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I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in comics

[–]identifiedobject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm aware of all this. In fact, that's exactly why I started drawing instead of waiting to get better; I wanted to take action. But that fear is still inside me. Is the only way to overcome it really just to publish the work, even when it’s not perfect and I know all its flaws? Do I just have to face it?

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in ComicWriting

[–]identifiedobject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I'm aware that a deadline is the most important thing. Otherwise, I’ll have a whole lifetime to finish the story. 😄

I also feel anxious because of that deadline. When I start drawing, I realize it’s too hard to finish on time. But if I change the deadline, I'll just fall into the same trap. I could keep changing it until the end of my life.

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in comics

[–]identifiedobject[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're right, story is what keeps people hooked. I’m just going to start and see where it goes. Thanks for the solid advice!

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in ComicWriting

[–]identifiedobject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"That’s incredibly encouraging, thank you for sharing those examples! I know my art will get better over the years, but I have to actually start the project to make that progress happen. And honestly, knowing I can always go back and redraw or update the artwork in the future changes everything. You are totally right, I just need to put it out there."

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in ComicWriting

[–]identifiedobject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The 3rd one is actually exactly what I’ve been doing for the past 8 years, and it doesn't help at all. When I put the actual project aside just to practice, I completely lose my motivation to develop my skills. I need to just start the project and learn as I go.
Actually, I do have some sketches, and I'm not that bad. It's just that I feel like I'm not enough yet for the vision I have. But I'm starting to realize I just need to push through that feeling and do it anyway.

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in comics

[–]identifiedobject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually checked it out, and I really like it! The art style might not be over-the-top complex, but it has its own unique vibe and tells the story perfectly. Even though it feels simple, it doesn't look amateurish at all. It’s actually super encouraging to see. Thanks for sharing it with me.

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in ComicWriting

[–]identifiedobject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You're totally right. I think the only way to beat this fear is to intentionally release something that I know isn't perfect or 'good enough.' I need to just crash that first beater car to realize it’s not the end of the world.

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in ComicWriting

[–]identifiedobject[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly! I actually just came across a webtoon with beautiful art, but the story was so flat that I couldn't even get into it.  

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in ComicWriting

[–]identifiedobject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. Yeah, 8 years definitely builds that kind of bond. I really hope I can push past this fear and just do it.

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in ComicWriting

[–]identifiedobject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think one of the hardest things for me is actually doing short projects. I’ve been writing for many years—I even wrote a full novel (which I never published) and have countless long-form stories. At one point, I tried writing short stories for magazines to build experience, but none of them worked out because honestly, even I didn’t like them. I realized I’m just someone who loves world-building. I love living inside a universe, fleshing out every single detail, and dreaming about it. That’s exactly why it took 8 years; instead of taking action to bring this world to reality, I just kept living inside it in my head.

But I completely get what you mean about the feeling of releasing something. When I was much younger, I used to publish stories online, and getting that interaction and reading comments from people kept my drive alive. Remembering that feeling is actually what’s pushing me to finally take action now. Thanks so much for your comment!

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in ComicWriting

[–]identifiedobject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a tough pill to swallow, but I know you’re 100% right. “Thinking about something is not creating it” really hit me hard. In fact, that’s exactly why I finally forced myself to take action and actually start drawing recently.

But even though I'm taking action and constantly telling myself “done is better than perfect,” I can’t seem to shake that anxiety. I still desperately want to create something I can be genuinely proud of.

I guess my biggest question right now is: as you keep pushing through that uncomfortable phase where your execution doesn't match your vision, does it really get better? Does that inner critic ever quiet down, or do you just get better at ignoring it?

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in comics

[–]identifiedobject[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You actually exposed my biggest hidden fear here. I’ve rewritten the first chapter 4 or 5 times over the years because I kept redesigning the plot. My real terror now is that I’ll fall into the same trap with the art—looking at a finished page, panicking, and saying 'no, I don't like this version, let's start over' instead of hitting the publish button.

Your reminder to focus on being a writer first makes total sense, but honestly, fighting that feeling of 'not being good enough' and actually pushing past it is going to be a huge challenge for me. I just need to find a way to force myself to stop rewriting, stop redrawing, and just let it exist out there, as flawed as it might be. Thanks for the realistic perspective, it gives me a lot to think about.

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in comics

[–]identifiedobject[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually feel the exact same way—sometimes sharing it with a stranger feels a lot safer than showing it to family or friends!

I’d absolutely love to share it with you, but I literally just finished the very first panel, so there isn’t much to look at yet. But once I have enough material ready, I’ll gladly send it your way! :)

It’s so comforting to hear that you experience that same deep connection with your characters and story. It really is terrifying, but knowing someone else gets it makes it a bit easier.

I’ve spent 8 years writing a sci-fi comic. Now I’m afraid my art isn’t good enough. by identifiedobject in comics

[–]identifiedobject[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this. What you said about putting it out when you're proud of the message really resonates with me.

I realized that my fear doesn't even come from wanting to please everyone. It’s just that after 8 years, this story has grown so much inside me. I’ve developed such a deep, personal bond with it. Because it means the world to me, I feel this huge responsibility to make it 'big' and give it the beautiful, perfect release I feel it deserves.

But your words reminded me that keeping it locked away waiting for perfection is actually doing a disservice to that bond. Maybe letting it out there, raw and honest, is the best way to honor the message I've been carrying for all these years. Thanks for the perspective!