Where to Begin??? Part One.

A question often asked by those wanting to produce and publish their own comic is, “Where do I begin?” Be it at conventions, behind the booth or while sitting on a panel, comic shop signings or via email the majority of aspiring creators want help finding that ever-elusive place where all comics begin. Pardon the pun, but… where do I begin?..

The world of independent publishing is a world where individuals wear many hats. The lines between job titles can begin to blur. Creating a comic is by itself a very daunting, and somewhat overwhelming task. Factor in the need for marketing and promotion, and one can feel a bit crushed by the weight. Finding a place to start can be a bit of a stumbling block that keeps creators from getting out of the gate.

To begin, I think it important to ask yourself a series of questions about what it is you want to accomplish. Quite often in any industry, but especially in comics, people go into business for all of the wrong reasons. Forget the lines of adoring fans, the licensing deals, or the multi-million dollar movie options. Although these are highlights of the industry and they do indeed happen, they should not be what drive you. A love for the medium in all of its forms needs to be the basis for your want. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying you shouldn’t want any or all these things. Signing autographs, reading fanmail, or even seeing your character made into a collectible are all extremely cool perks that can come with this industry. Just don’t let this be all. As I said, these things do indeed happen, unfortunately they don’t happen for everyone.

Let’s do something a little different. Here’s a drill for you: Take some time and ask yourself the following questions and write them down on paper. Seriously, write them down. This may seem a bit trivial and juvenile, but important none-the-less. The most successful people in any industry will tell you that until you write down your goals they aren’t goals at all. They are only dreams. And dreams are all they will ever be.

Take as much time as you need to really think through your answers. And oh yeah, write them down. Ready? Cool. Let’s get started:

• Why am I doing this? In other words, what is your goal? What will it give you when you achieve it? (Do not think merely monetarily.)
• How will each and every one of these things make me feel? Does this feeling come from deep within from the pit of my stomach or do I feel it resonating with every beat of my heart?
• What is the goal after I achieve this one? (This is often overlooked. You do not want to find yourself wondering “What now?”)
• How long do I want to be in the comic industry? Do I want only to publish one comic? A series? Or do I want to have a career in this industry?
• What am I willing to sacrifice to achieve my dreams? (Most dreams come with a cost. What are you willing to spend? Do not think merely monetarily. Write it down.)
• What won’t I sacrifice to achieve my dreams?
• If you could be a Superhero who would it be? What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? How would you spend your average day? (Again, this may sound silly, however the most successful people have a grand vision of who they are and who they want to be. I am not talking hubris here – just self-awareness. Everything they say and do drives them forward towards their goals.)
• What are you great at? What are not so great at?
• If money was no object, what would you love to do, to be? Who would you hang out with? What would you do in your off hours? (The key here is: Money is NO object. Are you writing this down?)
• Imagine 30 years from now. You wake up, and you are at your own funeral. Who would be giving your eulogy? What would you like to hear them say? Write out the eulogy you would love to hear. (This is a very difficult drill to do – but it can really open your eyes to a wonderful life ahead of you.)

Now tell me, how many comic creators do you think get into the business and ask themselves even ONE of these questions? They think along the lines of “If you build it they will come” – A fine movie plot, but a far cry from realty.

By answering the above questions you will have a better understanding of who you are and why you really want this. It is after this we can move forward to that ever-elusive starting point.

To be continued…