Up and Ahead FAQ!

1- Are you going to continue OMFA?
Ok, I'll say it very loud and for the last time: YES! yes I will, but only next year. I'm taking the rest of the year to try something new. I feel like I've been wasting all of my potential on a little story I created when I was 11 years old, and I can do so much better than that! But again, it will be continued.
I just need you guys to trust me, and open your hearts just a little bit for U&A. It will be an awesome experience I want to share with you guys, and I won't let you down! (I hope! xD)

2- Are the two stories apart of the same universe?
Hum! That's a very interesting question, and yes, indeed that's quite possible! OMFA would happen somewhere around Canada, and a long time before U&A, if it was the case But I didn't really think about that, to be very frank, I thought of them as completely different things! xD

3- So what exactly is 'Up and Ahead?' Is it a comic, story, etc?
I'm yet to decide, to be very frank. U&A is, for now, a world I would like to keep alive.
I've been creating tons of characters, doing research on american history, constructing plans for the towns and even building up the environment. My real wish is for it to become a series of medium-sized comics, with individual adventures, not directly sequential (unlike OMFA). Something like a TV series, but instead of different episodes, that would be different issues!
But again, that wouldn't be possible to do at the moment, with OMFA still going. I don't think keeping two comics at the same time is healthy: none will have the same quality they should. But those are definitely some plans I'll put into action with U&A. I really want to make this into a comic.

4- Is it an adventure story?
Oh yesh. Prepare yourselves for a whole LOT of crazy adventures, because thats what U&A is all about!!

5- Comedy or tragedy?
If I were to pick one, comedy, definitely! I want this to be a very light-hearted project, different from all I've done so far. But of course, it will have it's tragic moments as well. A good story needs a little bit of everything, am I right?

6- What is the basic plot for Up and Ahead?
After a turbulent journey trough the deserts, Martin, an emotionally complicated beagle arrives in the arid dog town of Gold Marrow. Trying to find a job and a place to stay, he soon learns he's not very welcomed into this new world of the wild west. After getting into some serious trouble, a mysterious figure appears to save the day. He does not identify himself, only instantly nicknames Martin "Shorty".  Annoyed by the stranger's ways, Martin soon learns from the locals that he is Steban the Red, a dog who made himself into a legend of the west. Their paths don't take too long to be crossed again and again, and he ends up being dragged into all sorts of troubles and unexpected adventures, along side with his delirious new "friend" and others they'll meet along the way!  Fighting villains and foes, bandits of all kinds, those two will live all that puts the wild into Wild West!

7- What inspired you to create "Up and Ahead"?
It was a whole bunch of things coming together, to be frank! I've always liked western stories, specially the ones involving some steampunk technology, and had already done a thing or two inside the theme. But the real thing happened when my brother found an old 95's series called "Legend", staring Richard Dean Anderson (the guy who did MacGyver!). I simply fell in love with it! But the show never found it's audience, and it had to be canceled, although the few episodes truly got me into western. Shortly after that, I watched the movie "Rango". I'll tell you, I wasn't very exited to watch it at first, but oh. It had been forever since I had watched an animated movie THAT good! I was jumping around like a little kid by the end of it!
Some time after, I bought the movie (of course! xD) and while I was browsing around the features, I decided to watch the making-of. And that was when some kind of fire lighted up in my heart. I found in that video what I truly wanted in my life, but this time, it was for sure. I decided to make an experiment after that, and decided to imagine how a western adventure would be in my world. Up and Ahead was then born. It started up as a completely, totally different thing. Steban was supposed to be an angry outlaw, who later, after a whole bunch of crazy events, becomes the sheriff of an old town only habited by cowards, and he teaches them how to fight for themselves, while he also learns how wrong he has acted for so long.
But later on I decided to turn it into something lighter, and so Up and Ahead turned into what you know now!

