Most works of fiction follow predictable patterns, tropes, and clichés in the name of convention, audience comfort, nostalgia, or the like. Conventions in storytelling have long been established as a means of creating a sense of familiarity and recognition for the audience. Certain narrative structures, character archetypes, and plot devices have become so ingrained that they serve as a foundation for many storylines of shows, movies, and more. This familiarity provides a sense of comfort and security, allowing the audience to engage with the story more readily.
At the same time, that same audience may also demand less, not more, predictable stories, in favor of more unique ones.
Does it really matter?
ɴᴏᴛ ʀᴇᴀʟʟʏ.
Contrary to what some folks might say, most people don't actually care if a story is generic.
In fact, many readers actively seek out stories with familiar elements. This preference for the comfortable is often underestimated in discussions about storytelling.
But, it's also true that fiction thrives on a delicate balance between familiarity and innovation.
When stories break away from conventional patterns, they can surprise and captivate audiences, and potentially lead to a more memorable experience.
Fortunately, I was mature and intelligent enough to realize narratives are far more complex than simple accusations of unoriginality. My own experiences navigating the stories promoted by popular culture and wrestling with my own attempts at teaching myself how to write a story revealed a nuanced landscape of narrative expectations. And I'm open to all the endless possibilities.
However, I was tired. Tired of seeing the same kinds of stories and characters over and over again. The realistic, down-to-earth romantic dramas, the superheroes rescuing damsels in distress, the funny animal adventures – don't get me wrong, those can be great, but STILL.
I'm not exactly fond of episodic things – those can actually be kind of forgettable. But I didn't want to go the other extreme and dive into some big, convoluted plot that everyone has to follow religiously. Those kinds of stories can be overwhelming, for everyone. I didn't want to feel like I was getting bogged down in intricate world-building or trying to keep track of a million different characters and plot threads.
Originally I wanted this to be a straight up comic series with origin stories and stuff, but that's daunting too. So, I decided to scale things back a bit and go with a more manageable comic strip format instead. That way, I could focus on crafting individual, self-contained strips without having to worry about weaving together a larger narrative arc.
But I was still having trouble coming up with something.
Then, I came up with this idea.
What if everything took place in a world where:
- Nothing is consistent, organized, and overly polished. Not everything needs to be perfect or meticulously arranged to be valuable or meaningful. When things are inconsistent or less polished, they can feel more genuine and relatable. In this way, people are more likely to appreciate things like perspective issues or line quality variation, rather than criticize them.
- All characters are neither human nor non-human, and have their own unique and oddly specific biological traits. All this is open to interpretation, and it also allows for a diverse range of beings that defy conventional biological norms. However, this is not better explained by any fictional construct such as that in science fiction or fantasy – in other words, they won't be stereotypical aliens or unicorns or dragons or whatever.
- Everyone lives in fairly basic societies focused on survival needs, but the social constructs of the real world do not apply to this world. Concepts like class, race, or gender roles may not hold the same significance or influence as they do in the real world. While this is also open to interpretation, it is important to remember that the aforementioned concepts would not be relevant. This doesn't mean that there aren't any differences or inequalities, but they would likely be based on more practical and immediate factors.
To make things even more simpler, I decided that there will be only one main character.
Now, if you saw what my character looked like, you may notice how plain-looking, at first glance, the character design is.
However, that is a deliberate choice on my part, not a shortcoming. The simplicity of the humanoid look is done to create a sense of universality and an appearance that is more relatable and accessible. It's a deceptively simple design that hides the true nature of the protagonist. (and no, it's not as evil or cliche as it sounds)
The decision to focus on a single main character allows for depth rather than breadth. Instead of juggling multiple story lines and personalities, we can dive deep into one being's experiences, thoughts, and growth.
Now, this approach to storytelling isn't about rejecting all conventions. Rather, it's about questioning why those conventions exist and whether they serve the story we want to tell. It's about finding a balance between the familiar and the novel, or rather, the generic and the unique, and creating a world that feels both different and strangely relatable.
In the end, this isn't just about creating a more unique comic strip. It's about challenging our perceptions, expanding our understanding of what storytelling can be, and inviting readers to see the world – both the fictional one I'm creating and the real one we inhabit – from a new perspective. It's an experiment in narrative, in art, and in the very nature of existence itself.
And it shouldn't be about how generic or how bad a story is. The focus should be on evaluating the artistic merit and craftsmanship of the story, rather than simply making broad, subjective judgments about its perceived flaws or lack of uniqueness. A good critique examines the specific techniques, choices, and execution of the story, considering both its strengths and areas for improvement. The goal should be to provide constructive feedback that helps the storyteller develop their skills and create more compelling, impactful stories in the future.
For any inquiries or feedback, please contact me at this email right here. (When commenting on a blog post, kindly include “Re: [insert blog post name here]” in the subject line.)