Since I’ve had some trouble staying on top of updates recently, this was a good article for me to read over at Webcomics.com. Here is the article I’m talking about (I’ve posted it here as a reminder to myself and in case it becomes unavailable in the future):
As has been said here before, focussing on making the strips and pages of a comic can be difficult. Eliminating distractions such as the Internet or music helps. However, some of us have families and other jobs to do. So how do we combat this? A few thoughts:
1. Set up a schedule. Many of us are unorganized. We do the work when there’s time — and often there isn’t. Write out a list of things that need to get done on a day, and then set up deadlines. Be sure to include some breaks for meals or just general laziness — but not too much. If you need help, enlist a friend or family member to make sure you stick to this schedule. Not only will you have more time for comic making, but your life will be much more structured.
2. Set up your area. Some of us claim a desk or separate room, while others take the dining table or kitchen bench. Wherever you pick, make sure it’s comfortable for you to work in. And if you don’t, move somewhere that works.
3. Isolate yourself. It’s all well and good to say you’ll do the task, but what happens when the little one comes along to show the picture they drew, or your partner/parent/roommate starts up a conversation or something? Make it clear that comic time means no bothering in the nicest way possible. But if that doesn’t work, do what some novel writers do and get a hotel room for a night, using the time alone to do everything you need to for your comic or whatever else you need to do. You’ll be away from distractions and when you’re done, you can have a whole night to yourself if you’d like.
4. Find a partner. It’s hard to keep on a project for too long unless someone is there to help push you to do it. A partner not only shares the load, but he or she will help you stay honest on your deadlines.
Thanks to the man that posted this, his thoughts were much appreciated.
