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C:\> faq.exeSOMETHING*POSITIVE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Last Updated: 08-21-2003
New Questions:
Where did Twitchy-Hug come from?
Did you know you keep messing up Twitchy-Hug's color
Why don't you use Choo-Choo more?
I'm trying to take up a collection/donations for [insert cause]. Will you post a link/help me get donations?
Would you like a forum? I can host it.
Can I make LiveJournal/AIM Buddy Icons from your strips?
Udated Questions:
Q: When are new comics posted?
A: New comics are posted every day, by 7am EST at latest. This is, of course, barring any unforeseen incidents (such as loss of internet access, which has twice caused the comic to not be updated until around 5pm EST). On weekends, comics are sometimes posted around noon or later.
Q: How do you pronounce "Davan"?
A: "Da-" sounds like "Damn," "-van" rhymes with "ton." Davan.
Q: How do you pronounce "PeeJee"?
A: "Pee-" sounds like "Pea," "-Jee" as in the letter G.
Q: How do you pronounce "Jason"?
A: Don't talk to me.
Q: Are your characters based on real people?
A: All the characters have had some "real life" basis. Most of the main cast (Aubrey, PeeJee, etc.) are based off a specific person I know. A few characters (Monette, for example) are based off qualities from a few people.
Q: How come [insert character name] hasn't shown up on the cast list yet?
A: There could be one of two reasons. The first is the most obvious: I've not had time to update the cast page. The second reason may be they haven't shown up enough times. A character is only added to the cast page if they've shown up at least three times and I think there's a possibility to re-use them in the future.
Q: You, uh... sure seem to use a lot of profanity, ya know that?
A: Why, yes. Yes, I do.
Q: Will you post a link to my site?
A: Maybe. First off, I have to like your site. I'm not just giving you a link because you asked (yes, this sounds mean, but it's true). Second, I have to REMEMBER to do so - there are MANY websites I meant to link to and simply forgot. My memory is horrid.
But, there is something I want to say on this: if your website is a company, don't hold your breath. It's not to say I won't - I've got two companies on my main page right now. But because I like them... a lot. And I like their products. I may still link to you because I like you or I think your idea's neat, even if I've never tried your product. But if it's something I honestly have no interest in (like New Age supplies) don't expect it. And besides, if I'm going to start advertising things, I might as well slap ads on my site so I can make money off of it.
Q: I'm trying to take up a collection/donations for [insert cause]. Will you post a link/help me get donations?
A: No. Sorry.
Q: Would you like a forum? I could host it.
A: No, but I'd like a pony.
Q: Can I make LiveJournal/AIM Buddy Icons from your strips?
A: Sure. Go for it.
Q: Can I link to you on my website?
A: Of course!
Q: I emailed you and you never replied! What gives?
A: It could be one of three reasons: 1) I'm backlogged and your email was lost in the shuffle (this is it 95% of the time); 2) the email never got to me (some users have said emails they sent to me constantly bounce back); 3) you titled, or started your email with something akin to, "I hate to be rude, but...." These emails are deleted immediately without being read further because, frankly, if you don't WANT to be rude, don't be. Of course, there is also the option I never replied to your email because I didn't feel like it or forgot to.
Q: Are the real Aubrey, PeeJee, Kim and Claire hot?
A: Why, yes. Yes, they are.
Q: Are you going to post real pictures of them?
A: Why, no. No, I am not. For, you see, I didn't just "come up" with the idea of making them excessively violent in the comic strip. That, my dear reader, is quite biographical (well, for Aubrey and PeeJee, anyway. Kim would have her revenge on me in other unpleasant ways).
Q: So, how do you make money off your comic strip?
A: Make money... heh! That's funny. Really.
This comic doesn't exactly generate the big bucks. Occasionally, care individuals donate funds (a la the PayPal Link on the front page). This helps mainly with running costs (my monthly WebSlum "rent," pens and paper). Eventually, I will have a "store" where you can buy merchandise, but I'm not really expecting to make a lot of money... or any, for that matter.
Q: Then why the hell do you do this?
