New Project Time

You Can't Always Get What You Want

I've spent the last month or so trying to get Least Likely To Succeed off the ground. For whatever reason, the story isn't coming out of me. I know what the story is about. I know how I want it to end. But for whatever reason, I simply cannot write it at this time. I'm thinking this could have a lot to do with the characters. With Test-Tube, the characters of 3D and Lewis came first, then I created a situation to put them in and the story pretty much wrote itself from there. LLTS is different, in that I have the story, but I only have a vague idea of what the characters are like. And when I sit down the write the script, all of it feels forced...as if I'm making these characters say things that they probably wouldn't regularly. It's like they're not real enough in my mind to write yet. Or maybe Test-Tube just spoiled me because it became relatively easy because 3D and Lewis were such great characters.

In any case, I don't feel like waiting for the characters to catch up with the story, because it would take forever to happen, if it even happens at all. I don't want to wait too long before I have another book to show people, and I want to have at least 2 or 3 more for the next convention I attend. So, it's back the drawing board...

NINJAS

Like I did with Test-Tube, I sat down and tried to think of the characters first. A person or group of people that interest me enough to place them in situations. For some reason, I was just thinking, "You know, ninjas would be fun."



Wa-la. So my next project is going to be a sort of "mini-comic graphic novel"...a 60 page comic book featuring the adventures of Ninja Tall, Ninja Smart and Ninja Snacks. The book is simply going to be called Ninjas. I'll try to post more details as the project progresses. Again, much like my first comic book, Ninjas seems to already be writing itself.

Besides, kids love ninjas, right?

As the world turns...

Uncle Scott

I became an uncle at approximately 1:00 yesterday. It's wierd...it's not one of those things that makes you feel older, because I knew kids in grade school that bragged about suddenly becoming an aunt or uncle. It's more like an awareness...like I suddenly have a new role that comes with new responsibilities. For better or for worse, I am going to have an impact on this person and how she develops into an adult.

Poor girl. :P

Spreading comic making love...

Last night on the CCN board, someone responded to my "Make Fun of 'Test-Tube' Thread":

"Hey, I read about your test tube book coming out in a local book store. I'm from colorado but my grandparents are from there so that's how I heard about it. anyway, I was wondering how you just up and published a comic book. I've been drawing comics for years and haven't had anything half that successful. Do you have any tips for me? how do you get your foot in the door like that? thanks!"

Here was my response:

"My only tip for you is to just do it. Seriously, that's all there is to it: JUST DO IT! Don't try to make excuses. Don't hinder yourself with doubts. Just sit down and do it. Come up with a story, draw the whole thing and just put your nose to the grindstone and work. Test-Tube is a self-published mini comic, and some people might look at it and just see 8 pieces of paper folded in half and stapled together, but I believe and know that it's more than that. The only difference between my book and the latest issue of Spiderman is scale, really.

Here's more specifics: Truth be told, Ryan, is that publishing a comic book is not hard at all. That's the true beauty of comic books. ANYONE can do it. For the specifics of publishing a mini comic, I'd recommend finding the first issue of Wizard's Edge magazine, which features a great article by Jim Mahfood on how to make your own mini comics. If you can't find it, feel free to email me and I'll give you a DYI guide on how to make them. Next you want to find out how to distribute. For me, I started on a local level at my local comic shop, Rock Bottom comics; going to your shop, they'll usually offer consignment, which means you only get back whatever they manage sell. This makes it risk free for your LCS. Other places to go are conventions (I sold a TON at Chicago, for example), music stores, and even online. I just got my ordering section up and sold about 30 copies of Test-Tube last week alone.

Then you gotta gotta GOTTA self-promote. No one will buy your book if they don't know it's out there. Put up flyers all over your town. Call up a local newspaper or magazine and ask if they'd be interested in reviewing your comic book. Talk to people online and send preview copies their way and generate buzz. It's vitally important that you know putting your product out is not enough. You MUST let people know it's out there any way you can.

My last tip is to be honest. Don't make unrealistic goals and deadlines you can't keep. At the same time, do not falter and make sure you make any deadline that you set. When you're working on your first comic book, you're not only working on your story but you're building a brand, and that's YOU. Readers and fans have long memories, and they'll NEVER forgive you if you're late even ONCE. You have to build your brand, and to do that you have to be consistent, you have to be on time, and you have to have work ethic. You have to want it.

WHEW. Sorry, that was a little long winded. For more tips on how to get started, I seriously suggest picking up True Facts by Larry Young. That guy is super smart when it comes to comic books. Did wonders for me. And if you ever need any advice, just email me and I'll try to help the best I can. You might not be successful right away, but you'll be doing something you'll love and there's no better feeling than going to a comic book shop and finding out that they sold a copy of your comic book, or getting your first fan mail. It's the most awesomest feeling in the world. Good luck! "

You can see the whole thing right here . Guess part of the reason I went into so much detail is because I remember starting out back in April being very thirsty for any and all advise I could get. So I take any chance I get to return the favor to others who want to embark on the same path. I may not be a big time creator, but I am someone who managed to get something off the ground, and there's not a lot of others who can really say that.

In the year 2000

Now that the Christmas Special is in the bag, I'm fully concentrating on getting "Least Likely To Succeed" done at a decent deadline. Probably not the end of the year as anticipated, but definately early next year...maybe late January or early February. The reason for this is that I'm not doing the conventional mini comic book this time around. I was inspired by some mini comics that I ordered from the amazing Scott Morse to try and create a sort of "mini comic graphic novel" of sorts. In other words, have one complete story in a mini comic format. It'll be a challenge, but I think I can pull it off and it'll be worth it in more ways than one. I'll be upping the production value of the comic as well, include a better material of paper for the cover. More details as they come.

I even have my next project planned for after that...a romantic comedy tentively called "Fiddlesticks", and no, it's not about my cat.

In other words, I'm probably not doing any new 3D and Lewis stories for a while. But when I do, and I will doncha worry, I'll make sure to make it worth the wait.