Stan ([info]crotalus_atrox) wrote in [info]otherpeoplesbiz,
2011-11-02 08:09:00
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State of Other People's Business

Hallo, busybodies,

First off, thanks to everyone for your kind words. I still have some comments to catch up with, but I'm trying to reply to everyone, and I will get to those sooner rather than later.

So I've been thinking about OPB and what to do, and the short story is that I think I can't go on and am going to have to end it.

Let's talk about that. Honestly, I like it, and I hope you like it, too. I think it's a good story. I just can't draw 200 more pages of it.

So the story's complete, which is what I've been telling you guys for a while, I think, and I want to give that story to you in some way, shape or form. That way, you can have closure, and I can have the satisfaction of having completed this story.

What I'm wondering about is how to do it. What do I have? I have the equivalent of rough scripts, mostly dialogue as they're written for me to draw off, which means – well, here, I'll show you a page from this issue:

22
D: We're just friends.
M: Really?
--
D: He's like my mentor in the world of crazy crap. I'm Harry Potter, and he's, um, Gandalf.
--
M: *unimpressed face* Frodo. You would be Frodo.
==
D: ...Did Frodo ever want to touch Gandalf's wiener?
--
M *unimpressed*
--
D: I'm sorry, that's an unfair question. Who wouldn't want to touch Gandalf's wiener.
==
M: Why do you try to ruin the things I love?
D: I note you say tried.
--
M: *looks away with a small smile* Yes, yes I did. Elen síla lumenn' omentielvo. <3

That is kind of hard to read. I'm not going to turn it into a novel, because that'd be a lot of work and not the same thing at all, but I'm thinking of either two things:

1. Keep the scripts as is and post one page at a time along with a really roughly sketched thumbnail page so you can tell what each panel was supposed to look like.
2. Polish them up into actual scripts and post them (either as one page or as a complete document) so you can read through them and have a better idea of what was supposed to be going on where.

So what do you think? Talk to me. Would you prefer one over the other?

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[info]firinel

November 2 2011, 12:21:24 UTC 6 months ago

mixture of both? I suspect that #1 may be easier, but there may be some that #2 makes most sense for (or vice versa, really).

[info]jinxycat

November 2 2011, 12:28:49 UTC 6 months ago

I think either one of those things would be great. Closure is always a good thing, and I love that in the process of getting to a finished story, we also get the amusing dialogue (like this snippet you just shared, which nearly made me spit out my coffee). Maybe a bit of both of those options? A little bit of polish, a little bit of drawings? I think some pages/scenes would be more fun to actually be seen (this scene, for example? I'd kill to see Mercedes' expressions), where as plotty/sneaky/actiony scenes where parts of the mystery are unraveled would be okay on their own -- does that make any sense?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, from a reader's standpoint, I care about the characters and it's little interactions like this that made OPB fun for me. I want to know what the story's all leading up do, but when it comes to drawings, the characters' relationships with each other are my favorite. So, if you still have it in you to draw some things, but not full comic pages? Those are the things I'd most like to be able to visualize. Hope this helps! ♥

[info]clayangel

November 2 2011, 12:33:52 UTC 6 months ago Edited:  November 2 2011, 12:35:57 UTC

I say #1. Like a pencil sketch with no ink and no backgrounds? I'd be cool with that, and you could just stick a little text box somewhere to indicate scene or something. I think that would be the closest to simulating the actual comic.

[info]hotarunoseika

November 2 2011, 12:54:35 UTC 6 months ago

Either is great, although I find myself leaning towards #1. I have to say I'm sorry that the story won't be continuing as is, but I understand to some extent just not being able to go on with it. Thank you for even offering to give us a glimpse of how it was supposed to continue and end. Sad to see it go, but thank you for taking care of the readers :) Good luck with your next project. I've loved your stories and comics since I found BmB just before it ended. Thank you for sharing them!

[info]teacup_carousel

November 2 2011, 12:56:57 UTC 6 months ago

Meh, posting script by script will only drag out the whole process and, IMO, that kind of defeats the purpose seeing as how the whole point of posting the scripts in the first place is to be able to make a healthy break from this that will *leave you feeling good*. Or at least not any more emotionally traumatized. Really either one is good. And I don't know about you, but having to post these bits in installments would be a huge monkey on my back. Just moosh it all together in one big lump, post it and be done.

