Advice on pacing?

[dawgofdawgness]

Yikes.
So I've really been struggling with the pacing of my comic and I'm not really sure how to fix it at this point.
It's so slow to the point where even I have been growing bored of it - which is annoying, since I kind of just want to get to the juicy bits.

Does anyone have any advice or resources on pacing your comic?

[melindemari]

I loved catching up on the comic! It's refreshing and I actually find the pacing nice, it doesn't feel rushed and at the same time it doesn't feel like everything's just being dragged around 1 thing; instead you tell it chronologically which is cool!

With writing novels I too only always want to get to the juicy bits cause that's where all the action's at the laughter or the romance! But always remember comics and novels are all like life, there's the beginning and there's the middle with it's ups and downs and the end, think how horrible it would be if just fast forwarded to the end? No one will get to love Frances and Azzi.

Your characters have already a special connection with me, and that all from the reading through it in 15-20 minutes! Frances I could tell wanted to try out the Bass XD she's just so... "loveable" and yet determined... lazy as crazy! Azzi on the other hand, spite her attitude, I can tell (especially in the last 2 pages) that she really wants to makes "friends" and cares for Frances, but she wants to be this seemingly "tough" girl at the same time because she likes her space and her quiet time, which is most of the times!

[dawgofdawgness]

Reading that really warmed my heart i'm really glad that you like the characters and the pacing isn't as bad as i thought! I love the idea of ups and downs, I think that maybe going slower will give the audience a chance to connect with the characters, like you said.
Thank you so much :)))

[melindemari]

I'm glad if could help XD

I can't wait to see more of your comic! I actually want to reread it all right this moment just cause I feel so connected with Frances and her love for music (I love music so very much too - and even though I know I can't play any instruments I so want to try playing the Bass too!!!)

[dawgofdawgness]

well if you ever do end up playing bass, let me know XD

[melindemari]

I will but first... maybe my guitar? and my Keyboard? and my Flute?
...

I completely forgot! I can play bass!!!

Bass Guitar that is!
But at "Beginner group"

[dawgofdawgness]

THAT'S SO COOL
bass is one of the coolest instruments ever imo.
but work on those other instruments! maybe you'll be famous one day

[melindemari]

I love practicing singing more than the instruments - the flute I would say is most definitely harder to play than a violin though!!!! (Tuned and played only once on my brother's ex-girlfriend's violin - don't know notes but at least a very sweet sound was emitted as I strung the bow across XD)

Music is really hard! But it's so soothing (or enticing and thrilling) when listening to it; so much so that I still try to learn it every other day (when not writing or practicing my drawing and painting skills)

Which reminds me; I love you style it's really fun and fitting I think of your comic! I can't see Frances drawn any other way than you have her!!!! It just won't do her justice!

[dawgofdawgness]

aww that's sweet
also i can't believe you play that many instruments??? And so many hobbies?? The talent...

[melindemari]

I rather think my talent is called "Excessive Shopping" and "Boredom" (Bought a Kimono at the Ani:Me expo in 2016 here in Abu Dhabi just cause it is super cute!!!)

....
....

When bored = try new things = I don't have the stuff = I buy it = I like, I'll keep going or I have it but awe well!

I do scrap booking, I make "jewelry", I even tried digital drawing and bought a Wacom (a small one...) and still practicing, but like traditional so much more - something about pen and paper that just can't be beat! Then there is glass engraving and wood carving that turned out to be a definite no-no! And also wood "burning" where you use a heated pin to burn into wood an image or words.... Oh and Scuba Diving (My all time fave sport) All of this in the name of getting bored way to easily!!!

Only good thing about it doing so much stuff, gives me a lot of ideas to write around and about! So never had any "writers block" so - YEAH!!!!

[dawgofdawgness]

Whoa! the most interesting thing I've done so far is skipping school because I was sick.
But it's cool that you'll never run out of ideas to write about, that's a great advantage to have

[melindemari]

I'm sure you have plenty of advantages to take hold of too! So go scurry for them like Frances went to look for temporary shoes (plastic bags...) - That was so funny ~LOL~

[dawgofdawgness]

wahaha i will >_<
thanks for being a cool person

[Navi.Hog]

This may help. Even though it's a game design video, it touches on cinematics and the Three act structure as well.

You might also want to give The Hero's Journey trope a visit. These kind of helps you segment out how your pacing should go.

[dawgofdawgness]

thank you I'll definitely check those out

[emkay]

I agree with @melindemari ! I like the pacing of your comic, it seems fitting for a more slice-of-life story and gives room for characterization. I especially love the latest update with Azzurra because it fleshes her out more in an entertaining way (I'm super curious about the incident) and I can relate on some level. I also love that you've decided to make the pages longer because I feel like I can get more involved. So that helps the pacing too, imo.

When I get bored with certain pages, I usually alternate. Instead of just working on the boring ones, I write/draw the interesting stuff on the side so it doesn't feel as tedious.

[dawgofdawgness]

Thanks
I'll definitely try writing out the fun scenes for my comic to avoid getting bored of it
thanks for the advice!

[LCT_m_a_d]

I absolutely love your comic. I must say.

I ran into a similar problem on my first rollout of my series. What crippled me was I was trying too hard to meet schedules and buffers that I wasn't experiencing the creating process. It got to the point where the series lost it's charm, even though it was on scedule.

Eventually, I slowed down and focused on being present in each process of creating each phase of each panel. With all the lifehacks and productivity tips this sounds like it would be draining, but it constantly keeps me feeling fresh creatively. Plus I improved much better on a consistent basis. Rather than producing faster work, I develop a better variety and depth.

It's a tradeoff, as a creator it's all about what you're looking for, and what your audience values.

[dawgofdawgness]

That's true!
If you keep rushing your comic to reach the deadline, there won't be enough room for improvement and exploration.. Thanks for the tip

[DiegoPalacios]

Don`t worry, your pacing is good. There is a great difference between actual story pacing and update pacing. For example, your actual story pacing is good because you balance establishing your characters, comedy and story events. All your pages are important and entertaining. Nothing feels like filler and nothing feels rushed. Maybe you feel you are dragging too long (which is NOT true) because it takes some pages and real life time to reach the parts you want to reach. But what it matters is if your story works well when reading it continuously and if the pages are relevant and/or entertaining.
You are doing great!