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Tell us about yourself and how that reflects in the comics.
I have a pretty full life. I’m a nearly middle-aged, divorced, mother of two; happily living with my partner and a small menagerie of pets. The comic is fairly ego-centric, dealing with my life and thoughts more than with others. That may change in time though, it’s hard to say.
What inspires you?
Life, kids, work, friends, current events… just about anything. If I’ve had a conversation in the last 24 hours, chances are good I found some small bit of inspiration.
What comics do you like, and what are your favorites?
I read a dizzying array of webcomics from a variety of genres. Because the list is so varied, and so massive, it’s hard to choose favorites. I’d say Dominic Deegan, Geek Tragedy, Girl Genius, Least I Could Do, Questionable Content, Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal, Something Positive, The Thinking Ape Blues, Toy Division and Zap! Are my current top ten. Of course, that list could change before this is posted. I can be fickle.
 How did you come up with your comic?
I’ve had a few people tell me that I ought to write a book about my life. Luckily for prospective readers, I know my life would make for a horribly dull novel. Reading over Jennie Breeden’s Devil’s Panties and Randy K. Milholland’s Something Positive, however, I realized my life just might make for a semi-amusing webcomic. I may be wrong, but heck, it’s worth a shot.
How did you come up with your characters?
Amy is the only purely fictional character in the comic aside from various “extras”. She’s an amalgamation of those people close enough to me that things they say and do might wind up in the comic, but not close enough to warrant their own character. She also allows me to react to general attitudes and belief systems. Everyone else is a glorified version of a real person.
 What is your method for writing a comic and how long does it take you?
I tend to do my writing in bursts, pumping out a dozen or so scripts in a couple of days as the inspiration strikes. Each script them goes through a re-write before it’s drawn up, and sometimes during.
What is the step-by-step process of creating your comic?
First, I sketch out a simple panel layout that includes very basic versions of each character’s pose. Using smooth Bristol board I then draw any backgrounds I might need and then each of the character poses; first in non-photo blue, then in pencil. Next, I scan the drawings in segments, and open up Photoshop. I start with a plain white background layer, then I create the panel borders on a second layer, cut and paste the backgrounds onto a third layer, and then cut and paste the characters onto a fourth layer. I then create a transparent fifth layer on which I ink the backgrounds using the pen tool to create path anchor points. Then I do the same with the characters on a sixth transparent layer, delete the third and fourth layers, erase the overlapping ink lines, and merge the remaining layers. At that point I enter all the text, move it around until I’m happy with it, then create a new transparent layer and add the word bubbles using the oval and pen tools. Then I merge all the layers again and fill in the colors using the magic wand and paint bucket. Finally, I shade using the paint brush tool, shrink it to size and call it a night. The whole process takes six to ten hours.
Do you have any plans for the future?
Starting in April, 2007 my Single Panel Monday strips will become a regular site feature and I’ll begin posting new single shot comics as voting incentives. All of the single shots will eventually be available as mini-comics, and I plan to publish a BetaPwned collection once I reach 100 strips. Also, I’m going to be doing a special story line in August for Autism Awareness Month that will focus specifically on my son, his diagnosis, how the family was affected, and how we’ve dealt with the challenges. If I like it, I may publish it as a separate comic and donate any profit to Autism research. In the distant future I have plans to start a second webcomic based on a role playing game that was run by my best friend, Eric (a.k.a. Rob). Then I’m going to take a nap. Or a vacation. Probably both.
All images and content copywrited by Tanya Higgins, 2006-2007
No reproduction of any material is allowed in any format without written permission.
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