A: A few reasons, I guess. For one thing, it keeps me going. I suppose it's a kind of therapy. I get to tell stories, or say things that have been bothering me, and it gets out in the open. Another reason is I like to entertain others, and so far as I can tell, S*P is doing that.
Also, I'm hoping to one day be able to thrust myself into an art career, and S*P is my way of putting a foot towards that door.
Q: I'd like to donate money, but I really can't.
A: Then don't, and don't worry about it. I'm not going to throw a tanturm because people aren't giving me money to draw pictures and post them on the web. This is something I do voluntarily. If you can donate, and you want to, great! I really appreciate it. If you can't afford to, or have other things you need to put your money towards, believe me - I understand. If I was expecting people to give me money for my comics, I wouldn't be posting the for free on the web, would I?
Please realize the comic won't be vanishing just because people don't donate. Nor am I going to post angry messages because people don't. In the near future, I hope to have incentives to get people to donate (wallpaper, mini-comic books, etc.), but if you can't I understand. And the thought really does count. If you still wanna help, get someone to read the comic, and keep reading it yourself.
Q: If I donate money, what are you going to do with it?
A: Pay costs for running the site. First, my "rent" to Webslum, then for my cable modem, and anything left over either goes to art supplies or crack.... er crackers. Can't get enough saltines.
Q: How can I buy ad space on S*P?
A: You can't. Go away.
Q: How do you make your comic?
A: With a hint of ginger, usually.
Q: What the fuck's up with Choo-Choo Bear?
A: I dunno. What the fuck's up with you?
Q: Okay, lemme reword that. Why is Choo-Choo Bear like he is?
A: As explained in his first appearance, Choo-Choo Bear is twenty-five years old, has a rare bone disease that makes him "extra huggable," and long ago went through chemotherapy. He is also very devoted to Davan. Some might say co-dependent even.
Q: Why don't you use Choo-Choo Bear more?
A: I don't want to over-expose him. I'm trying to limit him to appearances and being the occasional focus of "one-shot" gag comics.
Q: Where did Twitchy-Hug come from?
A: This comic.
Q: Did you know you keep messing up Twitchy-Hug's color?
A: Yes - because that can't be intentional, can it?
Q: How much of your comic is based off real life?
A: About 65-70%. In the orignal few comics, it was about 90%.
Q: Will you call me on the phone?
A: What? Are you nuts? I think you've got some serious misconceptions about the reader/cartoonist relationship. This isn't like a date, where I'm s'posed to call you the next day.
Q: What're you scared of?
A: The dark.
Q: Why are you scared of the dark?
A: Because you're likely to be eaten by a grue.
Q: What is a grue?
A: "The grue is a sinister, lurking presence in the dark places of the earth. Its favorite diet is either adventurers or enchanters, but its insatiable appetite is tempered by its horrible fear of light. No grues have ever been seen by the light of day, and only a few have been observed in their underground lairs. Of those who have seen grues, few ever survived their fearsome jaws to tell the tale." - Zork I
Q: Are you as big of a jerk as Davan?
A: I can only dream of being as socially acceptable as Davan.
Q: Will you send me something?
A: Yes. My warmest regards.
Q: You make a lot of mistakes on your website.
A: And in my personal life as well.
Q: When are you going to sell stuff?
A: Currently, I'm selling a shirt in our store. In the near future, I hope to sell prints and a poster, if there's interest.
Q: Why don't you just use Cafe Press?
A: It's a quality issue, mainly. I know very few people who've been happy with what they've bought from Cafe Press. Also, I don't like their minimum price requirements (you must charge at east $15.99 for a shirt, and if you want to see any revenue off your hard work, you have to charge more because all of that sixteen bucks goes to Cafe Press).
Q: Do you mind if I use images from your site on my homepage?
A: As long as you put a nod/copyright note saying it's my artwork, don't try to claim you did it, and aren't making money off my work, go for it. (A link to S*P would be nice, too).
Q: Can I be in your comic?
A: No.
Q: C'mon! Please? I told my friends/girlfriend/boyfriend/local clergy I'd get you to put me in your comic.
A: Well, I guess this is a valuable lesson. Don't make promises you have to depend on others to keep.