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Eric: Perspective.
My sleep schedule gets screwed up appallingly easily, these days. Give me a day of little sleep and getting up way early, and I'm several days of recovering and evening naps and the like. I went to full out bed early tonight, which of course meant I was called on the phone after ten.
So now, exhausted, I am awake. And I am typing here, because I'm overdue. (Though the Incandescent Wednesday White was good enough to cover me, had I not been awakened. She's a good friend. And apparently fecund. And is the first person to use the phrase "ova-disgorging" in a webcomics essay, to my knowledge.) So here I am, awake for a little bit, and thinking. Largely about Websnark itself.
My perspective is changing.
See, one thing I've tried never to forget is just who I am and what I'm doing here. Underneath everything, I'm a guy with a blog. There are tens of thousands of us, and more every day. I try my best to be entertaining and intelligent. I want people, whether they agree with me or disagree with me, to come away from a given snark thinking. And on the whole I've been successful. Certainly, my readership is vastly better than I ever could have dreamed, and I'm humbled by that. After all, the one thing any writer wants, even more than "money" or "a development deal" is an audience. And over time as Websnark has continued, I've been surprised by that, and by the sense of impact we've had on the webcomics world.
And like I said before, I've tried to pretend that impact has been minimal, or cosmetic, because dude. I'm a guy with a blog. Luckier than most, maybe, but still. I should have a sense of perspective.
Last week, a friend of mine who works in an Alaskan comic book store messaged me. "You're quoted in Comics Preview," he said. "In a solicitation."
I kind of blinked, and checked it out. And he was right. Penny and Aggie's comic book solicitation quoted me. In fact, the whole solicitation was a quote from me. Both here and in print form, from what I'm given to understand.
That kind of stunned me. Well, I got stunned again yesterday, when Keenspot issued a press release on their picking up of Todd and Penguin. Which is astoundingly cool, by the way. But the press release mentioned the Shortbread Todd and Penguin earned, and then David Wright wrote a newspost (sadly not archived, or I'd quote from it) on his site giving Websnark a lot of credit for helping build his audience and get him attention, which led to Keen's interest.
Wow.
It's kind of stunning, really. The idea that you really do have an impact. Tonight, I got another reminder -- A Modest Destiny put out a call wanting to know why I hadn't snarked him -- whether it had to do with the various travails AMD's webcartoonist has had with others in the past or some bias or what. (In what might be a disappointment to Mr. Howard, the answer is "it's never crossed my radar, so I've never read it." But going through three or four strips showed a good command of execution, if that counts?)
Hell, Websnark has a Wikipedia entry, where we're described as a verb. (As a side note -- if anyone wants to expand that article, I'd be appreciative. I'm enjoined from doing so myself, for darn good reasons.)
I can't pretend Websnark doesn't have impact, any more. I can't pretend that when I snark a smaller site, it doesn't generate traffic for that site. I can't pretend that when I put out an opinion on a webcomics trope or method it doesn't get noticed by the people who shape that trope.
That's a little daunting. It's a responsibility. And it's humbling.
And it also makes me about as proud as I've ever been.
Thanks, everyone. Thanks for reading, thanks for caring, thanks for being a part of all this. Without you guys, I really am just a guy with a blog. But together? We seem to make a difference.
And that's just plain wonderful.
Now, to fall blissfully back to sleep.
Posted by Eric Burns-White at March 8, 2005 11:24 PM
Comments
Comment from: eben posted at March 9, 2005 1:24 AM
Like (I imagine) many of your readers, I've been checking in with you daily for some time now without ever having left a comment. You're basically on my daily comics trawl, although that's mostly just to check whether you've snarked any of the comics I read regularly. But its true that when a snark of something I don't read catches my eye I tend to follow the link. Nothings been added to my permanent roster yet, but a number of strips have at least had a chunk of their archives read before I gave up on them. And that's bandwidth, which when you get down to the nitty-gritty of it is the power and responsibility you're talking about.
The thing of it is, in my opinion, that the power of this blog is that you're one of us. You're a webcomics fan. You're out there acting as a commentator and a critic, sure. But the strength of the site in my mind does not flow from that, nor does it flow from your skillfully crafted prose, although the fact that you've achieved a distinctive voice here certainly doesn't hurt. But the real reason you've gained the readership you have is that the voice you've developed is the voice of a guy who likes webcomics. You have the same sort of quirky, dorky and (let's face it) slightly spastic gosh-darn enthusiasm that we have when something really makes us laugh, or really touches us as an audience. And in the brave new world of the internet you have that ability to push that appeal right out there where the masses can see it, which is what transforms a guy with a blog into a quasi-member of the media. We're cutting out our middleman and getting our insight from whomever proves themselves best able to provide it.
So here it is, the not-so-substantive substance of my very first comment: keep up the good work, man. You keep your standards this high, and I'll keep reading, because its funny, thought-provoking stuff.
Comment from: LurkerWithout posted at March 9, 2005 2:35 AM
Weird, the crap work computer lets me comment...
