I realized I haven’t updated on this subject since February.
The news is that I now have 240 pages.
I think this is it. I don’t think this will expand much more. I just have to admit my initial estimate of 120 pages was very, very wrong.
To get to where I’m at now was more difficult than I imagined. Getting organized with the storyline is one thing, and then translating that narrative onto actual page layouts is another process where I had to communicate with my internal self deeply. This took a long time. I had to tell myself that I’m writing a STORY. Do not just list the facts, that’s boring.
What is a STORY to me? I think that a story has to be somewhat entertaining. I think my question has been how I can turn this not-so-fun series of events that I experienced into something coherent and engaging, what could make a stranger read through? And in the end, will there be something to be carried with?
I also had to tell myself: DO NOT try to be cool and hide my emotion. Show it in drawing, but not in words. Emotions are subjective and therefore somewhat abstract. My challenge is to present them through figurative forms.
I got my friend/mentor to check the storyboard, and I’ve started to draw.
The drawing part is supposed to be fun, but I see it as challenging. Going through 240 pages will take a long time, and I’m not sure how I’ll keep a consistent quality throughout. Especially since I can’t work on this project full-time as I have a day job.
I feel like I haven’t established my drawing style properly. I’m still searching for the right one while I experiment. I have a fear that the drawing style may change throughout and that might look weird.
Anyway, I suppose I have to deal with the problem when it emerges…
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
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