Complicated question how can I write for myself? And make characters/plots and enjoy the process?

[thetrivyadeabhb2]

Hi there,
There was a creator I watched in an A24 interview 2024 about Vivziepop (and the first two episodes of “Hazbin Hotel” season 1), and she asked a good writing advice for other people and she said to “write for yourself”. The problem is I don’t know how to write for myself and enjoy writing for myself in private, when I keep complaining myself to others, I know she would never communicate with me because she is really popular for her YouTube videos and her other series! And while I know she must have suffered a lot for her other older series (that were also scrapped out in the process and were never picked back up again, because of her/their health issues in her time), and the fact she worked so hard and kept bouncing back up again (which some liked and others disliked on). For Alan Ituriel he also worked just as hard, making the show “Villainous” (“Villanos” Cartoon Network Latin America) with shorts, and then eventually a series. It was in a different language, but I also like them both. So I won’t really pick a side, though one can slightly create a burden than the other.

What’s bothering me, is I’m almost at my 20s! I keep getting to the point where I wanted to quit drawing and writing, and I kept comparing myself to others and jealous, because I feared I won’t be good enough like the tv creators (and their fans!) and I don’t want that to keep on happening. And I don’t have friends who give me good enough advice. The annoying part is I have too many sketchbooks and notebooks. I want to get writing but I always get distracted on my tablet and not write for myself. At one point, I formerly got writer’s block and even some burnout times in the past during and after quarantine. I bounced back. But I’m not gonna explain the dark side of it all. It’s too much for me.

I want to share my art and comics online to the public. But I don’t know where to start, and I’m scared to share in public on instagram, because everyone looks really good at their art. And they planned a lot of stuff. I really do want to write stories for comic/original created /fanfic and make comics. I really want to write for myself.

I also don’t know what to do with my notebooks and sketchbooks other than drawing and writing in both, and using other mediums like my colored pencils, gel pens, and regular markers (of various shapes and sizes) are not being used as much. What can I try to do with them? And how do I use one sketchbook and notebooks at a time instead of finding them and not using them all at once? I must complete the sketchbooks/notebooks I have first.

Other questions:

Also how can I make art/writing for myself in my sketchbooks and notebooks? And how can I enjoy myself with the media I resonate/like in?

I’m starting to get good at finding things I like and hate and putting it in words. What’s next in it for me?

How can I make my characters and plots and enjoy the process? I don’t want to get bored and move around too many different projects while I’m at it.

Also if you notice other tidbits or advice from the show creators interviews (Vizviepop/Vivienne Medrano and Alan Ituriel) or another one that you really like, then you can put it down the advice as well.

[Lensing]

Just for clarification, do you have the feeling to write and draw for other people / what you think other people like
and not what you like? What do you like?

[thetrivyadeabhb2]

I don’t know what you really mean, but I know I go one from one different project to another different project, and that I also am scared of what other people really think of me. I would like to draw and write for other people as long as they aren’t mean or strict with me, and laugh at me for a stupid and terrible mistake and plot holes I did. I just want to get better at making my stories, but not if people keep forcing to believe I can do everything I can to change this story, and that I feel ok, but I’m not ok, because no one listens what I have to say. Even worse I have no proof I can make a comic, almost all the original paper ones I made got thrown away in the garbage by my mom, my teacher, or when I don’t want to edit my stuff anymore and it gets scrapped out. And when I do want to get my comic back (and this always happens), I want to get it back, but I never will! And this is exactly why I need help with making more content and “writing for myself”!

I love cute stuff, good shows, anything that brings me nostalgia. I love hazbin, villainous, amphibia, etc.
I love cute and creepy stuff. And it’s never to the point where it’s horror related, and gives you too much nightmares and you have to rewatch it again to get more upset. That’s what I wouldn’t want. I also like comfy cozy stuff, animals, insects, and among other things like games or shows I watched in the past.

I hate it when no one answers my questions in a specific manner and not get enough advice from the question that I actually want. I also don’t like it when my family or anyone doesn’t take notice of what I really want. I also don’t like it when other YouTubers who make videos that aren’t official content and they say they are official content but they aren’t (although it could be good for fanfics, not official content).

Hope this helps!

