Ah... dilemma.. Help this poor bucket

[Bluejay]

Forgive me if I put this on the wrong category, but I genuinely do not know which one I should've should put it on. xD
Anyhoo! Hello peeps!
I've decided to ask you guys before my readers about this one dilemma I had going for some time now. Okay, so I only have one series that I've fully focused on, I have so many plans for it and it's been up for... awhile? Not fully a year, and it has steadily grown an audience. Which I'm very happy for! WoOOO. But the problem is: I'm not satisfied with the first chapter.

I feel like it doesn't explain or show a clearer motive of the story and that leaves me grumbling about it for days. To be honest: I've changed the first chapter maybe once or twice now? But that was when I still had few readers and mostly because of how horrible the art was. So, I got away with it back then. lmao

TL:DR - Do you think it would be too much if I changed the first chapter now? What I'm worried about is how the audience will take it. Um... To make it easier to vizualise: Chapter 1 is like an opening. The first 15-20 minutes after a prologue in a movie, if you will. It also contains fewer pages compared to Chapter 2. In the series Ch2 is where the story really starts moving and it hasn't even gotten that far yet!

So, what should I do? Do you think the audience will throw their popcorn buckets at me if I changed the opening?

Uh... Incase if anyone asks: No, I don't really uh... wanna link my series... Yeah... I'm still a shy bucket when it comes to showing my series on my own. Even to people I've never met before, lmao

[zetina]

I'm okay with it if the author doesn't lose forward momentum. Like, if you work on progressing the story and re-do the start in-between when you have time or smth. 'Cause it's, well, it's kind of scary when authors re-do stuff mostly because webcomics have this reputation of dying... At least for me, it's a tense waiting game wondering if this or that story will continue. And then watching the start being re-done instead of new stuff?

Anyway, in general, it's usually "plz no" but I sympathize so I'm all "promise you won't get stuck in reboot hell" :'D

[AngieVX]

Recently I asked a couple of my good friends the same, and they said that the first chapter explained everything pretty nice. I think you should ask people you trust, maybe your current chapter explains everything well. Also if there are motives that affect the whole action (not an episode), you can explain them during the story progress.
Also you'd better share a link to your series. If you have readers, it means you're publishing it, so you are brave enough to share a link.

[Bluejay]

Ah, yes, I've been thinking of doing it like that if I get enough green flag! I'll of course go forward with the story, slowly renovating the first chapter on the side. And when the time comes: hastily drape the new ones over the old ones.

It's not that I want to redo and renew everything, it's more like... explaining better of the story that will come?

[Bluejay]

I actually did ask my closest friends about this and tbh: they seem more worn out because I keep talking about my story. Hahaha, it's not that I blame them or anything: but it saddens me a little when it looks like they don't really want to contribute. Ah, when I did ask if I should redo it tho: they told me to just continue with the story or else I'll always end up redoing. But then, my friend told me she got confused with the story shortly after. Which lead to that and this and then we're here.

Ahh, pls nooo. It's a bit different from publishing and linking it here. It's like saying: "yisss, I'm this creator and now you know" - which kinda breaks my want of anonymity.... I'm staying in this bucket.

I might... maybe, link it, when I'm satisfied with everything...

... maybe

[AnnaLandin]

Short answer: DON'T CHANGE IT.

Long answer: It is in the nature of webcomics to grow in quality (both art/writing-wise) over the course of the story, due to the pace at which we create and post them, and also because most of us are amateurs when we start out.

The fact that your first chapter isn't up to your current standard shouldn't keep you from moving forward.

Also, you say you've already been back and changed it twice, and now you're itching to go back again? You're showing signs of getting stuck repeating the same thing over and over, which is a pit a LOT of webcomic-creators get stuck in, and it's not a good place to be.

Just accept that your first chapter isn't as awesome as it would be if you made it today, and let go and move on. If you keep going back to change things, you're never going to finish your story, you're just going to re-do chapter one over and over, and you don't want that. That way lies madness. It's how a lot of good webcomics die.

Keep moving forward.

[AngieVX]

Also I would take into consideration how many readers you have, how many new readers you get per chapter, how active your readers are. It's important how much of the story you are going to change? Is it a page or two, or almost a chapter? If it's just a page, then do it!
As for anonymity, you don't really use your real name here.

[Bluejay]

I guess that's what I'm afraid I'll become too, but it's always that little voice that goes it can't hurt changing small things here and there but then that would go just like you said, haha!

Maybe I'll let it be, you do have strong point there, no matter how much my mind scratches at me to change it.

Maybe I should just let it go.

[shazzbaa]

Also, you say you've already been back and changed it twice, and now you're itching to go back again? You're showing signs of getting stuck repeating the same thing over and over, which is a pit a LOT of webcomic-creators get stuck in, and it's not a good place to be.

This was a red flag to me too!! I won't say NEVER GO BACK but it sure sounds like the thing that will be best for both you and your story is to go forward and make the story better as you move forward.

I feel like it doesn't explain or show a clearer motive of the story

This is something you can absolutely work with going forward, and practicing that is going to give you a important skill for webcomics because honestly, this happens to all of us!! I've definitely had times where I went "crap, I didn't do everything I wanted to do in that scene, and now it's over, what do I do???" and then I have to figure out -- not "what should I have done in that scene" but "what can I do in the next chapter to show the motives or introduce the explanations that I missed?"

