Why does your comic exist?

TJSchongar 2019-03-25 22:58:26 UTC #35

No, I can't take offense to legit criticism and concern!

So, first, let me say this: I changed my genre three times. I started with fantasy, because it's a fantasy story. However, there are romantic relationships that form the core of the story. So I switched to romance. But I don't write romances like the 'romance' genre normally dictates. So that didn't work. Then I was advised that, if I have a gay relationship at the core of my story, I should categorize it as BL because of the algorithm and how people find stories. So I went with that. I still wonder if I should switch it back to fantasy...we'll see. I'm not particularly comfortable with saying this story fits into ONE genre...but algorithms, am I right?

Now, as far as BL is concerned, algorithm was part of it, but I am going to include some of the beats of a BL story, namely:
- Romantic tension
- Confusion over sexuality and attraction
- Dramatic events keeping the couple apart
- An outside person who wants to end the couple for their own selfish reasons.

However, I want to use these beats not just because they create dramatic tension, but because these tropes do have a basis in reality. I don't want to have a "Don't be with me - I'm too DARK and EDGY and BROKEN!" moment that ends with their partner just loving them more and being CONVINCED they can change him. I don't want dark, edgy, and broken to be seen as desirable traits in a partner. In reality, there are people out there with poor communication skills. People who are depressed and become abusive to their partners as a result. People who push others away and are, in fact, 'broken.' I want those people in my book, and I want to show how those people can ACTUALLY grow from their pain. Anyone who doesn't grow doesn't get a happy ending. And just like in reality, some characters you will think are lost causes will suddenly understand where they screwed up, while others who have such potential will just...waste it.

Basically, I want to take those tropes and deal with them in a realistic, healthy way. I like a story that starts out in confusion, feeling like you're entering an entirely new world and nothing makes sense, and then making sense of it in your own way by the end. Growing as a person as you change to cope with your surroundings. There are BL tropes that have the potential to demonstrate that - I want to exploit that potential

TJSchongar 2019-03-25 23:03:57 UTC #36

In fact, with all that said, if you DO see something that is a little too immature, call me out. Like with Cassian's drinking - there are a LOT of BLs that don't handle alcoholism very well. I would much rather people see Cassian ACTUALLY have to deal with how much he drinks. If I treat that or any other sensitive subject too lightly, tell me. I want to correct that - that's not something I want to put into the world.

vothnthorvaldson 2019-03-25 23:10:20 UTC #37

Ok, all cleared, just a vocabulary issue I think. I was quite confused I have to admit.

So first, about genre, I understand. I actually have the same problem, especially for a side comic I'm planning. Fantasy is there but not super apparent, so it will go in the romance category but... I know I would get more readers if I put it in the BL category. I won't, but it's my choice. It could go there to. I do understand you choosing the genre that will bring the most readers.

Then, for the tropes.. well, the ones you describe are not what I think when I think BL tropes. Yours are more legitimate problems and issues arising for LGBT people, also in real life. And I would say even more generally, in the case of any relationship that is not socially easy to accept or make people accept (all what you described could in a way apply to any frowned upon relationship, not just LGBT ones).
So finally, I have nothing to worry about!

(About the alcoholism topic, I don't remember reading anything that I felt was problematic, but if you feel it may be an issue, I'll be extra-careful when I read about that, and tell you if anything feel wrong to me).

TJSchongar 2019-03-25 23:13:54 UTC #38

Thank you You've written so much that makes me value your opinion greatly!

Rodimus13 2019-03-26 00:16:51 UTC #39

My exists because I had a dream... a literal dream... and it needed to be shared. Because it demanded it. And hubby finally said yes to drawing it.

nathanKmcwilliams 2019-03-26 00:17:07 UTC #40

My comic exists because I've had stories for a long time and wanted them to become an animated series down the road. I waited a long time and eventually realized around 30 that if I didn't do something it would never happen.
So I finally started working on it, and I plan to until I can't anymore, whether that's 10 years or 30 years into the future, it doesn't matter. I want to get all of the ideas I've had out, if it gets big, awesome. If it doesn't, awesome, at least I enjoyed making it.

Coati 2019-03-26 00:24:11 UTC #41

Flower Field exists basically because is a kind of story that I always wanted to read, but no one wrote it, so now is my job too put it in this world.

MReddragon 2019-03-26 00:28:02 UTC #42

In my case, i have always loved writing and creating stories. I have a degree in English Literature and loved every second of it.

When it comes to my particular story, I needed it. It's a form of dealing with my past and in a fantastic way, address the trauma deeply rooted in my mind. I grew up in a high control religion (a cult) and recently woke up to the fact that my life was a giant lie from the moment i was born all the way up to 2 years ago. Although i left the cult and I am actively shunned by almost everyone I ever knew, i continued to live my life bound by those oppressive rules from my past. Dissonant Paradise is both my way of dealing with that trauma and to add my voice to that of so many other cult survivors. It may not be literal, it may be fantasy and action in a dystopian world but I love ir. I hope others enjoy it. My deepest hope is that maybe someone struggling with the same issue but who hasn't realized the fact of being in a cult may come across it and get the hit to their cognitive dissonance. When the cracks begin to show, there is no turning back.

