I’ve written in the past, and some of you have agreed in comments, that it’s been interesting to observe the developments of webcomics like Questionable Content and Girls with Slightshots. Unlike comics like Doonesbury, where the characters age and experience current events at roughly the same rate as readers, time is moving much more slowly for Jeph Jacques’ Marten Reed or Danielle Corsetto’s Hazel. I started reading both comics while I was in college, at a time when Marten and Hazel’s struggles to figure out what they wanted to do were things I knew were in my immediate future.

But as the years have gone by, Hazel’s been laid off, and Marten’s moved from one dead-end job to another, I’ve wondered how these characters — and how these comics — are going to move forward. Danielle Corsetto, who has been drawing Girls With Slingshots since 2004, was kind enough to answer some of my questions about what’s next for Hazel, who lost her newspaper job in a recession, her other characters’ hopes and dreams, and who her influences are in the world of webcomics.

As a young journalist, I’ve spent a lot of time sympathizing with Hazel and Thea. Any plans to get either of them back into the profession? Have Hazel start a partying and drinking blog? Have Thea start her local Patch site? And if so, why not? Did you want to get the two characters beyond journalism? Or was having them be unemployed simply a convenient way to do some character development?

Ooooh, damn you for figuring out my ploy!

Most of the horrible things that happen to my characters are a means of developing themselves for their audience. I mean, I’m sure that in their off-panel lives they’re laughing, crying, getting into trouble, and having life-changing moments, but those moments aren’t disclosed in the comic until you’ve been thoroughly acquainted with the characters.

When you meet someone for the first time, you generally don’t know much about them until they’re made vulnerable in a situation. I can attest, as I’ve watched my own friends go through breakups, layoffs, and deaths of loved ones. People don’t open themselves up until they feel it’s safe. I tend to think that, if you’ve been reading Girls With Slingshots long enough, it’s safe to share their struggles.

To answer your question, though, I’m not entirely sure what’s going to happen to Hazel or Thea! Originally I wanted them to develop an website/blog called “Girls With Slingshots,” but now I’m not so sure. It’s a little too close to Danielle’s Life Story, and this isn’t an autobiography.

Guess you’ll have to keep reading. ;)
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