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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Write authentically rather than trying to predict what others want.
In this quote, Scott McCloud emphasizes the importance of writing authentically and passionately rather than attempting to cater to perceived audience expectations. By doing so, a writer not only finds a unique voice, but also stands a better chance against competitors who are more enthusiastic about the genre or style being emulated, thus encouraging creativity and individuality in storytelling.
Themes
WritingAuthenticityCreativityStoriesCompetition
In practice
Example use cases
In a writing workshop to inspire participants to write true to themselves.
More from Scott Mccloud
All quotes →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.
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
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