8- In Up and Ahead, is there only dogs or other various animals?
There are other various animals living there as well, but the only ones who decided to build cities like the humans were the dogs. In U&A, there is a herd of horses, for example, who formed an anti-human faction. They run the deserts freeing other horses who are "slaves" to the humans, under the leadership of Hooves, who was inspired by an old legend of the west, about a horse who did exactly the same (if your thinking "Spirit", then you guessed it right! xD). Wolves and Coyotes, for example, are the indians. They have their own language, and own culture, but there are those who already got mixed up with the other dogs. You'll see lots of out-laws who are wolves, for example. There are cats, buffalos, mountain lions, bears, snakes, hawks, rats… All desert animals you can think of!

9- Is it just you creating Up and Ahead, or are other people working on it with you?
It's just me *forever alone*. I don't know anyone personally who wouldn't laugh at me if I asked them to help me creating a "western doggie adventure" xD
But I might, from time to time, get some help from my older brother with the plots, if he's in the mood to help me (which is kind of rare). So again, yes, I'm basically all by myself ._.

10 - Do you have all the characters you need for Up and Ahead, or are you planning on needing more? If you need more, are you going to ask other people to submit their characters?
At the time, I have all of the bandits and citizens I'll need for the main adventures, BUT! Up and Ahead is a whole world. Gold Marrow is a whole town, and of course, I haven't drawn all of the habitants. And Gold Marrow is definitely not the only dog town either, so I shall try something different for this story! I would like you guys to be a part of it. I would really like to build this world along side with you, and I'm truly enjoying where this is all leading!
Some people were very awesome and have already created their own OCs for Up and Ahead without me announcing anything, and I must say, they are amazing! So, I'm inviting you to be a part of this as well feel free to role play, create characters and their own adventures, and even interact with the official characters! Let's give life to this project together, and see what happens! after all, life is a big experiment, isn't it?

11- Do we get to see more of it?
because I'm in love with the characters and IM SO READY TO SEE MORE! <3
Oh my goodness!!! thank you sooooo much!!
Yes, you get to see a whole lot more of it, as long as you guys support me!

12- Will Up and Ahead be an Animated series at all?
Well, That's a dream, I must say I would love to make it an animated series, and even make it into a movie. Yes, I would love to work on it 24/7, but unfortunately, I'm still just a teen, who's not even on college yet xD
My family has nothing to do with the artistic world, so I have no contacts, and to make it all worse, I live in Brazil ._.
BUT! I'll get there someday! And who knows? Perhaps Up and Ahead might become something else!

13- Are any of your stories based and true life events/people?! LOL.
Hahaha xD Yes, yes you can say that I have a special fascination to observing people! xD
I do that in real life a lot, observe how they react to certain things, situations, and how certain personalities interact. I have a mania of imagining everyone around as if they were part of a big cartoon, like a tv show of some sort. What amazing characters they make, even the ones who hate me. That helps me understanding how complex a story character must be, so that you can feel it is real.
But if you are asking me if some of them are directly based on someone or some events, that as well is correct. I do have a tendency to translate parts of my life into characters and events. I'm not quite sure why, but it reliefs me of some weights. I feel like I have the control over the situations once I place them into my stories. And it's funny how it actually helps me seeing through some things, once I play around with them my stories teach me a lot, it's hard to believe!