[twelvescrolls]

I just write like I am in a fantasy myself. Recently, I started making theme songs for my stories to encourage me to write. Find ways to make writing fun like exploring the areas you want to write about or collecting things that appear in your story. The point is to have fun, while writing. That's what writing for myself defines to me.

[Vassia]

Hmm this is difficult question for sure and I can only really respond from experience. I'm guessing your writing and drawing because you do actually enjoy and not because you have some grand idea of becomeing rich off of it like big creators. Yeah it might happen but to be honest their are much easier and less painful ways. Writing for me is more of an obsession and I decided to comit to the one project my brain kept going back to as the one I wanted to share with the public first. I have dozens of other project brewing in my head that I ruminate on and I make a point to have a just a fun day a week for my writing where I do actually write what ever I'm most obsessed about at the moment, while the other days are dedicated to working on my project I'm actually sharing.

Burnout is apart of the process for most creatives and the way I handle it is when I have that writing surge I let it run wild for my project so I can build enough of a backlog for when I reach that burnout stage. It works for me though I know most people reccomend having a consistent writing schedule.

Lol accidently pressed enter I'm still writing more give me a minute to finish

[Vassia]

As for writing for yourself just write what you enjoy and not what you think is popular. I think that what people mean when they talk about writing for yourself. You shouldn't care about how the public percieves it so long as you enjoy the story and the characters thats enough. If other like it that's just a bonus.

Just ask youself what you want from you writing and art. Some of my stories have very deep reasoning behind writing them like showcasing change and highlighting certain issues I'm passionate about while others are more superficial like hmm I don't like how this genre depicts x y or z so I'm going to write a story that's how I like so I can enjoy it. It's sound cliche but passion goes a long way in comitting and continuing a project for long periods of time.

The really specific way I keep myself passionate about a project it always having a part of it I'm excited to get to. Like I need to write the buildup to the romance (the boring part) to get to that first kiss (the fun part). Having those little goals of scenes I'm excited for helps me get through the parts that are hard to write.

I think I'm finally done rambling tell me if you have any other questions though I can only help with the writing process since I'm not an artist.

[ShidoDraws]

Whether you realize it or not, when you write and when you draw there's always a clear goal in the works that you make. What I believe you should do is step back and visualize your older works. Think, "why do I make this?" "Is it because I wanted attention?" "Are these stories I wanted to tell?" "Do I relate to these characters?" "Who am I writing this for?" "Where do we go when we fall asleep?"

For me to get started on my project, I basically read my old works to see my weakness and improve on it as I write. Especially learning how to not write myself into a corner. After all, I am my own critic.

I hope this helps even just a little.

Edit: When you write a long story, take lots of notes for it. It'll help you in the long run and know that not all of it is going to be in the story. Personally, it was hard for me to write the first few notes but I learned to make it a habit by actually writing down scenes that I won't be working on for a long time. Eventually I just start writing short notes and sometimes doodles.

Edit Edit: Speaking of eventually being on your 20s, I didn't write my story until I was 21 years old. That entire thought process for my story took me four years before I even begin writing my project. I see people who are in their 30s and 40s who still struggles with trying to write and draw what they enjoy. So really, age don't matter when it comes to creating art and stories. It's how you approach breaking out of that cycle. Don't let fear get to you because what we don't see is what we're are afraid of. Once you get past that point you might find that you enjoy writing more than you ever did before.

[Lensing]

Draw and write the comic that you would want to read.
You have to be part of that world and forget the outside world, only create things
that you 100% enjoy. When you write or draw something it has to really excite you,
then you know that you are writing for yourself.

I was in a similiar situation, I didn´t have the feeling to write for myself, I was
writing with other people in mind and this is the biggest mistake you can make
as a creator. What does my family or a potential reader say etc. that´s a dead
end street which will lead to work that´s not authentic. What excites you as
a person more than anything? What is the captivating world that you want to create
that you can´t stop thinking about?

[thepenmonster]

I’m almost at my 20s!

You're barely off your mother's teat.

I also don’t know what to do with my notebooks and sketchbooks other than drawing and writing in both

That's what they're for.

I must complete the sketchbooks/notebooks I have first.

No you don't.

And how can I enjoy myself with the media I resonate/like in?

Ask yourself if you're doing it because that's the art form you like making, or if you just happen to like the art form and are trying to claim a piece of it for yourself. A lot of people make comics because they saw a comic they really liked and wanted to recreate that feeling for themselves. That feeling was only created after someone put in a swimming pool's worth of blood sweat and tears.