Cavechan 2019-03-26 00:44:33 UTC #43

My first long form comic, True Power, exists because I had a dream one night where I was riding around on a magical flashlight. It was a fun dream so I decided to make a comic based around the idea.

I started getting more into space and scifi a bit and I have always been interested in more occult stuff and I wanted to make a comic where I can really screw over the characters. It's fun to make completely normal people go insane! haha.... so that's why I made my current main comic.

Tanako 2019-03-26 02:09:15 UTC #44

Well I will go ahead and talk about mine and hope someone reads it and also takes the time to check it out as well haha! anyway, one time when Smackjeeves was still popular I ran across a comic that featured a overweight character. This story was BL and it captured my interest however about two chapters in the artist dropped it and that sucked because I was interested in reading and seeing where it went.
One day I got a certain inspiration to draw a BL of my own and I wanted it unique. then it hit me. most BL comics always have very sexy male characters and I felt that that was a cliché and since I did indeed enjoy a comic in the past where the main character was obese I felt maybe it was time to put spice in my work and create one similar to that artist. It was a wonderful idea.
despite the great idea of my main character being Obese and ugly, I needed something special about him. I needed him with an interesting personality. one that would make people doubt his innocence. despite not being attractive or having any self-esteem or the willingness to approach people he liked, he was special in his own way. I believe that Braylin is deceptive, a liar and manipulative.
check it out! tell me what you think

RiidDisBuk 2019-03-26 04:54:36 UTC #45

Is it ok if I answer why my novel exists?

KoreanTacos 2019-03-26 05:02:52 UTC #46

I've always been told I'm a bleak person and that my sense of humor can be a little mean spirited, but I do still get a kick when I can make others smile with my sardonic sense of humor.I started this series when I was in a depressed chapter in my life and just let it grow as time went on:

I started this one last year for two reasons, I have a love for the magical girl series, and almost all magical girl series are based in Japan and 9/10 times are set in middle school (which is fine), but I wanted to do it for American high school girls dealing with their social issues and growing up, plus I really like drawing my characters in this series a lot, though this series is still in its baby phase:

vfinnigan 2019-03-26 06:00:52 UTC #47

Sure I write for self expression. I also write military comics because most of the people making history never get their stories told.

imiogri 2019-03-26 13:23:08 UTC #48

Maybe you've seen by now, but his names Patrick Watson! It's both the singers name and the name of his band. A very small Canadian artist, nobody knows him.

Carossmo 2019-03-26 15:58:46 UTC #49

My comic exists because during college, in theology class, we were told to write a love story as a preliminary exam...

Turns out I wanted to broaden the story further so~

simplykit 2019-03-26 16:19:58 UTC #50

thats a really deep question my friend...

and ill be contemplating on it for the next few days...

its exists because of "fate"

RiidDisBuk 2019-03-26 19:07:39 UTC #51

Ooooo! Good answer

Azifri 2019-03-26 19:45:00 UTC #52

My current comic is based on a RPG story created by three friends and myself. I thought that the story turned out quite well and was worth trying to draw it. It also carries many fun memories (like for some reason our characters ended up showing many traits of the players ) and nostalgia, because now we are literally all over the world and it is very unlikely that all of us we will ever meet again in person. By creating this comic I also wanted to obligate myself to draw scenes and topics I would otherwise not do, and so far it has been a really good exercise.

It also exists because I'm not brave enough to post a story created 100% by myself

eleoza 2019-03-26 21:26:44 UTC #53

My comic exists cuz of a joke. Not gonna get too much into it but it started to annoy a BL hating friend. (he supports it now xD)

That's been 3 years ago now and I never thought this would actually get serious. But I'm proud of how far I've come with it. Especially since I never got any kind of spotlight or any other staff attention (as far as I know)

But that's how it came to exist, it continued to exists cuz of the support and love from readers and because I'm happy making comics.

storytimebiondi 2019-03-27 00:21:21 UTC #54

Hello and welcome, @KitKat

My series is The Stone Gods, a whimsical fantasy-drama that I conceived of in a dream in 2015.
As with any of my writing, it's half writing for my own enjoyment, and half writing to pursue a grander idea and sharing some of my own explorations on how we treat each other as people. Pretty general as ideas go, but the theme is more-or-less acceptance of one's true self, and learning how to accept others based on who they are.
When I wrote this I attempted to write it without any real villains. If you read it, you may see that there are some clear people who are villains, but in keeping with Vonnegut's style, they're just people with their own ideas of right and wrong, based on their own situation.
Not to mention, I do channel some of my own experiences growing up in this comic. Won't specify where