[info]akedhi

November 2 2011, 13:18:04 UTC 6 months ago

I tend to agree. #1 sounds kind of nice, but it seems like it would take almost as much effort as making the comic the way you were, so I think you should go with whatever way is easiest for you.

[info]michele_blue

6 months ago

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[info]mings_kitten

6 months ago

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[info]kingofgeeks

6 months ago

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[info]mings_kitten

November 2 2011, 13:40:35 UTC 6 months ago

I think whichever would be easiest for you to give a sense of the scene and action. A pencil sketch might be easier then trying to describe it.

[info]cacopheny

November 2 2011, 13:42:52 UTC 6 months ago

Whatever's easiest for you ^^ I tend to think the script option would be easier, since I tend to think drawing is harder and more time-consuming than writing, but I'm not you so really, either one is fine for me :B I love your art, but it's more your characters and dialogue that I read your comics for.

[info]_inbetween_

November 2 2011, 13:49:14 UTC 6 months ago

But maybe rough sketches are quicker than writing actual scripts? I do less of them than write and still think so, but maybe that's because I prefer them and THINK that Sandra thinks visually. If the disgust of doing even doodles is too great and rambling is fun, well, ...just please write out the names if you can't do option 1.

[info]perryplatypus

November 2 2011, 13:57:11 UTC 6 months ago

Number two sounds like the option that's most convenient for you, so that's what I cast my vote for. Thank you for not just abandoning the comic.

Also, that dialogue made me gigglesnort in the middle of class.

[info]sextown

November 2 2011, 14:02:23 UTC 6 months ago

Well, I don't know about anyone else but my heart actually sunk reading this.

I'd be lying if I didn't say how disappointed I am that you decided to end this. On the other hand when I calculate how many comics 200 is (which I'd wager you could churn out one a week), it'd take about four years. Four years is a long time to invest in something if the passion is gone. Part of me kind of wants to shake you for making me love a story and the characters this much. As totally humiliating as it is to admit, I enjoyed doing the escapism-thing through the world you created. I kinda feel like Firefly and Arrested Development just got cancelled again. Your most intricate stories (5ideways and OPB) didn't get completed...bummer. I'm not trying to put blame on you or anything. Just kinda sucks all round I s'pose.

Anyway, I'd rather a mini-sketch. As much as my imagination is bitching, the characters we haven't been introduced to yet (alligator queen thing that Fox fights, Leon's brother etc) I'd rather see the way you want them seen.

I'm so sorry that it's ended up like this. I hope Kaxxix (oh man, I spelled that wrong and now it's part of my spellcheck FOREVER) works out. I've expressed many times before that I believe you to be an amazing storyteller. I look forward to whatever comes.

[info]kafuness

November 2 2011, 14:14:19 UTC 6 months ago

I think a version of 2 with perhaps spot illustrations as you saw fit would be great. 1 is a good idea, but drawing out all the thumbnails seems like a lot of work, which could put stress on you and just wouldn't be received the same as a final comic for us. With 2 you could have flow with the script, which would be a pleasurable reading experience, but if you had a vision of the page (which you definitely do), you are welcome to add the visual aid as you deemed necessary and/or fun for you. Like expressions, or outfits, (orrr kisses), etc! I think posting it in smaller chunks is good, too. It'd give you time to edit over a longer period.

I'm happy you're taking this step for yourself. Although most of us know you through your characters and comics, ultimately what we care about most is you. I'm glad you're taking care of yourself first. Stay strong!

[info]shibaiko

November 2 2011, 19:12:06 UTC 6 months ago

I think a version of 2 with perhaps spot illustrations as you saw fit would be great.

That's my advice as well. If there's a character who we haven't met yet, or a particularly complicated piece of action, an illustration would be nice, but if it's just Danny & Mercedes sitting on the couch and talking, it's not really necessary for every panel, you know?

Also, I want to second what everyone is saying about being sad to see the comic go. I wish you the absolute best, though, and if it this is what needs to happen for you to feel your best, then so be it.

[info]springmoon

6 months ago

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[info]evilcarp

November 2 2011, 15:00:15 UTC 6 months ago

I like the idea of it being posted with the rough thumbnails.

[info]marika_kailaya

November 2 2011, 15:23:06 UTC 6 months ago

*shares cheerios with artist* shit, man. i have no idea. preference-wise, i would prefer you not get eated by agony of burnout anyway, so i'm going to say, 'jesus, just do whichever is easier.' option #2 sounds neat, though.