If the effort isn't something you're willing to put in then you don't actually want to make comics, you just want to enjoy them.

It's akin to loving a song and then going to karaoke and thinking you're going to sing it wonderfully. Without vocal training you simply aren't.

I don’t want to get bored and move around too many different projects while I’m at it.

That's part of the creation process. You do a tonne of different things until you find the one thing you don't want to move on from.

I also am scared of what other people really think of me

People will always hate on you for one reason or another. Fuck 'em.

I just want to get better at making my stories

That's what practicing is for. You will suck for a very long time until one day you stop sucking. That's just how it is for everyone. But until you sit down and start grinding it out you will never get better.

I hate it when no one answers my questions in a specific manner

The key is to ask specific questions. For example, "How can I write for myself?" is not a specific question.

[kyupol]

sounds like you think too much. I suggest spending some time out in a park or any place you associate with relaxation.

Once the thinking gets out of the way, then the "downloads" arrive. I don't know how or why. I don't have complex scientific or spiritual words to describe the process to satisfy someone of high IQ.

That's how I write my stuff. And some people love it. Some hate it. I don't care. As long as it gets this hard to explain satisfaction and feeling of positivity inside me.

Good luck and have fun with your journey

[JoshRaed]

I dunno but I start to find it fun once I get into it, and suddenly want to keep going even if it was hard to get to that point of starting.

[VibrantFox]

definitely agree with kyupol. sometimes you gotta be no thoughts head empty and just throw things together without worrying about if it looks good or bad or worrying about what people may think

people will hate you for breathing so unless the opinions shared are genuine constructive criticism then forget em

if you're not having fun you gotta figure out why but also dont overthink it so much that it makes creating even harder. if you dont like a show or series dont force yourself to make things for it. go for what you genuinely like. and if its something you dislike see how motivated you are to make a version of it that you would.

the same for ocs and plots. if you're not vibing with it see what you can change to make it into something you do like and for all thats holy do not worry about whether they're a "mary sue" or not. give them 10 billion boyfriends and make them the queen of the school and everyone swoons and the moon turns to watch them or whatever. get silly with it

that's like i think you do yourself a disservice when you compare yourself to pros in a field. it's fine to be inspired, get ideas from and listen to advice given by professionals but dont let things stick in your head so much that you make yourself feel like you've failed especially if you've barely given yourself a chance to start. so like do things make things bot dont feel burdened by this idea that "if i'm not doing it like them then i'm bad at this" coz it's not true they also had to start someplace and you just gotta ham things out and screw around till you can come up with stuff you like

as for stuff yo do with your notebook i'm personally getting more interested in trying out junk journaling i think it's called or like scrapbooking where you slap stickers and magazine clippings and other bits n bobs onto your notebook pages until you've got something that either looks a total mess or maybe kind of cool. i've also wanted to get like washi tapes and watercolors or just like some good crayolas and stark scribbling with those in notebook pages and see what comes out of it

like i'm slowly marching towards 30 which has been giving me anxiety up the wazoo coz i feel like i've had all this time and i havent accomplished much of anything but also i've got my whole life ahead of me and i've seen people go to and graduate college in their 80s or 90s and start their creative careers in their 50s so the world is big and scary but also anything is possible and that's beautiful so even if you screw up you can try again so i just keep reminding myself that i can try again and i still feel like i'm bad at things but i also know i'm getting better

also don't feel bad if you cant stick to one thing. i've yet to get like an official diagnoses or whatever but i also know for sure that i probably don't have a "neurotypical" brain and i'm really bad at sticking to just one thing. i've currently got maybe 3...4...possibly 5 (i cant count it seems either lol) but like a handful of little story ideas i wanna explore or just ocs who i really like playing with and putting into situations so even if it doesn't become thing "whole big thing" i can still go hey i tried that and it was pretty fun. and i think thats what creativity at it's core is just making stuff and going "huh that was neat" and doing it again and again

that's like i dont think i've sought out with intent any kind of creative advice from people online like in videos or whatever BUT i did stumble across this video of alex hirsch at a book event for the new book of bill that he dropped and it should start at the right timestamp but i though his advice for writers was pretty neat

last thing i think i'll add even though i may have said it already but whatever i'll say it again lol is that there's really no one way to create (except...y'know) but like in the general sense a person has the capacity to make almost anything if they set their mind to it. you just need the idea and the tools and with art and writing it seems complicated but the fun thing is even when you learn the rules the next lesson is to take them break them and bend them to your will (within reason and with some exceptions) but like at the end of the day the point is to just go ham and have fun i think. i've spent a lot of time agonizing over the creative process and whether things i'm making are any good but now i'm just like i make this stuff coz it makes me happy and no one else is gonna make this stuff so i may as well try or something

but i hope you can find the path that works for you and be able to experience that joy of creativity

