T Campbell's Blog
Writer of Penny and Aggie, Fans (also called Faans), Rip & Teri, Search Engine Funnies and A History of Webcomics. Experienced webcomics editor, currently seeking full-time work and working on strange and interesting new things...Sunday, August 06, 2006
Part Two: Ego Dies, Blog Mourns, World Rejoices
I don't even like personal blogging very much.
(Happy 571st post, readers!)
Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, it's an addictive, reactive, egocentric enterprise. The few blogs I like are the ones that have some sort of focus other than "my blog about me." Unless you're as adept at turning your personal life into art as James Kochalka or Harvey Pekar, you are probably wasting the global village's time. I sure feel like I have with this blog, often enough.
(This distaste didn't stop me from shamelessly plundering the personal blogs of cartoonists as research material for the book, but a boring body of work can still contain a few gems and be good research fodder. I don't read obituaries for fun, either.)
So... why "T Campbell's Blog," then? Do I hate the global village that much? For a while, I was as confused as you probably are.
There was a period when I was desperate to beat out the other [FirstName] T. Campbells on Google searches, but that battle's long since won. That wasn't the reason I kept things going.
I think the blog had more to do with seeking a new identity. For five years I'd been "the writer of Fans," and after that... well, I wasn't sure who I was going to be after that. Y'know, some of us wonder why cartoonists stick with one feature year after year, decade after decade... and I think a lot of it has to do not with job security, but with identity security. Take away Garfield, and who is Jim Davis? (To himself, I mean. To you, he's obviously a hack/seminal influence.)
I didn't know what my big, defining project was going to be-- I had so many ideas, colliding into each other as they came down the stairs like that scene in Clue. I'm glad I tried them all, but they didn't leave me any more enlightened. Was I an editor? A scriptwriter? A search engine designer? A historian? A podcaster? A... (ick) blogger? I didn't really know, and I missed knowing who I was, so I used the blog to, as much as anything else, keep my identities straight. I also wasn't sure how much it should be self-promotion ("I RAWWWWWK") and how much disclosure ("I SUUUUUUCK").
Well, the last couple of months-- and specifically June 30-- have made things much clearer to me. Answer: NEITHER. I no longer feel the need to hype myself, and I no longer feel the need to tell everyone everything I'm thinking and feeling, all the time-- the need which fuels the existence of the blogosphere and the MySpacesphere and the Facebooksphere. CURRENT MOOD: WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO KNOW.
This blog now exists for two reasons: one, to showcase work of mine that doesn't belong anywhere else (like this "Reflections" series), and two, to point people to work of mine that does belong other places.
No more self-promotion. No more egosearching. No more link love for its own sake-- no offense to the many, many deserving cartoonists out there, but if I linked to one of you I'd have to link to all of you, and you're too many and my fingers are too tired. To my non-cartoonist friends, see previous sentence. No more public reactions to the latest webcomics controversy, just because I have an opinion or feel it's important to note. And there was never a LOT about my personal life in here, but no more of that, either.
There may be some more essays, but if so, they won't be reactive so much as... reflective.
I'm getting out of "the community," at least for a good long while. And I'm aiming to get further into the writing game... much further in.
But as I shift gears, I find I have a new perspective on that sociological phenom known as "Internet drama," and that silly optimistic belief that someone else might find my thoughts useful, the belief which keeps making me DO these darn things. PART THREE'S NEXT TRICK: Discussing drama without starting any! CAN IT BE DONE???
(Happy 571st post, readers!)
Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, it's an addictive, reactive, egocentric enterprise. The few blogs I like are the ones that have some sort of focus other than "my blog about me." Unless you're as adept at turning your personal life into art as James Kochalka or Harvey Pekar, you are probably wasting the global village's time. I sure feel like I have with this blog, often enough.
(This distaste didn't stop me from shamelessly plundering the personal blogs of cartoonists as research material for the book, but a boring body of work can still contain a few gems and be good research fodder. I don't read obituaries for fun, either.)
So... why "T Campbell's Blog," then? Do I hate the global village that much? For a while, I was as confused as you probably are.
There was a period when I was desperate to beat out the other [FirstName] T. Campbells on Google searches, but that battle's long since won. That wasn't the reason I kept things going.
