dovecote news

2009-04-04T16:21:00.000-07:00

I assume the blog format will be somehow changing, but until it does, I will take this blog to say that Bridget deserves whatever is the equivalent of a virtual round of applause, roses, and free puppy for her amazing work. Because she is amazing.

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new things

2009-03-31T07:00:00.001-07:00

Okay here we go.

I know I've said before that I believe in making works specific to their medium. So I really wanted to do something for the comic that could never have been done onstage. Aaand this is what we ended up with. So we'll see how it goes?

I've written a couple plays now, and I'm starting to get an idea of what devices work well and how far you can push things, and the same with stories and novels. But I'm so new to webcomics, I really have very little sense of what works well and how far you can go in a given direction before people find it just weird. But like Bridget talked about a while ago, this is all about experimenting, and I feel like it's just as much the writer's job to try new things as the artist.

Also, I just noticed that when you go through the archives, there's a ridiculously awesome little Dovecote 'coat of arms' (for lack of a better word) on the left navigation column. Bridget, you're so cool.

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coming soon

2009-03-27T22:03:00.000-07:00

With today's strip, I would say that we are officially in the home stretch for this storyline. I am simultaneously excited and terrified for what's coming next. I am sure it's going to be fantastic on Bridget's end, but I'm honestly not sure about how it's going to work in terms of storytelling. We'll see!

My spring break is officially over and I'm heading back for school, alas. However, summer is near! And as much as I love school, I'm rather excited.

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character intros

2009-03-25T23:13:00.000-07:00

I like to imagine that the way I throw in characters with weird quirks without any prior introduction is, like... a way of indicating that this is a rich world with layers of knowledge that we aren't privy to, and is more naturalistic because it eschews artificial introductions.

Or, I'm really lazy.

It's one of the two.

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ben+tess= epic struggles

2009-03-20T23:14:00.000-07:00

What exactly these two are doing will hopefully be clarified soon, if there was any confusion. Jeremy is probably at home. In my mind, he's watching Gone with the Wind.

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charlie

2009-03-14T13:38:00.000-07:00

Look, she's dressed like a girl..!

...yeah, I don't have anything constructive to say. I have also made it home to the west coast! Though apparently getting a lot more sleep in the process...

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friends. awww.

2009-03-12T12:52:00.000-07:00

Though this is kind of the only sign of it so far, Tess, Jeremy, and Ben (and Charlie, but those three especially) actually do have a close friendship beyond tormenting one another. I hope to explore this more in the future, and maybe sometime do a kind of flashback storyline... thing. Because they're kind of an unlikely trio, I think.

In non comic-related news, I'm almost on spring break! I'm terribly excited.

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oops

2009-03-10T16:14:00.000-07:00

See, Charlie's not a total bitch. She just... can't really stop herself from saying exactly what she thinks sometimes. And usually feels bad about it after.
(Certain people may know who inspired this particular trait...)

Also, have scene three! I'll probably post scene four on Saturday, then the rest after this arc has finished. Which reminds me that I probably need to get to work on the next one...

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learning

2009-03-07T13:49:00.001-08:00

I'm new to this script writing thing. But one thing that I'm especially bad at, and have been since I was younger and wrote short stories and stuff instead, is pacing and build-up. So I hope that this decision of Charlie's has been adequately built up to, both in terms of her thought processes and her personality. I'm excited for this next part of the story because all of it is completely new for the webcomic. We'll see how it goes!

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feminism! rawr.

2009-03-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

First off, have scene two, if you'd like. :) As you can see, and will continue to see, things really aren't terribly different.

Secondly, I think my not-so-inner feminist is peeking out a little in this weeks' updates, but especially Tuesday's. From the moment the focus of the story was romantic, I was absolutely, completely determined NOT to have Charlie follow the standard romantic comedy path of giving up her career or any other opportunity just to be with the guy. I cannot stand when women in movies and TV shows do that, and I didn't want Charlie to do it either. Or, if she was going to do it, I wanted the problem at least to be acknowledged. While it hasn't been mentioned and probably won't ever be because it's really not that important, I imagine Charlie as having gone to an all-girls' school, and for that reason being particularly aware of and sensitive to the ways in which the choices she makes are and are not reflections of societal expectations of her sex.

Which is not to generalize about girls' schools at all; I just find that that is a trait my (and Bridget's, though I don't know if she agrees) particular girls' school left me with. And I don't think it's necessarily a negative thing! It just planted the seed of a tiny, rabid feminist in all of us, I think, and sometimes I shock myself when this tiny little feminist starts foaming and shrieking over stuff that doesn't bother anyone else. Like this whole 'leaving the job for the guy' thing, potentially.

...well, now that this has diverged wildly, I think I'll call it a post!

