Erin Wilson

on May 14
SNOWBIRD: a graphic novel
- Comics
- New Orleans, LA
Erin Wilson
commented on a project update

Hey Ali! So, if you read update #11 you can read all about stuff that has been happening to me. Update #11 was intended to answer the questions that you just asked me. But just to clarify again, The book is slated to be finished in December, 2012. Also, I'll elaborate. I was wrong to say 4 months. This book is taking so much out of me, it's hard to describe. After facing intense community criticism after the campaign ended, I re-wrote the book and conducted a month's worth of intensely triggering and heartbreaking conversations with folks who were present and suffered during 2010. I had a huge mental breakdown, where I had to dissect everything relating to this book and campaign and re-plan my life. I also began to have panic attacks, and had to find new ways to prevent the rising panic in my belly. It also became abundantly clear that there was no way I could finish the book on time, and there were some life sustaining things that needed to happen if I was going to preserve the money that was funded and keep it for long-term-planning. I didn't want to blow through any more of the money so i stopped spending it and got a really good job at a wonderful resturant. I also rented a studio. I had to work hard at my job to get a promotion so that i could get more money and work less to spend as much time in the studio as i could and then draw incredibly huge and scary parts of the most vulnerable pieces of myself. These drawings included trauma, sexual assault, and depression. Anyways, this emotional roller coaster has finally settled into a rhythm which is me producing 3 pages a week. This is incredible. And great. Espically considering that I waitress for 3-4 days a week to continue to afford my studio and rent. Also I've also been open to public scrutiny and criticism this entire time. This feels like being open and vulnerable and raw pretty much always... and it has made my heart very tired. I love the amount of personal growth and artistic skills that I've developed over the past 6 months... but I have to admit to you that I am very very tired. And being able to hear harsh criticism and stand up and defend yourself as well as accept that you are wrong... is challenging. I so very much would like a break from being open to everyone and everything and just take some time to be myself in my tent in the woods. Then I'll come back. I apologize if this is something that makes you dissapointed in me. I'm dissapointed in myself for completely mis-understanding how long it takes to make a book that is worth funding. Please let me know if you are unhappy with me enough that you want your funding back. I hope this is not the case, because I am saving the money to print the book when I am finished...but I would never want to mislead you into funding something you do not support. But I promise that this book is going to be amazing. Also, you can feel free to read it online at snowbirdcomic.com, if you wish. -Erin
on May 14
SNOWBIRD: a graphic novel
- Comics
- New Orleans, LA
Erin Wilson
Posted project update #12

Calling all artists!
Hey guys! I'm going to be AFK from June 10th to July 10th to live in the woods and do musical theater (HOORAY)! This is a much needed break that I've been planning all year... but now that snowbird is taking longer than expected... my commitments clash and collide! I'd like to keep the updates rolling during the time that I'm away with some GUEST ART on SNOWBIRDCOMIC.COM...! If you or anyone you know would like to send me some art, I"ll lovingly post it on SNOWBIRDCOMIC.COM, ERINKWILSON.TUMBLR.COM, and I'll print it in the 'extras' section of the book when it is completed!
Doodles and all forms of satire accepted!
I'm also down for trades!
1. 1. Ali Duffey on May 14
    
    Hi Erin
    So - you raised the funds so you could "drop everything and draw for four months and then print one thousand of the 100 page book", right?
    Instead, a "much-needed break" and a month in the woods? Hmmm. What is the break from, if I, your backer, may be so bold as to ask?
    And, what is the new ETA of the book we all backed?
    I look forward to your answers to these questions!
    Thanks!
  2. Erin Wilson on May 14
    
    Hey Ali!
    
    So, if you read update #11 you can read all about stuff that has been happening to me. Update #11 was intended to answer the questions that you just asked me.
    
    But just to clarify again, The book is slated to be finished in December, 2012.
    
    Also, I'll elaborate.
    
    I was wrong to say 4 months. This book is taking so much out of me, it's hard to describe. After facing intense community criticism after the campaign ended, I re-wrote the book and conducted a month's worth of intensely triggering and heartbreaking conversations with folks who were present and suffered during 2010. I had a huge mental breakdown, where I had to dissect everything relating to this book and campaign and re-plan my life. I also began to have panic attacks, and had to find new ways to prevent the rising panic in my belly.
    