Anyway I've lost track of the number of webcomics I've gone to, or have given a second chance because of your blog. Heck, I suscribed to Graphic Smash because of this.
You are an influence on this sometimes bizarre sub-culture of online comicdom. And an influence for the better.
Comment from: Montykins posted at March 9, 2005 2:41 AM
Hey, the Shortbreads are what turned me on to both Penny & Aggie and Todd & Penguin. I'm still reading both, and I've got a pretty short list of comics (about twenty, I think). So I think they're right to be mentioning you. And your Mighty Influence.
Comment from: SoulTorn posted at March 9, 2005 10:28 AM
From the wikipedia entry:
"The word has not been trademarked."
You know what to do, Mr. Burns. ;)
-Chris
Comment from: Haver posted at March 9, 2005 10:47 AM
Not only have you opened my eyes to this wonderfully diverse world of webcomics, inspired my writing and entertained me night after night (what?) but you've also become my friend.
And that's a winning formula.
Comment from: P A Venables posted at March 9, 2005 10:58 AM
One of the great problems faced by webcomic creators is being noticed in the deluge of comic content currently available on the net. Even great talents are being overlooked because there's so much out there to see it's possible to have been reading webcomics for years and then suddenly discover something like Wapsi Square, Queen of Wands, or Achewood.
Since this system has no real centralized distribution mechanism and no editors to prevent the really really poor stuff from seeing the light of day, we really need commentators like yourself (and Ping Teo, and other comics bloggers) to identify the good stuff and share it with your readers -- and you have been so very very good at it Mr Burns.
In short, Websnark is a vital part of the Webcomics system now. Without it, we go back to our livejournal communities, our forums (fora?), and readers have no clues as to what's new and interesting or creatively successful in the world of webcomics.
Comment from: hess42 posted at March 9, 2005 11:08 AM
Well then, the truly inevitable question is this...how long till the envelopes of unmarked bills begin arriving from webcomic creators hoping to gain the approval of the mighty Snarky? I have visions of biscuits showing up mysteriously, wrapped in plain brown paper so nobody knows what's contained inside...
Then again, I'm in a lot of pain at the moment (getting wisdom teeth extracted tomorrow) so that might be influencing things a bit.
Comment from: Shaenon posted at March 9, 2005 1:05 PM
Well, duh. Everyone on the Internet has a damn webcomic, and we all like to hear about ourselves. Of course we love you.
Comment from: Tangent posted at March 9, 2005 1:10 PM
It's not just recognition or having a site where someone talks about comics. There are plenty of those.
What makes Websnark so special is HOW you talk about them. You do so with a wry sense of humor that endears us to Snarky, your comments, and even the comics you write. And damn it, you /should/ get paid for this....
Robert A. Howard, no relation to the above-mentioned Mr. Howard (that I'm aware of at least)
Comment from: sun tzu posted at March 9, 2005 1:16 PM
Hm...In my case, I was already heavilly into webcomics before I found Websnark. It was your blog, however, that got me interested in Narbonic, to the point where I'm considering getting a Modern Tales subscription.
Your blog has also got me thinking on several occasions, notably on some aspects of PvP I hadn't noticed.
So, yeah, there's an impact.
Comment from: EsotericWombat posted at March 9, 2005 1:22 PM
It's what blogging is all about. You put your word out on the net for their own sake, and if anyone reads it, great. If it effects them in any way, all the better. If not, you've lost nothing, because the chance that your words might make a difference is more than worth the effort in writing them.
I got scared for a second though, when you said, "my perspective is changing. I thought you were going to bail on us.
Comment from: Phalanx posted at March 9, 2005 1:45 PM
I think Dalton Wemble said it the best in the article was the catalyst that got me to start Webcomic Finds.
There are simply too many webcomics out there. We all need filters. And Websnark is a very good one.
Comment from: kirabug posted at March 9, 2005 1:50 PM
Prior to Websnark, there were a lot of aspects of critical commentary (the English Major kind, not the nasty-remark kind) of webcomics I read on a regular basis that I just hadn't thought to apply. And that's scary, because I *was* an English Major once. And it's important to have someone doing that - someone who can identify best practices and shining points and even not-so-shining points, for both the readers and the creators. Thanks!
Comment from: imtroubl posted at March 9, 2005 2:17 PM
It's odd, before finding Websnark during a Google search for web comics, I had at the most five comics I read every day. Now I have over fourty five broken down into folders by the days they are published. Never before has it been so easy to find quality comics of all types in one location. And, if it wasn't for the fact that you snarked The Daily Grind Ironman Competition, I probably would not bothered to check it out. You have turned me onto more web comics and other sites like Comixpedia.com. Every time I read one of your snarks, I immediately check out the website and start reading the archives if available. Its nice not to stumble around looking for a good comic anymore. Now I leave it to Snarky! So what was this impact you were talking about?
Comment from: Kris@WLP posted at March 9, 2005 4:25 PM
Wow. That's all cool.
So...