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stage and (computer) screen

2009-02-28T06:49:00.000-08:00

I feel like the difference between a play and a webcomic is actually very similar to the difference between a play and a movie, in a way. You have so much more power in terms of timing, changing locations, creating emphasis, etc. on screen or online than you do onstage. I used to wonder why, when adapting a play for the screen, playwrights would meddle so much with what had been a simple and beautiful structure, making it more complex for the screen (Doubt and Steel Magnolias come to mind as examples). However, I think I see the temptation now. Sometimes, the desired effect simply can't be achieved in one time and place, and compromises have to be made. This doesn't mean that the final product is any less good, I don't think, it just means its different.

I think that this version, at least in terms of the plot and Charlie's character specifically, is closer to what I always wanted it to be. I'm not sure if even this allowed me to express exactly what I wanted in terms of themes, but I think that's due more to my weaknesses as a writer than to the weaknesses of the medium. But I'm learning still, so who knows! Maybe someday I'll rewrite it yet again.

And, to apologize for referring so much to the one act the past few entries, take a look at the first scene, if you'd like. I'll try and refrain from too much self-deprecation and just say that if I were to submit it for production again, I would do some definite editing.

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dun dun dun!

2009-02-26T14:24:00.000-08:00

Don't worry, Jeremy. I'm not very good at that kind of stuff, either. Which, now that I think about it, is probably why he isn't...

People familiar with the one act may notice things beginning to diverge a bit in the next few days. Not that things haven't been already, but... more so.

Oh, yes! Also! One or two people mentioned they would be interested in reading the original one act, which would be totally cool with me. However, I'd rather wait until the storyline based on it is over, so that the ending doesn't totally get ruined (though you've probably guessed where things are going anyway). One thing I was thinking about, though (and I don't know how possible it would be, because, again, I have absolutely zero technical skills) would be to maybe put the first scene or two up as a vote incentive? Would people be interested in that? Or would you rather wait and read it all at once? Honestly, it's very similar to what you're seeing in the comic, though I'd venture to say the comic is better. Shh, don't tell.

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davy

2009-02-19T12:39:00.000-08:00

I hate when I read webcomics where you have to study up on the cast page or go through all the creators' blog posts in order to know anyone's name or understand anything about the world. However, as I know that he will be referred to by name in comic at least once in the future, I feel alright noting that poor guy Charlie is harassing is none other than the oft-mentioned Davy. He gets harassed a lot, it seems.

As we've mentioned (and some of you know very well...), this comic was based on a one act that I wrote for school. Davy was Charlie's name in the first draft of the one act, when it was not essentially a romantic comedy and when Charlie was a dude. I don't really know why I changed her name instead of just making her a girl named Davy, but... I'm sure I had a really good reason at the time. I like the name a lot, though, so I wanted to reuse it.

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new extras page

2009-02-14T11:54:00.000-08:00

I've mentioned before, I know, that I have absolutely nothing to do with the layout of the website. I can say, therefore, entirely without vanity that the new extras page is looking awesome.

We've made it into the top 100 on TWC! I am in shock. I just want to say again (and again and again) how thankful I am to everyone who is reading this! It still blows my mind. Which is why I am still thanking people. Maybe someday I will learn to be aloof, but... well, not yet.

I, sadly, have no cases of historical stalking to report, so I'll just wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day, and Happy 150th Birthday to the state of Oregon!

Remember that you can click the title of this post to leave a comment, if you'd like. :)

thanks!

2009-02-09T18:18:00.000-08:00

Thank you so much to everyone who has left feedback in the past couple of days! I get a little bit giddy every time I see a notification in my inbox. So thank you so so much, you are all amazing.

In other news, uh... nothing, really?

EDIT: It was suggested in one such comment that we create some kind of livejournal or forum-type thing for fan interaction. Would people be interested in that? (The idea that we might even possibly have enough readers for that to be viable still boggles me. ;) )

Also, could Jeremy look any cuter in those first two panels?

something of a disclaimer

2009-01-28T21:03:00.001-08:00

I should note first that I absolutely adore Charlie's expression in the first panel on the second row.

I'd like to note, too, though, that I actually know pretty much nothing about reenacting except for that time I read Confederates in the Attic (which is, btw, a really awesome book. I recommend it. I loaned it to someone and they never gave it back, alas). But anyway, I say this not only to excuse any inaccuracies that may pop up at any point, but also to proclaim myself open for always and forever to advice, suggestions, corrections, etc. from anyone who has actually reenacted. Though I still reserve the right to ignore said advice if it will mess up the plot... But still!

cyrano

2009-01-17T11:03:00.001-08:00

I have to admit, this page and the following ones are probably my favorite scene of all, and it wasn't even really my idea. Bridget has, as usual, only succeeded in making it even more amazing.

checking in

2009-01-10T22:12:00.001-08:00

I haven't posted in a while! I was waiting until a day when the 'Ben is Napoleon' comment no longer seemed apt, but then realized that that would be never.