I think the blog had more to do with seeking a new identity. For five years I'd been "the writer of Fans," and after that... well, I wasn't sure who I was going to be after that. Y'know, some of us wonder why cartoonists stick with one feature year after year, decade after decade... and I think a lot of it has to do not with job security, but with identity security. Take away Garfield, and who is Jim Davis? (To himself, I mean. To you, he's obviously a hack/seminal influence.)
I didn't know what my big, defining project was going to be-- I had so many ideas, colliding into each other as they came down the stairs like that scene in Clue. I'm glad I tried them all, but they didn't leave me any more enlightened. Was I an editor? A scriptwriter? A search engine designer? A historian? A podcaster? A... (ick) blogger? I didn't really know, and I missed knowing who I was, so I used the blog to, as much as anything else, keep my identities straight. I also wasn't sure how much it should be self-promotion ("I RAWWWWWK") and how much disclosure ("I SUUUUUUCK").
Well, the last couple of months-- and specifically June 30-- have made things much clearer to me. Answer: NEITHER. I no longer feel the need to hype myself, and I no longer feel the need to tell everyone everything I'm thinking and feeling, all the time-- the need which fuels the existence of the blogosphere and the MySpacesphere and the Facebooksphere. CURRENT MOOD: WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO KNOW.
This blog now exists for two reasons: one, to showcase work of mine that doesn't belong anywhere else (like this "Reflections" series), and two, to point people to work of mine that does belong other places.
No more self-promotion. No more egosearching. No more link love for its own sake-- no offense to the many, many deserving cartoonists out there, but if I linked to one of you I'd have to link to all of you, and you're too many and my fingers are too tired. To my non-cartoonist friends, see previous sentence. No more public reactions to the latest webcomics controversy, just because I have an opinion or feel it's important to note. And there was never a LOT about my personal life in here, but no more of that, either.
There may be some more essays, but if so, they won't be reactive so much as... reflective.
I'm getting out of "the community," at least for a good long while. And I'm aiming to get further into the writing game... much further in.
But as I shift gears, I find I have a new perspective on that sociological phenom known as "Internet drama," and that silly optimistic belief that someone else might find my thoughts useful, the belief which keeps making me DO these darn things. PART THREE'S NEXT TRICK: Discussing drama without starting any! CAN IT BE DONE???
Comments:
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Now that Mr Campbell's rottweillers have shown us what lovely teeth they have, could they please think of a way of muzzling their master.
Anon, I'm gonna assume you're the same anon who commented on the previous post, because, well, I don't get a lot of instant responses on this blog. Also because both comments seem to come from some strange world where William and Fabricari (and Scott Kurtz??) comment only upon my direct invitation, yet are capable of "muzzling" me like the... um... rottweillers they are.
I don't mind criticism, honestly, but next time maybe do a little research? I have never joined someone else's project without a clearly defined role (that of guest writer or editor, generally). The one project where my role turned out ambiguous was OhNoRobot, and that was MY project which RYAN made his own.
I do agree that this blog's been too self-promotional and I'm making changes there. Of course, if you actually read posts before commenting on them, you would already know this, but why bother?
I don't mind criticism, honestly, but next time maybe do a little research? I have never joined someone else's project without a clearly defined role (that of guest writer or editor, generally). The one project where my role turned out ambiguous was OhNoRobot, and that was MY project which RYAN made his own.
I do agree that this blog's been too self-promotional and I'm making changes there. Of course, if you actually read posts before commenting on them, you would already know this, but why bother?
"Y'know, some of us wonder why cartoonists stick with one feature year after year, decade after decade... and I think a lot of it has to do not with job security, but with identity security."
That could well be a reason, and I'm sure job security is another, but I think sometimes they just haven't finished with them yet. I think it took a decade or so for Schultz' Peanuts to come into its own. (Peppermint Patty didn't come on until '66, if Wikipedia's trustworthy on this.)
Anonymous trollery's just another kind of spam to my mind. Big mouth, no name, no courage no honour no cred no count.
That could well be a reason, and I'm sure job security is another, but I think sometimes they just haven't finished with them yet. I think it took a decade or so for Schultz' Peanuts to come into its own. (Peppermint Patty didn't come on until '66, if Wikipedia's trustworthy on this.)
