Hey folks, Harry here with a great interview with one of the goddesses of the comics realm, Lorna Miller. This is another great piece from our buds at Gray Haven, enjoy...
Lorna Miller: The Gray Haven Interview
By Barry Wolborsky
If you haven’t been reading Witch, by Scottish-born writer/artist Lorna Miller, you’re missing out on a funny, insightful look at everything from a fun-loving Wine store shop girl to a pregnant, working class bovine. Lorna took some time to answer a few questions in her own witty and insightful fashion.
GHM: Who, exactly, is Lorna Miller?
LM: Who am I? Oh well, that’s lovely…start with a big heavy question why don’t you! I’m not sure who I am; I’m still trying to figure that one out. I’m too much to sum up in a sentence. I am my art, my art is me. Heh heh.
GHM: What was it like growing up in Scotland and how does it compare to living in England today?
LM: Well, I grew up in Scotland from the age of 10. Before that I was in Newcastle, England and as a baby I lived in Rome. I hated growing up in Scotland. I love living in England today.
GHM: How did the Witch comic book first come about?
LM: The book was supposed to be a collection of work from my 4 mini comics that I called Witch. But I was ill, and was unable to work, so I ended up drawing a whole load of new strips for the book, some of which I think are my best work.
GHM: When I first saw Witch, I thought it was a comic about a Witch. Does this happen often?
LM: Well, you’re the first person to ever tell me this. Maybe it is a comic about a witch. The word witch can have a lot of different connotations. It can be a word to describe a woman who is difficult, ugly, sexually adventurous, dangerous.
GHM: Have any of your characters or stories been inspired by your real life experiences, such as Angela the shop girl?
LM: All my stories are inspired in some way by real life experience. Not necessarily my experience though. I put things in my stories that other people have told me about themselves. I have worked as a shop girl for years and years, and the bits to do with the job are a mixture of my experience and made up writing. But a lot of the other more personal stuff, I take from other people. I like to have a distance between myself and my writing.
GHM: Speaking of Angela, do you think she’s an alcoholic or just someone who parties too much?
LM: Well, that is something for the reader to decide. You will have to keep reading and maybe you will be able to answer that question.
GHM: You don’t pull any punches with your depiction of human faults and other, er, gross things. What about this approach appeals to you?
LM: It makes me laugh first and foremost. Making pictures of things that actually have always been a cause of extreme embarrassment and shame for me lessens the power that they have. We have these bodies that do the most awful things that we try to control and it’s like this battle going on. The body is fighting to be gross and disgusting and you’re fighting to keep all that hidden. You have to conform to societies notion of what is acceptable to show and be honest about. I go out of my way to do the opposite in my comics.
GHM: Your art style is noticeably different in your various stories. Is this you experimenting with different styles or using whatever style services the story as you see fit?
LM: In the book I was experimenting a lot at that time. I wanted to create longer stories and had real difficulty realizing my ideas. I have always been able to do observational drawing really accurately. So I started to parody existing comic genres as a way of teaching myself how to put a comic together and keeping it entertaining for me at the same time. As I became more skilled I started to have more control over the way I utilized the different styles. I realized that this could be a technique in itself. Comic genres are very gender defined and I wanted to mix that all up.
GHM: In the Witch trade paperback, one of your stories involves your visit to Germany when you were younger. What in particular inspired you to write this very personal and moving story?
LM: We were students on a photography exchange trip. I felt that I took some amazing photos on that trip and the whole thing was a profound experience for me. There was to be an exhibition of work when we got back to Glasgow. None of my photos were chosen. It left a nasty taste in my mouth when I realized that the favourite students had been exhibited and the tutors displayed loads of their own photos too. So in my comic I was basically showing off and getting revenge. It was like "fuck you, my photos were great and I can create ink drawings of them better than you buggers ever could, and get them in my own book and sell them all over the world!".
GHM: Is Witch an ongoing or a limited series?
LM: The comic that I am now doing with Slave Labor is ongoing. It was supposed to be quarterly but I canny manage that, it’s just too much for me. I have a job to do too. So I think issue 3 will be late.
GHM: Who are some of your main influences, artistically and personally?
LM: That’s so hard to say since I can be influenced by an ad on telly or someone in a bus queue as much as by some great work of art. One of my favourite writers is Flannery O’Connor. My favourite comic as an art student was HATE. I grew up with comics like the Beano. Now when I am drawing I look at Oor Wullie (a Scottish newspaper strip) the most when I need reference. Personally, I am to read biographies of old film stars or anyone who interests me. Especially people who have achieved a lot and had had personal tragedy to deal with in their lives.
