But is it worth it?

[Mr C]

Okay, here's my dilemma:

I like comics.

I like to read comics, I like to read about comics. Recently, I've begun to write them.
Yeah okay, they're probably a load of derivative crap, but I enjoy writing them. I've always had a sort of pipe dream of becoming a proffesional writer ever since I picked up my first Spider-Man comic when I was a wee nipper.

What I want to know is this: How hard is it to get published? How long does it take? I've already submitted a future shock to 2000AD last October and haven't heard anything back and I've finished off another one that is semi-readable after going through umpteen drafts.

What I really want to know is: Is it worth bothering or should I give up now and stick to my dead-end job?

[Tiplodocus]

Yeah, you're rubbish. Give up now.  We don't need the competition...  

;)

(I've just realised that smiley's are the equivalent of the terrible phrase "But seriously...")

Course it's worth it.  If you enjoy it, stick with it.

Oh and it takes ages to get feedback so why limit yourself to Tharg and Future Shocks, why not write other stuff and broaden your horizons.

That will also help you figure out whether you want to write or whether you just fancy getting A future shock published in 2000AD.

[Dunk!]

If you truly enjoy writing then go for it.

Be a writer, not just as a career but who you are.

An Art teacher once told me that Jimmy Hendrix always had an accoustic guitar in his toilet so he could practice whist he "preached". It's because being a guitarist wasn't a job to him it was who he was.

Even when doing the shittest job I love being an artist 'cos it's not a career it's who i am.

I think it's the same with any creative pursuit - bloody hard but richly rewarding.

Tulkas(probably being too heavy for a Friday afternoon)

[Art]

Theres some thoughst on the whole wannabe-writer thing here...

Link: http://www.2000adonline.com/?zone=fan&page=messagethread&choice=7498&Replies=16" target="_blank">http://www.2000adonline.com/?zone=fan&page=message

[paulvonscott]

I think most people think that way at some time Mr C as the reality is there isn't really much chance of getting a Future Shock published.

Based just on how many one-offs are published a year and how many of those are written by new writers - it's very slim compared to the amount of writers submitting material).  I doubt there were more than five filler stories last year by new writers.

That's not to say you shouldn't try, you certainly should!  But it's probably worth being realistic, and don't put all your energies into JUST doing that.  If you do a comic project of your own, at least that way you will have something to show for it, and you'll learn more along the way.

2000AD already has lots of professional writers already and new writers now come predominatly from other fields such as Journalism, the editorial arena and dr who novelisations ;)  

So as an amateur, you are up against it from the start.  Although if you write something as good as them, you have a good chance, as (as officially stated) they buy stories, not hire writers.  If you write an amazing future shock and it's what they are looking for, that's probably all you need (it's that easy!).

All my F. Shocks have been rejected on the basis of merit (or lack of), which would have me weeping into my soup if I didn't normally A. agree with why it was rejected and B. I find other avenues for places that will accept my strips.

As said, the amount of future shocks they recieve is huge, so it may take a while to get it back.  They really do read them, the poor devils.

Finally if you do get a future shock published, the odds are against you getting any further (based purely on looking at the stats) there are times in 2000AD's history when it's easier to get in than others, but I wouldn't expect a mass exodus to the states by writers tomorrow.

And of course, if printed there's no guarentee that anyone will like that Future Shock/Filler anyway, as most of them are rather grudgingly recieved :)

That's purely the view from someone on the outside, editors and writers for 2000AD would have a different opinion.  My advice is do it, but think very hard about what you are doing and what 2000AD want.  Find other avenues for your work, it's a lot of fun and worthwhile.  Keep submitting work on a professional basis every so often to comapnies (there are other companies than 2000AD).

Like most people out there, I do it for the fun of it, however if I could make a living from it, I'd do it in a flash of course.

Don't loose heart, don't get depressed, don't get bitter about it.

Don't give up the day job!

[judge dreddd]

solarwind ?
fanzines ?

crawl...before you walk !

[Devons Daddy]

of course its worth it.

but why limit yoruself to the greatest of them all.
try other generes and keep tooth as your goal.
if you enjoy it nothing wrong with not making it the first time, or the 21st for that matter.

what about putting it up for some of us to read.offer to any who want it. and let us read and offer constructive comments.

[rc]

I disagree that you should be realistic about your chances of achieving publication in 2000AD; that is to say you may acquire a resident dampener on your enthusiasm circuits, ultimately leading to less adventurous ideas and more routine concepts and execution.

There is a path to follow to increase your chances for sure, including strictly adhering to the familiar script-format, but do not feel smothered by these rules to the point where your
tale may be abandoned because the idea "would not fit in" - if I can grind out a beginning, middle and end of a story I would then look at doctoring it so a potential publisher may at least give it a once-over; but I find if trying things the other way around [i.e. beginning with a pre-structured backbone and slotting an idea into it] the end result feels distinctly wooden.

Suppose it boils down to asking if you really want a new career doing this or not, and until you are established knowing you must be prepared to combine honest storytelling with business-sense - which often produces artistically unsatisfying results.

[Devons Daddy]

one other point.
my father once told me. which i have always followed.

AIM FOR THE NUMBER 1.and work your way down.
you may get accepted by number 3 or 4 on the list but its a lot easier to make your way to the number 1 from there then starting at the bottom and trying to make your way up.

i always felt it was good advice. and to be honest has served me throughout my carrear.

[Richmond Clements]

Good advice DD, your father is a wise man.

Also, I think the important thing is not to take a rejection letter personally. Don't be offended, they just didn't like the story. Write a better one and try again.

[Dunk!]

There seems to be a core of wannabe tooth or comics in general creators on this board.

Has anyone made it into print? - fanzines not included. That is - been a board member before they got published not a creator who turns up to bath in praise or criticism every once in a while.

How many hopefuls do we have and could we do some "Tooth-idol" event with the winner securing...something?

(I've not really thought this through and working on a Sunday is frazzling my brain)

[Quirkafleeg]

>How many hopefuls do we have and could we do some "Tooth-idol" event with the winner securing...something?

Errr that'll be Tharg's Pitchfest then

[Slippery PD]

Gary Wilkinson is probably the only one, but Art has got one to be published.  

I suspect you just have to keep plugging away, Im sure Alan Moore's first script wasnt that good and he probably had to go away and rethink it.  To ise a sporting analogy, David Beckham does nothing but practice and has done since he was about 8 years old.  To become good you have to practice and get others to look and critique your work....  With any luck theyll say why it isnt good and point you in the directions you need to improve.

Yer Slips

[Quirkafleeg]

Well technically I had sold my first script (though it wasnt published) before I came a board regular...

[Dunk!]

Errr that'll be Tharg's Pitchfest then

Gosh, so sorry for not knowing about that.