I am raising money to print book 2 through the website Kickstarter by way of pre-orders and other incentives. Help me reach my goal of $7,000!
Thank you. And thanks for all the links and retweets for this campaign. You’re all the best!
-Christopher
And, “phew!” Today’s strip was a strip and a half. In case you can’t keep track of all who is in today’s strip, follow the handy tags below the blog.
Oh, and Tom Walker has posted a new SS Myra.
| Link to the Original Artwork |
I’ve been contemplative the last few days — and not just questions such as this afternoon’s “which disgusting task should I do first: take out the compost, unclog the sink of hair and gelatinous goo, or clean the litter box?”
I’ve been thinking about stories. Not only do I have two sci-fi projects rattling around in the back burner of my head, but also, I am always very intently mulling over about the story of Spacetrawler. I do have a long-term story mapped out (as I’ve mentioned, estimated length of 3 years), but the details are still blurry.
My process is almost like traveling. I have a general idea of the entire story (the map). I have some major plot points I want to hit (sightseeing itinerary). I’ve written rough drafts of the next twenty strips (what I can see in the distance). I have the next 3 strips laid out (what i can see clearly and am madly trying not to run over).
And so, I keep making sure nothing is fixed, but that I keep a clear eye on the big picture, even when I allow it to shift. And try to bring in the near future in, like guiding in a plane, hoping it lands safely. And at no point trying to strangle out the inspiration of the moment, not only because I think it adds life to the story to come up with random things which work, but also because it keeps me excited and thrilled with the project. If I had the entire script written out and only had to draw it, I’d be bored out of my skull.
Anyhow. This is always also spurred on by random things I’ve stumble on such as where robotics seems to be at, or (through io9) Graham Storrs’ question, not as much “what IS science fiction?” but “what makes GOOD science fiction?” And David Malki’s piranhamoose card.
I unclogged the sink of hair and gelatinous goo last.
And on the day’s closing note. Don’t know about you, but every time the potty-bot screamed for its body, in my head I keep hearing Mrs. Buttle from Terry Gilliams’ film, Brazil, ”What have you done with his body?!!” (although unfortunately I couldn’t find a youtube clip showing it).
| Link to the Original Artwork |
Random links from people talking about Spacetrawler: Bill Barnes of Unshelved recommending me to read Tricked by Alex Robinson, Hobster designing space beings, Geeky Collector collecting, Nitwit comic punting, Gary at Fleen admiring the art for sale, Brian Dunbar complimenting my comic prowess also here, and Lurkerwithout descending into dullness. Good times.
Oh, and on a side note. Today’s Scenes From A Multiverse made me laugh out loud. Jon is such a nutcase.
On the home front, Beth and I have grown a fairly large bed of tomatoes. Sadly, the rain and cold has come early, and they started splitting because of too much water. So, Beth picked them all and brought them in. So now they sit on the windowsill waiting to ripen (yes, those are ALL tomatoes). It’s so nice to grab a small piece of mozzarella, pick a leaf off our basil plant, and pop them in my mouth with a freshly ripened tomato. Mmmm. :)
| Link to the Original Artwork |
Beth and I went canoeing in Boston Harbor on Monday (That’s in Washington, not the one in Massachusetts). And we saw some huge jelly-fish. Gives me some pause for thought on future alien designs.
Speaking of “pretty,” don’t forget that today’s (and every day’s) original art is for sale (see the big blue box just below the strip).
And lastly, in the news: a few years back, the celestial man’s-best-friend “pluto” lost planet status, but now they’ve found that a-girl’s-best-friend is out there. Someday dogs will be lucky and their best friend, man, will get beyond the moon too.
| Link to the Original Artwork |
Thanks to Enosh74 for the awesome review of Spacetrawler over at Faceplant! Nice. :)
Hugo awards were given. Great job to the amazing Foglio team for Girl Genius! And I’m glad the movie Moon is on the list. What a fabulous film.
Beth and I walked 6 miles for Pigs Peace Sanctuary this weekend. I brought them a copy of the drawing I did, which meant that the person we showed it to shuffled us over to meet the head of P.P.S., Judy, who was very nice and told us a story of one of the abused pigs who’d fallen into their care (the drawing reminded her of him). It was heartbreaking story, but had a happy ending, thanks to P.P.S. Anyhow, I don’t have a good picture of the two of us, but here’s an okay one of me in the pig walk tee.
| Link to the Original Artwork |
Yesterday I went roller skating with Beth. It was a crisp late summer day, and as she skated farther, I spent a lovely time resting on a dock, barefoot.
Thanks to E3E for the recommendation on the Runner’s World forums. When bad rears it’s ugly head, here at Spacetrawler it’s our core philosophy: RUN. Run like hell.
Now I just have to figure out how to weave “free-style space yachting” into the comic.
| Link to the Original Artwork |
I’ll be tabling with the Topatoco table at the New England Webcomix Weekend in Easthampton, MA November 6th & 7th. Buy tickets now, and see more info at NEWW or on their twitter feed. I’m not sure if I’ll have any Spacetrawler merch yet, but I’ll have Little Dee and possibly Bruno stuff there.
Speaking of Merch, I know I don’t have anything to offer yet, and so it’s hard to support me. But if you’re enjoying this strip, there are ways you can help.
1. Buy original artwork. Each page is for sale (the big blue box under the strip) for only $80 + $6 S&H
2. Donate
3. Link to Spacetrawler in your favorite bulleton board, chat room, website, etc.
4. Purchase books and merchandise from my other comics, “Little Dee” and “Bruno” from Topatoco.
And on the topic of links, a couple of shout-outs. I don’t know who’s been doing it, but someone’s been keeping up the list of techniques Spacetrawler uses over at TV Tropes. Awesome! Thank you! Also, thanks to whoever it was at Amherst College who linked to me. Ah, Amherst… my old stomping ground, I do love thee.
| Link to the Original Artwork |
First off, with a nod of thank you again to Chris Hastings of Dr. MicNinja, I wanted to welcome new readers. I do hope you’re enjoying the ride.
Thank you for the donations to Beth and my walk on Sept. 4th to benefit the Pig’s Peace Sanctuary. If you haven’t donated, you can still support our walk by either donating, or by bidding on a drawing I did of a pot bellied pig: Auction ends tonight, Wednesday, 5:00pm PST (every penny will go to the sanctuary). Help the piggies!
I spent the weekend at Chief Timothy campground, located on a small island in Snake River near Clarkston, WA. I thought I’d share some pictures I took with y’all.
And lastly, a picture displaying my fondness for Macaroni and Cheese.
| Link to the Original Artwork |
The we-met-back-in-school back-story in today’s strip inspired me to draw that, which is hardly a surprise since I happen to be re-listening to the entire series of Harry Potter books at present.
And, Hey! Beth and I will be walking to benefit a pot bellied pig sanctuary (they help pigs without homes) on September 4th. Even if you love bacon, you can support our walk by either Donating, or by participating in the auction I’m having for a drawing I did of pot bellied pig: Bid on the Pig. Auction ends Wednesday night at 5:00pm Seattle time (every penny will go to the sanctuary). Help the piggies!