[Leyelle]

I think the key is to find the story that matters to you. I think to enjoy the writing process and write for yourself, you have to find a reason that the story is something that you feel you MUST write whether anyone else cares to read the story or not. It makes the characters and their worlds and extension of yourself and your own personal feelings and that makes the world matter to you.

My best example of this in my experience is my novel "Rigamarole." While many of my other stories have parts of the characters that stick out to me and make them things I connect with and feel I have to write,
"Rigamarole" is the sort of story that will always matter to me whether anyone else ever reads the story or not, because of how it ties into the idea of siblings being there for each other through their darkest moments and trying to save each other from a world that isn't kind to them. It's so emotional and so tied to my own story and trauma that this story matters to ME, and whether anyone else thinks it's important, they can't change my view on it.

But this could be the case for anything more fun as well. If you design characters that you just think look really quirky or fun so you enjoy drawing them, then you can write a story for yourself just because it's enjoyable to do so. Don't rush yourself. Look around and see what you like and what interests you, the things you stick with story-wise or character-wise will probably be the ones that you like the most, so you can go from there.

I just love drawing this girl and writing her interactions with her bestie, so I do

So maybe just start by daydreaming up a character that makes you interested in who they are, what they like, what they do in a day, and build your story from there

[thetrivyadeabhb2]

Wow that’s really helpful. Thanks guys, so basically put, I have to stop think about what’s good and what’s bad about the popular shows, or shows that I like that have too much fame.
I don’t understand what everyone is trying to explain to me… so I have to stop watching my favorite shows? Or does that mean I have to take my mind out of popular shows I like? Basically what were you talking about at that time? And then how can I make my writing suck and make it really good to read and enjoy, not because of any shows or comparisons to popularity that I know of, but because of me having fun? How can I use my journal for this purpose and make it messy?

I’m a perfectionist. What if I don’t want to change anything to my story when I like it? I know change is important, but I don’t want to stick on one style or thing! While I do know what I love and enjoy most for my art and stories, I’m not certain what I want to make and it’s a treacherous journey finding one project I really love the most.

And feedback/critique/advice is too painful (painful because I think and have second thought about my projects, to a point where I never get them back ever again)! I don’t want the feedback because it’s too scary! And being a good writer is my goal when I grow up. How can I overcome the fear of feedback/critique/advice and deal with the negative feedback that comes? And how can I start writing more after a break from feedback that isn’t actually meant to be negative but is actually more useful advice that is explained in a hurtful manner, even though it looks painful? I need to “thicken my skin”.

[Vassia]

You don't need to stop watching or enjoying your favorite shows or comics just don't compare your own creations to them. It's okay to draw inspiration from others but you shouldn't try to replicate another's story or experience. Your journey will be uniquely your own regardless. I think the others advice is likely geared towards not comparing yourself to others.

How to make your writing good is mostly practice. You just have to do it. Learn from others, as I said inspiration is fine. And lastly you answered it yourself in the last paragraph getting critiques. Once again the only way to get used to them is to experience them. You can start with people you trust, but if put your work out there someone may comment suggestions about it and your just going to have to deal. I've had a lot of good critiques and bad critiques and for the writer it is their job to know when to listen and when to not. If you have 5 people complaining about the same thing that's something you may want to fix but if it's an outlier complaint it's up to your judgement. When you send your work to someone for critique I find it extra helpful to include what you want them to specifically critique. If you know one character still needs further development in the draft you send you can tell them to ignore that character and only critque for plot comprehension. Or if it's in the early drafts of a comic you can tell them not to focus on the art and only on the story. You can highlight certain sections of a chapter you're uncertain of like if the kiss scene works or if it needs to be more dramatic. You can even have some just look at your dialogue. Giving your critiquer direction is a good way to protect yourself from critques you're not ready for yet. You can ask them to give a light critique with gentle advice or you can go for a harsh one (which is usually more helpful) but it's up to you to give that direction untill you get the experience that lets you have a thicker skin. A lot of us who have that think skin got it through experience.

