Gutter Thoughts 005
What's Within Your Control?
Welcome to Gutter Thoughts, where I share insights into my creative process and philosophy each week. From exploring big ideas to finding inspiration in comics, books, shows, and movies, this space is all about staying creative and grounded.
Weekly Creative Focus
Whether diving into creative work or spending time learning and reflecting, here’s what’s been on the mind and plate this week.
Focus on What You Can Control
As someone who runs their own ghostwriting business and creates comics, prioritizing goals is essential.
This week, my goals for ghostwriting were paramount. But in the back of my mind, I felt like I was continuing to lose ground with my comic projects.
So, how did I resolve it?
I asked myself one question:
What can I focus on now that will benefit my process for my comics in the near future?
And it came down to the following two things:
1. Sketch During Down Time
I believe that sketching is life for the comic book creator.
It’s where you can work out your ideas and concepts before fully committing to your project. You get to see what works and what doesn’t. It’s visual journaling for the creative. This week, I kept my sketchbook at my desk, front and center. If I had a minute or two of free time, I opened it up and started loosely drawing ideas from my mind. Even though, at the moment, I can’t commit to drawing an entire page, it feels good to know that I am still doing tiny warm-ups of drawing.
The takeaway: Make whatever you want to do more visually present in front of you. Then, commit to it for two minutes whenever you have a break.
2. Capture Inspiration Onto MoodBoards
Consuming content is a big part of being creative.
But if you are consuming and not turning it into output, you’re wasting time. This week, I captured content across the web, books, comics, and shows and created an inspirational digital mood board for the free Apple app, FreeForm. This app is hands down one of my favorite tools, and I believe every creative should utilize it. Instead of putting your inspirations in a folder (that you rarely check on), you can create dedicated boards for a project you're working on. For instance, I am currently planning an idea for a divine champions fantasy called The Bearers, and I have a dedicated board to that.
The takeaway: Creating digital mood boards is excellent for staying inspired and perfect for jumpstarting ideas when you are ready to sketch.
By focusing on these two things that were in my control, I was able to stay consistent in my ghostwriting projects and not feel left behind in my comic projects.
So, what can you focus on right now that will benefit your creative endeavors in the near future?
This Week’s Creative Sparks
Here are the shows, books, movies, comics, and more that have sparked my creativity this week:
Show: Arcane Season 2 on Netflix
This show is very popular, but I have very low expectations every time I sit down to watch it. Part of me feels like the visuals look too good to be true, and I doubt the story will match, but oh, how I was proven wrong. With only three episodes currently out (and three more to drop this weekend), this season is already setting the bar very high. The first episode alone had me screaming: “holy sh*t.” My only feedback is that they can do less with music montages because the music is not great. Other than that this show is currently 9/10 on my list and will probably be one of the best animations of 2024.
Show: Orb: On the Movements Of The Earth on Netflix
This science-based anime has been recommended over and over again. Finally, I saw Gigguk give his review on this. I knew I needed to watch when I heard the whole premise. How far is one willing to go to protect an idea? Are they willing to die for it? This anime explores what it means to believe in the power of science during a time when it was a crime. I’ve only watched the first two episodes, and damn, it’s intense. What I love most about this anime is the theme: an idea can be so powerful it can change one whole reality.
Book: The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark by Carl Sagan
Lately, I’ve seen more folks turn to astrology as a source of truth. It’s very common out here in southern California. I’ve dabbled in it because I believe it to be a placebo effect. But when I say this, I am told that I am crazy and that astrology is 100% real. I am very curious how so many folks went from being full-blown atheists to hardcore believers in astrology and pseudoscience. This book dives into how easily we as a society can start to believe in some crazy things if we reject science and its impacts on our education, politics, careers, and overall way of life. It's a great read, and I am enjoying it so far.
Comic of the Week
The Amazing Spider-Man #61
Writer: Joe Kelly
Penciler: Ed McGuinness
I had no clue that this comic was dropping, and I did not expect it to be the pick of the week.
But I am glad I did. Frankly, I have no clue what’s been happening in the Spider-Man universe for the last few years, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it.
Ed McGuiness is one of my all-time favorite pencilers. From the very first page, the art is epic. When someone like him has so much experience, it’s easy to catch their shortcuts (which is not necessarily a bad thing). Ed has decided to push his style further where other artists may have stagnated. You can see within these pages he’s been influenced by manga. And, of course, that’s a credit to his inker, Mark Farmer. Then there’s this amazing dream sequence in the book that I could stare at for hours, thanks to the incredible artist Niko Henrichon.
The story is enjoyable. Joe Kelly is a writer who knows how to make his stories feel fun. At times, it felt a bit corny and on the nose, but that’s what Spider-Man books are about— action with a side of humor. I feel like Kelly was told he had to fit Dr Doom into his book and was like, “Okay, but I am going to have fun with it,” and he does.
I am invested in this writer and artist duo for this run of The Amazing Spider-Man and will surely be picking up the next issue.
You can grab your copy here from Midtown Comics and your digital copy here.
The Stoic Quote of the Week
A Stoic quote to inspire and motivate, helping to stay grounded in the creative process.
“The student as boxer, not fencer.
The fencer’s weapon is picked up and put down again.
The boxer’s is part of him. All he has to do is clench his fist.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 12.9
This is a powerful visual to have when you are engaging in any task. Just as the boxer already has the tools to be successful, you, too, have all you need to pursue the task ahead of you. What are you waiting for? Clench your fists and get to work.
That’s a wrap for this week’s Gutter Thoughts. Thanks for joining me on this creative journey—hopefully, something here sparked an idea or inspired your own work. Until next time, stay grounded, stay creative, and keep pushing forward.
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This was great man, never heard of that app but I’ll definitely look into it.