I tried to count the reasons for me to make a graphic novel. There are lots of expected reasons, like wanting to tell a story, increase exposure and art and writing skills, make new friends, and express myself. From there I found a few unusual or weird reasons. I have made this list many times before, at times when I was going to give up on it, or better, when I discovered something about myself. My somewhat unique story brings me to see my life differently, with purposes.
Here are some of the unusual reasons;
1. Making friends, then modifying them into deeper characters by associating them with real people, such as my own children. Many of the characters are based on people I've known, and usually their a composite of a few people.
2. Use a graphic novel to actually teach, or demonstrate something. I'm a graphic designer at an e-learning company during the day, and I sometimes struggle to find a creative solution. When I saw that I needed a plot with clear reasons for pressing forward, I saw that my story already mostly fit with the process of creativity. It was meant to be.
3. Use my piles of designs and writings for one big epic, but break it down so I can express each piece in an order. So I am analyzing things that I like, and collecting them in a shareable format, with bite-sized pieces.
4. Indulge my need to make deliberate choices and reasons in a creative project, so that I can teach myself how to make a graphic novel. Also, to refine my style.
It is great fun, and gets me excited everyday.
