Are my efforts worthless?

[Tiago_Danieli]

Well, people want what they want, don't they? If you're trying to write a marketable story and you ignore the market...

That's not what I meant. I meant that it seems like they want it even when it's not revelent at all to have it. Some stories just don't treat about some kind of subject. I don't think I'm writing a marketable story and I think that just following the market blindly will not help me at all..

[Tiago_Danieli]

Basketball is indeed my passion. Just behind creating/drawing stories obviously.

I mean that's cool and all to say that, and that's true, if that was not a passion, I wouldn't have worked as hard these last 6 years. But it's been 6 years, I'm 21, I would like to not be ashamed about my professional status, which is currently the case.

(Yeah I didn't tried tapas, because I have submitted this story for the webtoon contest, for the other works I did before, they were in French on French website or directly sended to professional editors, that's why).

[joannekwan]

You're only 21! You're still at the start of your life! Please do your best to not get burnt out at this age, you will regret it in the future. Because once you start getting older, more responsibilities and issues will pile up and you will miss your early twenties, trust me.
If you find your comic to be overwhelming, I say take a break, even if it's just a week. Try to do other things that might interest you and stimulate your mind in other ways.

[SleepingPoppy]

just following the market blindly will not help me at all..

Well, I very clearly didn't advice you (nor did anyone else) to follow the market blindly. I said to be aware and make intelligent decisions.

I meant that it seems like they want it even when it's not revelent at all to have it.

Sometimes. But that's not what anyone here is saying, and I doubt your audience is demanding it. So no one is telling you to shoe horn in something that doesn't belong in your story.

But it's been 6 years, I'm 21

You're a baby! It's okay not to be there yet at 21. You actually haven't been doing this that long, and you have a very very long time ahead of you to keep figuring it out. I understand you have your own unique pressures that make it feel like it needs to be now, but all I can say is the creative fields are hard. You need to not let it bog you down when it doesn't happen as fast as you want. Your first comic might not be the one that breaks through. It might take the second, or third. But if you love it, it's not time wasted or worthless, because the only way to get better is to move forward.

[Zhengo]

I don't think your comic is that niche, maybe it's not high school romance marketability but there's definitely an audience for sports stories like yours. Anyways, making a marketable webcomic has its own pitfalls from making a niche one. Problem with writing a popular genre is that it'll be over saturated with a lot of copies and a lot more competition as opposed to a more niche genre where there will be less competition within the genre, so you're more likely to get a more loyal audience.

Regardless, I'm not going to pretend that I know your health situation, but you should still look for other sources of income. It doesn't have to be full time or physically demanding, maybe even do some small gigs for people in your community? You mentioned that you put your comic on a French site, do you know French? Maybe you can do some translation work on the side so that you aren't completely dependent on your comic. If you still want to create, there's also a few freelance sites that you can try for commission work in art or writing. I'm not sure how good they are but still you should consider some other options to support yourself.

[Luminosophy]

My advice when it comes to contests is to ignore them. Like Jenny-Toons said, it's a chance. I don't mean don't submit. What I'm saying is, do all the work you need to do to bring your passion series to life. If it so happens that it coincides with a random contest date when you're close to launching, that's fantastic. Go ahead and submit it. But getting sidetracked by these sorts of things will only stifle you in the long run, because you will withdraw your time and energy away from a series that will have a much better chance, overall, of achieving some form of success. If you want to gamble, my money is on something you spent the most time (and care) developing. Try focusing all the passion you have for success into looking at as much material for writing and artistic improvement. There's a goldmine of knowledge out there. You can never go wrong by continually getting better, and will likely create a virtuous mental cycle that will continue to lift your spirits about your own work.

[LordVincent]

My advice when it comes to contests for hobbyists is to only do them if you would enjoy the labor that goes into it, and for professionals or people aspiring to be professionals I would suggest to only do them if your submission is likely to turn profit with your established or intended audience should you not win.

Always work under the assumption that you will not win the contest; think about things you need to do to on one hand raise your chances of winning and on the other raise your comic's marketability and/or your enjoyment making it.

[monotone_ink]

When I saw the webtoon contest on Line Webtoon, I was confident that this was my chance to finally be able to eat correctly and maybe to start to live the way I always wanted to.

There's your issue - trying to live off of webcomics from the get go.

It's entirely possible to live off of the art you're making, however it is extremely difficult to attain it; you would need to know how to market and advertise yourself really well, establishing a diverse income (e.g. patreon, merchandising shops, commissions), while also creating a product that people will like, which is an entirely different beast of its own.

