Alyce: What do you think are the advantages of offering a comic over the web, rather than through print media?

Ree: Well, I think one of the biggest advantages is that you can make your work available to anyone all over the world. There is no production or wait time for it. It's right there available to anyone, plus you don't have to search for back issues, because it is all there.

Alyce: You said you stay up late to get the comic out on time. Assuming it's a non-profit venture (like Wild Violet), do you find it difficult to explain to friends and family how important it is? How do you view your purpose and goals regarding your comic?

Ree: My husband's family is very supportive and proud of my comic. My own family is a little less understanding about the work involved. I don't expect or demand my friends and family to understand or even appreciate it. I do this comic for myself and my readers. If they don't understand or care for it, who am I to get upset about that? If one person appreciates the hard work involved then that's okay, even if that person is a stranger and not family. I view my comic as an outlet for creativity and a chance to sharpen and hone my own skills. I don't do my comic to please people. People are far too picky to please. My comic's purpose and goals is to just be and hopefully grow in the process.

Alyce: What is the most rewarding/most challenging aspect of doing your comic?

Ree: I suppose the most rewarding aspect is the opportunity to create. I know it sounds hokey, but I enjoy making new worlds, characters and plotlines. I like seeing where they might go and hearing the reactions of those who actually read my strip... all 10 of you. The most challenging aspect is keeping my deadlines without sacrificing the quality. I hate to push myself down, but I can tell which days the art is rushed and crummy and the days where the art is phenominal. The more time I have, the better the art is. When I don't have the time and am not in the mood, the art in the panels suffer and I feel like I'm gypping the strip and the readers.

Alyce: What sort of a response have you received from your comic?

Ree: Hmmm... I have had fairly decent response to it. Nothing as phenominally huge as Megatokyo, but I don't expect a huge barrage of fans. All I really want to do is tell a story. Those who watch the ride are just icing on the cake. When I get people telling me I am great, it makes me happy. When people tell me I suck, well, it's a learning experience. Both positive and negative responses have their benefits. I haven't gotten too much negative feedback, but I'm sure it's around the corner.

Alyce: Have you found that you've got readers from all over the world, because of the distribution on the web? Do you get different kinds of responses, depending on cultural background?

Ree: I have readers all over the world. Apparently I have a decent readership in Europe and New Zealand. I haven't gotten different responses because of cultural background. Mostly, I think the genre is more universal. Since Science Fiction is about building universes and worlds, the whole culture is alien (ha ha) to everyone, including those in my own country.

Alyce: Would you say there's a web comic community? Do you communicate with other web comic artists at all, to share ideas and such? Or is it almost a competitive environment?

Ree: I am sure there is a web community, I'm just not a part of the "Leet" web artists out there. I don't live on the web, so I guess I'm not thrust into the web culture as much as I should be. As for communicating with other artists, I am a part of an artist community within the real world, where ideas are shared and expanded on. Artists are competitive, yet at the same time we love to hear new ideas and collaborate.

Alyce: Would you consider expanding into other areas; working with other comic artists, etc?

Ree: Yes, I have other projects that I am working on and plans within plans. One of my plans has more of a manga bent that I will be eventually putting forth by 2003. As for working with other comic artists, I haven't received any requests for crossovers, but I'd be up for it.

Alyce: What other sorts of art do you create, besides the comic?

Ree: I love sculpture, but I don't have the materials or space. I have also done some art for a roleplaying game I also helped design. I do some sketches which are fantasy related on Elfwood.

 

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