Ashton Olive
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I didn’t consider how ambiguous my wording was! I was asking specifically about the Title of a strip series, although naming individual strips is also something I’m interested in discussing. Sometimes I really struggle for anything decent for the latter.
The former though is what’s currently got me stuck. It doesn’t help that the comic I’m doing is a non-comedy, so puns and things like that don’t work quite as well.Clay, that Lion bit is really clever, I like it a lot.
April 10, 2014 at 9:48 am in reply to: How build anticipation for a project that hasn't launched yet? #7546Ashton OliveParticipantThat’s all great pieces of feedback, guys. The project is completely separate from my current gag strip. It’s going to be a long form drama with a really weird bit of flavor (If you could imagine Breaking Bad meets The Muppets.) I don’t expect it to really make any kind of income for me, although I’d like to try, it’s more or less just an idea I’m passionate about and I want to get it out there. I’m definitely going to have a separate website for it, although I’ll have a link to it on my main website when the time comes.
I’ve started mentioning it here and there with my strip updates to plant the seed of its existence in the minds of my readers. I think I’ll be getting some sketches, concept art, etc. to post as teasers, and hopefully when the time comes to launch, there will be people who are already vaguely familiar with the project.
Ashton OliveParticipantAwesome! I hope it proves to be helpful for you. I know it definitely helps me.
Ashton OliveParticipantI use a computer game called Gary’s Mod sometimes. It allows dropping character models and props to freely pose them. I mostly use cubes, spheres, and walls to build the general shape of a room, screenshot it, and overlay it with my drawing make sure getting proportions correct. It’s incredibly helpful. For anyone curious, the game usually dips to about $2.50 on steam during periodic holiday sales. It can be kind if confusing but once you learn it it’s very handy.
Ashton OliveParticipantThis is a subject I’m extremely interested in at the moment. I come up with lots of vague ideas, but how to shape them into a polished joke is where I really fall flat. I look through my archives and see a lot of underutilized potential. Something that could be really funny, but just isn’t quite there. I’m trying to exercise the part of my brain that makes those connections and puts the zing into it.
Unfortunately something like that is really difficult without direction. It feels like trying to bottle fog.
Edit: Just looked through your website. I had a good chuckle at most of your strips. I’m certainly not seeing a problem with your current form. Not that you shouldn’t pursue growth. I’m just saying I’m a shmuck and I can’t help you. On an unrelated note, I really love how you can hover over your strip to reveal the sketch of it. Once I discovered it I went through your catalogue a second time.
- This reply was modified 10 years ago by Ashton Olive.
Ashton OliveParticipantThat was an incredibly encouraging article, Brad. Thank you for posting it.
Ashton OliveParticipantLots of resourceful responses guys, I really appreciate it. I’ve already listened to episode 13 of Webcomics Weekly, and it was just the kind of thing I was hoping for. I’m reading up on everything else mentioned here. In fact, I’ve jotted it all down in a handy list 🙂
I’ve got a friend that encouraged me to take a hiatus. That sounds toxic to me. I insisted that forward momentum is the only way to improve and in fact break out of this feeling of stagnation.
Oh, and Ed, I keep a small notebook in my pocket all day. I’ve got several pages of ideas (Some funny, some less so.) that need fleshing out. Unfortunately it’s the fleshing out step that I’m feeling least competent in.
Ashton OliveParticipantI don’t do a superhero webcomic (yet) but I still do a lot of super hero designs for my own pleasure. When designing a costume I first and foremost keep practicality in mind. What kind of things the characters do, and what utilities they would need in their costume. For example, I have one character that blasts energy in order to propel himself at high speeds. He essentially bounces around town as his means of travel. So his costume is designed with a fair amount of ribbed padding, since he’ll occasionally be clipping a thing or two here and there. If your character isn’t invulnerable, they *need* basic protection. Knee and elbow pads, stuff like that. Of course that’s MY thoughts on the matter. Each person has their own priorities when it comes to this kind of thing.
Ashton OliveParticipantIf that’s the case, I’ll just use comic press. Thanks for the heads up.
Ashton OliveParticipantThat’s such a fantastic idea. Especially since I’ve been struggling on whether or not to make a dependent website for my current strip or an eventual hub for my various endeavors, since I’m juggling a few ideas I’d like to do at some point in the future. Wonderful advice, guys. I really appreciate it.
Ashton OliveParticipantGuys, you’ve all been so incredibly helpful here. Dreamhost is what I’ve decided on (Who could argue with all the excellent points listed here?) I feel like I’m informed enough about storage and bandwidth, but I’m struggling to understand how RAM use will affect my website.  When you guys mention the site slowing down, you’re referring to response and load times? Is RAM affected by traffic or is it exclusively what I have loaded up in terms of lots of things like widgets, flash  movies, animated .gifs, sounds, etc?
Also, is it wise to look into a VPS this early? It’s looking like it would only cost about five dollars extra a month (If I go with the lowest RAM option) or should I just worry about that down the line when it might become a necessity?
Ashton OliveParticipantThank you, Sarah. I’ve been trying to read up on these, and I found some pretty negative reviews of Dreamhost and Bluehost. The problem, of course, with internet research is that some of these reviews were nearly a decade old. I really appreciate your input. I was considering Bluehost, then decided against it, and am now reconsidering again, haha.
Marjorie, Squarespace seems like a very valid option. I’ve been tempted to sign up for them since even before I was doing my strip. Looking at Seeking Shelter, it’s clear you can achieve a standard webcomic design with it. My biggest concern with it is the fact that WordPress/Comic Eisel is so commonly used that getting help, advice, etc. would be very easy with it. Googling a problem with Squarespace might not be as fruitful. There’s also the various add-ons for WP that I’m hearing so much about. Ranging from widgets to even site optimization tools. I’d hate to miss out on those. I take it you’re pretty happy with Squarespace so far, though, so perhaps I should consider it.
February 22, 2014 at 4:14 pm in reply to: What's Your Favorite Thing About Creating A Webcomic? #6177Ashton OliveParticipantA little bit of everything. That rush when a good idea strikes, the process and excitement of working it out on paper (Of course then there’s the inevitable dip of self doubt and hesitance.) and the satisfaction of having finished something and the added notch in your belt. If people like it, then it’s just icing on the cake.
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