Managing your time to make a comic – the art of having no life
April 6th, 2010 |
How does one go about making a comic – while still maintaining some sort of semblance of a social life?
It’s a question I have had to ask myself a few times lately. One would think that making your own webcomic would be a rock star life style. Shouldn’t I have made a successful creation and sold out a million times over so that I can drive a Lamborghini, live in the Hollywood Hills and then lose my fortune on a debaucherous trip to Vegas?
Okay, maybe I wouldn’t go that far.
In actuality I am finding that keeping the regular webcomic updates and still trying to have a normal life is a balancing act that I have yet to master. I’m treating the “making a comic” process, like a second job. Trying to do a minimum of set hours per night on it after the day job. Usually a good chunk of the weekend is allocated to it too. It leaves me little wriggle room to just have some lazy down time. Thankfully with the help of a friend or two, and the support of my wife, it hasn’t been too terrible.
Isn’t it hard enough that I have to manage my twitter account? Meeting up with friends on social outings means I have to put on an SPF 1500 sunblock, just so my pasty white skin can take a little UV exposure after countless hours of being locked away beside a computer. My attire is usually a failure for said outing as well. I really didn’t think through the choice to put on a white tee shirt and then go out to meet people for Ramen.
There is no easy answer I guess. The webcomic is important for me to do, so letting go things like seeing movies often and reading comics get put on the back burner until I can find some time to get around to it. Going out and shooting the shit with friends is important though. It reminds me that I allowed to go out and do stuff every now and again, and it keeps the wife happy. That makes life easier in the long run!
The juggling act will continue. What should I do? Are there any decent iphone apps or proceedures I should be using to better plan my life? I’m open to suggestions!
Meanwhile. The iPad came out this weekend. It’s not yet available here in New Zealand, and i am really curious to see one in action. The Marvel app looks amazing, it’s just a shame that at this point Marvel only wants to dip their toes in the water and not offer everything they can. People should be able to download books that are on the stands right now! Otherwise it seems like wasted potential. I’ve had the app running on my iPhone, and it works very nicely.
Thanks for reading
Marc
I have no clue about this balancing a webcomic with having a life thing. I quit my day job, moved to the middle of nowhere, gave up on any semblance of a social life and became a hermit 3 years ago in order to do mine :p
@Jimmy I don’t know if my wife would appreciate that. I’m glad it’s working for you though man! Ha ha.
Aaah, yes. I understand this. When i was doing the strip for critic I was working, studying and doing excessive volunteering which was essentially another 2 jobs. Often i’d get the strip in a few hours before deadline, but was pleased i never missed a deadline. Now, i’m just working and studying, and can count the comic as course work, which makes it easier… but it’s still a huge management process, thank god it’s just a little weekly strip, i can’t imagine what it’d be like to work towards publishing and selling as well!!
This was a great strip done by Erika Moen that feels pretty awesome: http://www.darcomic.org/2009/10/06/beanartist/
@SJ Ohhh! That was a very cool comic. Thanks for the link there. Life is a balancing act I guess. It’s fun to try and accommodate these things, but I must admit, I really wanna see “Boy” at the films soon if I can find the time!
The balancing act at my place is more of a juggling act.
In all the frustation for me it seems to help keep the creative juices flowing, though there has to be a better way to manage it.
You’re doing a fantastic job Mark, great to hear you have an awesome support team too. Keep it up!
@HotRob Hey thanks man, I appreciate it! Nice to see you swinging by the site!