Approach Quote by Chris Ware
“I wanted to make comics that get at feelings that connect to the deepest moments of our lives, reading Tolstoy, Flaubert, Flannery O'Connor, Herman Melville, William Faulkner, Vladimir Nabokov and Carver to help gain the confidence to figure it out. I knew, however, the most doomed approach would be to simply create stories that felt 'literary.'”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Comic creators discuss influences, 2022
The artist seeks deep emotional resonance by studying classic literature, but must avoid overly literary storytelling.
In simple terms: Read classics for inspiration, but keep comics accessible.
Key Takeaway
Balance literary depth with visual storytelling.
Themes
art
literature
creativity
balance
Mood
inspirational
reflective
Type
creative
process
When to use this quote
- comic creation
- writing workshops
- creative retreats
- publishing pitches
Key Concepts
intertextuality
narrative voice
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you blend literary depth with comic form?
- What visual techniques convey deep emotions?
A Different Perspective
Focusing too much on literary style can alienate readers seeking visual narratives.
![“There's a rhythm to the words combined with the pictures [in a comic]. Whenever I'm working on a comic strip I re-read it, probably hundreds of times through to pay attention to how all of those things work. Sometimes even changing the angle of a character's eyebrow can really, seriously alter the…” quote by Chris Ware](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dec/chris-ware-8123_angle_there-s-a-rhythm-to-the-words-combined-w_506554.jpg)
