New Direction, Again

Progress has been slow again, so I've decided to make some changes.

So after talking with my teacher and my mentor today, I've made a lot of resolutions to follow. At first, I thought about changing my project focus from creating the graphic novel to only practicing to draw - but with some thought and advice from Ms. Lord, I think I'll stick with the continuing to write a chapter of Tempus. I really want to have something presentable by my presentation date.

I've come to the realization that part of my lack of motivation comes from working on the computer. It's distracting, and somewhat more difficult than drawing on paper. So from now on, I'll be continuing the novel on paper.

I don't have many days left. Thankfully, with crew ending next week, I'll have many more hours per day. But it's time to crunch.

Looking into the distance

Today I've also been practicing, and I drew one additional page to the comic.

I've found that I've been getting a lot better at drawing this view (looking off into the distance), which I had had trouble with before.

Progress Today

I drew another page of the novel today. For some reason, the inspiration that I had for the past few days has been particularly absent today, and I don't understand why. I also spent time practicing on paper too, since I didn't have my laptop with me in the morning.

More Progress

I sketched two more pages today, which was pretty good work, I think.

Since starting at a slightly later point in the story, I've gotten four pages done. What I mean by "slightly later point" is this: I did start from the very beginning a few weeks ago, but I've run into a lot of trouble since starting it. The biggest part of it is Terry's lack of emotion as drawn in the first few pages, which kind of makes any dialogue between him and Leo... extremely boring. I couldn't really figure how to transition out of the beginning scene, so instead I'm starting from a later point, after Terry and Leo arrive at the planetary base. I hope that makes at least a little bit of sense.

I'll probably be scrapping the first few pages for that reason.

Mentor Meeting (Journal #4)

On Friday Ms. Backus and I talked again about the future of the graphic "novel". At this point it seems highly unlikely that I will finish 60+ pages like I originally planned. A much better goal, I think, is to finish one "chapter" - about 15 - 20 pages.

As I've learned, most manga artists don't actually publish directly into volumes, but rather in a weekly magazine first. They write and illustrate one chapter every week - so basically, it takes them five whole days (drawing is their full-time job, of course) to produce one chapter.

I obviously don't have the same amount of time, but I think if I devote this month to finishing a "chapter", it's definitely a goal I can reach.

Today

I felt pretty good about my progress today - I could actually sit down and work on the graphic novel for two hours and enjoy it as well.

I don't know what suddenly made it more enjoyable to write, but I sure hope it stays with me throughout the week.

Another Update

Because of AP's and everything I haven't really gotten the progress that I've needed this week. Time for some serious crunching over the weekend, I think.

It really feels like the end of the year is approaching fast. For once, I wish I had more time before the school year is over.