2006-11-01

Breaking Up: Part 1

I'm trying a little something different. In the hybrid spirit of NaNoWriMo and the 24-hour comic, I'm going to attempt a long-form style story here. I thought it would be fitting to tell the secret origin of Sequential Life.

Tags:

Breaking Up: Index

It's November and I'm trying a little something different. In the hybrid spirit of NaNoWriMo and the 24-hour comic, I'm going to attempt a long-form style story here. I thought it would be fitting to tell the secret origin of Sequential Life.

I'm putting up the handy hyperlink index below:

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5
Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8 - Part 9 - Part 10
Part 11 - Part 12 - Part 13 - Part 14 - Part 15
Part 16 - Part 17 - Part 18 - Part 19 - Part 20
Part 21 - Part 22 - Part 23 - Part 24 - Part 25
Part 26 - Part 27 - Part 28 - Part 29 - Part 30
Part 31 - Part 32 - Part 33 - Part 34 - Part 35
Part 36 - Part 37 - Part 38 - Part 39 - Part 40
Part 41


Like the previously mentioned challenges, I have made up my own rules as to how to go about this (I guess it wouldn't be a challenge without rules):

1. 1 Page per Day - I've already broken this one a bit. Real life kind of intruded around Part 10, but I caught up. It's more of a guideline, I guess. I had the idea of creating a more consistent habit for myself, as opposed to my usual wait til the last minute and do everything mode.

2. No Pre-Planning - I borrowed this from the other challenges. Thinking ahead tends to gum up the works sometimes, for me at least. I focus on the big finish, then can't figure out how to get there. So for this story, I'm falling forward, relying on what passes for craft and skill around here to get me out of any narrative pitfalls.

3. Each Page the Same - Same 4-panel structure for each page (I've broken it once, but that was for dramatic effect). This eliminates some mental hurdling, and also forces me to produce at a relatively contstant rate. Also, it makes sure I can't cheat by just drawing one splash panel when I'm feeling lazy. It's called Sequential Life for a reason...

4. Don't Get Too Fancy - I'm drawing this all with some basic markers on typing paper and lettering by hand. So far, I've found that when using fancier papers, brushes and inks I tend to hesitate, not wanting to waste valuable art supplies. This way, is a page isn't turning out the way I want, I can crumple it up and start over with little guilt. I'm using Photoshop to clean up a bit, but mostly stray marks, ghost pencils and the rare special effect.

So there, I've totally bored you with process. Please enjoy the story anyway.

[EDIT] So in the end, I only produced 24 parts (out of 30) for the month of November. Not bad, I suppose, though I didn't finish the story. I intend to finish it during December, so stay tuned. It's a blessing, in a way, as part of the reason I hit the wall at 24 was that I started to think about how to wrap it up in the 6 parts that were left. In writerly terms, it started to feel less "organic" to me to force an end. This way, I can let the story play out a bit longer and resolve itself naturally.

[EDIT 2] Oh, what the hell. It's January, and there's no end in sight. It's turning into a much bigger story as I remember more and more. Should I end it quickly, or let it play out? I'm tempted to break with it, at least a few days a week, in order to get back to the day-to-day stuff I was doing before. What do you think?

[EDIT 3] I am a bad man. It's been over a year. I have notes... and half-assed sketches, but am ever the procrastinator. I think (and I make no promises) that I may return to it at the end of this summer (2008).

Tags:

2006-10-31

Spooky

No, this isn't my Halloween costume... this is me groping for the coffee pot every morning. As you can see, Halloween is more of a year-round occasion here.

Happy Halloween everyone! Don't eat too much candy.

Tags:

2006-10-29

For Jane

Three weeks ago, we lost our good friend Jane Dibbell. Though she lived and taught drama most of her life, she would not like to see us being dramatic in her passing. There will be no rending of garments, gnashing of teeth, crying to the heavens... no matter our grief, this would not be the proper way in which to honor her.

I will propose, and I think Jane would approve, that you find someone you love, and give them a hug. Jane was great with the hug, and gave them freely and frequently. One always felt better after a hug from Jane... the world felt as if it had been righted for a small moment. Maybe, if more people shared this basic human contact, the world could be a better place. Jane was an activist, in all ways, large and small.

2006-10-28

Sometimes...

I don't care what anyone thinks... effervescent bath salts are wonderful.


Tags:

2006-10-25

Maybe This is Something...

Probably just some sonambulistic navel-gazing... something about my mortality, or the futilty of human endeavors...

...but there are some pretty sweet comics on that shelf.

Tags: , , ,

2006-10-20

Current Debate


The vote is split, 50/50. Your vote could make the difference.

Tags: , ,

2006-10-18

Hey Baby

These flowers are for you, interwebernet reader...



Let's not fight again. I promise to treat you good, baby. I know I was gone for a while, and you were worried sick, but I'm back now. We can pick up where we left off...

After a few false starts and stutters, I believe that I am back. We are moved and mostly unpacked (Found my pens!) It was quite a time, and looking back, I wish I would have documented it more... and maybe I will in a retroactive way.

During the downtime, I lost sight of what this was all about... mainly having fun. So after the moving, painting, unpacking, etc... I had the added "What the hell am I doing, anyway?" stalling a return. Tsk...

... but now I'm back again, baby. It'll be better than ever... I brought you these... wait... don't close the door, sweets... ak, my foot... what? ow! I'm sorry baby, please! Don't go... those flowers were 9 bucks...

2006-10-14

Do You Know What Today Is? Remix

A quick edit to the post from earlier today...



Apparently, I have a bias for the boy, and neglected to include Sadie and Betty. In true comic book fashion, I am retconning them in. We ALL wish you a happy birthday.

Do You Know What Today Is?



A shout-out to the homegirl on her special day. We're back, sorta. Slowly but surely unpacking. I'll be returning to the daily routine soon.

If you believe in birthdays, leave a comment and I will forward them to her.

2006-09-25

Hutch's Moving Castle



We've been very busy preparing, packing and painting (oh, aliteration!). Regular content (or what passes for it) will return shortly. Thanks for checking in.

2006-09-19

Is Anyone There?



Apologies to my fan, but things have been kind of hectic here lately. It looks like we'll be moving immediately to a new place, and this will undoubtedly cause some disruption in the semi-daily posting at Sequential Life. I'll do my best, though, and as long as I have pen and paper, a working scanner and computer, an internet connection and a tall, frosty coffee drink, I'll do my best to have something here.
 
Sequential Life © copyright 2006 Mathew Digges. All rights reserved.