Leighton shared that Trying Times Comics first began as a hobby during the pandemic, when he suddenly had more free time. “I just wanted to see if I could do it, as I've always enjoyed doodling and this was another outlet for that,” he explained. But life changed quickly—after becoming a parent, his priorities shifted, leading to a two-year break from drawing. Now, he’s recently found his way back to creating comics again.
Balancing life, work, and creativity hasn’t always been easy. “Having a baby proved to be a bit too much to juggle with work, life, other hobbies, and family and friends along with a newborn,” Leighton said. “I think I'm finally at a point in my life where I can get back to it. I enjoy it as a creative outlet and have some time to actually do it now.”
When it comes to audience feedback, Leighton enjoys hearing from both fans and critics. “It gives me a good sense of what kinds of content people like. However, I usually just draw whatever I feel like, and I wouldn't say I put too much thought into what's popular or not. My comics are usually based on what's happening in my life or what media and video games I'm currently consuming.”
Leighton's artistic style is intentionally simple and quick to draw, which lets him focus on the humor. “I wanted something that wouldn't take up too much time while still letting me make silly jokes easily,” he said. While he sometimes puts extra artistic effort into a strip, his goal is to refine the style into something even more recognizable.
As for the future, Leighton hopes to get back into a steady rhythm of creating at least one comic a week. "Before, I was averaging about one comic a week, and I think that's a good goal for me to shoot for again. I'm always amazed by some of the comic creators who do daily comics or multiple comics a week; I don't know how they do it."
"I would just say that I appreciate all my followers’ support, especially after I've been away for a while. I'm a big believer in just trying things out, so if you've ever felt like drawing a comic, just try it out. Pen, paper, and having fun are enough!"