[info]miz_hatbox

November 2 2011, 15:39:07 UTC 6 months ago

Oh gee. I'm so sorry you can't continue... but I understand.

If you can spare the effort, the thumbnails would really help my brain parse the script.

[info]tsuki_no_bara

November 2 2011, 15:42:16 UTC 6 months ago

whichever option will stress you out the least and be the least amount of extra work for you. as long as i get the rest of the story in some fashion - which i am - i don't care how i get it.

[info]nextdrinksonme

November 2 2011, 15:56:19 UTC 6 months ago

I think that version two with maybe some illustrated scenes that YOU loved to write and felt passion to draw would be awesome. But if nothing else, a script to show movement and full names would work great, I think.

[info]tamchronin

November 2 2011, 17:35:17 UTC 6 months ago

I'd be a go for either one. :D I mostly just want to know what happens next. Your art has always just been a big ol' bonus to your wonderful stories. ^_^

[info]wake_the_dragon

November 2 2011, 17:45:37 UTC 6 months ago

Either would be fine. Whatever's easier for you.

[info]mabaliciousness

November 2 2011, 17:54:27 UTC 6 months ago

I definitely say go with whatever's easiest for you. Seems to me that option one would sort of be setting yourself up to do exactly what you don't want to do -- draw 200 more pages. Rough sketches or no, that option seems like more work to me, but then I am a very verbal person so maybe you wouldn't see it that way.

I think that option two would be best since it'd be less work for you. After all, you've already got the script, you'd just have to toss in a bit extra to make certain parts coherent.

Also, if you go with option two, who's to say you wouldn't feel like adding in an illustration every now and then? Not that you should feel obligated to do so, but hey, you never know when the mood may strike you, and none of us would complain!

I'm probably echoing a lot of people, but go with the option that feels right for you and is least likely to burn you out. I wasn't able to comment on the last entry, but as always, I've been a fan since the days of BMB, and that's not going to change. I am always interested to see the awesome stuff you choose to share with us!

Gotta say, though, I'll sorely miss Fox and Collin. I feel like I grew up with them, and without them there will certainly be something missing in my life.

[info]mihowl

November 2 2011, 18:12:15 UTC 6 months ago

I'd love to see thumbnails, but I agree that doing that sounds pretty intensive and might be just as onerous a task as the one you can't summon the energy to do. Though, unless you really enjoy writing, I'm not sure fleshing out the full script will be much easier.

So... I like the suggestion a few have given to just draw a few scenes here and there that you have been dying to draw since day one. As for the rest, if you give a brief description of setting (i.e., in Danny's car,) that should suffice.

And if you're feeling really bummed that there aren't visuals, perhaps there are artists out there who have been dying to send you guest art and would submit some appropriate things?

[info]kobanya

November 2 2011, 19:02:45 UTC 6 months ago

I'm definitely for whichever is the easiest. Major sad that the comic won't be continuing, but that's life I suppose. No sense in trying to force yourself to write something you're no longer interested in. Still excited for the next comic though. <3

[info]sara_the_lazy

November 2 2011, 19:33:05 UTC 6 months ago

I'm sorry that OPB isn't working out for you.... I'm glad you're being honest with yourself though, and hope that whatever you choose makes you happy.

I say go with whichever you think is easier for you. While I would love the rough thumbnail sketches, I have a feeling it would take you longer and be a little more stressful. That's just my guess though, I don't know how you tick.

Best wishes!!!

[info]kingofgeeks

November 2 2011, 19:52:27 UTC 6 months ago

Do you honestly WANT to finish the story? Or do you feel obligated? Because just leaving it behind you is cool too.

[info]amber_crystal

November 2 2011, 22:20:05 UTC 6 months ago

The way I see it anything you want to do works for me. The fact that your willing to go as far as continuing to post anything just to give us some closure on the story is great. Its not something you have to do at all so I'll be happy with whatever you throw our way.

But in case complacency isn't what you're looking for :P My vote is for option 2, feels more like tearing the bandaid off and making a clean break from everything rather then drawing things out.

[info]enkanowen

November 3 2011, 03:30:32 UTC 6 months ago

whichever works best for you. If it's one or the other that's fine by me, even if you switch things up
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