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Happy New Year 2019 from Down Under - Self Assessment
7 years ago
So, another year bites the dust and a new one begins. With it, new challenges, new stories and reviewing content over the last year to find what is and isn't working for me.
With the rather large (and occasionally growing) cast, I'm still trying to get new art of various sub characters as well as the main group. On that side, this year has featured new artwork of Tempe, Mirage, Bailong and Xualong by Luthe and Caribou, with the Mirage piece catching some special attention. Also Malarin's first appearance in artwork by Luthe despite having had her as a major character since highschool, which puts her as my oldest surviving character. I've also got an idea of where I can work Tempe into my canon.
One thing that unfortunately isn't working as well is having separate 'alternate' versions of Ake, with one for Niut and one for Cali. I'm finding that the Niut side is being underserviced, both the character, and what she means to me, deserves a lot more. A lot of Niut's traits have come across in characters like Cali so in ways it feels like there is doubling up there. So, I'll spend more time thinking on what to do with Niut, Cendrine and Diandra. I do still have ideas of stories for the three demon gals, even if I'm stuck on the art.
Neverlast is another character that is stuck somewhat. Keeping her separated from the rest of the cast, with whats planned for the Russia arc seems best, but how to bring it into the rest is the rub. I think a large part of the problem with it all is that the writing is still so far behind the characters and scenarios I'm working on now. There are some artists that I definitely want to get art of her and Hel with, its just a case of not having the availability work out. And I'm definitely wanting to get some dark artwork of Svetlana.
The final issue, and the most serious for me in regards to my primary characters, is Stormy. Stormy and Cali's relationship, while hugely fun in concept, when put into practice as a canon event ended up being a real danger of derailing Akeashar and Cali's relationship. Which I'm sure Niut would have no issue with. But as with all intense and passionate relationships, I think its best to have Stormy and Cali step back until I can figure out a way for it to work out for everyone involved.
On a positive note, I've got a new character to introduce, Sam. Not Samantha, just Sam. She's Cali's high school sweetheart, and plays a key role in the background at the time of Ake and Cali's breakup when they were first together. Personality-wise she's an amalgam of characters in fiction and people I know and while theres a particular person she takes inspiration from, she's not intended to be that person. I think she's a more natural fit for being with Cali and Ake, and she brings a nice bit of fire to the characters. Having a character that would stand toe to toe with Ake and the other more physical characters and is grounded is refreshing. There'll be art of her going up later on today! (Fingers crossed)
Sam also fits into a slice of canon that had tentatively involved someone else's character, so that neatly closes off that line. I'm really not having luck getting commissioned comics of any sort done, to the point I've actually had to ask for refunds. I keep hoping tho.
I think I'll definitely need one or two more male characters, for adult art if nothing else. The more serious that Cali and Ake get in the writing concept, the more reluctant I actually am to have either play around (with the exceptions of other members of their intimate group) so... not sure what to do there, since it'd be nice to have a male beside Ake, Souji and Toru.
Writing-wise, I wrote a small skit with the Coffeepot group for Christmas done, although only three people have gotten to read it. It was a fun exercise in getting them out of my head and onto the page, and how they interact and bounce off each other, as well as introducing Sam to the setting. Unfortunately, I ran out of time before writing the most important bits. If I do an expanded version, I'll include the scenes that got trimmed down. But it was good since part of it was how each character perceives Cali and each other. I still want to get a 4-Koma of them going, since I think they'd be wonderful for it.
After hitting all kinds of blockages over the last two years, I'm now at the both the halfway point of the second Akeashar novel, and the trilogy as a whole. In doing so I've committed characters to page who hadn't been before, some of my characters have met their fates, and I've written what I consider one of the most significant scenes in the character's story. As with the first book, I've gone with having a completely original cast, rather than who may have been involved in artwork and RP. I'm a bit lean with how many more scenes will make up the rest of the book, but it'll be fun getting to stretch the guro muscles once more.
Life otherwise is just life. Hoping to get things sorted and settled, been working on some personal things until the weather took a turn for the Stupidly Hot which killed my enthusiasm. Hopefully it cools down enough before the end of my christmas / summer vacation so I can focus on getting back to it.
