Not long ago, I wrote about utilising cliffhangers. This week it’s all about them stakes. When it comes to creating a comic, it is important to give a reason for the reader to care about it. Stakes are a pivotal part of that. Cutscene University explains what stakes are ...

Building the stakes
Emma_Clare at 12:00AM, April 2, 2021Archetypes Through a Psych Lens: Psychodynamics
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, March 20, 2021
When talking about personality, one must mention Freud.
pictured here with a small cigar.
Yes, even me. (Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a fan)
Despite my personal thoughts about his theory, mad props and respect has to be given to Sigmund Freud for being one of the ...
When The Monster Is Too Good For Angst
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Aug. 22, 2020
There's nothing more entertaining than the angst of a monster that was once a human being. A monster that hates who he/she is, that strives to regain all the terrible loss he/she has sustained, to strive to become human again.
Or if it starts off a monster ...
A Binary Approach to Motivation
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, July 11, 2020
I've talked a lot about motivations in my articles. And how could I not? My scientific field aside, what makes us behave in certain manners or way is a question that has occupied entire schools of thought in psychology, philosophy, political science, even AI and (bio)chemistry.
There are ...
Stuff About Stuff
Banes at 12:00AM, July 9, 2020
I've watched Mr. Plinkett's reviews of the Star Wars Prequels 3 times. Saw the movies once.
An obscure horror movie was recommended to me and I hunted it down to watch it - it was a great hidden gem for a horror fan like me. A few really effective ...
On Writing Therapists 1
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Jan. 11, 2020
I've already written a bunch of articles on writing mental illness, so I figured I should write about writing therapists as well!
Oh, the woes for therapist representation in narrative works! All the stereotypes are there: from the shrink that is actually a little (or a lot) loopy and ...
Working with Political Agendas
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, June 15, 2019
Lately more and more comics and animated features seem to consciously, and more importantly loudly, incorporate political messages in their stories. From feminism to social stratification and discrimination, to racism and xenophobia or even depression and psychological trauma.
This is by no means a new thing, to incorporate themes and ...
Commenting on Comments!
Amelius at 7:35AM, March 24, 2019
Hello, guest author Frost Fox here this week so buckle up! (Amy lost the original article thanks to a keyboard-surfing cat, so I hope you will enjoy this guest article from her husband!)
Feedback is the life blood of a comic. Comments & Fan Work are about the only payment most ...
Writing Mental Illness: A Good Example (Part 3)
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, Feb. 9, 2019
Having discussed a general approach to writing characters with mental disorders (with a lot of thoughtful comments by you further enriching what I had to say!) it's only right that we wrap up this very quick analysis with an example of a story that properly portrays them.
I chose ...
Myth Appropriation
Banes at 12:00AM, Jan. 24, 2019Giving Mythic Scale to your Stories
Dexter and the Trinity Killer - this may not look like an epic confrontation…but it sure as heck was!
The classic Star Wars trilogy was a phenomenon and a triumph on multiple levels. One of the things it's famous for is it's ...