Creative Process - Graphic Novel Assignment 2020 ​by Georgia Ross

After several long hours and many nights; as well as slowly going cross eyed from drawing, I
finally finished!

I really struggled with this project. Overall, I generally took on too much work and my emotional
connection to my chosen memory made it difficult to work on it. In the end, I loved this project
and It helped bring out some realizations to my life with my current family dog, who we don’t
really connect. It made me realize the past and need for change for my future.

For this assignment, I chose to use the image of the mystery ghost child. I was inspired as it
connected me to a childhood memory of mine at the age of eight when I was a ghost for
Halloween. My graphic novel links the special connection I had with my old family dog and a
particular Halloween when no one really knew who I was. This specific Halloween was also
significant as I was attending a new school for a few months and was feeling quite lonely. For
my overall story, my hope was to convey that you are never alone and that someone you least
expect will be there for you.

At the beginning, I had a difficult time coming up with ideas to connect my memory and the
image prompt. I started out by writing spontaneous connections and noting the differences
between the two, as well as thinking of links from the image prompt to my own memory. This
process established the basis of my storyline. The mystery ghost child is myself, but in a
different fantasy context of the prompt.

While creating my graphic novel, I chose multiple images that directly related to my memory and
elements that connect me back to my own home. For example, the rain in the window of the first
frame relates to North Vancouver, the door in the second frame closely resembles to my
backdoor, the fence last frame on page 1 is similar to the fence surrounding my house, the
importance of the tree relates to the mature tree in my front yard that symbolize familiarity and
safety. Of interest, the very last frame closely mirrors my childhood room. The representation of
the dog relates to a mix of my favorite type of dog (Husky/German Shepard) with the memorable
tail of my childhood dog (Golden Retriever). All these helped link my personal memory to this
graphic novel; which also made this experience more emotional and at times, difficult to focus
and concentrate.

My graphic novel is about a mystery ghost child (which is myself) not feeling ready for their first
day of school. They isolate themselves from reality and venture off on a journey of connection,
acceptance, and resilience. While on their journey, they are followed by a stray, unknown dog
who is curious and wants to help the mystery ghost child. In the middle of their journey they
encounter a real ghost which symbolizes reality and the feeling of fear and anxiety about going
to a new school. In the end, they feel ready for school with the reassurance of the dog's
friendship and kindness. This overall relates to my old family dog who had always been there for
me when I needed him.
My drawing ability got the better of me due to choosing the most difficult things that I struggle to
draw like hoodies, animals, trees, bedspreads and feet. I took on a challenging self goal and
from the best of my ability of which I am proud of, and happy to finally submit.

I feel fortunate to have a lot of time to work on this project so I could enjoy the progress and
have an end result that I’m proud of. I wouldn't change a thing. I loved my end result and feel
that it is a tribute to my past and reflective for my present. I know that there is always someone
to lean on and always someone to talk to.