| When worlds collide |
Books have always held a special place in my heart.
When I was a child, books provided an escape from a world in which I didn't fit in. I found my fingers tracing illustrations carefully crafted on pages, longing to be in a world where things made sense. A world where mysteries were to be solved and adventures to be had by children my own age.
One of my favorite series of books was in fact not so much a book, but collections of Peanuts comic strips. I have many fond memories of curling up with old Peanuts treasuries and getting lost in the world which Charles Schulz created. I felt Charlie Brown's pain. He was a kindred soul who also had trouble fitting in with the people and world that surrounded him. I laughed at Snoopy and his wacky adventures. I wondered with Linus as he explored the human condition and thoughts theological in nature. I identified with Lucy's misplaced rage.
Each panel, so succinctly drawn, pulled me in with the little things. The way Charles Schulz drew the lines of rain, covering most of the panel as Charlie Brown was stuck in a rainstorm. I felt that rain. The way snow lines flowed in the background, the way a single leaf would fall down from a tree. I was TRANSPORTED to that world and it felt safe and comforting.
So, why am I talking books and comics?
Well, it is these childhood treasures that shaped who I am today as surely as a pen draws a series of strokes which shape words and images. These books made me want to write, made me want to draw comics, made me want to create and bring worlds alive for others to lose themselves in.
Many worlds
The internet has become to many, what books were for me as a child - escape.
The web offers us access to more worlds than we can imagine, real and imaginary. The web also allows us something books never did - to sometimes meet our fellow world travelers. Whether it be chatting with fans on a message board or interacting with the artist themselves, the web opens up a host of possibilities which never existed before.
Sometimes, it even allows creators to meet and author a world together. A marriage of words and images. Two worlds into one.
When worlds collide
I was thrilled recently to discover Writer Dad, another writer who has strong devotion to words and his creations. I was honored when he asked me to help bring one of his worlds to life. While the first story he pitched to me is still in the creation phase, we decided to collaborate on another project he was looking to complete. One which aims to help parents and children through a sometimes difficult phase - potty training.
Told with humor and love, Number One and Two It should help ease some of the trepidation that parents feel about the subject.
Writer Dad tells a little of the story behind the story in his appropriately titled post today.
So. yeah, this is a lot of buildup for what is essentially a story about where your poo goes, but it's not everyday that you meet someone who you can trust enough to help you build a world. The collaboration, along with the words of others I've met in the past three weeks since this blog began, has refueled my desire to create more worlds. Perhaps, maybe even build a world you (or your children) to get lost in.
Here is a picture of the book's cover. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it. You can order the wee-book at Writer Dad's site. |
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| Todd and Penguin update |
Todd and Penguin will be up late Monday night.
The first chance I had to draw the strip was late Sunday night (as my son has been sick and in need of constant attention due to his extra crankiness). Just as I was about to sit and draw, a shrill BEEEEEEP BEEEEEEP filled the whole house! The smoke alarms were going off in tandem because I'd forgotten to change the batteries (in like, forever). So, suddenly, I am racing around the house looking for the suspect alarm while praying that the loud beeping doesn't wake my son up (because he will then be up another two hours).
Found it, went to get some 9 volts from the junk drawer and of course we DON'T HAVE ANY 9 volt batteries.
Nobody actually buys them for anything other than smoke alarms, right? So, then I had to race to the nearest Wal Mart (the only store near me open 24 hours) and raced back home and replaced the suspect battery. All is well. I'll change out the rest tomorrow, though I'm not sure how the hell I'm going to get to the top of our cathedral cieling without a ladder.
So, yeah, that's why Todd and Penguin will not be up. Someday, I'll be syndicated, have the comics done weeks in advance and won't have to worry about things like these. Though I'm sure I'll still forget to change the smoke alarm batteries.
For those of you that would like to see a post about my job situation and my son, please visit my new site, bloggerdad.com. |
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Name: Blogger Dad
Home: Florida, United States
About Me: I was a reporter at a Florida newspaper, where I covered city politics and draw editorial comics. Now, I'm a Blogger Dad (click the link for my webpage - the blog on the bottom is for Todd and Penguin) in search of a job and attempting to write a book or four.
I'm also a cartoonist, how most of you know me, who draws Todd and Penguin, Taking Up Space and the occasional other titles, featured on KeenSpot.com.
I'm married (sorry, all you ladies interested in overweight guys who spend too much time drawing) and have a one year old son and two cats. Three of the above mentioned poop way too much!
See my profile...
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