    It also became abundantly clear that there was no way I could finish the book on time, and there were some life sustaining things that needed to happen if I was going to preserve the money that was funded and keep it for long-term-planning.
    
    I didn't want to blow through any more of the money so i stopped spending it and got a really good job at a wonderful resturant. I also rented a studio. I had to work hard at my job to get a promotion so that i could get more money and work less to spend as much time in the studio as i could and then draw incredibly huge and scary parts of the most vulnerable pieces of myself. These drawings included trauma, sexual assault, and depression.
    
    Anyways, this emotional roller coaster has finally settled into a rhythm which is me producing 3 pages a week. This is incredible. And great. Espically considering that I waitress for 3-4 days a week to continue to afford my studio and rent.
    
    Also I've also been open to public scrutiny and criticism this entire time. This feels like being open and vulnerable and raw pretty much always... and it has made my heart very tired. I love the amount of personal growth and artistic skills that I've developed over the past 6 months... but I have to admit to you that I am very very tired. And being able to hear harsh criticism and stand up and defend yourself as well as accept that you are wrong... is challenging.
    
    I so very much would like a break from being open to everyone and everything and just take some time to be myself in my tent in the woods.
    
    Then I'll come back.
    
    I apologize if this is something that makes you dissapointed in me. I'm dissapointed in myself for completely mis-understanding how long it takes to make a book that is worth funding.
    
    Please let me know if you are unhappy with me enough that you want your funding back. I hope this is not the case, because I am saving the money to print the book when I am finished...but I would never want to mislead you into funding something you do not support.
    
    But I promise that this book is going to be amazing.
    
    Also, you can feel free to read it online at snowbirdcomic.com, if you wish.
    
    -Erin
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on May 4
SNOWBIRD: a graphic novel
- Comics
- New Orleans, LA
Erin Wilson
Posted project update #11

CHAPTER ONE COMPLETED!! (only chapter one??! what's going on!) WELL I'LL TELL YOU.
Friends, supporters, sweethearts. I have just completed the last page of chapter one! It will be posted Next Wed (i hope you like it!) And as I sit here, preparing to begin penciling in Chapter Two... I feel like i need to check in with you, my loving backers.
(first check out this SWEET page I did!!! Just thought I'd throw a drawing in before I get down to business)
I want to let you all know that I've had a major revelation. It does not take three months to write a fully realized, emotionally complex, personally revealing, and well drawn book. It takes a year. I am going to have this book done by December 31, 2012. One year after I got this whole kickstarter bug in my brain.
I'm sorry I mislead you into thinking I could do it in four months. Or even SIX months.No, friends... it will take a full 12. But a good friend of mine said something really important to me when I was freaking out about this very fact the other week...
I have learned so much, friends, since I got started. I have had to completely re-write the script more than once, learn new comic book techniques, and conquer a huge (seemingly insurmountable) monster of a self esteem problem that I had NO IDEA I'd have to tackle in this process.
I know you haven't seen much from me, but I've been learning what it really means to write a book.
I also have hit some real set-backs since the last time we spoke. Here are somethings that happened to me...
1. OH NO! BICYCLE ACCIDENT!
2. I WASN'T ABLE TO QUIT MY JOB BECAUSE IT'S GONNA TAKE ME WAY LONGER THAN PLANNED TO FINISH THE BOOK
3. I MOVED INTO A LEGIT STUDIO
Anyways... that is what is up! I really hope you trust me when I say that I'm going to make you something beautiful. And if you don't believe me, CHECK OUT CHAPTER ONE! www.SNOWBIRDCOMIC.com !
If you have any feedback, thoughts, or questions.. please contact me!! I'm in a really amazing situation where I'm open for feedback while I'm writing! Cool!
Fondly, sincerely, humbly, ERIN.
3 of 6
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1. 1. Marisol on May 5
    
    Go go Erin, take your time and just keep in touch every now and then. I love to hear about your creative process. You are an inspiration!
  2. Angie Garcia on May 5
    
