Confessions of a Comic Book Creator (update topic)

[ty gorton]

I have been working in comics for about 5 years now. Most of that time was spent toiling on submissions and trying to get material in print. Getting Runes of Ragnan accepted at Image/Shadowline late 2005 was a big step.

I am releasing a series of articles that share what I've learned about comics. There is NO reason others should have to suffer the same mistakes I did trying to get a book out there. The articles are full of advice about how to produce comics, how to connect with talent, what to expect, and the essentials you'll need to succeed.

Please check them out if you are interested in a career in comics. I'm putting a lot of hours in for the sole purpose of helping others get a head start on their goal.

NEWEST ARTICLE:

7.10.06 - Evolving Beyond the Boogeyman of Idea Theft (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=142770429&MyToken=279c3fec-0265-4f2f-8eb1-90e9679c87df)

PREVIOUS ARTICLES:

5.13.06 - The Value of Truth (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=120639697&MyToken=ead6a744-9912-49d6-af90-f8d210864ecd)

4.27.06 - Changing Perceptions: The Day to Day Battle (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=114918688&MyToken=24e6a51b-520e-437d-9b7d-a6a902882bd4)

4.24.06 - Technology and the Struggle for Control (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=113590331&MyToken=d091c4d6-68ed-4d7f-bc91-595b53b251ae)

4.21.06 - Hello Mr. Deadline, Let�s Do Business (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=112578930&MyToken=d9e5bc0a-5c05-47cb-b8e1-5e43a99b79f5)

4.17.06 - Finding Your Voice in a Culture of Fake Believe (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=110839783&MyToken=c8c6d986-825f-4a2b-bc45-57e09ed62d65)

4.15.06 - Diamond Previews and the Power of Issue #1 (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=110839783&MyToken=b3e7dcd0-6f94-4bd8-b45b-99ff42f123ac)

4.13.06 - Being Good Isn�t Good Enough (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=109491052&MyToken=4767f274-c056-4147-b4c3-83aa2e878f3d)

4.10.06 - MONEY and the Infinite Lack There Of (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=108495383&MyToken=fdaad9be-f3fa-47ce-8f6f-80a25982810e)

4.02.06 - Take Two Ashley Woods and Call Me When You Kick Ass (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=105236545&MyToken=fdaad9be-f3fa-47ce-8f6f-80a25982810e)

3.28.06 - The Art of Productivity: Conquering Creative Block (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=103251975&MyToken=fdaad9be-f3fa-47ce-8f6f-80a25982810e)

3.27.06 - We Are The Guardians of Legend (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=102663587&MyToken=63b2ee82-a495-45d9-84a4-2bc364aa5f6e)

3.23.06 - The Power of Simplicity: Genre and Title (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=101314626&MyToken=c5a3e30a-48a3-4847-b00b-59b987873e04)

3.22.06 - Submissions: The 5 Page Trap (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=100854751&MyToken=6302739d-ad00-428b-b008-1da2613149e2)

3.21.06 - Zero to Comic Book Page Part 02: Stages 4 to Finished (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=100654819&MyToken=f36c304a-ed1e-4181-b2de-cf555a151675)

Zero to Comic Book Page Part 01: Stages 1-3 of Production (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=100337650&MyToken=a6c842de-50b4-4c95-98e2-abcf37178f4f)

The Web Factor Part 01: Connecting With Talent (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=99993102&MyToken=d78d848e-f097-48c1-b68b-900018a07a2e)

The Myth of More (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=99725969&MyToken=46b5512e-89d0-48d9-9a7d-b27c1e058889)

The Art of Collaboration: Writing for Artists (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=99605534&MyToken=46b5512e-89d0-48d9-9a7d-b27c1e058889)

Ten Essentials for Creating Comics (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=99179758&MyToken=46b5512e-89d0-48d9-9a7d-b27c1e058889)

http://www.joshmedors.com/ror/myspace/confessionssubscribebanner.jpg (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ConfirmSubscribe&friendID=44370677)

[ty gorton]

NEWEST ARTICLE:

3.22.06 - Submissions: The 5 Page Trap (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=100854751&MyToken=6302739d-ad00-428b-b008-1da2613149e2)

[ty gorton]

NEWEST ARTICLE:

3.23.06 - The Power of Simplicity: Genre and Title (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=101314626&MyToken=c5a3e30a-48a3-4847-b00b-59b987873e04)

[ty gorton]

NEWEST ARTICLE:

3.27.06 - We Are The Guardians of Legend (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=102663587&MyToken=63b2ee82-a495-45d9-84a4-2bc364aa5f6e)

[Origami]

Thanks for the info :D

[ty gorton]

no problem Origami.

NEWEST ARTICLE:

4.13.06 - Being Good Isn’t Good Enough (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=109491052&MyToken=4767f274-c056-4147-b4c3-83aa2e878f3d)

[ty gorton]

NEWEST ARTICLE:

4.15.06 - Diamond Previews and the Power of Issue #1 (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=109908888&MyToken=15d413ba-60f5-462c-8f8f-dfac1fbbedff)

[Nikita]

Hi. Great articles, but do you really have to create your own website these days? I'm not computer savy enough to do that and I live paycheck to paycheck, so I can't even afford to pay someone to do it for me no matter how cheap they might be.

Just out of curiosity, how much of your own money do you have to invest in getting yourself started out there? (I only have artwork so far, I'm nowhere near ready for any of this yet but I'm just curious)

[ty gorton]

Well, you can get creative if you absolutely don't have $200 bucks to get a website going (which is what you could get one setup and designed for if you find the right person).

MySpace is an option...it's a way of having a "site", posting content, and having an online pressence. There are other free sites you can utlize as well. But you SHOULD have an online pressence if you're going to try and make it in comics, somewhere you can direct people to check out your work etc.

And yes, you will have to spend some money most likely. Even if you have a publisher etc., odds are you'll have to go to some conventions, which always costs a bit. Artist can make money at the shows though, if they do sketches and people like their stuff. Writers have a much harder time...all they can do is sell books and as a small publisher/self publisher, having books and making profit on them can be tricky.

It is an uphill battle, but one that can be won. It takes patience, work, and some smart choices. a LOT of patience though, rushing into things and pushing things when you're not ready is something that ruins a lot of creators.

[ty gorton]

NEWEST ARTICLE:

4.17.06 - Finding Your Voice in a Culture of Fake Believe (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=110839783&MyToken=c8c6d986-825f-4a2b-bc45-57e09ed62d65)

[ty gorton]

NEWEST ARTICLE:

4.21.06 - Hello Mr. Deadline, Let�s Do Business (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=112578930&MyToken=d9e5bc0a-5c05-47cb-b8e1-5e43a99b79f5)

[ty gorton]

NEWEST ARTICLE:

4.24.06 - Technology and the Struggle for Control (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=113590331&MyToken=d091c4d6-68ed-4d7f-bc91-595b53b251ae)

[ty gorton]

NEWEST ARTICLE:

4.27.06 - Changing Perceptions: The Day to Day Battle (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=114918688&MyToken=24e6a51b-520e-437d-9b7d-a6a902882bd4)

[ty gorton]

NEWEST ARTICLE:

5.13.06 - The Value of Truth (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=120639697&MyToken=ead6a744-9912-49d6-af90-f8d210864ecd)

[ty gorton]

NEWEST ARTICLE:

7.10.06 - Evolving Beyond the Boogeyman of Idea Theft (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=44370677&blogID=142770429&MyToken=279c3fec-0265-4f2f-8eb1-90e9679c87df)