Jazzleeillustrates - Jazz Lee Illustrates

Just a moth and his chomper.

A character arc where the character who did terrible things and regrets them is forced to live, to put one foot in front of the other and find healing, who chooses to pour goodness into the world and make the world a better place

Is more satisfying to me than a character arc where the character who did terrible things and regrets them is redeemed through death

99.9% of the time.

Oh no--is this an addiction? 🤪 And do you have it too? Thanks for reading the twenty-ninth episode of "Slices of Gremlin"! If you like the comic, please subscribe on Webtoon. You can also support me (and the comic) on Ko-Fi, by giving a one-time donation or signing up for monthly membership! I'm introducing a new tier this month, where you can get both early access to the comic AND a monthly sticker in the mail. 👀 (Right now, the physical rewards tier is only open to people in the USA).

Ko-fi

Support JazzLeeIllustrates on Ko-fi! ❤️. ko-fi.com/jazzleeillustrates

Support JazzLeeIllustrates On Ko-fi. Ko-fi lets you support the people and causes you love with small donations

most important part of the writing process actually is when you loop a single song on max volume and stare at the word document and imagine the characters doing things for 14 hours. this is known as getting in the zone

I made some little emotes of the gremlin! What do you think? 😄 I have my process video available to watch on YouTube, and I also have a fun little talk about community along with it! Check out the link in my bio if you want to see (and follow my Linktree)! God bless!

Some Muppet/puppet doodles of my persona! I'd love to make a real puppet version of the gremlin one day, what do you think?

Hmmm… something’s going on here!

@toothpaste-dragon had showed me it was world rat day and we talked about how Donald would happily take advantage of it to give some extra love and appreciation to Cricket! ;w; (Cricket belongs to @toothpaste-dragon!) Cricket doesn’t know that there’s such a day, so she’s all confused as to why Donald is acting kinda weird. Donald’s going to have a bit of fun hinting at it and stuff first before telling her. >w<

Using motifs to create thematic depth.

Motifs are one of the most powerful tools a writer has for weaving deeper meaning into a story.

What Is a Motif?

A motif is a repeated element in your story that highlights a theme. While similar to symbols, motifs are more dynamic and can evolve as your characters and story progress.

Symbol: A single red rose representing love. Motif: Flowers appearing throughout the story to represent different aspects of relationships—love, decay, growth, and loss.

Why Use Motifs?

They deepen your story’s meaning. Motifs give your readers something to latch onto, creating a sense of unity.

They enhance immersion. Repeated elements help ground readers in your world.

Tips for Crafting Effective Motifs

1. Choose a Motif That Fits Your Story’s Themes

Ask yourself: What’s the central idea of my story? Your motif should subtly reinforce that idea.

Theme: Resilience in the face of hardship. Motif: Cracked glass—a recurring image of something that’s damaged but still functional, reflecting the characters’ inner strength.

2. Use Motifs to Reflect Character Growth

A well-designed motif can evolve alongside your characters, reflecting their arcs.

In the beginning, a character always wears a watch to represent their obsession with time and control. By the end, they stop wearing the watch, symbolizing their acceptance of life’s unpredictability.

3. Keep It Subtle (But Consistent)

A motif shouldn’t feel like a flashing neon sign. It should quietly enhance the story without overpowering it.

If your motif is rain, don’t make every scene a thunderstorm. Use it sparingly—maybe it rains during moments of emotional turmoil or reflection, creating a subconscious link for the reader.

4. Use Recurrence to Build Meaning

The more your motif appears, the more it will resonate with readers. The key is repetition with variation.

In a story about family bonds, food could serve as a motif.

Early on: A tense family dinner where no one speaks. Later: A shared meal where characters open up and reconnect.

5. Connect Motifs to Emotion

Motifs are most effective when they evoke a visceral reaction in the reader.

Motif: A recurring song. First appearance: A father sings it to his child. Later: The same child hums it as an adult, remembering their father’s love. Final scene: The song plays during the child’s wedding, tying past and present together.

Examples of Motifs in Action

Motif: Mirrors

Theme: Self-perception vs. reality. A character avoids mirrors at first, unable to face their reflection. They slowly start using mirrors to confront their flaws. The final moment shows them standing confidently before a mirror, accepting themselves.

Motif: Keys

Theme: Freedom and control. A character collects keys, searching for one that unlocks their past. They find an old, rusted key, which leads them to uncover family secrets. The motif shifts to symbolize freedom when they lock a door behind them, leaving their past behind.

Motif: Birds

Theme: Longing for freedom. Early scenes show a bird trapped in a cage, reflecting the protagonist’s feelings. Later, the bird is released, symbolizing a turning point in the character’s journey.

Motif: The Ocean

Theme: Emotional depth and uncertainty. Calm waters reflect peace in the protagonist’s life. Stormy seas mirror moments of inner conflict.

Practical Exercise

1. Identify your story’s central theme.

2. Brainstorm objects, actions, or images that resonate with that theme.

3. Introduce the motif subtly early on.

4. Repeat it with variation, tying it to key emotional moments.

5. Bring it full circle by the end, letting the motif reinforce the resolution.

Though Vincent is often a beacon of hope and light to those around him, he secretly struggles with his own problems. Don't mind the mysterious black cat that follows him. This is based on a famous video game-originating drawing meme.

This is Vincent Abernathy, my original character from my project Wellwishers! Also, take these little Vincent-centric doodles.

your vibes m’lord………