    Erin, this is your project and you should do it your way. I know that when it's finished you will have a work of art you can be proud to call 100% yours. As a backer, I'm just glad to be along for the ride! Keep up the good work and sending good vibes your way :)
  3. Alex de Campi on May 5
    
    I am so glad I backed this project. Erin, take as LONG as you want. Five years from now, when people smile at your book sitting on their shelves the way you smile when you see the spine of BLANKETS peeking out somewhere, nobody is going to remember or give a damn how long it took to draw. Also, the pages get more gorgeous by the day. Hurrah for you for getting your work/life balance sorted, too. Rock on, chica.
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on April 14
Erin Wilson
backed a project
Brine and Dine Collective's Live Fermented Sauerkraut by Brine and Dine Live Culture Collective

Manhattan's Brine and Dine Collective is happy to be brewing its inaugural batch of live, fermented, raw sauerkraut! New goal! $8000!
- Food
- New York, NY
- 116% funded $7,580 pledged
- 214 backers
- Funded May 13, 2012
on March 7
SNOWBIRD: a graphic novel
- Comics
- New Orleans, LA
Erin Wilson
Posted project update #10

SNOWBIRDCOMIC.COM is launched!
Hey guys! Here it goes!
SNOWBIRDCOMIC.COM is launched! You can officially read the comic as I post it online! I update every Mon, Wed, and Fri until it's finished.
So what's up, Miss Erin? Hows the project going?
Let me tell you! Guess who completely overestimated herself? Complete a 100+ page comic book in three months? That's crazy! But I didn't know it was crazy until I got started. The truth is that the book won't be available for mailing and sending out until August! Yikes! Oh, Erin. I bet the only person seriously suprised by this is me!
I hope y'all won't judge me too harshly, and trust that the extra time this is going to take has everything to do with writing a good, well-rounded, quality book.
I also decided to un-lock the comic for EVERYONE to read. A password-only site was in the works, but I realized that I want folks to read the book even if they don't want to pay for it.
so check it out! Snowbirdcomic.com !
Anyways, currently the book is zipping through the backstory of my life before we get into the events in New Orleans. I didn't realize I was going to be writing this so candidly... but I'm telling all, dear readers. I'm putting my vulnerabilities and heart out on the table... hopefully folks appreciate it. It's important for you to understand where/why/how I did things I did... and what led me to make those choices. Even if it's very nerve-wracking to write about.
If you have any critiques or comments... please send them to me! I'd like to hear all about it. Anyways, here's a sneak peek from the most recent page (page 13) and in the context of this update, it visually shows you how scary it is to publish your secrets..!
Check out my insides, world.
LOVE, ERIN. (don't forget...! snowbirdcomic.com!)
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on February 6
Help Hurray for the Riff Raff Release Our New Album
- Country & Folk
- New Orleans, LA
Erin Wilson
commented on a project

Yes Yes Yes! Your video was ADORABLE. You can do it! Like Evangeline said, Worth every penny.
on February 6
Erin Wilson
backed a project
Help Hurray for the Riff Raff Release Our New Album by Hurrayfortheriffraff

We just finished recording our new album, Look Out Mama. We're excited to release it into the world and need some help with that.
- Country & Folk
- New Orleans, LA
- 151% funded $11,351 pledged
- 343 backers
- Funded Mar 07, 2012
on February 4
SNOWBIRD: a graphic novel
- Comics
- New Orleans, LA
Erin Wilson
Posted project update #9

Help the kids in my neighborhood!
Hey guys!
It's MARDI GRAS TIME! Yahooo!! And when it's Mardi Gras- you gotta get ready for the Mardi Gras Indians! I live in the 7th ward, and we've got a super youngtribe of indians here. They are called The Red Flame Hunters and they need support! Check out their kickstarter to help provide feathers and beads for the kids!
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/631393077/the-red-flame-hunters-mardi-gras-indian-tribe
Here's a little more about them...!
"The Red Flame Hunters, a traditional Mardi Gras Indian tribe in New Orleans, is comprised of teens from our neighborhood working with family and community to hand sew suits for our second consecutive year. The Seventh Ward is a centuries-old Creole neighborhood that has suffered systematic neglect and oppression for decades proceeding Hurricane Katrina. Continuing this tradition in our neighborhood with young people is a way of celebrating resilience and empowerment in the face of oppression and catastrophe."
Help them out! I'm going to. And I'll see them (with your help) on Mardi Gras morning!
LOVE, ERIN!!
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on January 27
SNOWBIRD: a graphic novel
- Comics
- New Orleans, LA
Erin Wilson
Posted project update #8

