Brainstorming a new "story"

Jin-roh · Post by **Jin-roh** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 11:23 am

I just finished my writing and drawing of an about 7 week long story that's currently only in its 2nd or 3rd week on my site. I write my strip several weeks in advance during the summer so I can prioritze school during the fall and spring.

I need to come up with a new story idea right now. I do *not* want to do something videogame related right now, and actually would like to pull out some of the character's personalities backgrounds a little bit more.

In a previous story Andy unexpectedly encountered old girlfriend (Yolonda) from high school. They split up becuase Andy was graduating and moving on and they both felt that a long distance thing was a bad idea. Of course, the emotional side of the relationship didn't halt. It never really does.

They also have different personalities. Andy is a Pastor's kid who is many ways reacting against "Touchy Feely west Coast evangelicalism." Yolonda was also raised in a ministry family (same church in fact), but is largely embracing it.

I was considering having Yolonda come "visit" Trinity Pacific University, where Andy attends along with his roommate Ian (the other two males in my cast do not go to college). She has of course, contacted Andy and he has grungingly obliged her company for a few days.

I think I could tell a story and have some things about Andy come out that I haven't presented so far in the strip. However, I'm concerned with whether or not I can make it funny. Does anyone have any idea?

Snackbot · Post by **Snackbot** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 4:39 pm

You have two characters with an emotionally connected past and largely differing views on religion and (I assume) ethics.

The jokes should write themselves!

Just let the plot advance as it will naturally; the funniest part is going to be the discord of these personalities that have to try to get along with one another.

Also, old relationships are awkward. Awkwardness is funny. Work with it.

Black Sparrow · Post by **Black Sparrow** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:44 pm

As long as it's coming out of your head, go with it. Don't worry about whether it's funny or not: if funny's your style, that's what it'll be.

If not, well, readers enjoy seeing characters in extremely uncomfortable situations, too!

Jin-roh · Post by **Jin-roh** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:55 am

Thanks for the advice.

First, they don't have radically different views on ethics. Andy is still a Christian, he just has problems with the specific tradition he was raised in.

I was thinking of having Yolonda mess up his world by her mere presense. Andy seeks advice from his roommates, but only Mark Guyer is the one who really knows anything about girls. He'll be like a devil on Andy's shoulder who will convince him to "drink her out of his memory."

Biev · Post by **Biev** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 9:53 am

Seems near-impossible to make religion funny, but hey... if you can do it, more power to you.

Jin-roh · Post by **Jin-roh** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:14 pm

I'm a Theology major.
Trust me, religion is funny.

Subhuman · Post by **Subhuman** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 12:38 pm

I think Biev means funny without being offensive, which is indeed hard.

Jin-roh · Post by **Jin-roh** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:14 pm

In that case it is hard, although it can be done. A lot of the religion humor I like comes from this site which can fall on either the "offensive" and in-offensive side of the fence.

But then again, I remind myself that I instructed my friend to burn an old copy of "prayer of Jabez" I left at his apt. I don't get offended easily.

Biev · Post by **Biev** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:35 pm

That and I've never met a religious person with a sense of humor ;o)

Black Sparrow · Post by **Black Sparrow** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 8:45 pm

Well, if they didn't have a sense of humor, they wouldn't be reading humorous webcomics. Problem solved.

Soldier Volkov · Post by **Soldier Volkov** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 12:53 am

Yeah, I know lots of religious people with great senses of humor. It's just that they hold certain things as off-limits or inapropriate for humor.
Hooray moderation! Boo, creepy foot doctor!

Btw, Jin, funny comic. And catchy art style.

Jin-roh · Post by **Jin-roh** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 7:28 am

That actually is it, there are just certian things that are off limits. If you've ever seen the movie saved, you get an idea of weird religious sub-culture. Making fun of religious life is well within the limits as far as I'm concerned.

And thanks for the comments. I don't think anyone was ever actually complimented my art before, so that's good to hear.

Jin-roh · Post by **Jin-roh** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:00 am

Attached is working idea of converstaion they have. I plan on making some changes to the art and such, but please crit away. I am not a particuraly relational individual and I do not pick up on things like Body Language easily, so if anyone is, please advice.