Stepping up my Game

One thing I have noticed with the Eisner Nod, is opinions about my work are a little clearer in many aspects. Knowing that I am the long shot is fine, I am just excited to be nominated…. Some of the newer reviews about bean have opened my eyes a little about my story and it’s direction. Yes, I do read the views and opinions about my tale, it helps me gauge my work.

I want to thank these reviewers for their honesty. Many of them enjoy the tale, but it has been pointed out that there is a tolkien vibe to the work and that some of it feels like it has been told before. This is fantastic because it is showing me that I need to really up my game here.

More for me, than anyone else, honestly. I see an opportunity here. How to improve on a tale, that I am passionate it about. Hopefully I will be able to make it even better.

One of the things that I have talked about is the importance to listen. That is hard to do and also be willing to separate yourself from your work. It is the only way to make it in a industry full of opinions. Seeing where I need to work on has been good for me and I look forward to this challenge.

Now mind you, I know I have a lot of good stuff here, but I also know I can improve and if I can improve it for the better, I will.

I am looking forward to finishing off issue 8 right now. I feel that it is better than the others and helps the story continue to improve. So here is to making it better, do I agree with everything said, no, but there are things that have been mentioned that I do need to hear and I welcome it.

So now is the time to grab my pen and push forward. Hopefully breaking the cliche’s that people believe to see and make the story even more original and exciting. Please keep commenting, I enjoy those comments very much, it helps me see that I am on the right track.

So until next time…

keep the creativity flowing

trav

5 Comments

Odo » 10 Jun 2011 » Reply

Hmm. "A Tolkien vibe" — that's high praise. However, since there are only a certain number of basic stories, any high-fantasy moderately realistic story is going to get compared to Tolkien. I look at your work and see a new world (I want to know who broke the moon!) with races that are similar to, but not the same as, those in other fantasy works (there are only so many ways to alter a bipedal humanoid), but in which ogres can be cooks. That's not derivative, in my not so humble opinion.

Congratulations on being nominated for the Eisner! Even the nomination is high praise!

brian » 9 Jun 2011 » Reply

I was checking on the Eisner voting process (just curious) and who the other nominees where. Did you know you are now a judge? Yeah each nominee gets the right to vote (yipes!). So…. Who you voting for?

BTW I think your is the best in the digital category, which is saying a lot since it include Taylor's comic. I like yours better because it is a full deep story with a culture, races, and a very interesting story line. Also the graphics are fantastic.

Tobias » 8 Jun 2011 » Reply

It is a rare man that can humbly accept criticism, whether harshly spoken or kindly, and make the necessary changes to improve an already good thing. I commend your attitude, Travis.

I only discovered The Bean a few months ago, but I read the entire thing in a matter of a couple weeks and then purchased the first seven books for my son, an aspiring artist and story teller. When I gave it to him, I cautioned him that the dialog was a bit trite, but encouraged him to really pour over the rich, magnificent detail in your line work. I think there is a lot of originality in the tale, but the telling of it somehow seems stale. It will be a pleasure to see the story come up toward the level of the art.

Incidentally, your other pieces on the site are a genuine joy to view. Each piece hints at a wonderful story or anecdote that causes the imagination to soar. Keep up the good work!

csdubya » 7 Jun 2011 » Reply

Reviewers are just those that cannot do, and who envy those who can. Ignore them and do what you feel is roght.

Isaac » 7 Jun 2011 » Reply

You may have a slight Tolkien vibe which I feel is as much due to your incredible art style as the story itself. Never once have I felt that you story has been anything but original. One can easily say that any story created today has been told before, but we can save the topic of "originality" for another time 🙂 Keep up the great work!

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