Another thing I personally do when I get a critique back from someone. I never edit on the same day I read the critiques. I just read through what the other person says and I give it time to absord and for me to grow a little bit of emotional distance. It's okay to take as much time as you need for that too.

As for the journal can't help you there I don't keep one.

And just some unsolicited advice, just from your comments on here I can see your young and seem a little scattered in what you actually want to do with your writing. Try some long term practice projects to find out if you can commit to one before publishing. It'll likely help you figure out what type of projecct you actually want to be working on along with building the discipline needed to work on something long term. If there's still multiple ones and you can't decide you'll still be able to give the forums a brief preview and ask for advice on which one we suggest commiting to first. For myself I had 10 episodes finished berfore I even considered publishing, 15 for the one I actually ended up deciding on. I hope this helped.

[Thumber]

I pretty much started my story because I wanted to reat it myself and I didnt find anything similar anywhere

[NickRowler]

I interpreted "Write for yourself" as writing about stuff you care about.

I get with the context of Vivzipop, she like demons and heaven/hell setting and stuff like that, so that is what she makes her stories about.

So instead of going "I heard mermaids are popular, so I will write about that even tho I don't much care for mermaids." you instead find things you do care about and focus on that.

For example, if you are someone who really loves horses, how can you incorporate that interest into a story? You could write about horse riding, wild horses, unicorns, or something silly like a talking horse.

[hamzeh-a]

have you tried intermittence?

[thetrivyadeabhb2]

I don’t know what you mean by this and what are you actually talking about for this topic to help me with this. I don’t think I tried intermittence before… is it not making comics regularly? Or what are you talking about? (Not to be rude or anything)…

[daeygurart]

You just gotta write/ create a story you want to read. There are going to be people who won't like your story, who will criticize you, and beat you down but you just gotta keep on going. I would recommend watching youtube videos on writing like Abbie Emmons or other writers who write novels. After youg et a grasp on writing then switch over to learning how to draw story boards or manga. In my personal opinion the art is important yes, but if the story sucks, I'm not reading it.

Sketchbook thing: I've never once filled a sketchbook...that's a lie I just finished one, but it took years for me to finish it. Sketchbooks are just for sketching and getting your ideas on paper without commitment. If you're so focused on trying to finish a sketchbook, you'll never start your projects. You can sketch while doing it or after or whenever. There's no rule to complete it.

And to make art for yourself is just that. Draw. None of my sketches from my sketchbook sees the internet. Why? Because they don't need to and two because social media is a hassle, and I don't want to constantly upload just to indulge a few followers. I have stories written that have never been published because I like writing them. It satisfies an itch. I have three comics I want to work on LOO, TDD, and POB and including now I'm brainstorming them. That's part of the creative process. You just keep thinking of new things.

I used to go through the same thing you're going through. I was jealous and kept comparing myself. Quit drawing a few times and then continued and quit and continued and then never started my project. I got good at drawing and writing, but I never finished anything. Now, I'm approaching my thirties, and I just want to get it all out there before I croak. You can take hiatus's (that's what a lot of popular webtoon artists do) and just have time to yourself. You don't even have to publish it immediately. You can publish like next year after you have enough backlog and you're enjoying yourself. My story isn't even published yet and I'm just enjoying the ride.

That's how you create for yourself. Creating stories that you want to read and not giving a fuck about anyone else. Enjoying every moment your story comes together. The progress your art is making, the stress from not doing something correctly, the artistic burnout and just playing a video game or going on an episode binge and coming back to the world you created because real life sucks and your babies are your babies.

Creating for other people is going to get old fast and then you'll never be happy with your project.

I’m a perfectionist. What if I don’t want to change anything to my story when I like it?

That will inevitably part of the creative process.

Like mine for instance:
A cute story about a young demi-god hunting down ghosts and monsters with the god of war

to a romance about a demi-god meeting the god of war and being a fated pair while navigating the mortal realm and fighting against those who are against them.

Yeah, it'll change. It's surprising but in the end some changes are for the better.