An outline for a story, whether it be a one-shot or a serialised epic, needs a strong foundation. The building blocks that will become your comic must be able to stand firm on the themes, concepts, story beats and character moments explored in your outline. “I need an outline?” you ...
Outlining the foundation of your webcomic
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Jan. 15, 2021En media res
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Jan. 8, 2021
You’ve got your amazing idea down for a story but how do you begin? You want to make your first chapter amazing! En medias res means opening in the midst of the plot. This way, exposition is bypassed, allowing you to fill it in more gradually, either through dialogue ...
Setting goals in 2021
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Jan. 1, 2021
It’s 2021 everyone. Somehow we made it to the end of a strange and often heart wrenching year but we did it. We hit many milestones, particularly on Drunkduck. We now have the lowest amount of spam ever on the site, the anthology is coming along, the Quackchat is ...
Remember to Be Kind (to yourself)
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Dec. 26, 2020
So it's Christmas Day when I'm writing this- yesterday for you reader reading these lines.
Anyone who knows me, knows I've been running full speed for quite a bit of time, doing my best to meet every deadline, every obligation and responsibility I got, business, family, and ...
Handwaves, Explanations and Just-Go-With-Its
Banes at 12:00AM, Dec. 24, 2020
The long-running series Supernatural just came to an end and I enjoyed the last couple episodes. Even though I haven't seen the last few seasons and don't plan to, I knew the series fairly well from its first 6 or 7 years. I could say more about this ...
Welcoming a new member to the cast
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Dec. 18, 2020
I’ve been getting back into reading epic fantasy novels. Grand worlds, exotic locations and, of course, an ever increasing cast of characters. As I am one to never stop taking notes, even when I’m trying to chill, here are some things I noticed about introducing new characters that ...
getting on track with subplots
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Dec. 11, 2020
A subplot is a co-current narrative that runs alongside the main plot, often providing context, character development or further world building. They can be used to build further tension, explore other perspectives or themes.
The theme is what the overall story means. A subplot allows you to lend more emotional ...
The Significance of Names (Part 1)
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Nov. 27, 2020
Picking a name for your character is a pivotal moment. Almost like breathing life into them, the name you pick for them will give their identity a hue, a flavor that wouldn't be the same with any other name. Yes, a Rose by any other name would smell as ...
Figments in Fiction
Banes at 12:00AM, Nov. 26, 2020
I've never seen this movie, but does he have a bevy of dead girlfriends?
always seemed like an odd concept for a lighthearted romantic comedy. “Matthew
and Jennifer! Learning the power of love! Piles of dead bodies!”
Talking to the Dead - Sort of
How many times have you had ...
The Struggle for Reality
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Nov. 21, 2020
What is real, really?
Can we trust our senses that what information they are giving us is objective? There are many thinkers and philosophers that posit we cannot. That as long as the messages get to our brains, it feels real even if it isn't.
If we can't ...