14- What has inspired you to make the characters and title?
The title, oh well. I always find it hard to find a good title you know? We might spend hours, days looking for the perfect one, but we always do it in the most retarded, ordinary situations. I'm not sure if I'm happy with the title "Up and Ahead" yet, but I think this will do for now. I was looking for something positive, something that would fit the character of Steban, since he's the second main character, but the story's icon. He is an overly-confident guy, so I just thought he would have somewhat a catch phrase. I thought he would always say things such as "Keep your head up and go ahead!" so the title was sort of born from this. It's first form was "Up, Down and Ahead!" but I decided to leave the "Down" out. Even thought the title isn't all the good, I'll admit that I'm slightly happy with it's design it costed me a LOT of thinking, and I had the insight one day I was almost asleep. I got up from bed, turned on the computer, drew the title and couldn't sleep for the rest of the night because of excitement! xD
   Now the characters are another case. Steban (as you know him now, not the original one) and Martin were based on real people I once knew. I once met a very funny looking tall guy, who was very laid back and funny. He had a friend, who had half his size, always depressive, and made the most horrifying jokes which he actually thought were funny. I always thought they were the funniest due, and this sort of stayed in my mind. Once I created Steban (as the good guy), I thought he needed a side-kick. At first, I thought of good little guys, who were trying to help him: 25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mag…
But while I was working on this pic: fav.me/d4ly5ll I just thought "NAH! I want a nasty little side-kick! Someone who actually hates to be in Steban's company, but keeps on being dragged into situations! Just like those two I once knew!".
Now the breed was inspired on my own beagle, Belle (RIP). I once had a german shepherd mix called Taz, and Belle kept on fighting him over the tinniest things, while Taz would only watch her with calm eyes, and wag his tale to her xD so a beagle was definitely the best side-kick for a shepherd!
So yeah, it's a big mix of things. I believe Martin and Steban have the most complex creation background, while the others were created by the "What if" method (I always do that!).

15- Will there be any plot twists?
Oh yesh. Oh yesh there will me wuvs plot twists

16- Will you have fun doing this or do you feel impulsed, or forced, to finish it all up?
Oh, that's an interesting question! that's very thoughtful of you, thank you very much for carrying about that!
But I'm actually feeling very free with U&A, at the moment I don't know, it feels just like being a kid again! I used to draw very uncommitted comics, where I would play around with the characters and make all of those adventures spontaneously and I feel like I can finally do it again!
But hum… to be very frank, at the very moment, I'm putting a bit of pressure over myself, so that I can show you guys what U&A is all about. It's a bit rough, because I have some sort of a deadline to do this, and I can't leave you waiting for too long, otherwise you'll lose interest. Yes, that can be a bit hard, now that I come to think about it! xD

17- Do the dogs belong to humans/ there are people? or is it a alternate place where humans, don't/ no longer exist?
As for a first thought, yes, there are humans. As for the dogs, some enjoy staying in human's company, while some prefer to be free. Humans own dogs, just like in in our normal world, and sometimes, even against the dog's will.
Gold Marrow (the main town of U&A) was a ghost human town, later found by the dogs, and rebuilt. As the "dog society" developed (it's funny to call it that way! xD) the dogs studied human technology. So they know how to do many human things, and also how to work human inventions. Guns, for example, are a recent discovery of their world, and it's quickly spreading around the west (falling specially into the wrong paws).
For now, humans don't play any important rule in the story (specially because Gold Marrow is far from any human town) so humans are mostly just part of the background (like in Balto, as some of you have said).
I find it interesting to mix both worlds (the dogs and the humans). I wanted to try something different, but I'm still not sure whether this will turn out good. At least it sounds interesting to try!

18- Why is Martin always angry?
;giggle:
hehe xD nice one
Well, it all started by the way he was raised. He was born when his parents were already entering old age, singleton. His mother never had the patience to raise him properly, so everything he wanted would be given to him. He grew spoiled, and seeing himself as the center of all attentions. The life outside his cosy home wasn't exactly what he expected: people weren't there to give him whatever he wanted, neither to applaud everything he did. Martin had a difficult start of carrier as a comedian, and later on, fails as a writer as well. That made him grow bitter, angry and depressive. Martin blames the whole world for everything that has ever happened to him, but it's unable to see that, in fact, the only one to blame for his attitudes is himself. He charges people for everything, but never offers anything himself.
Long story short, Martin is always angry because he's extremely self centered. Self centered people can never see outside of their own little world, and that's what happens: they keep on victimizing themselves, and their temperament has that angry/revolted/depressive pattern.
If you want to know more, check out his character sheet! fav.me/d534bmu

19- How come dogs actually work?
By observing the humans, dogs have learned very useful skills. They work by reproducing and understanding what humans do. In U&A's world, they can use their paws as hands, so that makes in all easier!
Read question #17 if you want to know more about that!

