Bill Nichols’ Prescription:
Comics 10ccs of the Process with
Chuck Dixon
What inspires you to create and keeps you going?
At this point, it’s compulsion.
Do you have a set routine?
Not really. Check emails then get to work. Take a break to eat or exercise. Back to the keyboard until dark.
What kind of output do you try to achieve?
These days, five pages of comics or 2000 words of prose.
What inspires you WHEN you create? Music? Noise? Silence?
Any kind of ambient noise. Music mostly.
Who was the first comic book creator that influenced you to pursue this?
Steve Ditko.
When did you realize you could follow this path yourself?
The day the first check cleared.
What do you find to be a challenge in creating?
In comics, these days, it’s turning someone else’s idea into the comic form. In prose it’s that long middle part of the book that is essential to the story but work to keep engaging.
What else do you have to learn?
Always learning. It’s never done.
What keeps you motivated to get better?
The expectations of my readership.
Can you turn your brain (creativity) off (and on)?
It’s always on. Sometimes it’s at low frequency but it’s always turning.
Booster Shots
What advice do you have for aspiring creators?
Get some money up front. Never write down your last idea of the day so you’ll know where you’re starting the following day.
Do you ever worry about running out of ideas?
I used to. Now I know that they’ll always come.
How do you handle the slow times?
Create more work. I turned to prose during a comics dry spell. With e-publishing, there’s no excuse to stop working.
How do you feel about the industry?
The level of craft, imagination and professionalism have never been lower. Too many talented artists and writers are underemployed. Too many “tourists” and posers are working,
Website you would like to promote?
Chuck Dixon
Fictioneer
https://www.facebook.com/chuck.dixon.779
http://dixonverse.blogspot.com/
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=chuck+dixon
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed by the above creator are theirs. This interview may not
be reprinted or reposted without permission.
Bill Nichols
Author, Artist, Editor for ShoutFyre.com
Bill is the creator of Arteest & Ursula comics, writer for Ringtail Cafe, co-creator of Savage Family, writer and inker of HellGirl: Demonseed. Editor for ShoutFyre and Sketch Magazine. Co-author of Camelot Forever novel series.