... you gonna finish the Shortbreads now? }:-{D
Comment from: larksilver posted at March 9, 2005 5:35 PM
*raises hand*
I have a confession. I am a websnark junkie. I don't generally read livejournals, or blogs. I find the political blogs to be too.. well, political. Often, in fact, I don't know what the hell they're talking about.
But comics? Ah, hell, now THEM I can get into. But even about comics, I don't necessarily want to read everything I can. But your commentary is FUN, darnit. If you're half as good at reducing all that literary jargon to its simplest and finest points, to reading just *enough* into a line to give it depth without beating the poor thing *to death* as you are at comics, then you're a hell of a prof. (oh, my goodness, if I never have to talk about the mud as a metaphor in A Tale of Two Cities again.. I'll be happy forever. ack)
And I already know you're a hell of a writer. The best kind.. one who's smart, and funny where it's called for, who can make a reader feel something, even if it's to totally disagree. I check your site daily.. sometimes twice a day, when I do my morning trawl, and then when I check my late-posting bunch.
I have to say though.. you had me scared at first with the talk about perspectives changing. It was almost that moment when a girl says to a guy "we need to talk." We know how well THAT usually goes.
Don't ever quit, man. We needs ya!
Comment from: Groon posted at March 9, 2005 5:44 PM
Todd and Penguin is terrible, but it belongs on keenspot.
Comment from: Wednesday posted at March 9, 2005 7:41 PM
He can't quit. He knows I'll spike his drink with Pamprin.
Comment from: FlyingFish posted at March 9, 2005 8:17 PM
I remember wandering into this place around late August/early September last year; I'm pretty sure someone at CRFH!!!'s message board had pointed out an article you had made, and it was all anyone could talk about because a) it was so damn well written, and b) it was about CRFH!!!. Which, as you might imagine, we were all fans of.
I don't remember which article it was, but I do remember thinking "Why haven't I heard about this guy before? He rocks!" And then flipping back through the post archives and realizing it was only because you'd been around a month or so. But even then, you never failed to impress.
Comment from: Rachi posted at March 9, 2005 8:48 PM
Everyone's right. I was going to comment this morning before going to school, but sadly didn't have any time... but now everyone's said it!
I found webcomics through an acquaintance of mine who told me I was like Helen from MacHall (www.machall.com). I don't know why he thought I was like Helen, but I digress. The fact is after he got me on MacHall, I also started reading Sluggy, UserFriendly and PvP.
After a PvP snark was done, Scott Kurtz posted the Websnark link and now I'm hooked. I also now read Something*Positive, Queen of Wands (yay for reruns), Penny and Aggie, Sinister Bedfellows, A Softer World, Her!, Todd and Penguin (sometimes), Skinny Panda, usr/bin/w00t and Pointless all due to Websnark. So I would like to give my thank you to not only entertaining and thoughtful writing, but a guide through the maze of webcomics.
Comment from: Bc9b posted at March 9, 2005 10:49 PM
I just expanded the Wiki, so check it out. It took me, like, an hour for that paragraph, so appreciate it. I could never write the ten million words you do on ÏWhy I donÌt read this comic that I used to likeÓ and etc. ItÌs nutty essays like this that keep me coming back.
Comment from: toddandpenguin posted at March 10, 2005 12:33 AM
Groon is right, Todd and Penguin IS terrible! I must add that to my list of "words about Todd and Penguin"
thanks.
Comment from: larrym posted at March 10, 2005 8:32 AM
I remember way back in '94, my friend and I were self-publishing a comic. Yes, the timing was TERRIBLE, the comic market bottomed out between then and '96 (hey, it WASN'T our fault!). The BIG thing for an Indy comic to gain an audience back then was to get Don Thompson (co-editor of Comics Buyers Guide) to favorably mention or - the Holy Grail - REVIEW your book. Unfortunately for the comic industry, Don passed away just prior to our first issue hitting the stands (again - NOT our fault!).
Now my friend and I do webcomics and the BIG thing for webcomics to gain some notice is to be favorably Websnarked.
Yep, you are the webcomics Don Thompson.
Thanks, and I very much enjoy your work.
Comment from: Pooga posted at March 10, 2005 6:28 PM
To respond to Shaenon, not *everybody* has a webcomic. As a matter of fact, many many moons ago (like, 1999 I think), when I decided to give out comic awards, my award was titled, Pooga's Nifty "I can't draw a WebComic, but here's someone who can" Appreciation Award. I ended up only doing it the one time (and never got around to even creating a decent award explanation page), but a few award recipients still have them displayed on their award pages.
For a while there, I was reading so many webcomics (and participating in their forums) it would take me most of the morning to get through them all, which didn't exactly thrill my boss). These days I'm a lot more passive in my fannishness. I've let several comics slide, and was down to a handful when that wretched Lore Sjñberg went and posted a link to this accursed Websnark. It's so fascinating that I must come back and read daily, and because of it I've again got far too many webcomics I'm trying to follow.
Damn you Eric Burns!
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