The fact that you're in a financially tight situation right now shows that it's best to pull back for now. Get a day job so you can at least get food on your plate - you don't have to be a lawyer or anything, just do something that will get you some money.
Then in your spare time, write and draw the stuff you want - you can't create on an empty stomach.

[shazzbaa]

Man....... comics isn't something that's going to become financially viable in under 10 years. I keep hearing, again and again, from folks who do this for a living, that it's AT LEAST 10 years of putting work out there before you hit the point where you've escaped obscurity and gotten any kind of stable audience. That's not the point where you're making a living at it -- that's the point where you can START getting to the point where you're making a living.

You say "oh, I've tried promoting.... it never worked" but like, how quickly are you expecting this to work? You're expecting to be a successful comic artist in only 6 years, expecting to have gotten recognition by the time you're only 21, do you understand how high those expectations that you've put on yourself are? That's like if you wanted to be a singer, and you see someone win American Idol as a young adult and think that's what your career is supposed to look like. It doesn't work that way for most people!

---

Some really good advice I got once from professional creators was "If you're not out there living your life, then when you sit down to create a story.... you won't have much to say."

You stress over and over again that this HAS to succeed because you have no other outlets in your life.... that's no way to live, man. There's no way comics can be what you need from them. And you're only 21 -- you're not Locked In To Only This just because you haven't done other things before. It's not too late to keep trying things. If you're sitting there telling yourself that you Can't Stop Creating Ever because you might lose the audience you have -- I can tell you from experience, that's an unsustainable mindset that will hurt you. I've been there. So many of us have pushed ourselves until we burnt out, we weren't able to keep going and were forced to pause. You have to build your career in a way that allows you to pause sometimes, to step away for a bit, to take a break.

Taking breaks sometimes doesn't mean it's not your passion. Creating is ABSOLUTELY my passion, and there aren't many days I don't draw something. But sometimes I just draw for fun, sometimes I draw something that isn't gonna go on the internet or that I know nobody but me will really care about, but it was fun to create. Sometimes I just play with ideas that aren't ever going to be Projects or Comics. If you want to treat your passion as a career, learning how to take breaks is AN ESSENTIAL SKILL for doing so.

[TimCaloweh]

Take a break and tune it, i guess.

[Memai]

I had a long thing typed out, but you know what, here's a little nugget of wisdom that's helped me greatly: no one can find your work if they don't know it's there in the first place.

Is your comic being advertised on other platforms? Do you mirror them on other sites like Tapas or Smackjeeves or tumblr or anywhere else? Do you talk to other artists? Do you make it easy for your comic to be found?

Your comic just started in July 2018. My other comic which had a small following only got recognized after a YEAR. Recognition is really all about luck, it's getting the right people to look at the right work at the right time and at the right place.

Otherwise, I'd suggest taking a break or at least pulling back a little. This helps give you a fresh pair of eyes to look at your comic, which will help you make improvements and get even more exciting ideas.

No effort is wasted, especially not when you've quite literally started out in terms of webcomic timelines. What specifically do you want to happen with the comic, just in case you don't win this contest? That might help the community give you a more constructive answer and more viable steps to take to make your comic the best work it can really be!

[Nachi]

I am fairly new to trying out to draw comics, so I won't say much about it, but I agree with what has been said. Although the simple sounding advises may be a bit hard for you to do. If you don't want to take a break with your comic totally, try to "work" on it from a different perspective. Practise your drawing skills, read books (or other webtoons) and see what is it about it that you think makes you enjoy the particular story and how you could use it for yours. What made this and that title popular? And such stuff. Work on your skills separately, too. You may have been at it for a long time, but... you are young. And in this field you are competing with a LOT of people with way more experience. So try to get that experience, too.

If possible, as others advised, get a break, go out. If you play basketball, you probably do have some even if not that close friends? Or join some other group activity. Working on something 100% of time doesn't mean a certain success. You need to get a bit of a distance from it, too.

As for some critique of your comic. I agree with the lighting effect. I find it a bit disturbing. Comics often have a very simple, distinguishable art that is clear to look at. Not saying a very simple art would fit with your comic, but it should still be more clear, even color-wist, I think (and if I am explaining myself well).
Also think about story telling. I don't have much time now, but I read your first chapter. I wasn't actually sure what happened with the accident. I thought maybe the main character was only dreaming that it happened at first, actually. It could help to spend a few more panels on explaining what's going on and to sell that dramatic moment a bit more. Other than that the idea and the art seems good. Keep at it at a reasonable rate, but don't bet everything on success. The competition in this field seems to be rather big.

