Adjusted Time Line

Just finished editing page 201 (Draft Four of EU13).

Heavy black line indicates linked panels.

Connecting word balloons, blocking panels, and making seating arrangements is more time consuming than originally planned.

How I place students on the stage affects the positions of word balloons.

I wonder what makes one so optimistic (unrealistic, grandiose) prior to a project? The notion of biting off more than one can chew is so common it's got it's own metaphor. Poor planning? Unthinking?

Here's what I think is a more realistic time line. But don't bet on it. I've been wrong this whole process.

July 15. Finish Draft Four editing and printing hard copy (ready for pencil sketches).
August 31: Finish 20 character designs complete with names, clothing, ages, gender, hair, etc.
September 1: Begin pencil sketches. Upon completion of each section (52 of them) send digital copies to selected readers.
December 31: Finish sending all 52 sections and incorporating suggestions from readers.
January 1, 2013: Begin final ink drawing (print on card stock, pencil lightly, black ink line drawing, erase pencil lines, color with pencils OR water color).
December 31, 2013. Whole book finished. Digital copies on line.
January 1, 2014. Look for publisher.


Someone once said we over estimate what we can get done in a day and under estimate what we can get done in a year. I am so bad at estimating I focus more on the immediate tasks at hand than making hard and fast predictions. This time line is a psychological ploy to keep me motivated. By extending the dead lines I feel less pressure. By missing deadlines I drive myself crazy.

Back row, L-R: Draft One, Draft Two (waiting to be visually checked), Draft Three (waiting to be visually checked).
Front Row, L-R: Draft Three (checked), Draft Four (finished, waiting for pencil sketches), Draft Two (checked).