I was thinking, too, about Bridget's awesome extra art month, and how I should probably pull my own weight for once and do something similar. I'm not really sure, however, what a writing equivalent would be... I'll see what I can think of.

napoleon!

2008-12-28T16:24:00.001-08:00

yes, Ben, you are Napoleon.

...what would we do without my insightful blog posts?

alex

2008-12-23T00:04:00.001-08:00

It's very important that you picture Alex speaking with a Southern accent. Well, okay, it's not that important, but that's how I picture him. And we're talking a nice Southern accent here. John Edwards style. I can't remember when I decided that Alex was Southern, but I suspect it was during primary season while listening to Mr. Edwards talk. If I'd been 18 in time for the primaries, I would have voted for him just for his accent (only totally not).

homeward bound

2008-12-18T19:21:00.000-08:00

Unless the weather gods conspire against me (knock on wood), at this time tomorrow I will be back home! Needless to say, I'm very excited.

Hopefully, this will mean that I will soon be attacking Bridget, and the two of us will be plotting future... plots... for Dovecote. While none of those will begin for a good while yet, isn't it nice to know that we almost sort of have plans?

ben & jim

2008-12-09T16:08:00.000-08:00

I do indeed envy Jim his whiskers. I believe Ben does, too. In fact, I imagine their conversation went something like this:

JIM: So, I need you to tell Jeremy that my sideburns are more manly and impressive than his. In fact, he's kind of womanly. And a pansy. Just like in general.
BEN: !?

JIM: Could you go tell him that please?
BEN: Oh hells no.

BEN: You're the one picking a fight. YOU tell him.
JIM: No, no! I don't want to start a fight! I just think he needs to know.

BEN: But I--
JIM: (pushes and flees!)

BEN: Damn you! Damn you and your whiskers!

Yeah, I don't know. End-of-term papers are kind of killing me slowly.

shake it like a polaroid picture

2008-12-08T19:18:00.000-08:00

A moment of silence, please, in honor of Polaroid pictures. Though Polaroid film will hopefully be available through 2009, this is the final month in which it will be produced. The reason, of course, is the complete dominance of digital photography... understandably. For the average person, it's so much quicker and easier. But what do you think? Shouldn't Polaroid be concerned with the thousands of people who have expressed their desire to continue to use Polaroids for nostalgia, tradition, or art? Well, apparently not.

We've all heard it over and over, but until something's done about it, it bears repeating: art is under-appreciated in our culture. The point isn't process, it's product and profit. Creativity is great... as long as you're making something out of it. I remember even when I was in elementary and middle school, the kids who wanted to be writers and artists and dancers also wanted to be famous writers and artists and dancers. Even at that age, the societal impulse that art for its own sake is worth nothing had taken hold. I think everyone with an interest in art needs to work to prove this wrong. Web comics are a perfect example, I think. Probably 99.9% of web comics artists don't make a cent, and probably over half of those hardly have a reader base outside their personal friends (come on, you know it's kind of true). But people keep making webcomics. So it must be worth something aside from a profit. Or maybe the hope of being noticed and read negates the idea of art for art's sake? I'm not sure. What do you think?

...that got a little rantier than I'd intended. Sorry!

gwtw

2008-12-04T18:41:00.001-08:00

Two posts in a row? I'm going sound obsessive. However, watching clips of Gone With the Wind backstage has only served to remind me of its awesomeness. I wish I could say something more intelligent or insightful or even tangentially related to the comic, but... I really can't.

Well, maybe I can. Spoilers? Can a movie this old have spoilers? Well, spoilers.

We're just watching the scene where Rhett leaves Scarlett to go join the remnants of the Confederate Army, and Scarlett's like "are you freaking crazy?" and Rhett's like "yep. byeee!" I imagine that to be Jeremy's favorite part of the movie. I'm like Scarlett-- I can't comprehend what kind of ties would compel someone to go to almost surely die for the sake of a cause that is already lost. But I think Jeremy has a very strong understanding of that feeling, or at least a sympathy for it. I imagine Charlie's more like me... she just likes the scene because Clark Gable gets slapped.

2008-12-01T20:58:00.000-08:00

18 days until Christmas break! Likelihood of survival is low.

However, there is some good news as I saw Australia with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman over Thanksgiving Break. I realize that it hasn't gotten the best of reviews, but I thought it was pretty much awesome. I grant that it was very long and somewhat cliched, but neither of those things reduced my enjoyment, so why complain? Granted, I have a weakness for anything epic (read: Lord of the Rings, Master and Commander, Gone With the Wind...), so maybe other people won't agree. But I enjoyed it, so I recommend it.

Speaking of epic movies, and therefore Gone With the Wind, I really need to find a way to work that into the comic somehow. I've had this image of a strip where everyone hears the Gone With the Wind theme and comes running, but, unfortunately, I don't think even Bridget's talented enough to render music through Photoshop. Ah well. I'll have to keep pondering that one.