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Now,sadly,with very few microphones around I must admit that I sadly missed the names of all those on the Manga Euro Style panel with the exception of author and Manga officianado,Fredrik Stromberg.  So my apologies to all those nice people from the Yokaj Studio.

I think that there were a few very good points made by the Yokaj team and Stromberg that wannabe Manga creators should note.

The Japanese and Chinese guests all had one thing in common:they worked late into the night and pointed out that the everyday things need to be done before getting to their Manga drawing -work!shopping,washing up,cooking.  It isn’t as most of us would really like it to be -get up 7.00 a.m. and work til 12 noon.  Restart work til 9.00 p.m. and so on.

Of course,if you are a “mummy’s boy” and your parents are supporting you til you make the big time you are probably calling out every half hour “Mama -tea!”,”Mama -sandwiches!” and so on.  Not everyone can lounge around doing no work all day..unless you are Paul Brown!

A set routine helps but how often can you stick to a set routine?

There were a few laughs,intentional and unintentional,which is far better than a rigid.set-piece Q&A.

Stromberg,and the Yokaj folk made a very valid point which I think worth noting here.

It does not matter if you are in the UK or Sweden,but if you want to draw comics or create comics in a Manga style then do so but base those stories on your own experiences or on things that happen in your own country.  Don’t try copying Manga based in countries you don’t know about -make it so that comic fans from your country can point to something and say “that’s so true!”

Talking to Fredrik later I found out that he really was a very nice man and passionate about his subject.

And to be honest,if we can attract more of this type of guest over in future it’ll be great!