Finding a Balance (to get back to normal)
Let me preface this by saying, before anyone gets scared, this is NOT a post about ending “Imy” or anything like that. In fact, it’s the opposite. Despite the problems I’ve had with my arm this summer that have affected my timing on everything, “Imy” is as important to me as ever. And it’s about me finally getting back on track. Now, read on:
I’m struggling right now. This has been a difficult summer for me. With my arm strain, mainly. I’ve been healing and doing well with some setbacks here and there. It’s partial blessing in disguise, partial learning experience.
It’s hard to imagine drawing being a physically challenging job, but it is. Sitting and using your drawing hand so much can really wear at you physically. I was already worn physically before my injury, which is why I think this is such a slow process.
As you all know, I’ve had to pull back on “Imy” first of all for healing purposes, and second of all to catch up with things I NEED to get done (like my book). And I’ve been saying that once I get my book done I will go back to my 2-a-week schedule. And that’s still my plan.
But I’m struggling with a balance.
I realize now that my body cannot handle drawing ALL the time. I need to take days off, and I can’t draw for long periods of time at one go. It’s depressing as hell. I have so many cartoonist friends on Twitter and Facebook who are banging out sketches and comics and other illustrations without pause, constantly. I can’t keep up. I don’t feel up-to-snuff.
My lack of production has nothing to do with motivation or inspiration. I am more motivated than ever. I have SO MUCH I want to do. But I can’t physically do it at the pace I want. And it’s killing me inside.
I’m going to continue with my current plan. There are some kinks. I have two trips coming up this fall. One is to California for two weeks. And that one starts THIS WEEKEND. The other is to NYCC where I will, again, be in the US for at least 2 weeks. Since I can’t overwork myself I have not been able to create strips to run at least during this first vacation.
When I come back from vacation (end of September) I ABSOLUTELY WILL be back on my two-Imy a week schedule until my NY trip. Once again, I’m not sure how hard I wil be able to work myself, so I can’t promise any strips to run while I’m in NY. But, when I get back from NY, I WILL, once again, be back to my schedule. I can say this for sure because I’m finishing my “Imy Volume 2” book now and this was the LAST project keeping me from my schedule.
Now, about the balance. I have other side illustrating projects that I want to really start to dive into this winter. This is where the balance comes in. Because of my physical limitations I will have to figure out how to balance this with “Imy,” which is the most important thing to me. I have confidence int hat I can figure it out, as long as I’m smart about it, and put my health first. I just need your understanding if I slip here and there with “Imy” while I try to figure it out. And you’ve all been so good to me this summer while I was healing up, so I don’t doubt that you’ll do good again.
So, please continue to stick with me while the next couple of months are choppy. I promis eyou there much much MUCH more Imy, Zoe, Kat, Jay, Cherry, Ben, and everyone’s favorite, Mick to come in the near future. I have so many plans. I just need to learn to listen to my body at the same time, and find that balance. 🙂
You shouldn’t feel bad about it. Though, one thing that I’ve seen cartoonists who are consistently on time do is divide their work up and have a buffer. If your arm doesn’t feel up to drawing or inking in a day, you could write up a few scripts for later. If you’re drawing, you could do 2-3 days of comics at once and save them for a later day. Schlock Mercenary usually has a month worth of comics done in advance so that even if he injures himself, he can still get through it without missing any updates.
Doing comics from start to finish in one day seems like it would be very hard. Several different kinds of work that have to be switched between instead of doing a bunch of one kind.
Thanks! Yes, that is part of the balance. I may end up taking a week off to build that buffer that I need or something. I have to figure it out. It’s all part of figuring out how I can work best for me and keep producing to the level I want to produce (or as close as possible).
Also, thanks for drawing the comic! I don’t worry about on time updates anymore because I’m so busy, but when I have time to read my comics RSS list I’m always happy to see this comic. It’s a lot of fun!
Thank you so much! 🙂
(Also, if there’s one step in the process that is giving you a lot of trouble, perhaps the inking step, you could ask to see if anyone would be willing to help with those tasks. I know several comics who contract out steps such as coloring or inking to others. A few I read even have separate artists and writers.)
We are spoiled rotten by your ambitions to do two cartoons per week Irma! Life goes up and life goes down, and sometimes it winds a bit to the left and right as well. Things change. And then they change some more. And then they change back again. Whenever you compare yourself to other cartoonists and their pace, just stop, step back and recognise the fact that they are not you. (And I bet that if they had the same pain that you’ve been having, they wouldn’t have been able to keep their pace up either.)
The best thing you can do for your readers is to take care of yourself, find that balance, and so what if that should mean you have to do one cartoon per week for a longer or shorter period, or even skip a few weeks every once in a while. As long as you are able to continue doing this, I’m still going to be a fan. And that sort of lasts even during the weeks you’re off your schedule too.
Take care of yourself, sift out some storylines and Imy moments from this whole experience, and go enjoy your vacation!
xx
First, I’d like to say thanks for sharing with us through Imy. I have a bad habit of visiting websites without commenting, but I really do enjoy your comic very much, and I appreciate the time and effort you put into it.
Second, I understand what you’re going through. I was a piano performance major in college, and I suffered an overuse injury in my left hand. I spent the better part of a year playing one-handed, and I ended up having to learn a whole new technique in order to play without hurting myself. I think that your decision to try to find a balance that allows you to draw Imy without hurting yourself is a really good decision. So many people advise working through the pain, but that just isn’t possible sometimes without having to give up what you’re doing in the long run. I also agree with Kazriko about the buffer and even about asking for help.
So, take the time you need to work things out. We’ll be here when you’re ready to resume a regular schedule.
Hey, This country doesn’t have room for more cartoonists. I call no invading!!!
All the best for the arm, the balance and all the ideas that are ailing to get out of your head onto the paper/screen! 🙂 I’m sure we’re all understanding as hell and will stay tuned, no matter what!!
If need be, you can always play the mermaid trump card!! I have a buffer of about 40 years’ worth of mermaids… 😉
That is a great idea (or not ).
Maybe scanning in some of the impromptu sketches plus a few photos of the booth and the silliness going on at the conventions will provide enough material to keep the site updating long enough for you to get that buffer back where you want it. Beside we are all incorrigible nosy busybodies. Also there are only a few artists who occasionally get away with dead artist/sad-girl-in-snow days 😉
Irma, if you need balance you could try drawing with your other hand (bah dum dump!!) then we would still get our regular dose of Imy and you wouldn’t be dragging around one big, buff drawing arm and one forgotten little apendage. Problems solved.