What I learned from collaborating with another artist/writer!

[infectedbloodcomics]

What did you learn from collaborating with another artist/writer? Post your (positive and negative, if you wish) thoughts and links here!

My favorite collaboration comic is called Forever Yours. I wanted to see what it was like to be just the artist for a comic without ever touching the writer's script, so I collaborated with Amalockh1, author or Armless Amy, who had a complete script, and there you have it! I learned the following:

• Find a really chill and competent writer - it made a world of difference to me. Work was smooth and really enjoyable
• Do your very best to make each panel really good - after all, it's not just your own comic, it's your partner's too, and you want to make them proud
• Be very clear and each other's expectations - communicate. All the time.
• Keep up your promises and your schedule
• Make sure you have a full script (or big chuck of it done) to work on - that helps understanding the entire mood of the story, the characters, the environment, etc. Simply put, all the basics.
• Have fun!

[okellymx]

Never work for free, money is procrastinations worst enemy, at least for me.
Draw what you love.
Treat the artist like a publisher, you should know exactly what you want in your comic.
Get an artist that matches the genre/theme of the story.
Take your time and enjoy yourself.
Find what works for you, try everything

[joannekwan]

LOVE what you're doing. Especially if you're not getting paid.

I've lost 90% of the motivation I had for my current collaboration project mostly because I enjoy working on my own webcomics more and I'm earning more money from them through ad revenue and from doing commissions.

Find a person you "gel" with. It makes communication A LOT easier.

Luckily I have that with my collab project and it's the thread keeping me tied to it. sigh

[nathankschulz]

As a writer, it was important to me that my artist felt I had their back. Which means being absolutely, 100% clear with my script. No vague descriptions on characters or situations. But more than that, I wanted my artist to know they could change something if need be, and that I would listen to them. We designed the characters together, and I was open to as much feedback and input that they wanted to give. And also, my mindset had to be open to interpretations of my writing that would change from the script to the finished page. It REALLY helps when you think the artist you have is not only a genius, but an actual friend that you admire.

[nocuddletime]

Great pointers!

I've done two graphic novels for other writers and now I write and draw my own comic.

When I was collaborating I always felt like I was doing more work than the writer which was frustrating. They would generally make up for it by taking care of some of the marketing and "getting it out there" social networking effort while I was busy working on the art and layouts.

It was also nice to just to always have a script ready to have something to draw from so I could just keep going. Now, even though my comic is mostly written it still takes a little bit of tweaking while I thumbnail everything out and eventually do the art proper on a weekly basis.

I have turned down a few collaborations where it seemed pretty obvious that it was just some shitty script they got done quickly a few years ago and now wanted to ride a perceived graphic novel craze. Even worse some of those people weren't flexible or willing to let me have any creative input outside of just visualizing their crappy story in a very literal see-say manner (not really my cup of tea).

Every time I've just done something for the money or for anything less than a 50/50 creator owned split I've always ended up feeling resentful that I put way more effort in that the other party.

I would recommend collaborating with either people that are really good at what they do or people that you really like working with and always insist on a 50/50 relationship.

Or just write and draw it all yourself...

[SpavVy]

Horrible experience, never again unless it's with my close friends.

[eagle1]

I do collabs on a regular basis, and have yet to have a bad experience. Then again, I approach things from a professional point of view, and engage with anyone I am working with in the same manner. Right now NO-Earth comics has 3 different collabs going on, two of which are in production and the third of which should be showing up in the next few weeks. I am the writer on two of them, and just the editor on the third, which is between another writer and artist. They have been pleasant experiences all the way around, and we will be expanding the number we have in the next few months.

The things that are most important are:

• Communication - Not just how you talk to each other, but staying in contact so that each party feels that they can ask questions, even over small things, and so that both people know exactly where the process is.
• Expectations - Each party should know exactly what they are expected to put into the collab, and exatly what they are getting out of it.
• Schedule - Since all of the collabs we're running are back-end deals, the schedule is non-existant, though in a work for hire situation this would naturally be pretty strict. But in any case, it's important to know when things are going to be done for posting schedules, buffers, and print dates.
• Respect - Both parties should have respect for each other, and what they are accomplishing.

Eagle
(Wonderful experiences, it's a great way to do comics)