Advice? (Single strip boredom)

Rtist54 · Post by **Rtist54** » Wed Dec 27, 2000 6:23 am

I wanna see more Steverino. Sorry, but I do. Just work it, big daddy.Pauly------------------
Any artist can call their piece "Untitled", but there's only one <A HREF="http://untitledagain.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Untitled Again</A>.

Steve Emond · Post by **Steve Emond** » Wed Dec 27, 2000 10:19 am

I'm in a rut here... I went into the website thing figuring "I'm already doing this strip regularly, and it adds a new layer to my resume". So I figured I'd get some feedback, and some new oppurtunity's would open up. I guess I just wasn't thinking about how long that could take! So I've been drawing "Steverino" daily for a little over a month and a half, and it's getting taxing. I draw the strip, ink, color, and add photograph backgrounds that are pretty time consuming... my original idea was to do it for a year, see how much interest I could develop and see if I could get a deal with Plan 9, but I'm starting to think that won't work.My problem is there's too many other things I want to do, creatively. I have darker comics I want to draw, I have a manga I've been keeping on the back burner...My idea was to possibly make my main site just a link to other projects I've been doing. I can continuously update it with whatever project I've been working on, wether it's Steverino, the manga, a comic book, or a different strip.Has anyone done this succesfully? I worry that people will not check it out as much because of the alternating projects and whatnot. I'd still love to do Steverino, but it's not a 3 day or 1 day comic, it needs to be daily, which I can't do. Alright, so it sounds like I'm rambling, but if anyone's got any ideas or comments on my situation, I'd love to hear them. Does anyone else get bored of doing one strip day after day? Or worry that maybe a different strip or art form might suit them better that they're missing out on? Help me out!~Steve------------------
<A HREF="http://steverino.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>http://steverino.keenspace.com</A>

Gravity · Post by **Gravity** » Wed Dec 27, 2000 10:55 am

Steve,--I hear yah!- Actually I faced the same situation about a 2 years ago. YOu can work something out. It's a tough balancing act between a cartoon and wanting to do a comic. For example, look at me.
FREE COMICS AT <A HREF="http://efh-u.8m.com" TARGET=_blank>http://efh-u.8m.com</A>
MY SELF PUBLISHED COMIC AT: <A HREF="http://zombieopolis.iwarp.com" TARGET=_blank>http://zombieopolis.iwarp.com</A>
MY PORTFOLIO SITE: <A HREF="http://grindinggraphite.8k.com" TARGET=_blank>http://grindinggraphite.8k.com</A> And I have several other things going on freelance to keep the bills paid, like <A HREF="http://www.crackurz.com" TARGET=_blank>www.crackurz.com</A> -- So it can be done, but it takes alot of discipline. Now, I'm back to doing a daily strip and I love it. I've done everything else I wanted to for now, and I owe it to myself to make a strip work. Find what makes you happy and stick with it.------------------
D.J. Coffman
<A HREF="http://gravity.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>READ GRAVITY!</A>
<A HREF="http://gravity.keenspace.com/crew.htm" TARGET=_blank>MEET THE CHARACTERS!</A>

ZOMBIE USER 197 · Post by **ZOMBIE USER 197** » Wed Dec 27, 2000 11:59 am

I believe that the fact that you are attracted to several different projects has little bearing on what your fans will be attracted to. Manga fans may despise Steverino, and vice-versa. If I were in your shoes, I'd stick with Steverino for a while longer.No, wait. Belay that. If I were in your shoes I'd do what I wanted to do, instead of what you want to do.Still, linking to all your projects from one place is a good idea. Putting them all on KeenSpace is another good idea. The free hosting and the automation alone are worth it to me. BTW, I checked out your strip. Very nice. I think the Keen community needs more folks of your caliber.------------------
<A HREF="http://www.tayler.com/howard" TARGET=_blank>Howard Tayler </A>
<A HREF="http://www.schlockmercenary.com" TARGET=_blank>Schlock Mercenary</A>

