep paper. Okay, your missing the point, I’m just going to tell you. When you look on the credits page 99.9% of those books were made by more than one person. Comics more often than not are team efforts! So if you’re missing skill sets needed to bring your comic to life, go out there and assemble your team!
“But Shono,” you’d ask me, if we were having a conversation and you weren’t reading a blog post, “How is it MY comic, if I worked on it with other people? Don’t I need to do it all myself to truly be MY comic?” and my answer is NO! of course not! When you play a team sport, do you say “Billy won the game.” NO of course not you say “We won the game” The achievements of the team belong to everyone and its the same thing with a comic. You brought that comic to life in some shape way or form. And because you did that comic is as much yours as it is anyone else who worked on it. Now depending on the agreement between the creators on the book, you might not LEGALLY own anything, but you can still claim that you brought to life the book in some manner, and that’s whole point. Bringing original work to life.
A great Example is Ryan Ottely. He’s the artist of my favorite Superhero comic “Invincible.” Now he did not create the idea of Invincible. He legally doesn’t own any part of the comic. (at least not to my knowledge, I’m sure you guys would correct me if I’m wrong.) But He has Drawn over 80 issues of that book. What he brought to that book visually is incredible. And if he told anyone “I’m working on my comic, Invincible” I don’t think anyone would correct him, because he visually owns that book! (even if it isn’t legally and just ideally.)
“Okay Shono, you convinced me….. but…uh…. where do i find these other creators?”
Really? You’re reading my blog, and you have no idea how to find artists and writers? how did you find me?…. okay okay fine….
If you’re a writer, and you’re looking for an artist, a great place to start your looking is Deviant Art. There are thousands of artists there all over the world. They vary in skill and style. I’m sure you can find an artist you like there. There are even writers there too! Another place to look is your favorite comic book forums. Most people post their work there. And if you’re looking for a writer, there are also writing forums as well where you can do the same. (I’m not a writer so I can’t tell you specifically where these are.)
Now where the internet fails, Comic conventions pick up the slack. There are hundreds, and thousands, and sometimes hundreds of thousands of attendees at a Comic con. If you can’t meet a writer or artist at a con, then you should give up all together and enjoy whatever your full time job is, cause there is no hope for you at all. I know that sounds kind of harsh, but seriously, if you can’t find one writer or artist at a convention you clearly aren’t trying at all.
So there. That’s how you fill in your gaps in your creative team. Use the internet. Use comic conventions. Use any social groups you know of, whether its on the on the internet or through real life. Find an artist or writer that suits your style and go from there. You might not find a good fit right away. Maybe your personalities don’t mesh. Maybe the styles don’t work together. Maybe they’re unreliable. But Don’t use THAT as an excuse either. Keep looking. There are so many people out there who want to make comics. ONE of them will work well for you and you two, or three, will be making beautiful comics together.
So stop making excuses and start making comics!
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