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Hey all!
Been posting the first chapter of my serial story – Endbargo – on AO3 recently. Here’s the link for anyone interested in reading.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/56654398/chapters/144012661
I also recently brought up this topic on a facebook group I’m in about fanfiction writing, where I asked what people thought about having artwork in your written fic. The reactions varied. Some didn’t mind, some would use art they’d commission for their stories, other thought that artwork slapped into the fic would break up the reading flow unless it was placed at the very end of the text.
One in the group suggested about keeping related artwork separated from the written story, simply providing links for it in the author’s note. Currently I’m going with this suggestion. I’m thinking about creating a comic that I can use as a gallery piece for all this artwork I’m planning to draw for the fic, so that anyone reading can just check it out via link if their interested in some visuals.
It all makes me think off back when I was in the local library, just browsing through books to see the gorgous artwork inside. I believe the Wheel of Time fantasy novel series had these among others if I’m not mistaken.
So I’d just like to hear you guy’s opinion on this. Do you like having art to go with a novel style written story (I know I do^^) or do you find it disruptive of the reading experience?
Comments welcome below as always. Have a nice Sunday.
Do written fics and illustrated art go together?
Andreas_Helixfinger at 12:00AM, June 16, 2024
3 likes!
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Andreas_Helixfinger at 1:25AM, June 17, 2024
I guess the best way to look at comics is that it is art with a narrative and not the other way around.
Andreas_Helixfinger at 9:15PM, June 16, 2024
@PaulEberhardt - I agree with that.
PaulEberhardt at 11:39AM, June 16, 2024
I'd say it depends on the story, as well. After all, the bottom line here is that we're talking about two quite different types of media and how well stories can be transferred from one to another, similar to novelizations of a TV show. To me, the best approach is one where the story strictly determines the medium, though. Some stories are better suited for comics, some are better for written fiction. There is probably no magic recipe for this, other than listening to your instincts, but I think you'll want to consider things like these: How much information do you want/need to get across and how complex/abstract is it? How much is going on between the lines and how can you spot it in either the comic or the written story? Is there a lot of body language and landscape you'd need endless descriptive passages for, or are there long complicated sequences you'd need hundreds of panels for? How much does it look like a film sequence before your own inner eye anyway? That kind of thing.
Andreas_Helixfinger at 5:52AM, June 16, 2024
@PaukEberhardt - It is the big issue I struggle with always. Got SO much to tell, so much worldbuilding and characters to unpack, but keep finding myself unable to unpack it all in a forward enough pace due to massive amount of time it takes just to have one single chapter done in webcomic form. In plain writing you can unpack a full story in just a few months time if you just keep at it. And you can get so much information across in just on single chapter post. Making me wonder if I was better off doing all of this in writing - with maybe some artwork to complement it with - instead of the webcomics. But I don't know-.-.
PaulEberhardt at 5:18AM, June 16, 2024
I'm also thinking of webcomics that their creators turned into an illustrated novel, because that was the only way to keep telling the story amidst more and more real life issues eating up drawing time - something I know all too well myself. You may notice I never did that: mainly because it's essentially a gag strip comic that relies heavily on visual gags, but also very much because from my experience you'd have to be a die-hard fan to stick with a comic that does that, particularly if you loved it for its art and visuals, especially. It's just not the same. It may also have something to do with the story coming in much larger chunks to digest each update. In addition to time, writing saves a lot of space compared to drawings, that's why it was invented in the first place.
PaulEberhardt at 5:13AM, June 16, 2024
I love books with great illustration, however, I tend to love them as books. I very much prefer to read a novel in a physical format instead of on a screen. It's part of the experience for me, but perhaps I'm just weirdly wired that way. Another thing: I may be mistaken on this, too, but it strikes me that the main thing that draws people to a webcomic is usually the artwork or at least its distinct visual style, not the story. This is not to say that the story isn't important, but it's rather what keeps you reading on once you got hooked, not the other way round.
Andreas_Helixfinger at 4:25AM, June 16, 2024
I actually gave it a shot posting some artwork I drew just now onto the end of the chapter. I think it came up okay.
bravo1102 at 3:41AM, June 16, 2024
I know of two rather talented comic creators and writers who tried it on this platform and couldn't make it work. Wish you better luck.
Genejoke at 1:23AM, June 16, 2024
I think it's fine, it really depends on whether the art compliments the writing and helps set the tone or if it's just there. It's really about the overall product and how cohesive it is. Commissioned artwork is more likely to be hit and miss, but if it's the authors vision it's usually very fitting.