[bsienk90]

So, there is TONS of great advice on this thread. I'm just gonna share my own personal experience with my own art. I've been drawing since before I can remember - I've ALWAYS struggled with making friends especially because being an illustrator is very solitary. There has been a lot of ups and downs for me when it comes to creating my comic. Currently, I'm 28, I was in college for art for 4.5 years and 3 months out I got a corporate job in adverting and marketing (basically graphic design) because I knew I wasn't gonna make enough money to live off of right off the bat - I had no experience to build a business. I've always struggle with balancing my life and my side work (this) after college because adult life is nothing like college. If something goes nuts in your life (break up/no money for bills or you have to work a 60 hour week for months) you gotta deal with that yourself and my art/freelance/comic always struggled. On top of that when I was younger (college) I struggled with getting followings/fans and even now, as my followers know, I'm notorious for going on hiatus which has hurt my following. but there is light at the end of this tunnel....It's only been recently I think I've finally cracked something. Here is my advice....

1. You need a balanced social life and art life. Really - no joke. I was thinking about this lately since I've grown out of the friend circle I was in (which is ok - things change) BUT because of that I ended up creating more art and my IG is blowing up, my comic is doing great, the art I'm creating in meaningful and I'm figuring out how to balance my life better. I spent the last 2 years ONLY focused on friends and family. Which was great but I was also miserable and I basically created no art. Balance is the most important thing as an artist.

2. Another thing I'd suggest is patience. I've been working on my story and characters for 15 YEARS. I counted it last night. Only 10% of the story is on my tapas. You have to be patient. Nothing happens over night.

3. Networking and promotion - This is really important (even being on this thread is doing this). You need to network, support other artist, be active in the community, make friends and promo the fuck out of your work. For example - when you talk about your comic add a link, find more art threads, join art groups on FB, get out in your community if there are meet ups. Create a FB page, Twitter, IG or Website...you gotta expose yourself...brand yourself, make a logo, give yourself a voice that fans can follow. You gotta know your target. Who are the people your trying to speak too?

4. Post at least a few times a week - this had been the hardest thing for me - I use to focus on the BIG picture and get lost in the end result and then after years of practice - I finally realized you have to only set 1 lager goal - then forget it and then focus on really really small goals and meet them and before you know it...you posting almost every day and your job is getting done. It's a win win.

5. Get another job - now this isn't necessary but I personal suggest it. I suggest getting some other art job if you can. I work in ad/marketing. I'm an art director currently. This really showed me what the actual timelines are and how many people it takes to get a creative job done. It takes time and that's okay (well, the clients don't think so) but it also supports my side jobs and it helps me get out in the community and be social (since I'm not the best at socializing) OR do freelance. I've also freelanced a lot of illustration and graphic design over the last few years. And I got all my jobs via word of mouth (networking) it really helps the bills, to hon your skills and how to manage your life.

And lastly, the only way your efforts are worthless is when YOU decide they are worthless. I have no idea if they are or not - I'm not you. I'm a firm believer in what you THINK effects what you DO. If you tell yourself your work is crap, you have nothing to contribute and your efforts are worthless - then they will be just that. But if you think what you have is awesome, you have something to say and that every little thing you do is a contribution - trust me, you'll start to pull in those types of people too.

Best wishes.

[nekoendy]

Betting your food supply on comics is like committing suicide

[plebisss]

Really good, solid advice!
I would reiterate 4; It's tempting to try and put your 'best foot out there' aka finished works on social media sites, but for an audience to admire your work there has to be an audience in the first place. Which in this day and age, means consistent updates.

[amortelito]

.I think you are justified in being defensive because this is so important to you. But try to be open to what the other artists are saying, they are right.

You are having unrealistic expectations. You are so young that those 6 years were the training, not your professional work. You are literally just starting.I'm not belittling your 6 years effort! Just be honest with yourself, at very least at 16 years old you were starting to make comics and you were still mastering the software, learning anatomy, poses, etc. Those years didn't offer your viewers a finished product and the Professional record starts when you start showing stuff that is consumable. But those years have been so precious for your artistic record and were not a waste of time: making comics is a legitimate profession in which people go to college to study art or design ( 4 to 6 years) and then they become assistants or get experience before being able to publish. Of course, people who self-taught would need a similar amount of work to be at an acceptable level of quality.

