How Do You Keep Going When You Don't Have Time

[GFalconDX]

This is something that I'm sure everyone has gone through from time to time, but I have to wonder: how do you keep going when most of your time has been eaten up by work, stuff in life, etc.? The reason why I'm asking is because I've noticed how extremely slow I've been with updating my comic. So far, I've only been able to update once or twice a month. And lately, I'm beginning to feel that it's not worth continuing this comic and maybe even stop drawing entirely.

But what do you guys think? How do you keep going in a situation like this?

I'm also putting my comic here so you can see how often I've been able to update. And if it's not time, then maybe you can let me know what I may be doing wrong with it.

The Chronicles of SolLuna | Tapas

[Agent1Alaska]

I think the easiest way to keep going is make sure you're having fun. Sure working on something can be grueling sometimes and feel kind of pointless, but if you're enjoying yourself then it'll be easier to make time for doing it.

If working on your comic isn't fun or satisfying anymore, then revisit your reasons for starting it. Was it to get recognition for your work/make a living/improve your skills/tell a story you really wanted to share? No matter the reason, think back to it and see if you can make that a reason that drives you again.

Before you decide to cut your losses with your comic, think about how you'll feel about it in a month's time or even a year's. Would you wish that you stuck with it a bit longer or would you be glad that you got rid of a weight that was just dragging you down? It really depends on how you see your comic. There's always the option to move away from it for a little while and come back and recreate the way you originally intended (if it isn't living up to your expectations right now).

Ultimately, if you do stop with your comic, I don't think you should stop drawing entirely. You never know when a skill can come into play in your life. If you keep practising (so long as it isn't a chore) then you might find a project that you can completely engage with. Who knows, by then you might have more time to dedicate to your art.

Summary: Find what's fun about art, whether that's making your current comic or doing something else, just don't stop drawing because of time restraints.

[Heliox14]

Same here! Background People updates VERY infrequently, so I'm REALLY, really amazed that I got 25 subs on 4 episodes. Thanks guys!
For me, well, you can't really do anything. Just make it good that it's worth the wait. Every time I update, I try to bring it over 10k+ words, so it's all worth the wait. Plus, something's usually happening every chapter, so that's something to take note of.
In your case, nothing's exactly wrong with it. Because everything is somewhat of a filler, try to put multiple pages every time you update. That way, it's still worth something.
(+1 sub)
-Helioxiv

[darkone4587]

I recommend you just find your own pace and set some time to just work on your comic. I honestly recommend background noise, having a video or some music playing in the background could help with concentration.

Blade Quest Vol.1 :: Ch.2: Daily Strife | Tapas

[Shanny8]

Gotta make time for yourself. I try to set aside time/certain days to tune everything else out but working on my comic.

[Testaccount]

Time is indeed a precious thing, but if something is worth learning and having, you need to make time. I have a rule to write 250 words and read for 30 minutes a day. That comes out to an hour each day dedicated to my craft.

It's hard, I know, but if the people before and around us can do it, we can too =)

[punkarsenic]

do you have a buffer? putting your comic on hold for a while and building up a month (or more) worth of content makes it a lot easier to keep updates regular when life gets in the way, and makes it all less stressful. updating regularly is more important than updating frequently, imo. also, twice a month is every other week, which is a pretty acceptable update rate anyway.

it could also help if you make your pages in batches; draw out two pages at a time, then ink both at the same time, then colour both at the same time. its generally faster, and feels more rewarding to come out the other end with two whole pages.

[GFalconDX]

Thinking back, I started the comic because I've always wanted to make a living as an artist, and at the same time, I've always wanted to create stories. Maybe the story is not really living up to my expectations, hence that's probably the reason why I'm partially redoing the 1st chapter so that it fits the story that's in my head.

[GFalconDX]

Problem with trying to create a buffer, at least for me, is that I only have enough time to do 1 page per update. And to try and create a buffer would take time. At the same time, I have to choose between whether I want to create multiple pages, but not good art, or create good art, but only 1 or 2 at a time.

