Unsolicited Advice

A new Change Log comic about just trying to help.

I like coffee.

I also drink way too much coffee. I know that.

I fully admit that I should probably cut back. But there’s something about somebody else telling me I should cut back that triggers me a little bit.

It’s not just about coffee, though.

I think most creative people tend to get overly attached to our creations and we can sometimes be blinded by that to the point where we don’t see our faults.

There’ve been times where I made comics that I thought were really funny. I was proud of the gag or the art and showed them to my wife. It’s always rough when you get the dreaded “I don’t get it”.

I’ve gotten better about it but when I first started making comic strips it was tough when I would put my work on the internet or show it to my family and the response would be somewhere between a blank stare and a “oh, yeah… I get it” as they proceed to change the subject.

A worse feeling is when I’ll occasionally go back and read my old stuff and realize they were right.

It can be discouraging, for sure, but there have also been times where I’ve made my wife actually laugh out loud (I’m not writing it the other way).

I guess my point is that, whether you get a laugh, or grimace, just remember that the fact that you finished it is the real accomplishment.

I’ve been doing this for a long time and it’s taken me almost that entire long time to get to a place where I get a lot of joy out of actually making comics. I used to need the validation to keep me going, and, don’t get me wrong, it’s always nice to hear good things about your work. But nobody can be on their A-game all the time.

Especially when you lack experience.

So maybe that’s the whole point.

When you’re inexperienced, you need validation because deep down you know you’re not good enough yet. As you gain experience, you come to the understanding that even though you’re still not good enough, you can enjoy the fact that you’re getting better.

So here’s my unsolicited advice to you, mister or miss creative person… have fun making whatever it is you make. Be proud of the fact that you made it. If some people don’t like it, that’s ok. If you don’t like it… that’s still ok. What matters is that you made it and you’re better for having made it.

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Thanks for reading! If you want to see more of my artwork/sketches/ramblings, follow me on X and here on Substack Notes. And if you really want to support me, I have a store!

Also, if you’re into political cartoons, I have another newsletter called Political Nomad with a new comic every Thursday.

Have a great week!

-Brad