Comic Genesis Forums

I've been pretty frustrated lately. Work doesn't really get in the way of me doing my comics and review site, but living with my girlfriend and her 4 yr old does. It's hard to do concentrate on reading, writing, and drawing when Dylan is running around or saying "watch me! watch me!" every five minutes. When she's at work, I watch him. Daycare? Can't afford it right now. And if it's not him, it's her coming home from work wanting affection or attention. Don't get me wrong, I love her and care about them a lot, but I NEED time alone. It's why I haven't had a lot of updates up lately, just can't find time to do the sites. We are going to be living apart around the beginning of the year though, because it's just not working out like this. Does anyone else deal with situations like this, or other things that impede the creative process?

Sorry, but semi-offence intended, FAR TOO MUCH INFO!!

As of now, a work-related injury means my right arm has its ligaments twisted in places where they shouldn't be. Now that puts a dampener on anything I do.

Redtech wrote:Sorry, but semi-offence intended, FAR TOO MUCH INFO!!

As of now, a work-related injury means my right arm has its ligaments twisted in places where they shouldn't be. Now that puts a dampener on anything I do.

Dudes just trying to vent, give him a break


- I can see where you're coming from though, my uni work tends to take up my time

School camp, school concert practice, report writing coming up in a few weeks, professional development session for four hours after work, Christmas activities, and I've been lured into cricket training twice a week and a game all Saturday.

But they're things I've either chosen to participate in or are integral parts of my job, and the job is generally more fun than the comic anyway, so I'm not complaining.

Next weekend though the lawnmowing will get in the way... I lost my in there last week.

Drinking.

My rather nomadic nature has prevented me from having living space that has felt like my own, let alone a proper work space, for the last several years. I've managed to get work done while sitting in pubs and the like, but this has led me to focus mainly on more short-term projects. So, not having a more permanent base of operations has taken its toll on my productivity. It would be nice to be able to un-bury my drafting table, and create an area that is specifically devoted to my artwork. I'm moving again on Wednesday, and, hopefully, this will be a more permanent living situation. I plan to get my drafting table out of storage, and put it to good use again.

Lack of anything to stress about.

My biggest time consumer is summer. All my free time has been dealing with car clubs and shows. And a web site. With winter I might be able to make more toons. We'll see.

As for dealing with girlfriends, sometimes you just need to schedule some alone time. Grab a pad and pencils and head to the local coffee shop. Make sure she understands it's your time, and give two hours and stick to it. Worked for me once.

I'm a college student so I HAVE a lot of time, but there's a lot of distractions and big projects that I need to focus on besides my comic. I try to be really consistant with comic releases and having everything come out on time, but sometimes I just can't make a deadline.

The biggest thing that ever gets in my way from doing my comic is video games. I really don't have any thing else to do, I had a job for a while, but I quit it because it sucked.

Guess I have a lot of freedom, wont last for much longer though, so don't be envious. You know the story of the ants and the grasshopper? Yeah, I'll be freezing for a few winters thats for sure, I'll survive though...or become a crack addict hah!

A lot of the time, it's just making myself do it. I've gotten really tired and lazy lately, so just sitting down and making myself draw is kind of a hassle.

Uhm... ironically enough, the comic gets in the way of the comic.

I'll esplain. I co-write the strip with a friend. She writes one set of characters, or "roles" and I write the other set, or "roles" and then we hash or "play" out the script. Okay, so, the comic is basically scripted by roleplaying out what goes on. But, still. Anyway, playing out the comic gets in the way of me actually working on it. On the other hand, I have someone to nag me about working on it, and tons and tons of script.

geekblather wrote:Uhm... ironically enough, the comic gets in the way of the comic.

I'll esplain. I co-write the strip with a friend. She writes one set of characters, or "roles" and I write the other set, or "roles" and then we hash or "play" out the script. Okay, so, the comic is basically scripted by roleplaying out what goes on. But, still. Anyway, playing out the comic gets in the way of me actually working on it. On the other hand, I have someone to nag me about working on it, and tons and tons of script.

Mine is the exact same way.

I get my alone time by sleeping when everyone else is awake, and being awake while everyone else is asleep. It really is a lovely little system. There are three people in my house, and I've gone a solid two days before without leaving and still not seen anyone.

If I were forced to be awake during normal hours, I simply couldn't live here.

My wife doesn't really understand my need for "alone time". I grew up in a small town of 300 people in Canada. She grew up in a city of one million people that she considers just a step above a small town. Still, over four years of marriage we've worked out a system to keep both of us happy.

Reading internet news is the biggest obstacle to my comic-making.

I've been taking a lot of time with my 17th episode because it's using different perspectives and a lot of metallic objects. My usual comics are far simpler where it comes to perspectives and metallic objects get slightly different shading. Just looking at what's ahead of me is very demotivating. Luckily, I had two holiday episodes I needed to finish in the mean time and could take a break from the complicated one without abandoning the comic in any way.

Looking for a new job and drawing school make me have only one day/week to draw my comic. Lívia knows Monday nights are for this, and that's why the whole weekend is for her

Mainly work and travelling, but personal life is hard to keep, being in touch with friends or meeting new people.
I mainly draw when watching a movie or TV and I use to write ideas in a notepad for scripts (and keep losing it) so is easier for me to go on.

Uncaringmachine wrote:I've been pretty frustrated lately. Work doesn't really get in the way of me doing my comics and review site, but living with my girlfriend and her 4 yr old does. It's hard to do concentrate on reading, writing, and drawing when Dylan is running around or saying "watch me! watch me!" every five minutes. When she's at work, I watch him. Daycare? Can't afford it right now. And if it's not him, it's her coming home from work wanting affection or attention. Don't get me wrong, I love her and care about them a lot, but I NEED time alone. It's why I haven't had a lot of updates up lately, just can't find time to do the sites. We are going to be living apart around the beginning of the year though, because it's just not working out like this. Does anyone else deal with situations like this, or other things that impede the creative process?

I've been married for 27 years and had three kids, two autistic and in need of special help. There's no doubt they can be a distraction, both your lover and the kids, but you can manage...(I've been doing a webcomic for what, five years now...?

And in the long run---the really long run---the relationship will be more productive and mean more.

Try to outline some time you need to do your stuff and see if you can get your lover to agree. I usually use the computer between 8 to ten most nights, and whenever I get up earlier than I need to in the morning. She uses it other times, and we both attend our kids as needed. (Of course, now one is gone and one is out of the house, and my remaining kid can pretty much take care of himself.)

When they KNOW it's "your time" they'll start to work around it...but still clamor for attention other times. Which is as it should be.---Al

I'm just lazy.