Your age and time working on comics are not related to success. What matters is the finished product. Especially nowadays that so many people make comics. This sounds harsh but at most 6% of the artists are able to make a living. And even if you get featured and get the money you still need to become smart and adapt to the market.

Be patient, do this because you are passionate about this. For now, don't sacrifice your social life or professional life so that you don't become bitter about your own comic.

[Tiago_Danieli]

Thanks for all your replies, even if some are quite difficult to read and that I don't feel fully understood, it's already good to not be alone for once. I've read all your comments, without any exception, but I can't reply to all of you, you're write way more quickly than me haha

I will take a small break after all. I have a surgery waiting for me next week, so I guess I can have some rest until then.
Thanks for all your advices everyone.

[Daknight]

I hope the surgery goes well and you come back stronger Do rest well to recover 100%!

[jfsisler]

Ars gratis ars. (Art for arts sake)
I, too, put a lot of hope into these contests and would love to get immediate success. I have been contemplating my series/story for a very long time now without putting forth much effort until now. The recent Tapas Incubator contest prompted me to publish SOMETHING despite my lack of social media popularity, writing skills and my newly created Tapas account, so I'm grateful for the opportunity to start something. I'm mentioning this for you to focus on your work because you enjoy it. Treat it like a job because you love it. Post it on Tapas and anywhere else you'd like for the feedback. Do not give up hope because ONE thing didn't pull through. Hang in there and keep your expectation level to simply improving & getting it posted on time. Success usually follows satisfaction, so hang in there.

Oblivion | Tapas

[inkythoughts]

Good luck with the surgery!

The only thing I could think when I read your post here was "kid, get yourself a break" - and I don't mean like a big vacation (though that might also be needed if you kept working on this nonstop for 6 years) but like. Get yourself scheduled breaks. People fought in unions for days off for a reason. That's why there is a weekend, to not be cooped up in your work 24/7. Unless you are earning real money to actually live off your comic, make sure you actually get time off (and I mean time off is also important as soon as you can actually earn some money) - make it a 9 to 5 job, or at least don't work more than 10 hours a day.
Creative juices need to recharge and you can't do that if all you do is work on something creative. Give yourself a weekend. If you have the feeling that your content isn't up to par, then maybe that's the simple reason?
Having days off your comic doesn't mean you're not allowed to draw, but maybe if you feel the urge to draw, maybe draw something 100% self-indulgent instead. Get outside and sketch the landscape or your coffee mug while you're sitting on the couch. Draw your favourite character from the latest show you watched. That's okay. You are not your comic and neither is your comic your self. You are allowed to exist outside of it and literally no-one expects you to do otherwise.
Readers, especially faithful readers, are to 99% understanding and I don't think anyone expects you to churn out content all the time. You're not a robot. Your content doesn't get worse by allowing yourself some time to breathe. It might actually enhance it because currently it seems like you're missing out a lot on what life has to offer.

I strongly advise you to look and get yourself a hobby or past-time activity that has next to nothing to do with being creative or making comics. Even if it's just jogging twice a week or playing solitaire in the evening, just something relaxing that still needs your concentration but isn't brain-heavy. That way you can block out your comic for the little time being.

Also, I think the "networking" is mostly just ... bonding with other artists/creatives. If you have a favourite show, find others who like the same thing and talk to them, be nerdy together, create headcanons together and just have silly fun! I got to know most of my artist friends via fandoms, and I think it genuinely helps to already have a wide topic laid out to talk about. And I mean, you're creating friendships there, not just some favour-oweing collectives, so think about what you would want in a friend and then ... be that person to someone else? It's a give and take. If you're not good at making friends - I hate to say this because everyone told me, too, and I hated it - is to just practice and improve your social skills. I'm an intovert. I hate going up to strangers and just start talking and trying to befriend them. I hated this since I was able to talk. But boy the first time I actually talked to someone and they were friendly and, well, befriended me? I have never felt more proud in any moment of my life.

You are 21, you are still a person in the making, and while it is important to have passion and chase your dreams and be hard-working, there is nothing wrong with needing a life outside of that. It's worth it.

Also a small suggestion: I don't know how far ahead you are with your comic but do you have a Patreon where you could give readers early access?
And I mean, you post this comic for not even 3 (!!!!!!!) months, I think 156 subs especially for a newbie without social media are actually quite good.