Interview with...
Carolyn Belefski
"CURLS"
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Carolyn Belefski's latest project features a character named Curls who shares adventures with her animal friends and a giant slice of toast. CBI publisher recently spoke with Carolyn about her comic strip and its Kickstarter campaign...
JMH: What is Curls?
CAROLYN: Curls is a comic strip I write and draw, guaranteed to make you happy and
enjoy life. The comic features a gal named Curls who dreams of adventurous
situations that come to play in real-life with a gang of her animal
friends and a giant piece of toast.
JMH: Can you describe the world/universe it's from?
CAROLYN: Yes. The Curls world is unique because it is grounded in slice-of-life
humor, yet represents what life is like in a cartoon world -- the cast can
go anywhere! Most of the characters are animals with human emotional
connections and needs. For example, Pitter Patter the penguin desires to
be able to fly, but he has only figured out how to fly a kite. Applause
the fish has a girlfriend named Surprise and they are in love, but they
need to be in separate bowls or else they will fight! Everything and
anything can happen in Curls, it's Murphy's law.
JMH: Does Curls have supporting characters and if so can you tell CBI
about them?
CAROLYN: The supporting cast of characters includes Pitter Patter (a penguin
waiter), Turtle Neck (a turtle who has a closet full of turtleneck
shirts), Conehead (a bird who wears an ice cream cone hat), Applause (a
Siamese Fighting Fish -- boxing champion in the waterweight division), and
Toast of the Town (a giant slice of bread with two punched out holes for
eyes and a giant jelly smile).
JMH: Was Curls inspired by anything from your past or real life experiences?
CAROLYN: I'm sure a bit of everything I've ever seen or experienced has influenced
the creation of Curls. One of my earliest memories is watching and drawing
cartoons. I adored Bugs Bunny, the Warner Bros. cartoons, and Chuck Jones.
Something struck a chord in me in animation. I guess you could say I was
bit by the "Bugs"! I'm inspired by nature and enjoy animals, so of course
that is a visible influence. I also an a fan of Jeff Smith, Lauren Faust,
Raina Telgemeier, Mike Peters, Bruse Timm, Will Eisner, Elizabeth Watasin,
and so many other great comic creators who inspire me. Since I started the
strip in college when I was a student at VCU, I can see early strips where
the college lifestyle is shown. The strip has grown so much. It's great to
see the strip progress form black and white in the student newspaper to
color and a more refined look after years of creating.
JMH: Do your stories carry a message to the readers?
CAROLYN: The storylines in Curls deal with friendship, overcoming fear (which
usually comes from within), and being the best version of yourself you can
be. I hope readers connect with Curls because it's so different than other
titles in the comic book world. We always like to say we inject the comics
industry with fun!
JMH: Talk about the creative team involved with Curls.
CAROLYN: Well, the creative team is only me! I write, draw, scan, color, post
online, promote and more! Sounds easy if I write it like that, but it does
take a lot of work to be an independent creator who self-publishes.
Luckily, I have assistance from Joe Carabeo who writes the comic books Kid
Roxy, Black Magic Tales, and The Legettes. However, I like to keep Curls
as my thing -- a bit separated from the other books we work on. Joe helps
me with comic convention appearances, listening to my ideas, photography,
and reminding me to eat because I'm focused on working and forget to take
breaks. It's great to be able to have him look out for me. I also thank
everyone online with helps spread the message of Curls thru Twitter,
Facebook, social media, podcasts, blogs, and more.
JMH: Will Curls be released in digital format, web comic, or print?
CAROLYN: Many of the Curls strips exist online, however the purpose of this
Kickstarter is to collect every strip into a printed book which will allow
readers to see the evolution of Curls -- from a university newspaper to an
award-nominated comic strip. The book will also include never-before-seen
extras, including sketches and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the creation
process. I think it's important to have the book because there are many
people who enjoy reading a physical book more than looking at a bright
screen and since I'm adding additional strips and content not available
online that will give everyone incentive to discover the book.
JMH: Why Kickstarter?
