Livejournal Thread 4: Can't kill what's already dead inside

[Laemkral]

I'm just a bit wired from adrenaline and over tiredness. My body thinks its nearly 2am but my mind is saying "Screw you, it's only 7:45PM, so your next flight isn't for another 11 hours. Which means I need to be up at 4:30 so I can check in, get breakfast, and make it through security. Yay backward planning, you always ruin my fun.

[RobboAKAscooby]

Is it the review?

I don't know why it's affecting me so bad, I'm no stranger to harsh reviews. You and Serge have both torn my work apart and I found it encouraging - I was expecting a bad review, but I wasn't expecting to feel like a bad person.

I should be working on this weekend's pages now as I have Soundwave on tomorrow but I just can't.

[McDuffies]

Well it does implicitly attack you personally. If it helps I think we all have a period where we let our libido drive our writing, at the expense of quality of writing. Which is why you get to grow out of that phase eventually. I realized I actually don't remember how old you are, but at a certain age you are most likely to make the kind of comics you do. I used to draw comics that were pretty similar in tone and motivation. Except that since I'm 90 years old, back then internet wasn't so common, so byproducts of my artistic (and otherwise) growing up aren't on display for other people to see. I don't know if it's something that would console you or scare you, but ten years later I was capable of drawing things that I'm proud of even today.
Sticking to writing wouldn't help anyway, since it wasn't your drawing he was criticizing.

[RobboAKAscooby]

Well it does implicitly attack you personally. If it helps I think we all have a period where we let our libido drive our writing, at the expense of quality of writing. Which is why you get to grow out of that phase eventually.

That's the thing (fan-service aside) there's very little personal libido motivation going on. Sexuality is certainly a theme as it is supposed to be a coming of age story (like Fast Times at Ridgemont High for example) and 16/17 year olds often have sex on the mind. A mix of humour and seriousness maybe not so suited to my colourful style.

Sticking to writing wouldn't help anyway, since it wasn't your drawing he was criticizing.

True but at least with my writing I can get the whole story across a little easier, subtextual and intent things are easier in writing than art (for me anyway).


Anyway I'm gonna go have lunch now and then try to get some work done.
Thanks for listening McD

[LibertyCabbage]

If you think I came across as personally attacking or bullying you, then I apologize, as that wasn't my intention.

Obviously you're a little upset, so I'll come back to the comic discussion in a few days to give you a chance to cool off.

[Aster Azul]

Hey guys! Popped in to say "hi"! What am I missing? What's going on in this thread? I MUST KNOW!

[robotthepirate]

Y' know I've never quite worked out what this topic is.

[Laemkral]

Y' know I've never quite worked out what this topic is.

The same random crap you would put on your livejournal/MySpace/xanga/Facebook/whatever where you bitch and moan and talk about your life. This thread is about you and what's going on.

[Risky]

Hey guys! Popped in to say "hi"! What am I missing? What's going on in this thread? I MUST KNOW!

Hey bro. I think this thread will answer most of your questions: http://forums.comicgenesis.com/viewtopi ... 0#p1594080

[peterabnny]

Seeing Scooby's plight reminds me of my own eternal question as to which is worse, having your work criticized or having your work ignored?

[Aster Azul]

I understand everything now!

[RobboAKAscooby]

Seeing Scooby's plight reminds me of my own eternal question as to which is worse, having your work criticized or having your work ignored?

Criticism is a good thing, I wholeheartedly encourage it as a way to improve your work.

[McDuffies]

Having your work ignored is worse because it leads you nowhere, and also it's in general more depressing. For all intents and purposes you're not liked, but you don't even know why. However being criticized is something that gets used to.

[VeryCuddlyCornpone]

I am wondering if I am lactose intolerant. I've been having some bad reactions to milks and cheeses lately, though it's not consistent and doesn't always happen every time, which makes things a little worse because I never know whether today is going to be an okay day or not.

I'm so picky with food, I really can't afford to eliminate much from my diet. ffffffuuuuuu

[peterabnny]

Having your work ignored is worse because it leads you nowhere, and also it's in general more depressing. For all intents and purposes you're not liked, but you don't even know why. However being criticized is something that gets used to.

Absolutely! Conversely, if your stuff is being read and liked, you'd want to hear about it, as it makes you feel good about what you do and gives you the impetus to keep going.

I personally have always thought that getting nothing - my own creative affliction - is worse. I hear so little in the way of feedback if not for my webhost keeping stats I'd have absolutely no idea if I'm being read or not. Hell, at this point I'd be happy with a "YOU SUCK!!" At least then I'd know for sure I'm being read. I truly know what Twain felt when he said, "I could live two months on a compliment."

