How do you remain motivated to finish a comic?

Tanako 2019-03-29 04:33:57 UTC #1

So I have been struggling with consistency and keeping my attention focused on one thing. I come up with ideas very fast and it lingers for a couple of months sometimes when I'm lucky a year and after that, I tend to start losing interest. I mean I love my comics, each and every one of them and also my characters. Most characters i create I have a special connection to them even the ones with the terrible personality they actually end up being my favorite. anyway, the point im trying to make is that after a year or two my attention tends to start fading out and I start to lose interest. usually when I feel this happening, I tend to take breaks or possibly go on a hiatus but recently I have just been feeling like ditching the whole thing and this isn't a good idea because then the story is being left on a cliffhanger and readers then end up getting disappointed or upset which I feel isn't nice but despite all that, of course, the artist mental state is more important especially if you aren't getting paid for all the hard work you put in it and at the same time if it compromises your sanity.

So long story short, I am losing interest and even though I'm trying the best I can to keep going I just can't help but feel the need to walk away from everything. I also noticed something about myself which I've never experienced before. I have a full-time job and most times it's so stressful it's terrible. I come home mentally exhausted and tired and can't seem to draw a single Da** thing. I need my job to pay bills and live a normal life so quitting isn't an option. I noticed that when I'm highly stressed I'm not creative at all, like no motivation what so ever. i can bearly get myself to pick up my styles not to even talk about drawing a scene or finishing a page. it's so bad that when I sit in front of my computer I can end up staring at it for five minutes before I even browse the computer. I'm not sure what's going on.

All I want to know is, for you all, what do you do to keep your interest in one comic (or two if you have more) how do you get past roadblocks, dead ends, hiatus, depression if it even applies because sometimes i feel like i am, all that nasty stuff and keep working on your comic?
My current story is 2years old and I'm honestly proud of my self and I'm close to finishing but the issue is that I see myself like almost forcing myself to finish. I keep telling myself, ok, one more page, one more chapter and I'm done so just hang in there. I have always wondered, artists with 7 to 10-year comic longevity, what did they do to keep the story alive and going, heck, how did they maintain interest in the same characters for such a long time?
just in case you are wondering, I'm not quitting my current comic, this is just a battle I'm facing and still currently struggling with. it's on and off but it's very exhausting and I feel like i'm battling with my mind.

Just wanna share my current comic if you want to check it out.

unknown_user 2019-03-29 07:44:55 UTC #2

Yes, I think, I know this feeling. I never could combine full-time job with any significant hobby, and felt very exhausted every day from it, too. Now I have only episodic, short jobs and not very annoying study. Sometimes I should strain myself to read something from textbook, prepare a report or write an article, but most of the time my current study isn't stressful, which allows me to draw my comics more-or-less regularly.
I don't meet big inner obstacles to continue it. Sometimes I tired and/or have a lack of inspiration, but I have some rest and then feel a desire to continue again, without need of additional motivation. I agree that lack of rest and free time are the main enemies of creativity. ¯_(ツ)_/¯ So, I don't see another opportunity to continue enjoy creating, besides give yourself enough rest, when it's needed.

About motivation in general... why is it important for you to draw comics at all? And is it really important for you to draw long-term comics?

punkarsenic 2019-03-29 09:30:31 UTC #3

then why are you expecting yourself to make comics that last over a year? comics dont need to be longrunning, you can make a 20 page comic in a month and then be done with it.

i actually recommend you do try something significantly shorter, bc carrying a project from beginning to end makes it a lot easier to complete future, bigger projects. finishing something is an important step for any storyteller.

you sound burnt out. in this situation you should honestly take all pressure off yourself to create - youre putting all your energy into work, and you deserve to rest and do things that bring you joy when you come home. if right now that isnt art, then it isnt art, thats fine. just find a way to unwind and enjoy your free time.

and i know its not always possible, but if it is, maybe you can look for a less stressful job? it sounds like its distressing you a lot. im not saying quit ofc, as you said thats not an option, but maybe browsing for something that takes a little less from you is possible. i dunno your situation though.

honestly, ive heard this exact same sentiment from people with very successful years-old webcomics. its pretty natural? when you get to the end of a big, long project youre a very different person to who you were when you started, and your reasons for making work change. but the difference between you and the people ive talked to is their old comics are paying the bills - what youre doing is for free and for fun. your enjoyment of it is the #1 priority.

are there any places in the story you can edit down to get to the end faster? i think if youre close to the end finishing this thing is a good idea, for your own satisfaction more than anything, but do not over exert yourself. your audience will be patient. dont be afraid to make changes to your comic to make it easier or more enjoyable to work on.

although maybe before that, since youre very clearly burnt out, put it on hiatus for a month and just focus on regaining some energy.

Tanako 2019-03-30 04:48:30 UTC #4

Thank you for taking the time to read my long message and I appreciate your response. yes you are right, full time job and making comics don't go hand in hand but the deal is that, I've always drawn comics since I was a kid up until when I went to college and then graduated and started to work as an adult so I don't see myself doing anything else that gives me much great pleasure. I am and currently dabbing into other things like, making acrylic nails which I found out that I enjoy and I also make necklaces. even though I like those, nothing beats siting in-front of my computer and creating comics so maybe a break would help.

I have to draw comics. I can't imaging doing anything else. its my life and I love it with my life. I never did it for the money I only did it for pure pleasure and I'm okay with that. I do have a patreon page and some dedicated fans who support and appreciate my effort and for that I am so grateful. but besides all that, my comics have always been free and will remain free and will always be a part of my life.

Tanako 2019-03-30 04:56:05 UTC #5

Thank you so much for taking the time in reading my long message I appreciate it.

yes you are right. it docent have to be long at all and I had realized that pretty late. but its okay because when you make mistakes you correct it and hope to not make the same mistake again. I came to a conclusion that since my ideas come and go, I will keep it short and I think it will be a better option for me.

look for a less stress fun job? wow I wish that was easy to do. I believe that every job is stressful in some way. I can't imaging not working where I am right now because of the potential the job has to offer. quitting or changing jobs is not an option. but I do agree in taking a break and maybe dabbling into something not art related which I am currently doing. just like I mentioned to tired_programmer, I am getting into doing acrylic nails and necklaces which helps and I try to spend less time working on comics unless I am working on a page for my patreon followers. I have slowed down with posting on Tapas and Webtoons because of it. and yes you are right I am burned out and maybe a Hiatus is probably the way to go.