CAROLYN: I've been wanting to do a Kickstarter project for about a year, but
recently pulled the trigger because I feel now is the best time to print
the book. Many people I've met at conventions have asked me if all the
strips are available as a collection. I do offer Curls in the form of
hand-made mini comics of about 10 to 24 strips in each pack with certain
storylines, but it's not the same as having all the strips together. The
cost of printing several hundred strips is much more than I've ever been
able to fund and assemble by myself, so I turned to crowdfunding for the
first time. I selected Kickstarter over Indiegogo because I do need the
full $5,000 to pay for the print run, shipping, packaging, and additional
fees. Kickstarter is all-or-nothing and I want to aim for the stars. With
Indiegogo, all pledges you get no matter what, even if you don't reach
your goal. So in theory, if one person pledges for the book, $35 will not
be enough for the print run and I would not be able to deliver on what I
promised. I want to be able to deliver the product properly, and
Kickstarter pledges will allow me to produce the book and other reward
levels for the fans.
JMH: Where can fans get a hold of Curls?
CAROLYN: Curls Kickstarter -
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/curls-the-ultimate-book-collection
Curls - http://www.curls-studio.com/curls
Portfolio - http://www.carolynbelefski.com
JMH: Finally, is there anything coming up in further Curls stories, or
other projects you want people to know about?
CAROLYN: I have some fun opportunities available in the Curls Kickstarter reward
levels. One is a walk-on role in a Curls comic strip, so maybe we'll see
you in a Curls strip?! If you've ever wanted to be immortalized a cartoon,
this a the perfect chance to live forever in a comic... as I always say,
"Cartoons Never Die!" I have an anti-bullying story I worked on with Amber
Love in RISE #2 (customers can order it through their comic shops using
the order code MAR151438) from Northwest Press and in May it will be
available at stores. I also contacted The American Red Cross to run the
"Cartoonists Draw Blood" blood drive and we'll be having the next one in
Washington, DC on Halloween. It will be the perfect mix of spooky with
art. People donate their blood and meet a group of local cartoonists who
will sketch as a thank you. We've done the event twice and saved the lives
of up to 120 strangers. In 2015 Curls Studio will be on tour at PIX: The
Pittsburgh Indy Comix Expo, East Coast Comicon, Awesome Con DC, Small
Press Expo, Baltimore Comic-Con, and New York Comic Con. Hope to meet you
all in-person!
JMH: What advice do you have for aspiring creators?
CAROLYN: Don't be a hermit. Creating comics can be a solitary profession, but it's
important to meet people and make real connections. You can write or draw
all you want in a dark basement, but no one will know you exist until you
shine in the light. Create everyday and share your talents with the world.
CAROLYN: Curls is a comic strip I write and draw, guaranteed to make you happy and
enjoy life. The comic features a gal named Curls who dreams of adventurous
situations that come to play in real-life with a gang of her animal
friends and a giant piece of toast.
JMH: Can you describe the world/universe it's from?
CAROLYN: Yes. The Curls world is unique because it is grounded in slice-of-life
humor, yet represents what life is like in a cartoon world -- the cast can
go anywhere! Most of the characters are animals with human emotional
connections and needs. For example, Pitter Patter the penguin desires to
be able to fly, but he has only figured out how to fly a kite. Applause
the fish has a girlfriend named Surprise and they are in love, but they
need to be in separate bowls or else they will fight! Everything and
anything can happen in Curls, it's Murphy's law.
JMH: Does Curls have supporting characters and if so can you tell CBI
about them?
CAROLYN: The supporting cast of characters includes Pitter Patter (a penguin
waiter), Turtle Neck (a turtle who has a closet full of turtleneck
shirts), Conehead (a bird who wears an ice cream cone hat), Applause (a
Siamese Fighting Fish -- boxing champion in the waterweight division), and
Toast of the Town (a giant slice of bread with two punched out holes for
eyes and a giant jelly smile).
JMH: Was Curls inspired by anything from your past or real life experiences?
CAROLYN: I'm sure a bit of everything I've ever seen or experienced has influenced
the creation of Curls. One of my earliest memories is watching and drawing
cartoons. I adored Bugs Bunny, the Warner Bros. cartoons, and Chuck Jones.
Something struck a chord in me in animation. I guess you could say I was
bit by the "Bugs"! I'm inspired by nature and enjoy animals, so of course
that is a visible influence. I also an a fan of Jeff Smith, Lauren Faust,
Raina Telgemeier, Mike Peters, Bruse Timm, Will Eisner, Elizabeth Watasin,
and so many other great comic creators who inspire me. Since I started the
strip in college when I was a student at VCU, I can see early strips where
the college lifestyle is shown. The strip has grown so much. It's great to
see the strip progress form black and white in the student newspaper to
color and a more refined look after years of creating.