Especially since you describe Chapter 1 as an opening, with fewer pages than the others, I don't think it's CRITICAL that you get across everything there -- you just need to think about what motives you might need to clarify as you go through Chapter 2 and find small places to do that. ;u;

[Bluejay]

Hmm, I checked around. I guess it's just the right considerate amount if I take in the subs. But, it's not that I'm changing the story but rather: change the narration ways to give a more obvious peek at what the story can hold.

wHICH actually gave me an idea! Instead of trying to redraw stuff to fit in, I could just erase the text and write in instead. The drawings won't affect it and I'll get what I want without getting in reboot hell... much.
It's not really about the name, but rather when I'm comfortable enough with myself actually willingly link my series. I've always been shy showing it, I've never posted my creations online before, creating the series on Tapastic was a huuuuge leap for me. But, I still am not on that level where I can share the link with easiness. Which is probably like Lv2 for everyone, lmao Conside me on lv1.5. But don't worry, this bucket will soon spill its milk.

I should never make metaphors, did that even make sense

[Bluejay]

oMGG, you guys are so understanding and helpful lemme just-

Thank you guys, you have no idea how much this is helping me right now. Especially, when I sit alone thinking about this without any help from my friends. Not that I blame them, again, they're pretty worn out with me blabbering about this lmao

I'll just grit my teeth through this, no matter how much it makes me cringe every time I have to read over. I'll try my best and work hard on the next pages and the rest in the future. (•ؔʶ̷ ˡ̲̮ ؔʶ̷)✧

[AngieVX]

But now I'm really curious about your series!

[shazzbaa]

Ahhhh for sure!! I'm so glad everything's been helpful! ;u;

I totally feel you on the friends thing -- I definitely have some friends who are VERY dear to me as people but they are just not as strongly in fantasy-land as I am and there's a limit to how much I can chat about my story with them. ;u; Please know that this isn't necessarily a reflection on how interesting your story is!! Just sometimes the people who are good friends to you are not also the sort of people who would be your audience.

AND I JUST WANNA SAY that what you're saying about needing the anonymity for now makes perfect sense to me. ;u; There's a Big Difference between putting your work on the internet, and connecting that work to a version of you, even if it's just a screenname. Please take your time and don't feel pressured!! I think reaching a point where you are willing to say "this is my comic" without apologising for it is a big important step and worth taking your time on!!

[YamamotoRyuunosuke]

I would leave it as it is. I also have improved a lot from my first chapter to now, and my first chapter was REALLY crap, I thought it was awesome when I made it though... Anyway, Just let it be, I would work on improving the next episodes and drive the story in a way that it keeps loyal to the first one but with flexibility. I know it's not that easy, but making comic is continuously learning progress.
As for your anonymity, I don't really see the point tbh. I understand your reasons, but I don't share them, if you know what I mean. I started my comic a long time ago before I even knew about tapstic and used to share it in a manga/anime community, where I received mostly negative feedback 'cause most people there seem to be elitists with really tight asses that have nothing better to do but look for the bad points on everything. I can tell you no one here is like that, and no one will be plain rude to you without reason. You can ask for honest constructive feedback.
And also, yeah, I know how it feel when it seems like your friends get tired of you talking about your work... I might have like only 2 or 3 friends of mine that actually read mine.

[Choosybeggar]

Your gif game strong. Me like you. I've got nothing on your actual questions, but I figured you might need a boost, so...

Go for it! We believe in you! You gots maaad skiiiiiiiillz! Also, you're really good at making people feel good for helping you! That's another skill right there! Keep on keepin' on!

[KreativeConfusion]

Don't do it. I've spent the past year and a half doing this and I hate myself for it because I could be so much further along in my story. If anything just work on it in between your current updates.

Just accept the fat you've grown and that you can always go back to it later.

[Bluejay]

Someday, I'll definitely do it someday (•ؔʶ̷ ˡ̲̮ ؔʶ̷)✧

[Bluejay]

why are people so understanding here, it makes me all emotional inside

(in a good way of course)

It feels so good to know; if any of the artists out there have some problems, that they can't even talk with their own friends, you guys are here to lend a helping hand! I love this community so much, gah pleasestaylike this

I'M SO MOTIVATED AND INSPIRED NOW GRAAHH(┛◉Д◉)┛彡┻━┻

@YamamotoRyuunosuke ---
I was also very proud of the first pages when I made it, I guess you have a point there. I'd like to look back and see how much it has changed. Changing repetitively the first chapter would hinder on doing that, I see that now. (.﹒︠₋﹒︡.)
Oh, that's what I was afraid of when posting something online. Honestly, I don't see why people can't just move along if they don't have anything to contribute that will help. I'm SOO glad that it didn't bring you down, tho! I don't know why, but seeing people who overcomes that makes me feel hopeful for a reason. ( ᵒ̴̶̷̥́ _ᵒ̴̶̷̣̥̀ ) Stay strong, keep on doing what we all love to do here!

@Choosybeggar
F....frieeeeeend? gurgles

Me see Don't Starve.Us friends. Choice no.

@kpalmarin----
I've decided what to do! Thank you for sharing that experience. (•ؔʶ̷ ˡ̲̮ ؔʶ̷)✧ I thought about working on it later too, but maybe... when I have come far with my story.

[Choosybeggar]

@Bluejay intense breathing-------

Oh wow, that's rather large. My first giffing! Anyway, glad to make the connection!

[fatrolf]

I agree with most of what's already said here! I've been there, too... getting caught in the trap of letting yourself go back and revamp things over and over again is a vicious sprial to get caught up in, and it can really slow the production and inspiration for new ideas.

If you have it up and what story you have going on now is going good... then no need to change it : )

Hey, if whatever you did with your beginning got you to the point you're at right now... then you definitely did SOMETHING right with it!! : )