Dat feel when you get the pressure to continue a one-shot into a full series

[GesuGesu]

I first started by posting my creative writing class projects on Tapastic. Generally, they're one-shots with page limits of around 10.

Somehow, I gained 500+ subs just from one of these class projects. People want more. Am I supposed to fall for their nags and continue a story that was meant to be wrapped up within 10 pages? As much as I don't mind (as the world is implied to be very large and the concept is easily presented as a weekly joke), just the original work took took 3 months before I uploaded it page by page daily. I'm also a filthy casual hobbyist comic maker here.

[TomSawyer]

Sounds like you have something in common with your character

[Tanisha]

If you feel that you can make into a longer series go for it! But certainly don't force yourself into that just because people want more. Especially if it took you long to make it in the first place. Sometimes there just isn't more.

[nikacomics]

Yep, to echo @Tanisha's point, do you WANT to do more?

If the answer is yes, but you don't want to commit to a full series, maybe think about how you can continue to publish in standalone 10-page chunks. That way you still have the flexibility to walk away if you need to. Never, NEVER do a comic just because other people want you to; YOU are the most important reader, always!!

[GesuGesu]

I can do standalone <10page chunks, then.

[zelkats]

That happened to me, lol. My one-shot was a school project and it became my longest comic series because readers wanted more. I don't mind it because I enjoy making it.

If you're not a huge fan of the idea of turning it into a series then don't. Some one shots are meant to be one shots and shouldn't be forced to turn into series'. But if you are, go for it but it's gonna need as much commitment and planning any long series needs. And since this is a hobby, you gotta factor in the the time needed to draw the number of chapters this story needs. I knew from the start that my one-shot isn't meant to be a long-ass series because this is a hobby to me as well and it isn't one of my epic precious babies that I've spent years nurturing.

[shazzbaa]

I tend to agree with Maurice Sendak,

People said, "why didn’t you do Wild Things 2? Wild Things 1 was such a success!" Go to hell. Go to hell. I’m not a whore.

but seriously though, do you WANT to do a full series? When people say "oh man I'd read a full series of this," does it make you think "whoa, it's awesome to know there's an audience for this because I'd really love to do a story like that!" or "oh man, I didn't even think of doing this but holy crap what a good idea!" ...... or does it make you think "well.... I mean, I probably COULD make a full series out of this.....I don't mind.......I guess I should keep it going?"
Because if it's that last one, I'd say no. If you're only in it because the readers want it, it's gonna be hard to tell a good story while trying to guess what exactly it was that they wanted -- and a story that isn't fun for you isn't fun for your readers, either.

---

I got a lot of the same sort of reactions you're getting when I announced I was ending my journal comic, Today Nothing Happened, after 4 years. People don't like things to end! From my readers' point of view, they wanted it to continue because they wanted more comics at the same quality that were just as funny. From my point of view, that was going to be hard to do, because while I loved TNH, my heart was now in other things. So I ended it and gave it a proper farewell, and I definitely don't regret that decision!

[GesuGesu]

well. ((scraps the 14 scripted pages for a sequel short and extra chapter))

[eleoza]

HA! When you know what comic is being discussed before even opening the thread xD

But you have a good thing going there :3
You can just casually upload a page when you feel like it, don't feel forced to continue though O: It's your work and you should enjoy it!

[GesuGesu]

but how did you know-

[eleoza]

I guess I just really liked your 1-shot and it popped into my mind when I read the thread title ;D