One month in!!! Where y'at?
Hey there friends and donors! How are you? Actually, if you wanna send me a message to let me know how you are... that'd be neat. I've been meeting a lot of my New Orleans backers recently, and it's been great! I can't tell it how good it feels to hear a person you don't know tell you that they support you. It's been a pleasure to get the chance to actually give folks an in-person hug and thank you.
THANK YOU.
"So what's up, Erin? We haven't heard from you...!" You might be saying. And yes, I've been radio silent for a quite a while! There was so much work to do as soon as the kickstarter was funded. Setting up my studio, giving notice to my job, and re-writing the entire script has taken a lot out of me!
Why re-write the script? Well... here's the thing. Ever since the kickstarter launched I have received an OUTPOURING of communication from all kinds of people! I've spent a huge amount of time having lots and lots of conversations about the project. Some people are hugely supportive, some people thank me, and tell me that they are looking forward to reading it and processing their emotions about loss. But also some people have strong critiques and concerns about my story's subject matter, which was a time of community trauma here in NOLA. There are big questions about appropriation, the role of art in conversations about grief, and personal stories being shared with me about some folk's personal experiences during last Winter.
After all these conversations, my story has completed changed. It's going to be a MUCH better graphic novel now. If I had written this book all alone and in secret, it would be a lot less well rounded. Thank you, again, kickstarter.
It's been a super emotional time of research, which is appropriate for any project that spends time representing a community in any way. It is a lesson I learned from the organization I have been participating in for years, The Beehive Design Collective (beehivecollective.org). All of their projects are based on in-person research, and I think it's a pretty great idea.
So anyways, check out this drawing I did about how I'm feeling! Also, the snowbird website and online comic viewer will be up within the next week! HOORAY!
LOVE, ERIN!
1. 1. Liz Vernon on January 27
    
    Believe in the me that believes in you!!!
  2. Daniele Prati on January 28
    
    Great Liz, Gurren Lagann;-)
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on January 3
SNOWBIRD: a graphic novel
- Comics
- New Orleans, LA
Erin Wilson
Posted project update #7

IT HAPPENED! HOLY MOLY!
Hey there, friends, family, and loving kickstarter backers. I know you haven't heard from me in quite a while, and it's because my brain exploded in rainbows and I needed a few days to recoup and actually try to believe that this happened. And it turns out, friends, that it DID happen. My kickstarter campaign has been funded!
Just to let everyone know, my official drawing marathon begins two weeks from now. Until then I'm finalizing my new life schedule, setting up my studio office, doing bulk orders of paper and ink, visiting my mom for her birthday, and designing the SNOWBIRD website (with my good coder friend Dziga!).
The SNOWBIRD comic webpage will be up in three weeks from now. Get ready, internet! It's starting!
For those of you who have patches and zines coming along, it's probably going to be a few weeks longer than I thought would be (because there are so many more people than I thought!)... expect your patch or zine in mid/late Februrary. Let me know if this is too long for you, and I'll see what I can do. (contact me at erin@erroar.com if you'd like)
I'll also be posting updates, often. Look forward to more quirky comics and videos over the next few months!
Hooray!
LOVE, ERIN!
1. 1. Philip Martin on January 3
    
    I'm hugging you back.
  2. Liz Gunn on January 3
    
    Erin, I don't know you but any friend of Evan's (I'm her mom :) ) has to be awesome. Congratulations on following your dream and your passion (and getting the funding for it). I wish you the best in successfully moving this project forward. The world needs people like you and Evan and all your friends!!
    Warmly, Liz Gunn
  3. docwho2100 on January 3
    
    Good Luck and I have to say - the quirky videos are the best! thank you so much and next time I visit Nola, I will have another thing to think about as I look around :)
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