Jason Konopinski is to blame for this post. Although I have contemplated writing a post about why I draw comics for a few months, I usually set the topic aside in favor of other subjects. I was content with that reality until Jason published his post about why he podcasts. I then had to ask myself, “Do people wonder why I draw comics?” With that thought, I resolved to write about why I draw the Write Right comics.
I draw the comics for a couple of reasons. The first is an organic one. I originally started drawing the comics so that I would have something fun to share with Facebook fans. The comics, though, were not yet the Write Right ones. They simply related to the month or a particular event. It wasn’t until I drew my Write Right girl and made her my logo that I thought about developing a Write Right comic. It took a few months to develop the idea; it was born in November 2011 but didn’t see any marked growth until March 2012. The March comic ushered in a new era for Write Right: a monthly comic, one that featured Write Right and her constant companion, red pen.
The second reason is that the comics illustrate my belief in transmedia storytelling; that is, telling stories in different ways. When I draw a comic, I aim to tell a story in a single pane. I sometimes don’t offer any commentary with the comic. I want the art to stand on its own. If I do offer commentary, it’s usually to explain what or who inspired the comic. The e-book is slightly different; the illustrations were meant to supplement and enhance the written word.
The third reason is that drawing comics is fun. I love my Write Right girl. I like devising new adventures for her. I enjoy figuring out how to incorporate her red pen; to me, it’s a little bit like Where’s Waldo? but on a much smaller and more sane scale.
The fourth reason is that drawing comics poses a challenge. Each comic is more complicated than the last, although it may be hard to tell at times. The simpler comics usually have some difficult element: a five-fingered hand or heeled shoes. The more complicated ones, such as “Write Right Dreams of a Dragon,” prove difficult because of perspective (not my strong suit by any means) or details, such as a posse of Peeps or a mound of treasure.
Why do I draw comics? I draw comics because they’re fun. They’re challenging. They indicate my passion for both the written word and the visual arts. They communicate my belief that both elements are necessary to sharing one’s story and to reaching one’s audience.
I like being blamed for this sort of thing. 😀
jasonkonopinski I usually don’t get to blame anybody. It’s a nice change. 🙂
I like the scale of the pen on your logo and the attitude of you character. BTW, in case I missed it, what’s her name?
rdopping She doesn’t have one. She’s just my Write Right girl. 🙂
It’s pretty helpful to explain to folks why you do what you do. I think some people take it as a bit self promotional, but I always find these types of posts interesting. I really appreciate cartoons and art as great visual methods of storytelling. Keep doing what you are doing!
geoffliving Thanks, sir! I shall continue.
Fun + challenging: those words should provide the foundation for all the work we do. It’s that tantalizing mixture of the easy and the hard that brings out our very best, most authentic selves. It’s what makes Write Girl so charming.
P.S. I like red pens too.
magriebler One of my acquaintances has suggested I incorporate color into the comics, namely with the pen.
Yes, if things are too easy, you can’t grow. If they’re too hard, you can break. The easy and the hard have to meet together somehow.
Erin F. And it’s at that intersection that things get interesting!
The pen would look great with a touch of red. It’s amazing what kind of impact it can have.
magriebler I may introduce color starting in January. December’s already is set to go.
Those are excellent reasons to draw comics. I have played with drawing in the past, but never for any length of time so that I might develop real skill. It is on my life list, to take a class. I’m sure I’d enjoy it. How long does one of your comics take you to complete?
ExtremelyAvg Just be picky about where and from whom you take the class. My first drawing class was intense. Of course, it was for college credit. Intensity probably was to be expected.
The comics can take anywhere from two to four hours (occasionally more) to complete. It depends on how complex they are.