Today, comics is one of the very few forms of mass communication in which individual voices still have a chance to be heard.
Scott MccloudRead
Nobody knows what will work until they try it. Some of comics' biggest success stories in recent years have explored subjects that no one was writing about at the time - stories no one had any reason to think would succeed. My advice? Write what you want to read. You'll have more fun doing it - and if all else fails, you'll always have at least one loyal reader.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success often comes from trying what others deem unworthy; write what resonates with you.
This quote emphasizes the importance of taking risks and exploring uncharted subjects in creative endeavors. Scott McCloud suggests that many successful comics arose from topics that were previously overlooked, urging creators to pursue their personal interests and passions in their work. By doing so, they not only find joy in their creativity but also potentially connect with an audience that appreciates their unique perspective, reinforcing the notion that authenticity can lead to success.
Themes
CreativityRiskWritingSuccessAuthenticityComics
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote during a creative writing workshop to motivate participants to explore unconventional topics.
More from Scott Mccloud
All quotes →If you just write the kinds of stories you think others will want to read, you'll be competing with cartoonists who are far more enthusiastic for that kind of comic than you are, and they'll kick your ass every time.
Scott MccloudRead
The ancestors of printed comics drew, painted and carved their time-paths from beginning to end, without interruption, ... the infinite canvas.
Scott MccloudRead
Similar quotes
I think that in order to struggle you have to be creative. In my life, creativity has been something that has sustained me; it awoke my spiritual struggle.
Assata ShakurRead
Creativity has two possibilities. One is that it arises out of your silence, love, understanding, your clarity of vision, your intimate friendliness with existence - then creativity is healthy. But if it does not arise out of meditation, out of silence and peace and understanding and love, then there is a danger. It may be arising out of your confused mind. It may be arising out of your insanity.
RajneeshRead
The only way to maximize group creativity—to make the whole more than the sum of its parts—is to encourage a candid discussion of mistakes. In part, this is because the acceptance of error reduces cost. When you believe your flaws will be quickly corrected by the group, you're less worried about perfecting your contribution, which leads to a more candid conversation. We can only get it right when we talk about what we got wrong.
Jonah LehrerRead
I have a lot of confidence, but little Self-Esteem. This has given me a tremendous creative spark because it forced me to keep proving myself.
Neil DiamondRead
In any creative industry, the fact that others are moving in a certain direction is always proof positive, at least to me, that a new direction is the only direction.
George LoisRead
Discovering a new explanation is inherently an act of creativity.
David DeutschRead