For my money, I think the comic has some of the best comedic timing on the web, so after your done with the interview, head over to her site and help Danielle out as she makes the transition to full time cartoonist.
Kathy
Kathy Peterson: First off, how does it feel to know that your fans were able to raise enough money for you to do the comic full time for several months in a matter of weeks?
Danielle Corsetto: Oh my god. So incredibly humbling. I'm still beside myself, particularly because August has now been paid for, which means I think I might not have to stop GWS anytime soon after all.
More than anything, I'm just so happy that people obviously relate to and enjoy the strip and the characters that much. Believe me, the characters love them right back. The readers just gave Hazel, Jamie and the gang WAY more breathing room, and they are so grateful. As am I.
KP: Now that the financial component is somewhat taken care of, how is the transition to updating five times a week going? Are you nervous at all?
DC: Hardly! I'm only nervous in that excited-nervous kind of way. I'm working with a very generous programmer to get the pages to update & archive automatically, and the site is going to be the best it's ever been.
People have been asking me if I'm afraid I'll run out of steam and no longer be interested in writing and drawing GWS on such a frequent update schedule. Quite the contrary; I feel like I've been doing a bunch of false-starts for two and a half years, and this time I've been given the freedom to just run. I've even been writing and drawing the strip early to get ahead. I'm so much more inspired now.
KP: In a landscape dominated by anime, video games, and science fiction, how have you managed to have such a successful comic about a somewhat neurotic girl and her close friends?
DC: I think it's the simple fact that we can ALL relate to romantic relationships, friendships, sexuality, booze, dildoes, dominatrix librarians, and talking cacti.
On the other hand, only my wonderful geek pals can get into tentacle sex, World of Warcraft references, and Ewoks. I've found that a good chunk of GWS readers wouldn't be caught dead at a comic book convention. The strip aims to be about as accessible as an R-rated sitcom, or an episode of Sex and the City. Minus the bare tits. Sorry, guys.
KP: How would you describe your experience with doing the artwork for "Crazy Papers"? What lessons did you take away from doing the book?
DC: At first I was pretty embarrassed by my first crack at a graphic novel, but looking back, it wasn't a bad start! I had a hard time working out the tricks to laying out full pages and including backgrounds ("Backgrounds? What the hell are THOSE?!"), but after awhile I got the hang of it.
It was an INCREDIBLY helpful experience and I'm grateful my first book was with a writer who wanted to do a slice-of-life comedy. I think if it'd been a dramatic guns-n-tits book, I would have shied away from graphic novels forever.
KP: Are you currently working on or planning to do another graphic novel? If so (or even if not) are there any particular stories (or types of stories) you'd like to do?
DC: I've come to realize that I really don't do anything well unless it's got comedy in it.
I'm working on a script now that should have the feel of the movie Garden State - a sweet love story wrapped in light-hearted observational humor. I hate the term coming-of-age, but it's a coming-of-age story no matter how you dice it. Just sort of a belated age: a twenty-something and a forty-something at the same stage in their lives.
I've sat on the idea for a year, the same way they tell you to sit on a tattoo for a year before you get it inked. Now I know that I want to tell this story.
KP: What's the strangest reaction you've ever gotten from someone at a convention to the giant McPedro doll?
DC: "Look, Daddy!"
"Oooh wow, what is that, Pumpkin?"
"A FAVA BEAN!"
KP: Given your background in photography, I was wondering what your favorite subjects are and if you are currently working on any projects?
DC: Wow, you've done your homework!
Favorite subjects? Hmmm... currently, anything contrasty that'll look great in square format. I've been playing with my Diana a bit lately. Different subjects for different cameras. Although I'll always love photographing candids of people, above all.
I'm still working on a sketchbook that I can sell at conventions, and once I finish that I'd REALLY like to sell a similar book of my photography. I've got the favorite photos saved off to a folder waiting to be paged together someday.
KP: Last, what's the one webcomic you'd recommend people check out that they're probably not reading already?
DC: Oh god, there are so many! Umm, I've promoted In His Likeness every chance I've had, so I think I'll throw out Synaptic Misfiring, one of my favorites. Awesome premise, and similar approach; a slice-of-life comedy that's not afraid to talk about sex. Antonio's getting better and better with every strip. You should totally check it out.
