The Process of Otherworldly U

Every day at seven in the morning, this is how I choose to wake up to, the bedroom light is automatically switched on without me having to get out of my bed. All this planning because one day, an idea for a comic book was on my mental doorstep. It was a simple title at first, The Little Witch, but later down the line, I figured that Otherworldly U would be a suitable new title.

A fictional story that requires a plot, with many questions forming in my head? What’s the idea of the story? Where are the characters located? How many characters will I add?

Characters. Of course, they are needed for a story. A protagonist and antagonist. Will there be friends along the journey? How would they talk? How would they act? What are their ages? what would they look like?

…. What would they look like? Damn…What WOULD they look like?

 My desk is scattered with notebooks and reading materials, my computer drive is full of old and new character designs. Each file with an added character feature and ones labeled Throw Away in all caps. Shifting though each file and notes, I can’t help but notice a flicker in the corner of my eye—my phone, a faint light of a notification breaks my line of thought.

I’ll take a small break, there could be a new update to my favorite comic.

That “small” break turned into a three hour long social media binge. Maybe I wasn’t feeling it today, I’ll try again tomorrow.

Alright, tomorrow rolls around. I am again, sitting at my desk; this time the phone is far away from me. You know? This character would look nice with blue hair. Maybe they’ll be a college student like me? Should I make a realm for them?

Scratch, Scratch.

…Am I hearing something? I pull out my ear plugs… silence. Alright… that could be my brother being his usual loud self, let me get back to work. Should this story take place in a college? Would it matter to the readers what major the protagonist is in?

Scratch, Scratch, Scratch.

I looked off into space as if I’m in the episode of The Office. Now I knew I heard something earlier… Scratch, Scratch…yep, there goes my cat, Melrose scratching at my door. I can’t just ignore her or that… Scratch, Scratch…won’t stop. The moment I opened the door, she came running on in, looking for attention.

Giving her a few pets, I sat back down and focused back onto my writing. “Melrose, get away from the bookcase!” She lays down next to me. A minute later, “Melrose, get from behind the dresser!”

Oh, great, she got stuck behind the dresser…again. “Why did I let you in here!” Spending a few minutes to get her unstuck, I look over my paperwork again and…why is she trying to get into the closet! Yep, that’s strike three…I opened the door and thankfully Melrose ran out.

The room is now empty and quiet, but the weight on my chest remains, pressing down as I sit back at the desk, looking at the blank page once more.

“I’ll, try again tomorrow…”