What motivates you to keep creating?

[trinkettrancemusic]

All of these damn voices in my head keep me up at night, demanding passage from the thought-particle dimension in my skull through to a third-party verifiable, tangible story-verse.

If only I'd taken drawing seriously as a child (there isn't time to dedicate to it now and my crafts are words and sounds). I need to find collaborators for all of these stories I've got simmering.

[IdiotWithPencil]

but if drawing ever becomes an obligation and not a hobby I can see myself easily hating it.

I always heard this argument the "don't make it a job" thing, and I always wondered what happened to the "do what you love and you will never work in your life ", if you do it like a hobby then why even be bothered about motivation? why bother feeling bad about not doing your hobby?

just wait and stop stressing about it, it is just a hobby after all ....right?

[spacewaste12]

I think its probably because my comic mostly revolves around comedy, as soon as I pick up an episode I know exactly what the punchlines and when most of the value is comedy it really cripples the surprise and humor.

I can relate what to what you wrote about cheating, one off jokes are really easy illustrate and write, often when I feel like I'm pressured to update I just rush one of them out the door. The only episodes I enjoy coming back to are the ones that are plot relevant, but I barely post any because of how taxing it is to write something more meaningful.

I still enjoy writing gags and jokes and I'm sure if I hadn't drawn them id enjoy them, but its not really work I like to revisit. Maybe Ill try changing how I churn these things out.

Ps your philosophy is really helpful

[spacewaste12]

I guess your right. I shouldn't really be overthinking it if its just a hobby, I'm sure eventually I can get over this stump. And if I don't? There's always other hobbies.

[xanedis]

So if I had to throw in a quick analysis... You'd probably love to create more plot-relevant chapters, but feel pressured by the challenge of creating them. Might I suggest taking a few days just to figure things out?
For example, whenever I have to do plot planning, I start walking around the house(which is mighty irritating to some) and juggling the plot pieces in my head, to try and figure out what is needed for the plot to advance in the direction that I want it to go. I do it in a relaxed manner, and give it as much time as is needed... even if my upload schedule gets skewed. This way, I feel like I never have to compromise on quality.

And thank you for saying that my philosophy is helpful. I find it rare that someone understands what I mean and takes it to heart. That said, analysis by internet is mighty limited, so I've gotta make do with whatever information I get.

[spacewaste12]

In hindsight I've been holding off the story for almost a month and a half now, like just the other week I tried to draft a significant chapter, but I ended up drawing fluff. Ill follow your advice and let my ideas simmer until I can decide what direction I want my story to go.

Thanks a TONNN for the insight, this is probably the best advice I've gotten about getting out of a slump.

[xanedis]

Heh, no problem. The funny fact is, I always face a writer's block whenever I'm unsure of how to proceed. However, when I'm done planning the next story bit, and when I have a better grasp of the whole story arc, I never experience what we call a "writer's block". It's just a matter of writing things out after the initial planning((with loads of editing, of course -you can't do away with that stuff XD).

One more bit of advice: don't plan things out fully. One thing that you could do, is figuring out the main plot points that your story HAS TO go through in order to reach the final destination. After that, you just need to know what the next chapter is all about... and then you can draw it. Or write it. However you want to proceed. I find that once I'm writing the next chapter, I start forming a better idea of what comes after... and the momentum just picks up automatically. When in a slump, however, I recommend stopping for a while and checking where the mine cart goes off-the-rails. Then you fix the issue.

But I think this is enough patronizing from me. I wish your writing/drawing attempts all the best!

[spacewaste12]

Right now I'm pretty sure I know what I want too push the story, its just that I cant really picture how some of the characters are gonna respond. I'm sure in time I can figure it out though.

Once again thanks for the advice, and all the best!

[xanedis]

If you want, you can soundboard things with me... I'll try to refrain from giving my own opinions on how you should do things.

[spacewaste12]

Id love too! Any idea how to pm or something?

[ISNEKO]

The astonishment that people actually read my work keeps me going. Time in this life is precious and people burn it looking at me. Fucking nuts.

[Shanny8]

Part of it is "it's what I do"...

The other part is the feedback I get from my readers & fans- whether it's a comment, consistently returning to read the next episode, or buying my stuff when I do a con or supporting my Patreon; it makes me feel good to see someone enjoy "what I do" and I feel better when someone compensates me (be it comments or with money) for "what I do".

[insomniascrawl]

I'm angry. I spent my younger years in life having people tell me I couldn't, making me feel like my ideas weren't valid, like I wasn't and wouldn't be worthwhile. I grew up and worked hard then spent my creative life having people try and rip me off and take advantage of me when they saw how doggedly I would chase my goals. I simply want to make something that people feel something about, that no one can take from me without a fight. Creating is all I ever wanted to do and even though the world keeps beating me down for it, I'm never going to quit no matter how hard it is.

Of course there are days I feel like what's the point, or I wonder if what I'm doing is even good, but screw it, I'm in it for the gold, and if I don't get it the first time, I will the second. or third or fourth or how ever many times.

[LCT_m_a_d]

I have to remind myself that it's not making comics that I love so much. Instead it's the story and legacy I leave behind. Sometimes I feel discouraged, especially when things just aren't working out. The difference now is I acknowledge even if things aren't going to work out, the story needs to be told by someone. Since I'm the only person in the world who took the time to tell it makes it a project worth doing. It has it's own special place in the world.

[BABYbluez]

Like most have mentioned, I do it for myself but it also helps when you have supporters who legitimately want you to create because it's fun. It serves as constant reminders of the joy you get from creating things you like. Goals are another thing to think about. I get quite excited when I reach a milestone/scene that I have plotted since the beginning and to see it actually get done is absolutely satisfying

[themecraftmail]

1.cowbelly
2.ad rev
3.fun.

[panda3291]

It's a form of therapy for me.

I can draw my anger, sadness, and happiness in ways that others 'get me.'
It also helps to have people who actually enjoy your stuff when you feel worthless half the time.

[dawgofdawgness]

I look at my resources!
55 pages of scripts on Evernote,
50+ notes on plot stuff/character in Notebook
Hundreds of drawings of my characters in Sai,

I can't quit now..

[LyliClovis]

Simple.
The readers.

And also because I wanted to tell a story not many have tackled before. The beginning is little clique, but it was necessary so I can develop the later chapters.

[Rhombik]

I just like making stuff. I gravitate towards these kinds of activities when I'm bored and alone.

That and eating but people are less interested in that.