Jason Konopinski is to blame for this post. Although I have contemplated writing a post about why I draw comics for a few months, I usually set the topic aside in favor of other subjects. I was content with that reality until Jason published his post about why he podcasts. I then had to ask myself, “Do people wonder why I draw comics?” With that thought, I resolved to write about why I draw the Write Right comics.
I draw the comics for a couple of reasons. The first is an organic one. I originally started drawing the comics so that I would have something fun to share with Facebook fans. The comics, though, were not yet the Write Right ones. They simply related to the month or a particular event. It wasn’t until I drew my Write Right girl and made her my logo that I thought about developing a Write Right comic. It took a few months to develop the idea; it was born in November 2011 but didn’t see any marked growth until March 2012. The March comic ushered in a new era for Write Right: a monthly comic, one that featured Write Right and her constant companion, red pen.
The second reason is that the comics illustrate my belief in transmedia storytelling; that is, telling stories in different ways. When I draw a comic, I aim to tell a story in a single pane. I sometimes don’t offer any commentary with the comic. I want the art to stand on its own. If I do offer commentary, it’s usually to explain what or who inspired the comic. The e-book is slightly different; the illustrations were meant to supplement and enhance the written word.
The third reason is that drawing comics is fun. I love my Write Right girl. I like devising new adventures for her. I enjoy figuring out how to incorporate her red pen; to me, it’s a little bit like Where’s Waldo? but on a much smaller and more sane scale.
The fourth reason is that drawing comics poses a challenge. Each comic is more complicated than the last, although it may be hard to tell at times. The simpler comics usually have some difficult element: a five-fingered hand or heeled shoes. The more complicated ones, such as “Write Right Dreams of a Dragon,” prove difficult because of perspective (not my strong suit by any means) or details, such as a posse of Peeps or a mound of treasure.
Why do I draw comics? I draw comics because they’re fun. They’re challenging. They indicate my passion for both the written word and the visual arts. They communicate my belief that both elements are necessary to sharing one’s story and to reaching one’s audience.
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