Rocks Fall, They All Die - A Rant by Mea
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Description
Oh I'm gonna make a ton of enemies with this one, but I just gotta open my big fat mouth. [cringe]
Now, believe it or not, I read nearly every entry that gets posted in the story/sequential gallery, even the stuff that doesn't appeal to me at all and I try to comment when I have both time and something to say, but often I don't have much to add (bad me, I know).
I read it all to see how other people tell their stories, and because I have to give props to anyone willing to undertake such a daunting endeavor.
However, when people do the lazy "rocks fall, you all die" tactic, THAT really REALLY REALLY irks me.
"Rocks fall, you all die" refers to a comic strip where the characters are playing a role playing game, and the Game Master kills them all off at once by saying "Rocks fall, you all die." Even though they're in the middle of a field, outdoors, "Rocks fall, you all die." It's become the catchphrase for a sudden, meaningless mass death.
And in storytelling as in gaming, it sucks.
You're stuck, take a break. You hate the world? Don't take it out on your audience.
While it may not mean much, I've slowly started to work on my second illustrated story (which I only hope will live up to the quality of my previous effort). I will say now that I may be slow, and I may get frustrated, and I may have to take a break now and then, but I promise you that I will NEVER EVER resort to a "rocks fall" ending.
Barring massive real life complications, I intend to see any story I start through to the end without taking the easy way out. You have my word.
I mean, why make the effort if you're not going to try to do it right?
Comments (16)
pakled
interesting idea..heck, I just plant a premise, and let the viewer's imagination take over..;) great work.
Digimon
Wow! Well Mea, as I know you finished an epic yourself, I think you can speak from the high ground. Glad I never posted an on going strip in the story/sequential section! I know what you mean about RPG's, but usually that came from a pissed DM. Your strip is wonderfully done!
ysvry
funny, you did the bla bla , now strip in your strip :P
drifterlee
I don't understand any of this, but you draw well!
svdl
I happen to agree completely. A story should be seen through to its end. And I promise, I will do so with my own story (I have way too much fun writing and rendering to do otherwise!). By the way, the strip is very effective in its simplicity. Well done!
kirisute
you have raised a few interesting points! and, well spoken! I hardly head over the sequential sections..but im a huge fan of comics..... your points about heroes is true...asian cinema especially and to a lesser extent its huge comic industry is renowned for its destruction of the hero and of the agnst and pain they suffer during that destruction...in fact the "doomed" hero motif is becoming a slow but sure staple of western cinema as well...maybe spurred by such releases as The Crow to name but one....However, as you have wisely spoken, the difference is the emotional context and the seeming lack of reasoning behind the "rocks fall you all die" scenario...ill play devils advocate slightly here also, whilst of course its always good to rant, Gods know ive had a few in my time...my comments still suffer! hehehehe....maybe there are times when people have to end a story arc...maybe they just dry up with ensusiasm....its tough to carry on a piece of work for so many hours and episodes after all...i dunno.....still...well spoken! oh and cool artwork! ;)
A_
well, i don't have such strong opinions, but i like they way you presented yours! well put, well rendered, message well spoken. :)
JOELGLAINE
I forgot this place had a story/sequential gallery! Everything I've mosted in the last three months are the same story. Yeesh. Anyway--I agree. Life sucks. Sometimes the best way to escape it is to show someone, a person that can be interesting and you can actually care about-- overcoming the odds. Even if they die trying, the writer owes it to themselves, the characters and the readers to carry it through to conclusion. SOmetimes the real world interferes, but the show must go on!
webdancer
Wise words for you young jedi! Excellent strip and I look forward to reading your next installment!
Mea
This hopefully will be the only post in rant form, webdancer. I don't like to blow my stack like that, so I try to keep them to a minimum. The actual STORY story should be a little longer though. And don't let this post discourage other storytellers. I just don't like it when the creator gives up and decides that it's not worth continuing and just kills everything for no good reason, that's all. And ysvry, if you've seen my other stuff, you'd know that you'll be waiting until pigs fly for that little request. ;)
luckyred
I had to come see who you were and after reading this I must say.....COOL! I appreciate a "too the point, this is the way it is" attitude. Honesty is not always the easiest thing for some to sallow especially if laced with truth! I don't know how I got started in my endevor (the story). I wasn't even aware of this section before now, but I'm very happy to have made your aquintance. Your opinion and help have been very appreciated by me! ~hugs~
Othosmops
Hmhm... a funny contribution to a serious issue. I can partially agree - provided that the heroes are beautiful young ladies. But if they are sinister, martial guys - rocks may fall. And I can imagine two other cases that may even lead to the beautiful female's sudden death: (a) Real life sucks and a rock hits the author of the series, (b) too few comments. Guess without some encouraging response every series will die by slowly running dry.
thip
LOL Love this kinda rant !!! I share your frustration. I've followed several very promising storylines that ended with "rockfall". You're right, of course. Out of respect for both your story and your readers, have a good idea about how to finish the damn thing BEFORE you start hooking those defenseless readers. And be sure to put some good-looking ladies without too much clothing in the plot LOL Yes, I know there's far too little of that in my own story, but that's just because I'm a Scandinavian; we legalized erotica waaaaaaay back in the 1970s, so we're kinda bored with it by now (so be smart : resist legalization of it in YOUR country!!!). Still, Othosmops is right on target with his comment : it's the readers/viewers who keep a story going, not the creator ;o) It's fun to START a story, to see one's imaginings down there on the page/screen, but FINISHING it, that is work as well as fun! We all know there's not much point in getting a story outside our heads if noone else cares to read the stuff anyway. ;o) Your "Jessa" was a great example : tightly plotted, well-rounded storyline - and great graphics, too. It was too damn SHORT, but that's another matter ;o) I'm looking forward to seeing your next story.
mejed
HMMMMM...kill
em all off, never thought of that. Really I didnt. Sure Ill kill a few, or a dozen, oh hell, a bunch, but.....nuff said, dont want to give the story line away. I`ve got a lot more to with the current story. But I love your rant. Funny and to the point.SmallFry
Well done! Some of the major comics publishers ought to take note of this...
morin3000
We give priority on the artists who sounds on my gallery and favorites
But I cannot resist of commented on an image which I like Invitation has to see our galleryHave an awesome day ****()A love for art.