Time to Create!

Noblesville Creates - Comic Book in a Day 2026

Last year I had the opportunity to attend the opening reception for Comic Book in a Day. My LCS (before I worked there) had two tickets and no one could make it, or they were being nice. Whatever the reason Sue and I attended. I even posted about it! Sue is a recovering non-profit exec so this was something she was kind of interested in, but also had the possibility of some major PTSD. That said we had a great time and I decided to make time this year to actually participate in the event. I wasn’t able to attend last year because of my work schedule, this year, it isn’t an issue.

So join me on January 17th at Fishers Branch of the Hamilton County Library - you can cheer us on, or join the fun there are two challenges one for youth and the other for non-youth (which means teenagers or older- for the record I count as “older”)

Looking at the rules (which seem to more like guidelines) I need to be ready to create an up to six page comic. They encourage participants to finish four pages in the seven hours we should be drawing. We also need to take breaks, and lunch.

We will be provided materials, (pencils, pens, 11x17 Bristol boards) but can bring along whatever we prefer to work with. The hard part is you aren’t supposed to have done any prep work beforehand. So I guess- no monkeys for me? Start from scratch… I’m not sure I know of many artists who don’t have a bazillion ideas bouncing around their head. Things that they haven’t considered over and over again, but have never really started. So not pulling from that tangled web is pretty much impossible. I can’t guarantee anything, but I will try. Although I’m guessing a monkey might show up in the background- don’t blame me, blame Cecil’s King Kong sized ego. 🙄 I promise (Scout’s honor) that I won’t put pencil to paper until 9:00AM on January 17th. As Mozart said in Amadeus “It's all right here in my noodle. The rest is just scribbling. Scribbling and bibbling, bibbling and scribbling.”

Last year when looking over various personality tests I discovered I am probably an “obliger.” According to the definition- “Someone who meets the expectations of others but may struggle to fulfill their own inner commitments. They often feel compelled to help others and value meeting commitments to those around them.” Here’s the thing- I want to draw more, I want to create more, I just never make the time to do it. By signing up for things like Comic Book in a Day, I force myself by making an obligation to participate. I trick myself into actually doing something for myself… I’m kinda sneaky that way. 😁

I will tell you all about the experience after I survive it… or if I survive it.

Twice I participated in 24 Hour Comic Day… I actually completed a 24 page comic one of those times. Yes, it was awful (the comic book not the experience), or at least wasn’t my best work, I would consider it a 24 page rough draft. The second time I couldn’t even get started and just drew random ideas for close to 24 hours, giving up and going home before the time was up. I gave it a try. That was probably a decade ago. I think the cramps in my hand have finally gone away.

For More Information:

https://noblesvillecreates.org/comicbookinaday/

https://ignite.hamiltoneastpl.org/comic-book-in-a-day-2026/

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