Anonymous trollery's just another kind of spam to my mind. Big mouth, no name, no courage no honour no cred no count.
There's nothing wrong with using a blog for shameless self-promotion.
You don't have to make every post an Earth-shattering revelation. There's no shame in stroking your ego on a blog either.
I guess the key is everything in moderation. If you write post after post talking about how great you are, you just have to have something to back it up. As long as what you have to say is interesting, no problem.
Some bloggers go on foaming mad rants or gush about how they love this movie or that music group. If you can make it intresting, go ahead. The worst thing I can do is not read it.
On my blog, I know I'm not changing the world. I'm not writing "The Grapes of Wrath" or "Neuromancer". I'm just writing to hear myself talk. And if some people find what I write a good read, good for me and my visitors.
I wrote a sort of mission statement for myself when I started my blog. There were several things I decided to do and not do.
1. No politics. We live in a hostile time and people are divided on so many issues. I have political opinions, but I don't voice them on my blog. My blog isn't for politics, it's for any person of any political leaning to stop by and be able to read it. Those who know me personally know I have very strong political opinions, but I don't put them on the Internet for everyone to read with my real name next to them. What I believe politically is for me and my close friends only. I did post on several message boards and relished some hot flame wars for a while, but I did that under a screen name. My blog is like a Disney park in the sense that everyone is welcome. If I posted political commentary, then fights and flame wars would break out. I might one day start a political blog, but not right now. That would be seperate from my current one.
2. Focus on the positive. This is a harsh time for the world. It's tough to read the news today and not get upset. I started my blog as a chance to focus on things that I found uplifting or amusing. There are amazing things going on in space exploration and science. Some of the things I post are just silly, but there's nothing mean spirited. I have enough negativity to deal with in real life. I don't set out to hurt the feelings of anyone. My blog is an escape from that.
3. Keep it clean. You never know who might stop by to read your blog. Maybe your boss or a possible employer. I work by the simple rule that if I found out my mom or my boss was reading my blog, I wouldn't be ashamed or embarassed by what they would find on there. I don't even use mild profanity on there. It's 100% family safe. If I wanted to post gruesome picts, off color jokes, or naughty picts...that's another blog...not my current one.
4. Give credit where credit is due. If someone makes their own video or images and puts them online, I ask permission before using them. If I find a cool video on YouTube that someone made, I want to give them credit. I always give their name and link to their homepage or whatever they have. If I liked what they did, I want people to know who they are and to check out more of their stuff. It's just good manners. It also helps to make new friends and readers.
Blogging is just like any other form of conversation. Sometimes it's important. Other times is just chit chat.
You don't have to make every post an Earth-shattering revelation. There's no shame in stroking your ego on a blog either.
I guess the key is everything in moderation. If you write post after post talking about how great you are, you just have to have something to back it up. As long as what you have to say is interesting, no problem.
Some bloggers go on foaming mad rants or gush about how they love this movie or that music group. If you can make it intresting, go ahead. The worst thing I can do is not read it.
On my blog, I know I'm not changing the world. I'm not writing "The Grapes of Wrath" or "Neuromancer". I'm just writing to hear myself talk. And if some people find what I write a good read, good for me and my visitors.
I wrote a sort of mission statement for myself when I started my blog. There were several things I decided to do and not do.
1. No politics. We live in a hostile time and people are divided on so many issues. I have political opinions, but I don't voice them on my blog. My blog isn't for politics, it's for any person of any political leaning to stop by and be able to read it. Those who know me personally know I have very strong political opinions, but I don't put them on the Internet for everyone to read with my real name next to them. What I believe politically is for me and my close friends only. I did post on several message boards and relished some hot flame wars for a while, but I did that under a screen name. My blog is like a Disney park in the sense that everyone is welcome. If I posted political commentary, then fights and flame wars would break out. I might one day start a political blog, but not right now. That would be seperate from my current one.
2. Focus on the positive. This is a harsh time for the world. It's tough to read the news today and not get upset. I started my blog as a chance to focus on things that I found uplifting or amusing. There are amazing things going on in space exploration and science. Some of the things I post are just silly, but there's nothing mean spirited. I have enough negativity to deal with in real life. I don't set out to hurt the feelings of anyone. My blog is an escape from that.