20- Is it possible for you to actually use fanfics as part of the main story?
Well, yes, it is quite possible! If the fanfic is well done, then why not? I'm currently reading an U&A fanfic by ozu95supein, which tells Hank's story. So far, I think he's doing an stunning work with it! He understood the character, and created an absolutely amazing story.
Check it out, please! fav.me/d54fmr1 it's worth it!
Another awesome example is Thunderhorse7's fanfic about Lester's deputy, her OC Dimitri. The story is absolutely EPIC. Please, do check it out too! fav.me/d5erurs
I would love to make those fanfics part of the official plot, but of course, as long as the authors agree!

21- Is there gonna be some dramatic love story! X3 I love difficult love!
Oh yeash, tons of it!! x3 I also love dramatic/difficult love!

22- I understand that Steban is the main good guy. But who's the real bad guy? is it that billy guy?
Oh, there are tons of bad guys, I can really tell ya! I was planing to leave the bandits for the end, but I'll tell you about some now:
There's Billy Picard (Silent Billy), as you already know, is the worst of all. You have probably read a bit about him, but if you haven't, then check this out: skailla.deviantart.com/art/Sil…
Then Vernon, an anatolian shepherd, leader of the Desert Scorpions, (check him out: www.tumblr.com/blog/skailla). He was the dog who leaded the pack Hank was part of, while he was in his quest for revenge. You can read more about that here: fav.me/d53ykk5
Then Jenkins, Steban's childhood rival. He's a Karelian Bear Dog, and he suffers from some kind of obsessive madness. Most of the time he's nothing but a big failure, but he can be very scary and dangerous when he gets serious.
Medora, a Saluki, as mentioned in Faye's character sheet (fav.me/d54pf69) is her cold and evil cousin. She's Jenkin's partner, and has a very gothic kind of humor.
The Duke, a Great Dane, as mentioned on Jeffrey's sheet (fav.me/d5dt5mn), is the owner and leader of an operation which plans to buy all the land of Gold Marrow.
The Shaman, who is a Mexican Hairless, works with supernatural forces (but I don't want to tell you about him right now! ) he's my brother's U&A OC!
And some other U&A OCs who ended up taking part in the official plot, such as Bandit Bones (fav.me/d52g7sm) by Mytokyokitty.
And many more. So yeah, full of bad guys!

23- Who is Up and Ahead's main character? Is it Steban?
Interesting question! But most surprisingly, no, Steban is not the main character. The whole story is told mostly from Martin's point of view, and he is actually the main character It's only that I really like drawing Steban! xD

24- Do you plan to post it here?
Oh yes! I love you all, and there's no other place I would rather post it than right here!

25- How anthro are the dogs supposed to be? I know they're all on all fours but some of them seem to have clothes.
They are absolutely capable to use their hands and make any human movement, but they walk on four legs. If you still have doubts, read questions #17 and #19 to know more about that!

26- When will it be finished and released? Seems like you've been publishing "screenshots" forever!
Well, some of you seem to forget that I work on this alone xD creating stories, characters, finding mistakes, studying american history, planing, writing scripts, drawing, painting, making backgrounds, creating page layouts, shading, adding balloons, translating… GAH!
It's not that easy, my friend! And those screenshots are something separated. Just to present some situations, so that you guys get familiarized with the characters and the world.
I have something planed, but I'm not saying what it is. It will be ready by the end of the year (thats what I hope, at least), but I don't want to create any high expectations. It's something very, very poor and stupid, so don't expect anything just yet!

27- When is it happening? 2012? 1964?
It happens around the 1900's. So we have some nice gadgets arriving, and even some electric energy!