So guys, I’m looking for your opinion–
Since December of 2008, I’ve been doing a regular weekly comic, what I think of as my “strip,” the one found here. It’s extraordinarily time-consuming, although I love doing it. I’m not going to stop or anything; but as I have oft-referred to, I’m about to start a lonnnggg memoir project, and posting a page a week is going to prove tricky. And possibly incredibly boring.
On the other hand, for some reason people seem to enjoy my diary comics, which I really only started doing not even three months ago because Kate Beaton suggested everyone try to do Hourly Comics for a month. Well I couldn’t do that, but I do like doing these little comics, and am slowly working around to a style that’s half hurried and rushed and half thought-out, so that even when they’re boring I’m getting cartooning practice.
So, the point: I’m thinking of trading places, essentially running my diary comics as my main strip, and working on little memoir stories (like the current “Poison Ivy“) on the side, posting them in their entirety as they are finished. I’m wondering if this is a mistake? Do I endanger the scant readership I’ve developed? If you’re reading this, you may even be that readership, so I thought you’d be the best person to ask.
The benefits to me are 1) an easier work schedule through con season (besides going to a few of them, I am one of the organizers of one); 2) a way to smooth out my process a little, make my stories a little less haphazard and more made; and 3) a nearly daily update schedule. Possibly 7 days a week, at least 5 days. So there’s that.
Thoughts? I am listening. Thanks in advance!
I think you'll be fine…as long as you're posting new stuff to keep folks reading, I can't see any reason they'd stop coming around.
Also, I don't know how many of your readers are like me, but I actually PREFER to read the longer strips all at once…makes for a more complete narrative experience. Or something like that.
Digging Poison Ivy, BTW.
I think it'd be fine to switch it up. I think the important part is that you still update regularly.
I rather like the idea. I know of one webcomic that is doing something similar (in that a chapter is done in it's entirety before it starts publishing) and it seems to be working fine.
That might be an alternative if you don't want to dump the entire story at once: do your dailies (or however often they are) and then publish a completed story on another schedule after finishing them, like weekly.
Thanks dudes–yeah, I'd be updating way more often actually, just with less, er, sophisticated comics. That might not be the right term.
Glad you're liking Poison Ivy, Rob–I'm enjoying experimenting with that style.
Kaitou, are you talking about Octopus Pie? I think a lot about how Meredith does things, she's super savvy. That was part of it–and like Rob I myself prefer to read stories in larger chunks. A page a week is fine for one-page gags, but for a 10-page (or longer) story you just have to go back and reread anyway.
I find both equally fascinating, so I think whichever one is more engaging for you is the one you ought to focus on. Remember, you're pretty much doing this for you, right? It's a big internet; there will always be an audience :)
I love your regular comic, but I've really been enjoying the diary comics too! I would remain in your readership either way, absolutely. So that is one person for sure? :)
Go for it man. I will definitely keep reading.
Dustin, your comics are great. Your diary comics are fantastic and funny but your longer strips are what really draws me in to your work as a whole. I think that striking the right balance between dailies and scheduled updates for the longer strips will make your work appeal to more and more people. I don't really think you can go wrong with updating more often, I know I'd welcome it with open arms. More Dharbin = more joy.
I think this way of doing things would really suit you. You'd be able to put as much care and time into each non-diary page as you wanted without having to worry about finishing it on time, since on time would be whenever you said. On top of that, you'll still have some form of regular content to keep readers showing up. (I'm personally an equal fan of both the diary and non diary stips, so however you end up doing things is fine by me =D)
I enjoy everything you do, and i think this sis a great plan. The serial format of the memoir comics makes them unnecessarily fragmented and the diary comics always make me smile. I say go for it. I will be reading whatever you do anyway, but I think your above detailed plan will be a better read.
I think that's a great idea. I love the diary comics, and updating more often can only be a good thing. Poison Ivy is rocking my socks, & if this new schedule enabled you to spend more time refining your big comics, i don't really see how you could go wrong.
Dharbin: I was actually talking about Errant Story. Poe took some time off and did a whole chapter. They published it on their normal MWF schedule while he worked on the next chapter. Rinse. Repeat.
I think that's a great idea. Your audience has been reading your memoir comics already so if they have stuck around they must enjoy reading about you and your life a fair amount anyway. Dairy comics are just stories about a different part of your life, told in a different format, right?
I for one have really enjoyed reading your dairy comics! And updating more often will be good both for holding an audience's attention as well as refining your practice.
Go for it!
i think its an awesome idea D Harbin. you are nailing the daily comics super hard. but i agree, as long as you keep up your awesome posting schedule ill be happy.
Think if you can/have enough stuff back logged that it could be posted in bits daily it's the way to go. Means much more regular updates of you're site – for net addicts and search engines that's good. And for those that don't care to check daily, they don't need to – they can always come when they want and catch up. Otherwise we're talking about the same content, spaced out over time right? and if it gives you the time to do it better you think then bonus.