GHM: Are there any particular topics or types of characters that you’d like to tackle in future stories?
LM: I have a number of themes that I have been interpreting in various ways since art school. I think they will always be at the core of my work. I have a load of work stored in my head, that I just have to try and find time to do.
GHM: Do you have any upcoming projects you can discuss?
LM: No. Just doing ma comic.
GHM: Do you feel that your stories, which are very much based in Scotland or the U.K. translate well to an American or International audience?
LM: Well, we have been consuming American culture for donkeys years and seem to understand it ok.
GHM: Do you have a sense of who your core audience is?
LM: Very intelligent handsome and stylish people.
GHM: Have you had a chance for much interaction with fans at conventions or signings? How has that been for you?
LM: It’s been lovely and exhausting. I used to have social phobia and so have only been able to do the interaction thing since I went on medication. So, for me it is a very enjoyable novelty.
GHM: Do you think your work appeals to those who don’t read comics in general?
LM: Yes.
GHM: How so?
LM: My mum took my comic into work (she's a legal secretary) to show the girls and they loved it. My mates who don't read comics like it.
GHM: What would you say has been your best experience as a comic book creator and what would be the worst?
LM: Best...seeing my work in print...getting a box delivered to me full of my comics from the printers in Canada and thinking "oh my God, I did all that myself". Worst...I work hard and don't get paid for it. Not that I'm a money grabbing miserly bastard, but it makes me wonder if I'm wasting my time and should be doing something more productive for my future.
GHM: Do you have any advice for those looking to break into the industry?
LM: Work hard, believe in yourself, learn to know the difference between advice worth taking and advice you should ignore, make friends with older experienced folks in the biz, (helps if your female since most of them are blokes who go "helloooo young lady" (eyes a poppin’). Try and get a decent well-paying part time job.
GHM: Any plans to collect current and future issues of Witch in trade paperback?
LM: Absolutely. I would love to have a gilt edged collection, limited edition with a lipstick kiss by me to sell for hundreds of pounds, and a cheap and cheerful collection to be in every bookstore.
GHM: Have you ever been interested in or been approached to do what we refer to as mainstream superhero comic books?
LM: I nearly got the job as a colourist for a superhero comic book, but it didn’t come about. In fact I nearly did twice, and both times nothing happened. One guy, the editor of a sci fi comic doubted my ability since I’m female, to colour space ships and laser beams, and he was really patronizing so I thought "fuck this" and didn’t bother doing the sample (which I wasn’t going to be paid for).
GHM: Do you feel any frustration that independent comics have traditionally gotten less attention and sales than the superhero genre?
LM: Yes, it’s massively frustrating because there is no need for it. Independents are stuck with a sort of geeky, exclusive reputation in the comics biz and the best way to get away from that notion is to get away from the comics biz. It just needs a bit of work and commitment from people, but there are few people willing to take on such a difficult and unrewarding task. I’ve seen things move forward here in the UK when a few people have worked at it (like someone working in a book shop making an effort to display and promote comic books better). For a while things were going really well when I was doing my book with Slab O Concrete because of a network of people putting the effort in. But then it all started to slip away, and it was as though all the progress had never happened and it all reverted to the way it had been before. Nothing is more frustrating and depressing than that!
GHM: What do you think can be done to change this?
LM: A few dedicated insightful and strong people.
GHM: What does Lorna Miller do when she’s not making comic books?
LM: Ooh, I do the artwork and colouring for the children’s comic Thomas the Tank Engine. I love gardening. I sing and dance around my living room. Sometimes I record with friends who are musicians (hate to perform).I do some DJing at gigs and my man’s club sometimes. I love to dance at beat, bubble gum pop and Northern Soul clubs. I like to go long walks in the hills with my man and my dog. Love to swim in the sea. I read all the time. I like crafts like embroidery and sewing. And my favourite thing is to sleep.
GHM: What other ambitions, if any, do you have professionally, outside of creating comic books?
LM: None at the moment. I just want to concentrate on doing a half decent comic.
GHM: Is there anything else you’d like to plug or say to the Gray Haven readers?
LM: Oh great this is where I get to pretend I’m the Queen and address the people. (In a posh squeeky queeny voice) The year 2001 has been an annus horriblus, but we must soldier on. Keep a stiff upper lip and always cross your legs and let’s hope that 2002 brings lots of love and laugher for you all.
Links:
Lorna Miller
Slave Labor Graphics Publishing
