galileo
New Member
there are plenty of spiders!
Posts: 47
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Post by galileo on Aug 8, 2012 4:33:48 GMT
Well, I saw over on the Jones thread, someone had linked a very recent interview that Tom gave about Gunnerkrigg and the trials and tribulations (along with the glory and warm fuzzies) of creating a web comic, and getting to the point of going full time on the comic. I thought maybe we could discuss it here? The link is below to the article: "Welcome back to Newsarama’s Wide World of Webcomics, our ongoing look at the best of the web! Today, we take a trip to a spooky school that’s become one of the most popular all-ages comics online..."www.newsarama.com/comics/wide-world-webcomics-gunnerkrigg-court.htmlMy thoughts: It was really interesting to learn that he had the whole comic planned out, the major events anyways, and it reminded me of J.K. Rowling and a few others who've professed to working this way. I thought it showed real organization! Whenever I write, I just run at the storyline until I lose steam. Mayhaps this is a good tactic to employ...because it leaves room for spontaneity, too! He only WRITES writes it chapter by chapter. Another really important point he touched upon which I think people take for granted sometimes is his consistency with posting. He ALWAYS posts on time! It was hard for me, years ago, because this was one of the first webcomics I got into, and then going to others, and not getting a page for a few days after the post date...I got real thankful of Gunnerkrigg's consistency! I can definitely see that lending to this comic's popularity and return viewership. (And a small fanboy squee moment: I love that he loves doing those gorgeous splash pages! They're always so gorgeous!) |
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Post by GK Sierra on Aug 8, 2012 6:34:22 GMT
I loved reading it too! I was especially interested to hear how he developed the plot itself, and how he's changed as a writer.
I could never commit to a project without having a rough idea of how it is going to end and what major twists are going on along the way, so in that regard I guess we are somewhat similar. Nanowrimo was impossible for me because there wasn't time to make obsessive plot arc notes. The creative polish comes in the little moments that almost spring to life on their own. That's where the real fun is for me: being secure in the knowledge that you've got your outline and you can stray or follow it as closely as you please without getting confused. That's when the magic starts.
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galileo
New Member
there are plenty of spiders!
Posts: 47
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Post by galileo on Aug 8, 2012 7:06:28 GMT
Yes, it's definitely a writing style I NEED to try out! I actually just read a post you made, Colin (I looked your name up on your Intro post because I like to know people's names haha), about the perseverance of writing and submitting and rinse and repeat until one gets published eventually and how you really need to stick with it to make a place for yourself and your work. I think the way in which you (and Tom) create the bare bones for your work and go from there really helps eliminate the struggles common amongst writers in regards to writer's block.
I'm huge on organization, in my life and in my head, it's so weird that I never really tried it in my writing before!
On another note, it's great to hear about possible side comics and in tandem projects he's cooking up right now! I can't wait to experience those. To diversify is to survive!
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notacat
Full Member
That's not me, that's my late cat Mimi: I'm not nearly so cute
Posts: 188
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Post by notacat on Aug 8, 2012 9:39:30 GMT
I feel somewhat harsh wishing that they'd edited the interview a little better. Missing words and the like are all very well on a personal blog, but on what purports to be a professional site (or near equivalent) it's not so impressive.
I did feel that Tom came across well, though, so no-harm-no-foul applies, I guess!
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Post by GK Sierra on Aug 8, 2012 15:28:25 GMT
Yes, it's definitely a writing style I NEED to try out! I actually just read a post you made, Colin (I looked your name up on your Intro post because I like to know people's names haha), about the perseverance of writing and submitting and rinse and repeat until one gets published eventually and how you really need to stick with it to make a place for yourself and your work. I think the way in which you (and Tom) create the bare bones for your work and go from there really helps eliminate the struggles common amongst writers in regards to writer's block. I'm huge on organization, in my life and in my head, it's so weird that I never really tried it in my writing before! On another note, it's great to hear about possible side comics and in tandem projects he's cooking up right now! I can't wait to experience those. To diversify is to survive! Oh, somebody who knows my name, righteous! Yeah, it really helps writer's block if you're not stopping in the midst of your flow to worry about what twist is going to happen next. I also cannot wait for Tom's other comics. The way he describes it, he has a LOT more free time now. I am anxious to see what else Tom has in mind for other works. Not that I want GKC to end, of course, but I will definitely be following his career with great interest far into the future. |
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galileo
New Member
there are plenty of spiders!
Posts: 47
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Post by galileo on Aug 9, 2012 4:01:55 GMT
Yeah, also some new merch...like maaaaaybe those beautiful hoodies in the fanart section.......would be amazing.
I've already started day dreaming about different stories and settings he might be drawn to in the future!
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Post by GK Sierra on Aug 9, 2012 5:49:09 GMT
Yeah, also some new merch...like maaaaaybe those beautiful hoodies in the fanart section.......would be amazing. I've already started day dreaming about different stories and settings he might be drawn to in the future! Oh hells yeah, those were solid gold. I'm tempted to get out some heavy duty sharpies and attempt my own on a blank template jacket. |
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galileo
New Member
there are plenty of spiders!
Posts: 47
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Post by galileo on Aug 9, 2012 13:52:48 GMT
If you do, you must share your results!!! I was thinking maybe an iron on would work for the Reynard plushie symbol at least...but what I love about that design is the integration of his two appearances. Alas... I think a Jones story arc should be followed by some Jones merch though  |
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zolen
Junior Member
Smile, it creeps people out
Posts: 63
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Post by zolen on Aug 12, 2012 10:36:24 GMT
There be a reason why you plan out important events when you write something and when most writers myself included write something. Not only does it give you a level of consistency, but you're not running blind. It helps to set specific points in advance, "goals" to reach to keep yourself from "loosing steam" and getting distracted by lazy. Tis not easy to write a story, long or short, but it's kind of impossible to write a story if your heads empty and just throwing out words.
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Post by legion on Aug 12, 2012 14:38:23 GMT
I found it's perfectly possible to improvise a story as you go. The key words are "re-read" and "re-write".
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galileo
New Member
there are plenty of spiders!
Posts: 47
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Post by galileo on Aug 12, 2012 18:22:10 GMT
I found it's perfectly possible to improvise a story as you go. The key words are "re-read" and "re-write". Yeah, I've had success before, writing as I go, but I'm excited to try this other method! My head was never "empty", as zolen put it, but it definitely makes it hard to stick to a plan if you change your mind a lot! |
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Post by GK Sierra on Aug 12, 2012 19:44:38 GMT
I found it's perfectly possible to improvise a story as you go. The key words are "re-read" and "re-write". Exactly. During the first draft the phone calls are going out and the guests are all arriving. The revision stage is where the party really gets going. |
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