Some thoughts on making things exist. The joy and fear of it all. A sequel to this post on Passion and Work and Adulthood.
1.
Lately I’ve been thinking of a few things.
2.
It’s so strange being here with (comparatively) better drawing/writing skills and a stronger ingrained sense of professionalism… and yet nowadays I seek to embrace the chaos, joy and carefreeness of my youth. I really did have some things figured out back then, and I want to reintegrate those things back into my current practice.
It took me 8 years to train myself out of thinking like an illustrator when I am drawing comics. While I don’t think the illustrator-side of me has ever left, especially when I compose my double page layouts — I just think it’d be nice now to intentionally make lush, stunning artwork using both my ability to illustrate and make comics (they are two different skillsets!).
Slowly I’m embracing the strengths of both my old and current art: shape design, silhouette, linework, whimsical elegance. I’m specifically looking at my 15-17 Years Old era of art. It was very experimental! Very fun. And I want that energy back.
3.
In regards to Making Things Exist (and finishing them), I feel like I’ve been round the block now.
Every book is new and brings its own unique challenges, so there’s always something new to learn. Still, I am old. A veteran. A wizard wise in the ways of conjuring worlds into reality.
So I see people who are maybe writing stories for the first time and stumbling on certain blocks, some important, some not-so. I usually leave them be, because (Antoni Queer Eye voice) bringing things to life can be so personal. They will figure it out soon.
But then there’s the risk of them freezing into inaction. Out of anxiety. Inexperience. Fear. What if I mess up? What if I am not good enough? What if no one else cares and I am wasting my time?
4.
Starting something is the hardest thing. The second hardest thing is finishing it.
5.
When I make something, on the first few drafts, I don’t really care about the prettiness of the outline. I mean, yes I do at a base level, but I try to not let it control me. If I get stuck on something or if I can’t find the words, I skip over it, I make notes to myself (ermm have X character talk about the making of bread, the weaving of rugs, the gestation of a child, something to do with things blossoming in their time???), I vomit out some gibberish. Go go go.
I'm about to reveal the greatest trick I ever learned for finishing a novel at a decent rate. You all ready for this?
— David Dalglish (@thatdalglishguy) October 14, 2020
It's called <get there>.
The whole point is to make the work exist as soon as possible. It will come out kinda ugly, sure. Luckily, editing is easier afterwards.
Also nothing wrong with some wabi-sabi.
6.
It’s frightening to devote pieces of yourself to your book. To consent to the book’s desire to challenge you, transform you, unmake and remake you. But like a lot of things that are worth it in life, it’s a devotion worth embracing.
7.
In the end I think what’s most important is making the thing because you want it. Not solely because it’ll be your ticket to fame, love and prizes (in the form of money or petty validation).
There’s joy in crafting a thing from within you.
Reimena Yee is a graphic novelist, artist and flamingo enthusiast.
She writes and illustrates quite a few webcomics and graphic novels. When not making books, she lulls away her time with essays on craft, life and experiences in the publishing industry. Some of her thoughts of art and life are rather unstructured and will evolve over time as this blog matures, as they should be.
Currently committed to being Alexander the Great's death doula. Is a nerd for all things spooky and historical.
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Love this! Thank you so much for your reflections. I’m a writer, and I’ve also been thinking a lot about the passion that led my work when I was younger. Even though it was often clumsy and undirected, a passion that didn’t know itself, it was a passion nonetheless– and I think in learning more and becoming a better technical writer, I’ve sometimes lost the free-falling, intense joy that comes with just having an idea and wanting to make it come alive. I’m trying to get that back and put aside the logical brain, though professionalism and productivity and “is it good enough?” doubts always threaten to pester more than ever before.