Increasingly, though I don't think I've put it this way, I've begun to see the story as different "volumes" for lack of a better word. Think of them like seasons of a tv show with each part being an episode. The first volume is parts 1-8, it's meeting the girls, having them first dabble and have them culminate in the end with Sophia heading off and the others free but shamed. The second volume is 9-18, involves Sophia's journey through Atlantic City, Lea's reaction to it, and the introduction of Zainab into the equation. Now we're just starting the third volume. It will not be the "final" volume, but it is a slightly modified version of what was the "final" part of my original arc and so it feels a little "final" to me nonetheless.
So as I keep thinking of these as two now complete "volumes," I've been having more and more thoughts about something I've always wanted for this series: art.
This might be pie in the sky thinking. The problem is that I may have a way with words, but my artistic skills otherwise are just not good. I can sometimes do passable simple stills, but I couldn't draw a decent person to save my life. But none the less, I've often (and increasingly so of late) wondered about having a piece or two of cover art. It's asking a lot to get one for every single part, but.. that's why the idea of volumes has been making me think of it. A cover for volume 1, a cover for volume 2, that's not exactly exorbitant.
So I'm putting a call out. If any of you fans can draw, it would be utterly amazing. But if not, if you know people you think would do this well, who's style you like, and who takes commissions at a reasonable price, let me know. I don't have a lot of money, but I am possibly willing to pay a fare price if it's needed. I don't want to make things complicated here by asking for money directly from anyone, which is why it would obviously be ideal if any of you had any kind of skill or willingness to get commissions for me. I'm also more than willing to basically pay "in kind." I could put you in the story, make another story you'd describe, or just at minimum give you advanced access to early drafts and such.
Just a topic to leave you with for now that I'm sure isn't going to be quickly settled.
Try over on DeviantArt. That website has quite a kinky side, I think you'd feel right at home. I'm surprised you're not uploading there, to be honest.
ReplyDeleteI am quite bad at remembering to post to multiple places. I also have a literotica account but I'm way behind on that and now that utopiastories is finally seeing updates again I really should post more there but keep forgetting.
DeleteYes, it's a very kinky side to that site. I enjoy a lot of what I've seen. But I also find it rare to see people say they're open for commissions and those that are open are usually quite a lot. So I guess I'm just hoping someone who reads her is artistic or, short of that, asking for opinions of any artist in particular taking commissions that people like.
I encourage you to reach out to shinez who authored and illustrated sunstone. His journey is similar to your own - it all started as just a small little kink comic for fun... and then it took on a life of it's own. He has published it all for free on DA, and to his surprise and delight (and so many other fans too), it has really taken off to the point that Image comics is printing softcovers (3 vols now). Apologies if you already follow the sunstone saga, but even so I think you and Stjefan are kindred spirits and as such he might do a couple illustrations out of camaraderie. But even better would be some kind of larger collaboration with some small fundraising - maybe he would do 20-50 illustrations (2x per chapter?) for $2-5k, and that's a fundraiser I would definitely support. Are you thinking about publishing the final work someday? You should, I hope you do, and if that's your goal, then someone like Stjefan who is a little farther down that road may have some great advice for you.
DeleteI mention it all because both your work and sunstone have given me a profound emotional satisfaction and joy - it's not just great kinky erotica - it's art, as in Art that moves the viewer. Especially so because both projects are authentically from the heart, given away for free. It's beautiful.
So, kudos kudos kudos to you Jess, and thank you for your work!
http://shiniez.deviantart.com/
No I'm very familiar with his work, and while I'm flattered by the comparison I still think my work has a very long way to go before it's on that level.
DeleteI also know as a fact that he doesn't do commissions, it says so right on his page. And even if he did agree, I'd rather he work on sunstone than on my stuff.
I have found a few people that do commissions that I like, but it still feels weird for me to take money. If i did it would probably end up being one image per chapter as a chapter cover. I don't know, I'll just have to see.
this is deviantly brilliant of you. i'll need to reread everything to come up with some way to describe chapters 1-8 in a single picture and then attempt to do the same with chapters 9-18. if you were to ask for a cover for each chapter i might be able to accomplish this without rereading everything...i have a very good memory with stories...this is slightly more complex...
ReplyDeletei'm not going to claim i'm the greatest artist in the world, i'm simply going to quote sherlock holmes "the game is afoot!" if someone else comes up with something as well i'm going to be very pleased to see it :D
I agree with that. ... "the game is afoot!"
ReplyDeleteI would love to see the three girls in the cages on the porch.while Art is my middle name,i have no artistic talent.I do love the idea though.And always waiting for the next installment.
ReplyDeleteI would love to know how to write as well as you guys do to be a great experience
ReplyDeleteDisk sexo