[sarrowsmith10]

I completely understand this. I think most of your stress is from the peer pressure to upload all the time. If you get burned out, just stop. You don't owe anyone anything. If you feel inclined, just tell your fans that you are taking a break and will update when you can. Most fans would rather have infrequent updates than no updates at all. I've definitely gone through parts of my story where I just wasn't motivated to work on it. A part of the story that was either hard to draw, tedious, or not interesting. Then there are times where things are getting really juicy, but I simply don't have time to work on the comic. It's life. This year has been super tough with me uploading pages very infrequently, because I work 40 hour weeks, have a toddler and tutor after work. shrug

[punkarsenic]

that's why i said to put your comic on hold for a while - if youre only posting one page every other week, then once youve made four pages, youve got two months of buffer already. and yeah, a couple months is a fairly long hiatus, but i think its worth it for the weight a buffer takes off your mind.

[nikaalexandra]

as someone who has struggled with this exact problem A LOT, let me just tell you not to blame yourself or your "busy-ness" for not keeping up with your webcomic. school, work, and socializing are all really important, and it can be really hard to keep drawing/writing/etc when you're not getting paid for it and you still need to put food on the table/function as an upstanding member of our society. it's important to take care of yourself!

that being said, i agree with the above. setting aside specific times that are dedicated to drawing/writing/etc and not deviating from those times can be extremely helpful, as is finding ways to incorporate your craft into your other activities (i used to work on pages of 64 in my morning meetings, and i have friends who are willing to do "art days" where we hang out and practice our crafts together)

you can do it!

[lazhiral]

Alaska said it before, but having fun surely helps.
What I tend to do is to plan weeks before the day of posting. For example, I post once a week, and the comic I posted yesterday was planned one month ago. This way I have a large window of free-time if needed.

I guess planning and organization are your best friends in this kind of situation.

[GFalconDX]

You're right. I probably should take a little break, but create a buffer so I'll be ready when I return.

[UbePie]

I’ve found that creators are actually harder on themselves about updating than actual readers. I use to post 30 panels per update three times a month when i started which was during the summer. Than school came back and i was also working so I could only update three pages a week. No one seemed bother by the cut.
Currently with recent health issues I haven’t been able to update regularly. I have not informed my readership of this but when i do update, they are happy. They don’t attack me because i was three days late or anything like that, they are just happy for an update.

I will also probably take a break until christmas soon. I just think of it like a tv season. Tv shows take breaks and then come back and no one minds. So do what you need to do, no one will fault you for it. If you want to work on your comic then you will find time to finish it eventually, even if it takes a while.

[IdiotWithPencil]

I make it so that I do, I know I can make (if I got the time) 3 to 4 pages a week, so instead of burning those pages in one week I burn one every week and the moment I got time I work on 5 rough pages and 3 finished pages, that way I can always give my self a week to script, rework and sketch more pages

also having a good comic making process is one of the best ways to do it, it cuts out time and effort, the one I use personally is described by this article right here

Speed Comicking – Artist Advice – Medium

[LCT_m_a_d]

The easy self-help answer is to "make time if its truly important". But to be honest I think this comes from the result of practical changes. What we need to discuss are those changes.

The first step, for me, has always been to stop with all the deadlines, productivity tricks, life-hacks, buffers etc. And take inventory on whats happening in the present. What are you actually trying to accomplish? How do you know you don't have time. Do you not have an hour a day? What about 10 minutes a day? If you can't build your time around your work, what about setting goals that work with your time available?

The key is to be self aware and introspective about yourself. Maybe, you need to create a weird schedule that works. Maybe your goals need to be broken down in smaller steps. Now is the time to do less thinking and more seeing. Sometimes we miss super obvious solutions because we've focused too much on what should be, or the correct process.

Do some thinking. Get to know yourself. And explore the possibility of simple changes you can make and small achievements you've earned.

Happy arting