An alternate script

[qcjeph]

Sometimes people ask me about my writing process. It's not very interesting, actually- it just consists of sitting in front of my computer with a blank text editor file open, writing, deleting, and rearranging dialogue until I hit upon something I think is funny. Some days I get lucky and think of a comic in 30 seconds in the shower that morning,

Comments

[lolsworth]

Also, I think Hanners is wise enough by now to know, or at least suspect, when Faye is winding her up.

[qcjeph]

I debated over that while I was writing, and decided that while Hanners is still somewhat gullible, this script was pushing her too far into Raven-esque "OMG RLY?!?" territory.

[sarahmaedchen]

Speaking of Raven, how's progress on the Submacopter?

[triggerhare]

Raven TOTALLY knows what a mustache ride is.

[weds]

It's interesting/useful. Thanks! (I'm kinda blown away by the simplicity here -- scripting is a challenge for me because I'm scared every single detail has to go in there first, lines have to be kept to certain character lengths and broken down accordingly, etc. Then again, I've also been failing to enjoy manga lately by spending the whole time counting panels per page...)

[qcjeph]

One of the reasons my scripts are so basic is that 90% of the comedy in my comic is just people standing around and talking! The other reason is that since I'm also the artist I already have a rough idea of the layout of the comic in my head as I'm writing it, so I don't usually need to include those details in the script unless the joke is based on a specific action (Angus getting SCORNED out of Coffee of Doom, etc.)

[obscurenalone]

Angus getting SCORNED out of Coffee of Doom is one of my favourite panels ever. If you put that on a t-shirt, I would buy it in an INSTANT.

[brianarn]

Jeph could make a shirt that said nothing but

I <3 8==D

and it would sell like mad, because he's got awesome fans. :D

Re: Very Insightful

[qcjeph]

There really aren't any "secrets" other than work hard, update consistently, and try not to suck.

Re: Very Insightful

[qcjeph]

aaaaaugh no no no no no it has nothing to do with "tricks" of the "trade" or "filling a niche" or any of that bullshit you are completely putting the cart before the horse here

STEP ONE of maybe possibly someday making money off of a webcomic is to MAKE A WEBCOMIC, not worry about synergizing your market potential or obsess over $2000 art displays. Do you know how to draw?* What is your preferred medium? What materials do you have access to? What kind of art are you doing? If you don't know the answers to these questions you're nowhere near ready to start a comic.

You don't even start THINKING of making a living off of your comic until you already have a substantial audience (I'm talking thousands, tens of thousands of people here). I didn't go full-time until I was getting over 30K people hitting my site every update day and even THEN it was touch-and-go for quite a while.

*you could argue that I STILL don't know how to draw and I wouldn't disagree with you, but my point still stands

[pujaemuss]

It was Hanner's wish to choose to believe Faye, coupled with the expression on her face, which made the comic for me, so I'm very happy with the second version.

Thanks for the behind-the-scenes look.

PJW

[lindelazer]

You, sir, are amazing.
<3