Jan 2015
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Jan 2015
Jan 2015
Pendras
Jan '15
1

Think I got to excited and completely ruined a proper workflow for my story Walk(http://m.tapastic.com/series/Walk) i only have two segments. Im feel(ng like i bit off more then i can chew and I am in need for some advice.
To put it in perspective my comic is more book-like with illustration, its the best way for me as a novice storyteller to produce. I can't JUST draw, I have to write to, some things I can describe better in writing and vice versa.
Right now I'm feeling like Im leting my miniscule amount of sub's down because it feels like everything is getting in the way. The pictures that I draw take a lot of detail, but because I'm soooo out of practice my wrist is just not up to par. Not yet. Which slows my work down. One drawing is takeing me four days! Wanted to post SOMETHING at least every week, but since there's more writing it feels weird posting on paragah a week when it looks better with a page, and I dont want just a block of writing with out pictures,this is a webcomic site after all.
I want to really show what I can do and for me personally, I'm just not okay posting halfassed drawings. But I just can't do that right now with a bum wrist. Not on a weekly bases.
I feel like a idiot for not making a buffer. And now I feel like its too late. what should I do??

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    Jan '15

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    Jan '15
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gateofselidor
Jan '15

I don't think taking four days is necessarily a problem, unless you're putting several drawings in each episode. Not everyone uses a style that allows you to make a whole page in a couple of hours. Practice will make you more efficient and result in less mistakes that require you to redraw stuff, but some things are just going to take a long time regardless of your skill level.

If your work is an illustrated novel and you're feeling pressured to add pictures because this is a comic hosting space, have you considered putting it on AO3 or other fiction sites that allow images as well as text? Most illustrated novels don't have lots of images per chapter/episode, so you don't really need to be drawing several, especially if they're high detail and take a long time.

As for the wrist injury, there's nothing wrong with taking a break to let it get better. Readers will understand, and they'd rather have you stop posting for a bit to recover than do any permanent harm. If that's not helping, look into wrist splints to wear at night. I started using them for RSI because I took a break and just didn't get any better, and it was almost completely cleared up within a few weeks.

nikacomics
Jan '15

Can you post a link to your comic? Would like to take a look before making any recommendations ^_^

UzukiCheverie
Jan '15

If you have to take a break for your wrist and to prepare a buffer, take it. Not as an insult or anything lol but take those "miniscule" subscribers as an advantage to do so, not because they don't deserve updates or anything, but because it would be better to make only 8 people wait now than to make a lot more people wait later if you get a lot of subscribers :V

Either way, if you have to take a break for your wrist, do it. Your readers aren't going to suddenly revolt or anything if you do lol when it comes to your health, it's better to take time off and get healthy again so you can produce more stuff rather than push your health to its limits and get worse, thus making your situation even worse. Then when your wrist is better, take a bit more time to prepare a buffer so that it doesn't get so hectic with updates; I guarantee it will help (:

SpavVy
Jan '15

Don't push yourself, seriously, don't.
Your health should always come before your comic because if your not in good health from working on it all the time then it can hurt the comic and more importantly YOU. The author of One Peice has been in and out of the hospital from working on that series, in Japan these creators have a deadline and they need to work fast. Web comic artists on the other hand can work at their own pace. That wrist of yours needs a break so give it one, just relax for a few days. Your readers will understand.

Drezz
Jan '15

If you're just starting out, there's no shame in posting updates when you're ready to post. Just getting content out there is the hardest part.

I realize there is a huge importance placed on consistency in updating, but if you're not ready physically to cope with the demands, don't kill yourself. Ease into it, gain a following and when you're ready to commit to a schedule, stick it out. Not everyone has the luxury of time or speed in production.

Go at YOUR pace. Not what everyone else demands. Until you reach a point where people are paying or demanding to see your work, don't fret over updates.

Pendras
Jan '15
gateofselidor

I dont really feel pressured in the slightest, its just my style. Illustrated book is the closest I can describe my story. The concept I have is a combination of a web comic and book....if that makes any sense.

While I do like ao3, I would like to stay here at taptastic. Bring something new, you know? Maybe one day I'll post a written only version there, by for now, I think this is a good place for my story to be.

Thank you everyone, for your supportand advice, rest is important, and I just have to learn and be patient, can't do anything if I dont relax.:D

cyanste
Jan '15

As someone who reads a lot of webtoons ... is it possible to put some little side comic and put a note that you're working on your wrist getting better? I'd think it'd help you feel better in getting something out to your readers and also inform them that something's up, not that you just dropped your project.

melonramune
Jan '15

Work hard, not smart. You're hand drawing a lot of details into you picture, which is taking a lot of time I'm guessing. Have you considered using textures? What about drawing on pen and paper, scanning it, and then cleaning it up digitally? Those might be better for your wrist.
Or, like what Gateofselidor said, move your story to a fiction site where you're not forced to put so many illustrations into your writing. But looking at your replies, that doesn't seem like an option you'd prefer.

Pendras
Jan '15

Drawing with pencil and paper then editing digitally is my main method, as I my technige in just digital or paper is very different :3 but I'm trying not to use too much texture, because I'm trying to keep to mostly line work and I'm afraid of destroying the style I've already set so far.
I have thought of putting a update page, and have already started it, just in case my rest period takes longer then I wish.