Inside the Erotic Cartoonist's Studio (9): Script Stalls and 2024 Goals

*Transcription

Hello watchers!

Another month, another video. It's been quite a ride wrapping up the recoloring of the 'Anne-Marie' series. I'll be honest, it pushed me to my limits. With work piling up and the month slipping away, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster. But guess what? I'm still standing, and I'm right here with you. Because you know what they say, the show must go on!

Goals for this year and future projects.

At the start of each year, I dive into my annual planning, setting my goals for the months ahead. It's a crucial step for me, helping me stay focused and organized throughout the year. Now, I'll be the first to admit, I tend to be a tad optimistic with my time estimates, which means I don't always hit all my goals on time. But hey, I come pretty close! After all, what matters most is making progress, right? Now, let's talk about my goals for 2024. They're mainly professional, but there's a sprinkle of personal ones too. I've embarked on a journey of shadow work, which, let me tell you, is quite the eye-opener. Turns out, I'm not all rainbows and sunshine—I've got a bit of darkness in me too! Who knew? Maybe I'm more like Jezzabel than Anne after all!

Of course, the highlight of this year's goals is the English paper edition of 'Anne-Marie' with Erosetti Press, an American publisher set to distribute the comic in the US, Canada, and Europe. While digital editions are fantastic for sharing work globally, there's something special about a physical book—it stands the test of time. After all, the internet tends to have a rather short memory, doesn't it?

Another piece of exciting news is the re-edition of 'Anne-Marie' in French by Murano Publishing. The first two albums (chapters 1 to 5) were sold out, prompting Murano to publish them in a recolored version combined into one album. I'm just putting the finishing touches on the cover, and you'll be the first to see it. It's been a personal goal of mine to give the 'Anne-Marie' series a cohesive aesthetic, as I've been a tad self-conscious about the early pages of the comic—like many artists, I've noticed my style evolve over time, especially in a comic series that spans several years. Redrawing was out of the question, of course! But recoloring seemed like the perfect solution to ensure consistency throughout the series. I'm incredibly proud of the effort I've put in over the past few months to achieve this, even though it's left me feeling quite exhausted. Oh, and speaking of France, there's a chance I might attend the next International Festival de la Bande Dessinée in Angoulême. It's still a few months away, but I'm already buzzing with excitement!

It's a bit of a bummer, but I also signed with a Spanish publisher. Unfortunately, they've hit a rough patch financially and had to put a pause on publishing new comics. It's disappointing, especially since I was looking forward to having 'Anne-Marie' available in print for my Spanish-speaking readers. But hey, maybe next year will bring better luck on that front. Fingers crossed!

Not everything revolves around comics! I've also teamed up with a video game developer called Darkhunter Studios to create a pixel art game based on the 'Anne-Marie' series. I've already sketched out the script for the game, tentatively titled 'Pirate Hangover.' The game kicks off with Jezzabel waking up with a pounding headache and Anne mysteriously missing from her side in bed. Dark Hunter Studios may be a relatively young team with a limited game portfolio, but they're a talented and creative bunch. I'm really looking forward to collaborating with them. We'll be diving into development come September, right after the summer break.

It seems like this year is all about publication and promotion for me. I had thought I'd be diving into musketeers, but it turns out pirates are still demanding attention. What can I say? I should have known Jezzabel wouldn’t let me off the hook so easily. But hey, once the recoloring of the 'Anne-Marie' series is wrapped up, it's time to buckle down and focus on the 'Mademoiselle D'Artagnan' comic. And there I go, full speed ahead!

Stuck on the script!

Today, I want to touch on the topic of script stalls because, well, it's something I'm currently grappling with myself. Hopefully, it's just a temporary setback, a result of overworking perhaps. It's too early to hit the panic button just yet.

Sometimes, as artists, we push ourselves too hard. We believe we're invincible because when we're in the flow, fatigue doesn't even register. But then comes that day when you wake up, ready to draw the next comic pages, only to realize you haven't planned a thing! So, you give yourself a few hours to brainstorm, but despite your efforts, your tired mind draws a blank. Creativity doesn't thrive under pressure; it requires time and space to flourish. You need to mull over numerous scenes to uncover that one gem, and that takes time.

What's good for unlocking the brain? Caffeine, perhaps? Well, it could give a temporary jolt, but for lasting solutions, more thoughtful strategies are needed. So, it's time for a break—some vacation days, lazy afternoons to let the mind wander freely. That's what works for me. I've taken some time off from my usual routine, met up with old friends, watched plenty of films, slept in until late, strolled along the seaside... And then, there's a knock-knock on the door of my mind. Any ideas in there? Not a single one. But alas, it's time to return to work. There's no more time for aimless wandering, but I have a secret weapon: music.

Ah, music is a true boon to my creativity. Sometimes, I'll listen to a song and it will conjure up a scene or a character in my mind. That's why I've curated musical playlists with the names of my comic series, perfect for listening to while I work on them. I've got an extensive playlist for 'Anne-Marie' and two shorter ones for 'Mademoiselle D'Artagnan'. Songs act as triggers, sparking ideas and inspiration. And so, on my journey home, in just a few hours, I've pondered over numerous scenes. Now comes the tough part: deciding which ones to keep. Decisions, decisions…

It's easy to see why artists crave solitude, yearning to be alone in silence for hours on end. But let me tell you, it's not as simple as it sounds. Desert islands aren't exactly in my budget, and neither are bunkers or rustic cabins in the forest. However, I've honed a few skills over the years. I've mastered the art of being physically present in a social gathering while my mind drifts off to imagine scenes and characters. Trust me, I've had plenty of practice with that! Yet, nothing quite compares to the luxury of taking a solitary stroll in the park, accompanied by evocative music. Much, much better indeed.

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And that wraps it up for today, my friends. The next video will mark the finale of this season of 'Behind the Erotic Cartoonist’s Studio.' I was thinking it would be fantastic to make a special video about the 'Anne-Marie' series, discussing the character creation, the challenges encountered throughout the comic's development, showcasing some sketches, and more. Keep an eye out for a poll where you can submit your questions.

Until next time, bye!

LINKS

Erosetti Press - https://www.erosettipress.com

Murano Publishing - https://murano-publishing.fr

Darkhunter Studios - https://darkhunterstudio.com

Spotify Playlists

Anne-Marie - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4NtphQRn1EpLrkXjcaXH40

Mademoiselle I - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1YQtDftI8DBmCCChIzDndI

Mademoiselle II - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0Nj9PuJLrGBB7nZgRWV7BU