There will be a special announcement at one point about something when I'm able to make it. I'm hoping it turns out well!
Hope everyone has a Happy and Safe New Year.
With the rather large (and occasionally growing) cast, I'm still trying to get new art of various sub characters as well as the main group. On that side, this year has featured new artwork of Tempe, Mirage, Bailong and Xualong by Luthe and Caribou, with the Mirage piece catching some special attention. Also Malarin's first appearance in artwork by Luthe despite having had her as a major character since highschool, which puts her as my oldest surviving character. I've also got an idea of where I can work Tempe into my canon.
One thing that unfortunately isn't working as well is having separate 'alternate' versions of Ake, with one for Niut and one for Cali. I'm finding that the Niut side is being underserviced, both the character, and what she means to me, deserves a lot more. A lot of Niut's traits have come across in characters like Cali so in ways it feels like there is doubling up there. So, I'll spend more time thinking on what to do with Niut, Cendrine and Diandra. I do still have ideas of stories for the three demon gals, even if I'm stuck on the art.
Neverlast is another character that is stuck somewhat. Keeping her separated from the rest of the cast, with whats planned for the Russia arc seems best, but how to bring it into the rest is the rub. I think a large part of the problem with it all is that the writing is still so far behind the characters and scenarios I'm working on now. There are some artists that I definitely want to get art of her and Hel with, its just a case of not having the availability work out. And I'm definitely wanting to get some dark artwork of Svetlana.
The final issue, and the most serious for me in regards to my primary characters, is Stormy. Stormy and Cali's relationship, while hugely fun in concept, when put into practice as a canon event ended up being a real danger of derailing Akeashar and Cali's relationship. Which I'm sure Niut would have no issue with. But as with all intense and passionate relationships, I think its best to have Stormy and Cali step back until I can figure out a way for it to work out for everyone involved.
On a positive note, I've got a new character to introduce, Sam. Not Samantha, just Sam. She's Cali's high school sweetheart, and plays a key role in the background at the time of Ake and Cali's breakup when they were first together. Personality-wise she's an amalgam of characters in fiction and people I know and while theres a particular person she takes inspiration from, she's not intended to be that person. I think she's a more natural fit for being with Cali and Ake, and she brings a nice bit of fire to the characters. Having a character that would stand toe to toe with Ake and the other more physical characters and is grounded is refreshing. There'll be art of her going up later on today! (Fingers crossed)
Sam also fits into a slice of canon that had tentatively involved someone else's character, so that neatly closes off that line. I'm really not having luck getting commissioned comics of any sort done, to the point I've actually had to ask for refunds. I keep hoping tho.
I think I'll definitely need one or two more male characters, for adult art if nothing else. The more serious that Cali and Ake get in the writing concept, the more reluctant I actually am to have either play around (with the exceptions of other members of their intimate group) so... not sure what to do there, since it'd be nice to have a male beside Ake, Souji and Toru.
Writing-wise, I wrote a small skit with the Coffeepot group for Christmas done, although only three people have gotten to read it. It was a fun exercise in getting them out of my head and onto the page, and how they interact and bounce off each other, as well as introducing Sam to the setting. Unfortunately, I ran out of time before writing the most important bits. If I do an expanded version, I'll include the scenes that got trimmed down. But it was good since part of it was how each character perceives Cali and each other. I still want to get a 4-Koma of them going, since I think they'd be wonderful for it.
After hitting all kinds of blockages over the last two years, I'm now at the both the halfway point of the second Akeashar novel, and the trilogy as a whole. In doing so I've committed characters to page who hadn't been before, some of my characters have met their fates, and I've written what I consider one of the most significant scenes in the character's story. As with the first book, I've gone with having a completely original cast, rather than who may have been involved in artwork and RP. I'm a bit lean with how many more scenes will make up the rest of the book, but it'll be fun getting to stretch the guro muscles once more.
Life otherwise is just life. Hoping to get things sorted and settled, been working on some personal things until the weather took a turn for the Stupidly Hot which killed my enthusiasm. Hopefully it cools down enough before the end of my christmas / summer vacation so I can focus on getting back to it.
There will be a special announcement at one point about something when I'm able to make it. I'm hoping it turns out well!
Hope everyone has a Happy and Safe New Year.