JMH: Do your stories carry a message to the readers?
CAROLYN: The storylines in Curls deal with friendship, overcoming fear (which
usually comes from within), and being the best version of yourself you can
be. I hope readers connect with Curls because it's so different than other
titles in the comic book world. We always like to say we inject the comics
industry with fun!
JMH: Talk about the creative team involved with Curls.
CAROLYN: Well, the creative team is only me! I write, draw, scan, color, post
online, promote and more! Sounds easy if I write it like that, but it does
take a lot of work to be an independent creator who self-publishes.
Luckily, I have assistance from Joe Carabeo who writes the comic books Kid
Roxy, Black Magic Tales, and The Legettes. However, I like to keep Curls
as my thing -- a bit separated from the other books we work on. Joe helps
me with comic convention appearances, listening to my ideas, photography,
and reminding me to eat because I'm focused on working and forget to take
breaks. It's great to be able to have him look out for me. I also thank
everyone online with helps spread the message of Curls thru Twitter,
Facebook, social media, podcasts, blogs, and more.
JMH: Will Curls be released in digital format, web comic, or print?
CAROLYN: Many of the Curls strips exist online, however the purpose of this
Kickstarter is to collect every strip into a printed book which will allow
readers to see the evolution of Curls -- from a university newspaper to an
award-nominated comic strip. The book will also include never-before-seen
extras, including sketches and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the creation
process. I think it's important to have the book because there are many
people who enjoy reading a physical book more than looking at a bright
screen and since I'm adding additional strips and content not available
online that will give everyone incentive to discover the book.
JMH: Why Kickstarter?
CAROLYN: I've been wanting to do a Kickstarter project for about a year, but
recently pulled the trigger because I feel now is the best time to print
the book. Many people I've met at conventions have asked me if all the
strips are available as a collection. I do offer Curls in the form of
hand-made mini comics of about 10 to 24 strips in each pack with certain
storylines, but it's not the same as having all the strips together. The
cost of printing several hundred strips is much more than I've ever been
able to fund and assemble by myself, so I turned to crowdfunding for the
first time. I selected Kickstarter over Indiegogo because I do need the
full $5,000 to pay for the print run, shipping, packaging, and additional
fees. Kickstarter is all-or-nothing and I want to aim for the stars. With
Indiegogo, all pledges you get no matter what, even if you don't reach
your goal. So in theory, if one person pledges for the book, $35 will not
be enough for the print run and I would not be able to deliver on what I
promised. I want to be able to deliver the product properly, and
Kickstarter pledges will allow me to produce the book and other reward
levels for the fans.
JMH: Where can fans get a hold of Curls?
CAROLYN: Curls Kickstarter -
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/carolynbelefski/curls-the-ultimate-book-collection
Curls - http://www.curls-studio.com/curls
Portfolio - http://www.carolynbelefski.com
JMH: Finally, is there anything coming up in further Curls stories, or
other projects you want people to know about?
CAROLYN: I have some fun opportunities available in the Curls Kickstarter reward
levels. One is a walk-on role in a Curls comic strip, so maybe we'll see
you in a Curls strip?! If you've ever wanted to be immortalized a cartoon,
this a the perfect chance to live forever in a comic... as I always say,
"Cartoons Never Die!" I have an anti-bullying story I worked on with Amber
Love in RISE #2 (customers can order it through their comic shops using
the order code MAR151438) from Northwest Press and in May it will be
available at stores. I also contacted The American Red Cross to run the
"Cartoonists Draw Blood" blood drive and we'll be having the next one in
Washington, DC on Halloween. It will be the perfect mix of spooky with
art. People donate their blood and meet a group of local cartoonists who
will sketch as a thank you. We've done the event twice and saved the lives
of up to 120 strangers. In 2015 Curls Studio will be on tour at PIX: The
Pittsburgh Indy Comix Expo, East Coast Comicon, Awesome Con DC, Small
Press Expo, Baltimore Comic-Con, and New York Comic Con. Hope to meet you
all in-person!
JMH: What advice do you have for aspiring creators?
CAROLYN: Don't be a hermit. Creating comics can be a solitary profession, but it's
important to meet people and make real connections. You can write or draw
all you want in a dark basement, but no one will know you exist until you
shine in the light. Create everyday and share your talents with the world.
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