Toddandpenguin · Post by **Toddandpenguin** » Thu Dec 28, 2000 4:55 am

Hi, as for the other projects you want to do, you can make new comics on the space, and link to them, and maybe invite a friend to do some guest strips for you for steverino for a week at a time a few times (?) just to keep it current. But if you must decide between doing one or the other, i would suggest to follow your heart. I went to your comic, and it looks very good (though it's kinda small and hard to read--maybe its just my screen setting?) but its a good strip, and it would be a shame to completely drop it, unless you had to. Another thought would be to do one site which updates each of the different comics at different times--sort of a variety type spot? I dunno if thats been done on here or not. As for frustration, the best of artists get frustrated, but hard work is part of the equation of success. Nothing is guaranteed, so you should do what you would do if you were already successful, and divide your time that way. I am in the same boat somewhat, as I am a writer as well, and find it difficult to balance my creative desires. Usually you are more inclined towards one area or the other, given the mood you are in, so i understand. now, I'm rambling! Tired...and must go update...good luck whatever you decide...keep us tuned in to your decision.~dave------------------
<A HREF="http://toddandpenguin.keenspace.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://toddandpenguin.keenspace.com/</A>

Steve Emond · Post by **Steve Emond** » Thu Dec 28, 2000 7:31 am

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm still kinda stuck though. I'll stick with Steverino for a while, and possibly incorporate some of my other ideas into that strip. I still feel like I might be missing out though.... it's a HUGE risk to say "this is it- I want to do Steverino". Doing it day after day leaves no time to pursue other art forms, which I may or may not be succesful in. But my instinct does tell me that I can have success with Steverino once I get it down. It just comes natural... (I define success as having a strip that won't get boring to me, having other people enjoy it, and eventually to the point of syndication). Although it's really hard to make such a huge dedication and watch your logs dwindle around with very low numbers. Hopefully I'll gain fans and they'll spread the word on it... But I'll be back with new cartoons on Monday. If it doeasn't work for me, I'll have to drop it, but just the few of you whoi commented are enough to keep me going for now, so thank you very much, you've definitely inspired me. It really is a great oppurtunity. Thanks everyone who has commented so far, I still welcome any other suggestions/ deas/ comments.~Steve------------------
<A HREF="http://steverino.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>http://steverino.keenspace.com</A>

Gravity · Post by **Gravity** » Thu Dec 28, 2000 11:05 am

I forgot to mention that I checked out Steverino the other night and I love it!- Good stuff Steve! Man you go to alot of trouble in your strips!- Perhaps you should decrease your workload by putting out BnW dailies and Color weeklies?- Something to think about.- Perhaps leavea ll the cool photo stuff for the weekends as well as a treat for your readers!- I like it alot!-------------------
D.J. Coffman
<A HREF="http://gravity.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>READ GRAVITY!</A>
<A HREF="http://gravity.keenspace.com/crew.htm" TARGET=_blank>MEET THE CHARACTERS!</A>

PDI · Post by **PDI** » Thu Dec 28, 2000 11:44 am

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Steve Emond:
Although it's really hard to make such a huge dedication and watch your logs dwindle around with very low numbers. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Holiday doldrums. Everybody's getting it. I expect a spike when school starts...------------------
Scott Maddix
<A HREF="http://PDI.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Psychic Dyslexia Institute:</A>
Where we all have special special powers

Lady Faith · Post by **Lady Faith** » Fri Dec 29, 2000 11:22 am

As a keenspacer whose totally disregarded the fact that keenspace is about webCOMICS- (hey, i use words and pictures, good enough?)-I have to say, do what you wanna do!
I checked out your strip, KUDOS!
Good stuff! I liked the way you marry photos and drawings, that's actually a concept I've been thinking of tackling the past few months.
But, I digress, let me just say that if the other projects you'd like to tackle are half as interesting as this one, I'll definitely be checking in.
------------------
Words and pictures, what more do you need?! Visit <A HREF="http://ladyfaith.keenspace.com" TARGET=_blank>Heaven and Earth</A> click now, ask questions later!