How to find confidence in your work

tycerimert 2014-07-13 18:19:41 UTC #1

So I don't know how everyone can put stuff out so regularly and feel all good about it!
So basically I'm making this to help those whom are nervous or have low esteem when it comes to their art, stories, etc (like me TT^TT)

I get so nervous about how I present it, if people will like it, if it looks good enough, if I changed something, and the list goes on and on. It makes it really hard to focus on the fact that I love doing it when I worry so much about whether it's good enough or not and its that lack of confidence in my work that keeps me from updating more frequently or trying new comics that i've thought up.

I'm sure there are others like me, or who've experienced similar emotions, and I think it'd be nice to have a discussion on how to gain confidence in our work, find inspiration, regularly update, and just all around get our gears moving again!

shinepaw 2014-07-13 19:14:08 UTC #2

You won't be able to do anything that will be liked by everyone You can try as hard as you can to please everyone, but you just can't. There will be always someone who will have negative opinions.

So my suggestion is, do whatever you like! Don't be afraid, you may receive some critiques, good and bad ones, and those could improve you. If you are afraid to show your art to others, they won't be able to give you critiques which may give you idea how you could improve

And do what you like! That's the best way to keep you doing comics regularly.

tycerimert 2014-07-13 19:19:51 UTC #3

Thank youuuuu
That's some awesome advice and I'll try to think of it every time I start to worry! :3

shinepaw 2014-07-13 19:23:49 UTC #4

I'm glad if it helps! ^^
Also I should add that there will be people who will like your work for sure! Just put yourself out there to find them!

CalebDL 2014-07-13 19:46:13 UTC #5

As some have said, there will always be people who dislike your stuff. But if you put yourself out there and have complete confidence in it, half the battle is already won. The other half is really up to chance and however many people happen to see your stuff.

nziller 2014-07-14 05:26:06 UTC #6

I actually think if you aren't nervous when you post something online something is wrong. I never post things online that I feel 100% confident about.

I think the nerves are important for showing yourself you are on the very edge of your creativity. I find if I am super confident in a comic it means I played it "safe" and later on I usually find those comics boring. You should try to always push yourself with everything you release and keep trying to improve. But it's key to keep releasing stuff and crafting your comics. I've found the people on tapastic are very kind and welcoming so you won't get any hate. Even if you do get hate, just ignore it.

As for finding inspiration, I'd say just live life. Treat writing comics like a job, force yourself to do it ever day even if only for 5 minutes. I think this practice is especially important when you don't feel any inspiration. Learning to manufacture inspiration or to be able to come up with ideas on the fly is an important and confidence building skill that can only be learned with practice.

wonpei 2014-07-14 05:35:29 UTC #7

omg i have this problem too!! ;____; i always end up going on hiatus, trashing everything, and starting over because of it. but it's too stressful worrying about what other people think, so i try to just remind myself that i'm writing it for me and to just have fun with it. if other people like it too, then that's a bonus of course!! nvn

i have a friend that is very supportive and encouraging when i'm in a slump. i show her my stuff and she gives me some advice on how i could improve it, and it's always fun coming up with ideas together! she makes me think more deeply about things, and catches plot holes that i don't notice. having a story i want to tell and a friend that is willing to help is what keeps me going. n__n

regular updates... haha... i'm still having trouble with that. but i think having a buffer is always a smart choice. maintain a comfortable schedule that you can work with, and be consistent i suppose. having a deadline will make you feel more organized maybe? just don't do more than you can handle!! i'm learning that the hard way... ;7;