What gave/gives you courage?

[fanyart]

There have been some threads on motivation and advice but wanted to ask everyone what gave/gives them courage when they have doubts or are afraid to do something.

I was afraid to do my comic because I thought a simple innocent relationship between a man and a little girl wouldn't be appealing to readers nowadays. What gave me courage was discovering Grassblades by @AnnaLandin which deals with such a relationship very well and is popular.

Similarly, I had doubts about my character design, which is anthro dragons because I have always been aware that if I just drew manga humans, my works would be much more popular. I kept drawing my comics with dragons nevertheless, but when someone posted in some another thread pictures from a comic about anthro kangaroos, which looked very similar to my dragons, and seemed to be liked and well-received, it chased some of the doubts away.

I can't say I don't have any more doubts about my comic but these two things simply gave me courage to keep on.

I realized these simple things could be the turning points in creating a comic. Have you experienced something like that too?

Share your stories!

EDIT: I don't mean that dragon comic of mine that's complete on this site, that's from my highschool years, but somewhere in summer I would like to start posting a comic that has dragon characters too, though a bit different.

[ghostnxs]

As heartless as it seems I've started not to care what people thought, someone somewhere would care regardless of what I did so I'm focusing on creating something I love. In the end no one is paying me so I can do as I please.

[Doubtcent]

What gives me courage is that, even though it may not be many, there are some people out there who enjoy my comic. I bring some kind of enjoyment to their day, even if it's just for a few seconds.

I'm often thinking about, "If my comic isn't popular, I should stop doing this." "I'm not getting money or fame from it, might as well give up." or simply, "It's not worth it."

The truth of the matter is that we all should stop thinking this way. There are plenty of amazing yet under-appreciated comics and media out there, and there are plenty of crappy, over-appreciated comics as well. The only thing you can do is remind yourself, those few subscribers are there because they enjoy your thoughts, feelings, humor, story and such. If they didn't why would they subscribe? Pity? Maybe. But it's still a reason to continue.

I started out with only six subscribers and it took me around thirty episodes to reach twenty subs. Now I'm at sixty episodes with over sixty subscribers, and gaining more every day (for the most part). It means there are people who enjoy my content in some way. It's an uplifting thought that I can make someone's day, even if it's just one person. That's what makes it all matter.

[joannekwan]

Never really had many doubts about my series. My train of thought goes something like: I damn well like my characters so I'm going to damn well write and draw their stories. People like what they like and if they happen to like my stuff, extra bonus points yay! But if they don't, that's okay too. Nothing's perfect.

[Raven_C]

Never really had many doubts about my series. My train of thought goes something like: I damn well like my characters so I'm going to damn well write and draw their stories. People like what they like and if they happen to like my stuff, extra bonus points yay! But if they don't, that's okay too. Nothing's perfect.

Summed it up for me perfectly.

[getsuart]

Friends support and loving what I do.

So basically what @winglesscomic and @joannekwan said. :'D Good to see people sharing the same ideas and feelings!

[abbastudios]

I don't need courage. I decide what story I want to tell and share with people.
Then when i find time, I do it.

[pTerra9]

at first i had trouble, but only because of my family. i didnt want to write things they would disapprove of. then i realized that somebody somewhere will always dislike what you do regardless, it is up to you to follow who you are and work on something you love to do. otherwise whats the point? who are you writing for?

[Jrej]

I just wanna see my story finished.
It just loops in my head forever and I have to get it out.
How much time it takes me doesn't matter!

[scythe]

People who stand up for what they believe in, especially when the their opinion is in the minority. I may or may not agree with them, but it takes real balls to get up in front of a group of people who disagree with you and stand your ground. People who do that inspire me. Like Christopher Hitchens said, "Don't take refuge in the false security of consensus."

[GlanceReviver]

When I get a message for someone, or meet someone at a convention, and they say that my story really helped them work through something they were dealing with because I portrayed characters with similar problems, or just brought a smile to them when they needed it. That makes it worth it even though I have a lot of self-doubt. Self-doubt is healthy as long as you don't let it cripple you or convince you to give up on something you truly enjoy doing. If you stop questioning yourself then you'll stop growing, so it's okay to be a little afraid.

[AnnaLandin]

Aw, I'm so happy Grassblades has helped you in this way, @fanyart! That's wonderful!

Speaking of Grassblades... embarking on this particular project was really scary for me. Not only is it scary to make something and show it to the world - you never know how it's going to be received, and I don't know which is worse; people not liking it, or nobody caring at all - but there's also the fact that Grassblades is a very, very large project. It's going to be hundreds and hundreds of pages long, if I stick to my plan. I'm committing years of my life to this.

And that's scary as heck.

But I do have friends and family who support me and encourage me to do what I want, which helps immensely. It also helps that Tapastic is such a friendly place! Everyone here is nice and welcoming, which matters so much for people who are insecure and uncertain.

Most of all, though, I think what helps me get over the fear and the anxiety is the knowledge that no one else will tell this story the way I would, and if I don't do it now, it will never get done. And the thought of never actually making it a real thing is even more scary to me.

[fanyart]

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories! I see a lot of you have strong minds and resolution! I wish I had that too >_<

@pTerra9 Yeah, I had that problem too. Even more so because my parents mostly supported my creativeness (I used to write and illustrate adventure books) and I was reluctant to go into undiscovered waters because I was afraid they might not like that and I would disappoint them.

