You know the type, I'm sure. One of those days.
Sometimes I don't get to bed until 1 am - 3am, not because I am partying or having fun, but because I am working. Working on plots, working on penciling, working on inks, working on lettering pages, working on coloring, working being a publisher (which consists of communicating with other talent, the printer, drafting up contracts, proof reading/editing, and keeping an eye on the Motor City Comic Con), working as the webmaster and forum administrator...without the admin part, you wouldn't even be reading this post!
Anyway, long story short, I do a lot of work. There are many times when I work through a weekend. Times when I work through parties going on right in my own home. Times when I work through perfectly nice, sunny, and warm days (which is not too many here in Michigan). Times when I work through eye strain induced headaches (oh, how I hate those!). Times when I work while it seems the rest of the world is asleep. Times when I have to force myself to work through writers or artists block (not easy to do, trust me).
I also physically work alone. No co-workers to live experiences with. No worries of sexual harrassment. No meeting new people.
Sometimes, late at night (or early in the morning, depending upon ones perspective) I tiredly shut everything down for the workday and ask myself why I do it. What, exactly, is my rationale to do everything I have done and continue to do? Sometimes it seems like I have done so very little and accomplished nothing as I go to sleep at night.
At 8 am, when my alarm kicks on the radio to wake me, I tiredly turn it off and force myself out of bed. That's when I see it: The Wall. I have put each proof copy of every issue into a mylar bag (with board) and pinned it to The Wall by my drawing board. It now has an impressive 7 issues on it! Considering this time last year, it was just a blank wall standing there, I believe that's rather impressive. I have published two titles of my own to date: RELIANT PRESENTS and TALES FROM THUNDER CITY and now Reliant Publishing has taken on a new title: JEREMIAH COOPER as well.
Virtually every morning I look at The Wall and can't help but be amazed at how it symbolizes everything I have managed to accomplish in the past year. Looking at it now, I wonder what it will look like next year at this time.
I guess I do it all because I'm a dreamer and a thinker. All I've ever wanted to do is to work with comic books; to entertain, amuse, and if I'm really lucky, educate people. That's why I do it. That's why I work so hard. I'm an entertainer at heart. It's all been one big learning experience for me and it's allowed me to hone my skills and force me to get better at each aspect of the business. I may not be able to concentrate on any single area of expertise, but at least I will always know how to do each of them, due to practical work experience. That can't be all bad.
Anyway, enough of my ramblings. It is late and time for me to go to bed!
Sometimes I don't get to bed until 1 am - 3am, not because I am partying or having fun, but because I am working. Working on plots, working on penciling, working on inks, working on lettering pages, working on coloring, working being a publisher (which consists of communicating with other talent, the printer, drafting up contracts, proof reading/editing, and keeping an eye on the Motor City Comic Con), working as the webmaster and forum administrator...without the admin part, you wouldn't even be reading this post!
Anyway, long story short, I do a lot of work. There are many times when I work through a weekend. Times when I work through parties going on right in my own home. Times when I work through perfectly nice, sunny, and warm days (which is not too many here in Michigan). Times when I work through eye strain induced headaches (oh, how I hate those!). Times when I work while it seems the rest of the world is asleep. Times when I have to force myself to work through writers or artists block (not easy to do, trust me).
I also physically work alone. No co-workers to live experiences with. No worries of sexual harrassment. No meeting new people.
Sometimes, late at night (or early in the morning, depending upon ones perspective) I tiredly shut everything down for the workday and ask myself why I do it. What, exactly, is my rationale to do everything I have done and continue to do? Sometimes it seems like I have done so very little and accomplished nothing as I go to sleep at night.
At 8 am, when my alarm kicks on the radio to wake me, I tiredly turn it off and force myself out of bed. That's when I see it: The Wall. I have put each proof copy of every issue into a mylar bag (with board) and pinned it to The Wall by my drawing board. It now has an impressive 7 issues on it! Considering this time last year, it was just a blank wall standing there, I believe that's rather impressive. I have published two titles of my own to date: RELIANT PRESENTS and TALES FROM THUNDER CITY and now Reliant Publishing has taken on a new title: JEREMIAH COOPER as well.
Virtually every morning I look at The Wall and can't help but be amazed at how it symbolizes everything I have managed to accomplish in the past year. Looking at it now, I wonder what it will look like next year at this time.
I guess I do it all because I'm a dreamer and a thinker. All I've ever wanted to do is to work with comic books; to entertain, amuse, and if I'm really lucky, educate people. That's why I do it. That's why I work so hard. I'm an entertainer at heart. It's all been one big learning experience for me and it's allowed me to hone my skills and force me to get better at each aspect of the business. I may not be able to concentrate on any single area of expertise, but at least I will always know how to do each of them, due to practical work experience. That can't be all bad.
Anyway, enough of my ramblings. It is late and time for me to go to bed!
laws?