3. Keep it clean. You never know who might stop by to read your blog. Maybe your boss or a possible employer. I work by the simple rule that if I found out my mom or my boss was reading my blog, I wouldn't be ashamed or embarassed by what they would find on there. I don't even use mild profanity on there. It's 100% family safe. If I wanted to post gruesome picts, off color jokes, or naughty picts...that's another blog...not my current one.
4. Give credit where credit is due. If someone makes their own video or images and puts them online, I ask permission before using them. If I find a cool video on YouTube that someone made, I want to give them credit. I always give their name and link to their homepage or whatever they have. If I liked what they did, I want people to know who they are and to check out more of their stuff. It's just good manners. It also helps to make new friends and readers.
Blogging is just like any other form of conversation. Sometimes it's important. Other times is just chit chat.
Hey! I like these rules.
1. No politics.
I like this point and I hope all them evil right-wingers will start following it so they can stop being so evil like their evil president Bush.
2. Focus on the positive.
Well... just... just WHERE am I going to rant about getting cut off in traffic the other day?
Where, dammit?!
3. Keep it clean.
Holy fuck, I'm fucked!
4. Give credit where credit is due.
Wait!
I thought YouTube legally owns all of that stuff according to their TOS?
1. No politics.
I like this point and I hope all them evil right-wingers will start following it so they can stop being so evil like their evil president Bush.
2. Focus on the positive.
Well... just... just WHERE am I going to rant about getting cut off in traffic the other day?
Where, dammit?!
3. Keep it clean.
Holy fuck, I'm fucked!
4. Give credit where credit is due.
Wait!
I thought YouTube legally owns all of that stuff according to their TOS?
"Y'know, some of us wonder why cartoonists stick with one feature year after year, decade after decade... and I think a lot of it has to do not with job security, but with identity security."
This paragraph has been bouncing in my head for the better part of a day. Faced with completing one graphic novel and moving on to another within the next year, I'm distressed about loosing an identity defined solely around the first book. At the same time it's an exciting prospect, and something I look forward to working out.
This alone can be the topic of an entire series of articles.
This paragraph has been bouncing in my head for the better part of a day. Faced with completing one graphic novel and moving on to another within the next year, I'm distressed about loosing an identity defined solely around the first book. At the same time it's an exciting prospect, and something I look forward to working out.
This alone can be the topic of an entire series of articles.
I'm definitely in the camp that's baffled by the ability of some creators to stick with the same project year after year. Hell, I couldn't do a strip for six months without getting bored. Sure, Picture Story Theatre has been going for over two year, but that works because it's an anthology--it's a new story every few weeks or months.
Like you, T, I tend to dip into too many things at once, between magazine writing, making comics, Full Story, my book, and whatnot. Sometimes the best thing is to pare down, refocus, and figure out what you really want to be doing.
What I do think a blog is important for--especially for people like you and me--is keeping those folks who are interested one of our projects aware of what else we're doing. It doesn't need to be hype, but it does need to be at least minimally promotional. Because that's partly what blog readers come for.
I read your blog mainly because I know that every couple of months you come out with some interesting new project, and this is the best way for me to find out about them. I like getting your thoughts on current developments too, but mostly I just want to know what intereting new thing you're up to.
Like you, T, I tend to dip into too many things at once, between magazine writing, making comics, Full Story, my book, and whatnot. Sometimes the best thing is to pare down, refocus, and figure out what you really want to be doing.
What I do think a blog is important for--especially for people like you and me--is keeping those folks who are interested one of our projects aware of what else we're doing. It doesn't need to be hype, but it does need to be at least minimally promotional. Because that's partly what blog readers come for.
I read your blog mainly because I know that every couple of months you come out with some interesting new project, and this is the best way for me to find out about them. I like getting your thoughts on current developments too, but mostly I just want to know what intereting new thing you're up to.
Charles, your counterargument's a well-spoken one, and it would certainly make a lot of personal blogs more palatable. I just feel that a personal blog (particularly one that updates too often) pulls people into certain bad writing habits like a riptide. See 2b for a clearer statement...
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