Such was with my comic Dragon Heroes I did during high school - at that time I discovered internet (we had dial up until then) and got inspiration there - the anthro dragon characters doing such wild things was something never-seen-before-like in my country... so it was natural I was worried what they would say to that.

But they weren't against it and dad said that I can draw what I want till he retires as long as I graduate from highschool
But at the same time now when I'm a university student feeding for myself constantly worried about my two pensioners (my parents had me when they were 37 or so) so I have different worries now >_<

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@GlanceReviver Yeah, that really helps a lot! I especially love "It made my day!" comments - it may be a phrase in English but in the literal meaning it means so much to me

@AnnaLandin That's true, starting such a giant project seems scary as hell! Especially that sentence: "I'm committing years of my life to this." - I got goosebumps from it >_<

Yeah, I agree that Tapastic community is a great source of strength!

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When I started this topic, I meant it more like

particular events that changed your way of thinking of your creation, more or less

Like when your right hand got stuck in a jar so you had to draw with your left and found out that you can actually draw better with your left hand and such >_<

Does anyone have such story? (that example was stupid, something more normal >_> )

But yeah, any topic of this kind where people can whisper their worries into the willow tree is great!

[SandraMJ]

You know, that never even crossed my mind, but now I realise my comic also features a relationship that is generally rarely shown -- a friendship between two heterosexual men, without any kind of underlaying connotation. But then again, that was common in westerns, haha.

What I'm usually scared of is how LONG the comic will go on.

As for particular events that changed how I saw stories, here I go. A couple of years ago, I began suffering from some weird illness that made swallowing food impossible for me. I also began suffering from terrible headaches that rendered me (and still do) unable to do anything other than wimper and cry. Back then I thought "I'm going to die, and there's so much I haven't done!", and ever since, I work on any and every idea I have without any fear. I don't want to feel like I'm not doing enough if death knocks on my door again.

[pTerra9]

i broke my left arm at the start of one summer and was so sad i couldnt draw i started trying to do it with my right hand XD it looked so bad but i was soooo happy i could keep drawing, then some of the pictures actually turned out okay

[ArtistHan]

That actually is my main source of courage haha I don't have many followers, I'm not famous in any way whatsoever. Yah, that can suck but it's also an advantage. You can do whatever the hell you want and experiment freely without anyone getting on your ass about it. A small following also means I get to interact more personally with my followers and really get to know other artists, support them, and get their true support. It also lets me be flexible with my uploading schedule. So yah, being unpopular may be a point of depression for a lot of people. It is once in a while for me. But to be honest, I'm happy because of it too and it gives me the courage to keep improving and trying new things~ It also makes me more focused on my content than on numbers. I have so few anyways so who cares! haha (though i treasure what few I have of course. I love my followers <3)

[kotaotan]

What gives me courage is remembering that my stories have caused emotional responses from people. I've gotten the occasional email saying that something I wrote made them cry. Even if I go broke doing this, that's enough of a reason to do this. To touch people.

[Kamikaze]

What gives me, personally, courage to create isn't a single thing.

I have my team, Alan and Havana, who constantly encourage me to be the best I can be. Who help me know that I'm not alone, and that my stories and ideas have merit. I realize that I come from a very privileged position in that I work on a team rather than by myself. Frankly, if I was by myself I don't think I would have even started the comic.

Secondly, knowing people give a damn. When I see people look at the work I've created and tell me, "I've never seen a heroine that looks like me before!" it makes me so happy! Our lead came out of the box the way she is, she's always been that way - but knowing that people are ultimately touched, root for and want Markesha to succeed? Knowing they identify with her because they rarely get to see anyone who looks like them? Knowing that even if readers don't look like Markesha, they still care about her? That gives me courage. I have to be doing something right if the most consistent comment I get is, "This is amazing and I love how diverse the characters are!"

This is an awesome topic @fanyart! It made me happy to read your thoughts and reading through everyone else's too! Horray, for positive threads!! \o/

[TetheredComic]

My family give me courage, seriously...So many times I felt like "Seriously Tasha, what are you doing? Do you really have it in you to do this?", and my family will sit me down, look at me, place their hands on my shoulder and say "Tasha....I really want to slap you right now" XD

So I take the hint and keep going, I know they care about me enough to be honest if I really am not doing the right thing!

Other than that, really, deep down, it is that desire to tell a story. That if I don't keep going I would be letting myself down more than anything.

And dude, you should definitely have courage. You really are an amazing storyteller, what you actually have a lot of strength in is saying many things with such few words. Not only are you very talented when it comes to art, your art itself is almost poetic. That may sound odd to a lot of people, but the way you use colours, how you've created this beautiful form of scrolling comics that causes the world that you've painted just wash over our monitors and pull the reader in. It's truly unique! You add characters (IKOU! <3) into backgrounds like that and all your doing is giving us more to enjoy : )

Also - other stories that have relationships between adult and youngster, and do it extremely well are: The Last of Us (game - older man with girl), War of the Worlds (father and daughter), Aliens (Older woman and young girl), The Book Thief (original book - Man and young girl...VERY SAD STORY but amazing!), Les Miserables (Older man and young girl).

As long as the older man is like a father figure and very protective of the girl, or shows he cares in his own way, people will see that, there will be nothing odd about that : )

All the best with everything! >U< boogies with axolotl

[mimicteixeira]

Magikarp, magikarp give me courage