[Risky]

I am wondering if I am lactose intolerant. I've been having some bad reactions to milks and cheeses lately, though it's not consistent and doesn't always happen every time, which makes things a little worse because I never know whether today is going to be an okay day or not.

I'm so picky with food, I really can't afford to eliminate much from my diet. ffffffuuuuuu

If it's weird like that, some days good, some days bad, but probably lactose, then you might consider eating more probiotic stuff, like yogurt or kefir. Helps you digest dairy.

[VeryCuddlyCornpone]

Hmmm, good to know. I'll keep an eye out. Thanks, Risky!

[McDuffies]

I personally have always thought that getting nothing - my own creative affliction - is worse. I hear so little in the way of feedback if not for my webhost keeping stats I'd have absolutely no idea if I'm being read or not. Hell, at this point I'd be happy with a "YOU SUCK!!" At least then I'd know for sure I'm being read. I truly know what Twain felt when he said, "I could live two months on a compliment."

I dunno, if someone says "you suck" I think that's pretty plainly saying "I don't read your comic, I just read it this one time" It's true that if your comic is terrible it will get more response than if it's mediocre or even passable, but even if you know your comic is fine as far as skills go, silence coupled with low ratings may give you an impression that it's simply boring. But very often it seems that silence is a sign that there's nothing instantly catchy in your comic, nothing to lure people who stumble onto your comic to actually read it, no visual hook or anything. There's so much stuff on internet, one can't blame people for judging things by one glance.

[RobboAKAscooby]

I personally have always thought that getting nothing - my own creative affliction - is worse. I hear so little in the way of feedback if not for my webhost keeping stats I'd have absolutely no idea if I'm being read or not. Hell, at this point I'd be happy with a "YOU SUCK!!" At least then I'd know for sure I'm being read. I truly know what Twain felt when he said, "I could live two months on a compliment."

I dunno, if someone says "you suck" I think that's pretty plainly saying "I don't read your comic, I just read it this one time" It's true that if your comic is terrible it will get more response than if it's mediocre or even passable, but even if you know your comic is fine as far as skills go, silence coupled with low ratings may give you an impression that it's simply boring. But very often it seems that silence is a sign that there's nothing instantly catchy in your comic, nothing to lure people who stumble onto your comic to actually read it, no visual hook or anything. There's so much stuff on internet, one can't blame people for judging things by one glance.

I'd second that.

And if you ever do get the "You suck!" kind of feedback don't respond, just delete it, otherwise you risk being known as that guy, which will boost your numbers for a while but not in a good way.

Also if you want some real feedback peterabnny go ask for reviews/critiques in TT&T, feel free to start your own topic there.

[peterabnny]

I dunno, if someone says "you suck" I think that's pretty plainly saying "I don't read your comic, I just read it this one time" It's true that if your comic is terrible it will get more response than if it's mediocre or even passable, but even if you know your comic is fine as far as skills go, silence coupled with low ratings may give you an impression that it's simply boring. But very often it seems that silence is a sign that there's nothing instantly catchy in your comic, nothing to lure people who stumble onto your comic to actually read it, no visual hook or anything. There's so much stuff on internet, one can't blame people for judging things by one glance.

I guess of all the theories I tried why a just can't seem to get things to take off, that perhaps makes the most sense. I've been accused of playing things too safe, but then the question becomes, "Well, how can I hook readers without turning the strip into yet another typical, sex-drenched furry cartoon?" I've had one guy suggest that I "shake things up, rock my characters' worlds" which I'm trying to do now. But other than that, I dunno.

I'd second that.

And if you ever do get the "You suck!" kind of feedback don't respond, just delete it, otherwise you risk being known as that guy, which will boost your numbers for a while but not in a good way.

Also if you want some real feedback peterabnny go ask for reviews/critiques in TT&T, feel free to start your own topic there.

You know, I think I'll do just that. I keep forgetting about TT&T. It's like going to a cool multilevel nightclub and forgetting about the other level(s). I'm used to bad press; I'm not used to people giving a crap. I always welcome the chance to chat with a reviewer when they're done with a critique. Furries have to make the worst kind of reveiwers; seems you'll have no end of them who'll give their opinions, but you'll be hard-pressed to find one who will respond back to your questions or clarifications in a dialogue setting. In fact I had one critique my comic once, and pretty well trashed it. When I tried to talk to him about it, he accused me of attacking him and wanted a mutual friend to intervene in his behalf!

Incidently, I read through your advice threads there. Good stuff! Thanks, Scooby!