The First 100 Strips

These days, when people make their own comics, they usually post every strip they make, starting from the beginning. It can be very interesting to see a comic at its beginnings, get to know the characters, and see how they grow and evolve.

The problem with this is that the beginning installments of a comic are usually bad. These cartoonists don't know their characters very well and they don't know their surroundings very well. Often times, they are also just learning how to draw and write. As such, the art is usually lacking and the writing is so-so. This is normal, though. In general, the first 100 strips are considered practice. It is the time where the creator learns what they're trying to create and how to execute it.

Although these first 100 are practice, people still want advice on their work. I think that this is counterproductive. This practice period is when the creator shapes their own work and shapes themselves. When other people give advice, they are trying to fix something that isn't broken. The point of advice is to make the comic become what it is trying to be. But in the practice period, the creators themselves don't know what their comic is trying to be, so it will give no help.

The same thing is true for a writer of any kind. Advice is a great thing. A good reader and a good critic will make you better at what you do. But, until you know what you are trying to do, advice can only help so much. Write 100 pieces. They can be anything - poetry, short story, novel, essay, or anything else. When you've done that, you will have a grasp of what you are trying to do with your writing, and other people will help you reach your goals with your advice.

Shape yourself before you ask others to shape you.