Gutter Thoughts 015
What pitching at WonderCon, creative community energy, and self-made artists taught me about storytelling—and how you can use it.
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.
3 Storytelling Lessons I Didn’t Expect to Learn at WonderCon
A few months ago, I thought I was going to WonderCon just to network.
Instead, I walked away with a crash course in storytelling that hit harder than most writing workshops I’ve paid for.
The truth is: nothing will sharpen your storytelling faster than being in a room full of creators who love to talk about their work, their process, and their struggles.
And while I went looking for inspiration, I walked away with three unexpected lessons that shifted how I think about worldbuilding, dialogue, and story momentum.
So today, I’m going to share those 3 lessons with you—and show you exactly how to apply them to your next project, whether you're writing a comic, screenplay, or email sequence.
Let’s dive in.
Lesson 1: The only way to get good at pitching your story… is to pitch it.
One of the most surprising things about WonderCon was how ready I felt.
For years, I put myself through the awkward reps: pitching my comic to strangers, introducing it at events, talking about it in emails, DMs, meetups—anywhere I could. I used to ramble, over-explain, or trail off. But I kept going.
So when I showed up at WonderCon and someone asked, “What’s your comic about?” I didn’t freeze. I delivered.
And here’s what really clicked:
Every single time I pitched it that weekend, I got better.
I cut what made them drift.
I doubled down on what made people lean in.
I refined the language so the idea felt tight, clear, and easy to remember.
By the end of the con, I had a pitch I felt confident in. But I wouldn’t have gotten there without putting myself out there before it felt “ready.”
Here’s the takeaway:
Pitching doesn’t get easier before you do it. It gets easier because you do it.
Lesson 2: You are only as strong as the community around your work.
Every booth at WonderCon told a story—and I’m not just talking about what was on the page.
The way the creators engaged with fans, other artists, even other booths… it all added energy to their work.
There were zines trading hands, illustrators recommending colorists, writers giving each other tips on pitching to publishers. Storytelling wasn’t happening in isolation—it was social.
This taught me something big: you’re not just building a story—you’re building a story ecosystem.
Your story lives longer, travels further, and hits deeper when:
You talk about it out loud
You let others help you sharpen it
You contribute to the creative ecosystem around you
We all want our work to spread. But spreading starts by connecting.
Here’s the takeaway:
The more you collaborate, contribute, and connect, the more your stories resonate.
Lesson 3: Surround yourself with people who are also betting on themselves.
WonderCon was full of talented people—but what stood out even more was the mindset.
I met a graphic designer-turned-comic creator who got into comics because he wanted more control over his creative output. Comics gave him the space to experiment and express what commercial projects never allowed.
I talked to a cartoonist I’ve followed for over a decade. He told me how his style evolved over the years to get different types of work. The key, he said, was learning how to adapt to new projects without losing the authenticity of his voice.
I met artists tabling for the first time, nervous but proud, putting their work in front of people anyway. One illustrator, now a WonderCon favorite, told me how they used to set up outside the convention—just to get close, just to be seen.
These weren’t just cool stories. They were reminders.
If you want to stay in this game, you need people around you who are committed to the long haul.
Because when you’re surrounded by people:
Taking risks
Adapting and evolving
Sharing their journey
You can’t help but feel more permission to do the same.
Here’s the takeaway:
Your creative momentum multiplies when you’re in proximity to others who are building, adjusting, and showing up anyway.
Bringing It All Together
I expected WonderCon to be fun.
I didn’t expect it to remind me why I started writing stories in the first place.
To summarize:
Clarity wins. Know how to talk about your story in one sentence.
Build in public. Your community is part of your creative success.
Stay open. Everyone’s got a story to tell—and it might unlock something in yours.
Your next breakthrough might not come from sitting at your desk.
It might come from the next person you talk to.
This Week’s Creative Sparks
Here are the shows, books, movies, comics, and more that have sparked my creativity this week:
Animation Spark: 70 Years of Godzilla: New Roar In Southeast Asia
Last year marked Godzilla’s 70th anniversary—easily one of my favorite IPs of all time. I grew up watching the movie marathons on TV, completely hooked. This year, the celebration continues with new comics, books, and more. One standout is this beautiful short video tribute to Southeast Asia. I could watch it on repeat.
Video Spark: Why you’re overplanning instead of creating
Crown Obsidian Comics—aka Ethan—is one of the most talented comic creators on YouTube. I stumbled on his video about making a graphic novel last year and picked up some solid tips. In this video, Ethan breaks down why planning is essential, how easy it is to get stuck in that phase, and what steps to take to plan the right way. It’s a great watch if you’re ready to start your comic.
Comic Spark: Vision and Scarlett Witch #1
I love when I pick up a comic cold and end up loving it. That’s exactly what happened here. Steve Orlando’s storytelling immediately pulled me in. It ties back to a popular 2015 series and keeps you hooked until the last page. The art by Lorenzo Tammetta, paired with Ruth Redmond’s vibrant colors, makes this book a visual standout. If you're into WandaVision or geeking out over the 50th anniversary of Wanda and Vision’s wedding, this mini-series is worth checking out.
The Stoic Quote of the Week
A Stoic quote to inspire and motivate, helping to stay grounded in the creative process.
“That’s why the philosophers warn us not to be satisfied with mere learning, but to add practice and then training. For as time passes we forget what we learned and end up doing the opposite, and hold opinions the opposite of what we should.” —
EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 2.9.13–14
No matter how much you learn, if you’re not putting it into practice, none of it really matters. Over the last two months, I’ve been studying what it takes to craft a great newsletter—but I let the writing part slip. That changes now.
Starting today, I’m putting what I love into action. You’ll notice a few updates going forward:
One newsletter, not two. Stoic Sparks and Gutter Thoughts are now one. No more juggling. Just one space for everything I want to share.
No more paid tier (for now). Gutter Thoughts is free. When I bring back a paid option, it’ll be for bonus content—not the basics.
This is me, practicing what I’ve been learning. Thanks for sticking with me. I’m excited about where this is headed.
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 is great, bud. I tabled at WonderCon in 2019 (?) and really liked it. Good vibes. Good people.
Love it!