If anyone had told me I had an analytical mind I’d have laguhed at them. Actually, if I told anyone I had an analytical mind they’d probably laugh at me. But I guess I do. This insight has been revealed to me as I try to come up with some ideas for comics and I realised it’s pretty much how I always try and come up with ideas for any story, or illustration. Instead of being struck by inspiration, or just letting my mind wander (although I have done that) I tend to think things through more methodically. So with the comic stuff I’m trying to come up with the process goes like this -
It’s meant to be manga-esque so I look at some manga + the very excellent Manga book by Paul Gravett I got last Christmas.
I think about what happens in a lot of manga, what ideas, etc keep cropping up.
I think about how that could translate into western ideas.
I list random names, things, creatures, events that are suggested by looking at these things, or just because I like them.
I then try and put these things together and see if any of them fit together comfortably or in a pleasingly uncomfortable manner.
I look at what I’ve got and vow never to waste my time ever again.
I’m not sure I mind this method of working (apart from the last bit, but at least I’m learning to ignore that niggly small minded little voice that tells me I’m no good - he’s talking to me now) but romantically I like the idea of bolt out of the blue blinding flashes of inspiration. Sometimes the kind of ideas that just come seemingly out of nowhere are just better somehow, they have a freewheeling sense of fun and their own logic that allows anything to happen. I guess one way of working seems cold and mechanic and the other way seems magical and human. The truth is that it’s the end result that’s important not the process, but I just wish it was all a bit easier.
15 comments:
I'm the same with all of my writing Paul. I would prefer excellent inspiration where the story writes itself, but it never happens. The concept is excellent, the story is logical and methodical, which takes the romance out of writing.
Oh and the little voice is in all of us. It's stopped me completing a full piece of writing for a while now.
'Manga: Sixty Years of Japanese Comics' is an excellent book - I take it that's the one you meant.
PS. Your sister has been trying to call you!
The little voice is definitely in all of us... Bastard...
I guess as far as methodology goes, however it comes it comes. If it comes in a flash, or after weeks, months of planning... if it comes it comes...
Interestingly graphic thought. I tried showing some of my work to Fleur, who sided with the voice... what ever happened to support? I've banned her from seeing any of it now.
Brainmarket has taken it upon himself to BE the voice, I pour my soul into something, sobbing whilst birthing it, wish to share it with him, he reads the first line, "Blecccch, you know how I feel about poetry" and leave the room! WTF!?!?!
Needless to say, he''s banned. BANNED.
Fortunately my wife's really supportive (apart from letting me quit my job, but then that's because she doesn't earn much either), I'm the one who's down on my work far too often.
I love my work, but I wish I could write like I used to. I just have no decent sounding boards, and I hate everything I do so there's no point reviewing my own work... it tends to get deleted on the spot.
Yeah it does make me procrastinate. Although it's fear more than perfectionism, fear of the blank page. Should make me want to fill it really, but instead it makes me question myself - the answer being 'get working fool'.
and the irony is that I like imperfection! Artwork that betrays the hand that created it can be beautiful.
That's true, but literature is different for me. Perfection is required. An awkward part can ruin the fluidity and therefore the absorbtion of the tale.
The hardest part of any creative endeavour is knowing when its done.
Hi Paul - thought you might like this blog - some good stuff there:
http://makecomicsforever.blogspot.com/
I mostly agree, Gopher, but a story can still have a raw edge to it, and as Nimiwey says it's important to know when a project is done, tinkering in the quest for perfection can iron out creases that actually made the thing work.
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