Indy Comics Writer

I love writing comic scripts. I don’t care that much for writing about the sorry shape of much of downtown Cleveland. Unfortunately, that second story, not my comic scripts, is what pays the bill these days.

I’m fortunate. I make my living by writing. Sure, it’s not always the type of writing that I’d like to do, but it’s writing, nonetheless. What more can I ask for?

The problem is, it’s sometimes a challenge to find time to tackle my comics writing. With the rough economy, some of my main clients have either gone out of business or have stopped assigning stories to freelance writers. At the same time, the clients I’ve replaced them with don’t always pay as much as my former ones did. This all leads to more work for the same, or, sometimes, less money. It’s a drag, and it takes me away from the kind of writing I like best.

I think most new comics writers face this challenge in one way or another. I know many aspiring comics writers work full-time jobs not related at all to comics. I can’t imagine how difficult it is to come home from a long day at work to force yourself to be creative and write.

But we have to. If we don’t carve out that time, if you don’t exercise your creative-writing muscles, you’ll never improve. And if you never improve, you’ll never reach that goal of seeing your comic scripts hit the shelves of your local comic shop.

So find that time. If it means a little less sleep, or if it means skipping tonight’s episode of Dexter, do it. You’ll be thankful later. Trust me.

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