Hello everyone!
My name is Helena and, you might be able to guess, I'm brand spankin' new to Tapastic. And I'm really, really sorry for the long post.
I came across Tapastic in the wee hours of the morning while researching writer/artist collaborations. Even though I have a 9-5 shift in... about three hours. But I was consumed with an idea for a web comic that drove me from the comfort of my bed and into the hands of the kind people of this forum.
What I've researched so far has shown me that I'm not prepared at all to work on my idea yet. Coming from a film/screenwriting background, I'm a novice in comic/manga creation (though there are similarities). Which is why I'm asking for advice because from what I've seen, Tapastic users are pretty friendly and willing to lend a hand.
I've hunted down posts where writers are looking for artists and here's what I've found.
1. I should show the artists my story. The (dreaded) pitching is important! (No one likes pitching. It's nerve wracking. But it's important.)
2. Start off with a one-shot, not a series.
3. Tapastic might not be the best place to search for writer/artist collabs? Since artists here are posting their own creations.
4. Artists will want to be paid unless they are building up a porfolio.
5. Will probably have to work with many artists to find one I'm comfortable with who's comfortable with me. (Hence one-shots, not series.)
Some things about me:
1. I'm a recent college grad, not able to pay artists what they deserve.
2. My idea is a long series made up of one-shots.
3. I'm hoping to make future revenue, which will be evenly split 50/50.
4. I don't want to just "hire" an artist. I want to have a relationship with them in which we both are invested in the characters and the success of the series. (Maybe I'm asking for too much?)
5. I've only just thought of the idea yesterday, so I haven't written out the story yet, just a small blurb. I'm just testing out the waters.
I'm painfully aware I have a long way to go before I'm ready to bring life to my idea, but that's why I ask advice from the artists on this forum. Because I'm looking for one of you, and you know you best.
If you're interested, here's the blurb I've written.
A coming-of-age, slice of life web comic following Korean American twins, Sora (girl) and Tory (boy) Ko. The journey starts their freshmen year in a small, but respected high school in NYC. As the characters grow, they deal with friendships, love, death, and family: all the horrible and wonderful things we experience as we mature. Through it all, their relationship with each other is tested, though, ultimately, they lean on each other for support and, along the way, make some important friends.
Subjects that will be addressed include: making and losing friends, cultural diversity, sexuality (hetero, homo, and ace), religion and faith, death and grieving, depression, romantic love, family dysfunction, high school hijinks, puberty, independency, etc.
Subjects are intended to be explored not all at once.
TL;DR I'm new to using comic/manga as a media for my writing. I need help on how not to be a jerk and to find an artist friend, realistically.
I'm off to get ready for work, so I won't be able to reply during my shift. Please don't think I'm ignoring responses.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. And thank you for any advice!
P.S. If you'd like to suggest your favorite slice-of-life comic/manga with LGBT undertones, I'd appreciate it!