I had a really amazing year. I spent the first 8 months working on my very own graphic novel and actually not starving (thanks, First Second, and also the Nova Scotia Tourism and Culture people for that awesome grant!), which is kind of a dream come true. It's weird when you land in your dream job: it's harder than you ever expect it to be (so many long hours, so much backbreaking labour, so many days where if I have to ink another pencil line I will scream), but also so much more wonderful. I made a comic! I mean, I've been making comics for over ten years (OVER TEN YEARS WTF), but it was the first time where I was getting paid a living wage to make my own. It was pretty wow.
It was also kind of a crazy year in that things I never thought would happen to me, uh, kinda did. Like getting a short story published by Marvel. I mean, look, I know how I draw and write, and it's not typical Marvel stuff, and it was really a great experience being allowed into that very different world to play around. It was really fun, and I loved all the responses I got to my work.
People also really loved my Wolverine story, and it got passed around the internet and it turned into this whole thing I really wasn't expecting, and I'm still kind of blown away by it all. I've never had something go viral like that, and it was really amazing. I feel like I fell accidentally into the best of both worlds: I got a story passed around a million times online (but didn't make any money from that), and I got a story published by Marvel. So I got paid for my work and I got internet popular, which is something that doesn't happen very often.
And people seem to be enjoying my little Superhero Girl comic strip as well. I really appreciate all the comments people have been leaving, and it's great to get paid a little bit of money for that comic. Makes me feel that I can buy comics without worrying too much about my budget.
I guess I really found everyone's responses to my work this year kind of incredible. I have a hard time with my artwork. I feel like I was bad at drawing for so long that it became my default stance. Faith Erin Hicks = bad at the drawing part, but maybe okay at other things and when combined with writing her comics are probably okay to read for free online or something. AWFUL. But this year I feel like I got a lot of praise and people who I never expected to even talk to me told me they enjoyed my work, and it made me go all wibbly and embarrassed and it was so cool, you guys. It was a special year.
I also moved in with my boyfriend, and so far we have managed not to starve (I've discovered I kind of like cooking for him) and the scrunched up faces he makes when I put my cold feet on him at night are hilarious. I am a terrible girlfriend and it's been really great so far. Personal and professional success this year? I know, wtf. I'm unrecognizable.
So here's to a great 2011! It's always looking busy and awesome and terrifying and great. I'm working hard on my next script for First Second, and I think it's going to be a blast to draw.
I'm also going to be drawing a comic with J.Torres in the spring, which I'm really looking forward to. Everyone I've spoken to about J. has told me how awesome he is, so he'd better live up to the hype. ;) So yeah, I'll be drawing at least two books at once for most of 2011, which is just nuttiness. AND there'll be a big online thing I'll be doing soon as well, but I can't announce that just yet.
I think 2011's going to be pretty cool.
(Oh yeah, I also bought a very cool tablet laptop! See how pretty:
Yes so pretty! It's my very first brand new computer!)