Have you ever noticed that among the dead webcomics, a preponderance of them have “Hiatus” on their tombstone? That tombstone being, of course, the final page posted years and years ago with a promise they will be “right back” after a “short break”. There are of course a number of ...

The Dread Hiatus
Amelius at 9:57AM, Jan. 27, 2019Writing Mental Illness (Part 2)
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Jan. 19, 2019
How to Pick, Research and Implement Mental Disorder in a Character
So last time I talked in general about some basic concepts and principles about what constitutes mental illness, or, more accurately, mental disorder. The important thing to remember and keep from all of that is this set of truths ...
Embracing procrastination
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Jan. 18, 2019
A few months ago, I was linked to a video about original thinkers by organisational psychologist, Adam Grant. and the habits of people he calls originals. It’s a very interesting video and I highly recommend watching it, but one of the points that he makes is about embracing the ...
Exposition - Just the tip
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, Jan. 11, 2019
In a nutshell, exposition is a big ole mound of information that the author wants the reader to know before they move on in the plot. It often gets a bad rap but that is usually due to it being used incorrectly. There is definitely a place for exposition so ...
15 Years, I Keep On Duckin'
Amelius at 12:13PM, Jan. 6, 2019
Oh what a coincidence, that my newspost day should fall upon the date of my 15th year on this very site! So naturally, on this anniversary, I'd like to open up and reflect on how the Duck has left a major impact on my life and work.
Every year ...
Writing Your Own OC Spinoffs
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Jan. 5, 2019
I'm not sure how many creators do it, but I often place my original characters in different settings, writing out stories about them very much like I'd write fanfiction about some established franchise.
It's even more fun when I do it mixing them up with characters from ...
Imitation Flavor
Amelius at 10:14AM, Dec. 30, 2018
The first thing you need to know before we get into this discussion is the following: You can't copyright a style. It's true! Copyright protects an artist's expression of an idea, but not the ideas themselves, the technique, or procedure in making that style. Keep that in ...
Convergent Creation Part 2
Amelius at 12:21PM, Dec. 16, 2018
Last weekend we discussed that strange phenomenon of independent creation, where there's more than a passing resemblance to another work but it's not a case of plagiarism. Interestingly, not long after I posted that I saw not one but two instances of independent creation being brought up (though ...
Making 3D Comics by Genejoke Part 3 - Settings
Banes at 12:00AM, Dec. 13, 2018
Welcome back to the 3D Comics-making series by Genejoke.
Visit Genejoke here:
https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/user/Genejoke/
Part 1:
https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2018/nov/15/making-3d-comics-by-genejoke/
Part 2:
https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/news/2018/nov/28/making-3d-comics-part-2-by-genejoke/
BUILDING SETS
Another huge and time consuming aspect of making ...
Convergent Creation
Amelius at 1:15PM, Dec. 9, 2018
Inspiration strikes! A new idea forms, and you're really excited about it. You want to take your time, however– you want this to be great, and no great thing just springs fully formed from one's brow. For years you toil, tweak, refine, moving ever closer to the point ...