By Louise Ure
New comics added at the bottom of the column!
It’s one of those days.
Time to step back from the seriousness of writing and realize that this is a very funny business we’re in.
Let’s start at the beginning.
And then the reality sets in.
But what to write?
It seemed so easy at the time.
We finally begin … (This one is particularly near and dear to my heart.)
It’s not as easy as we were led to believe …
We look for help everywhere …
To no avail.
And write, and write, and rewrite.
Finally … finally … the work is done. And an editor loves it.
At a signing, someone not related to you stops by the table …
Then you sit down and do it all over again.
Got any good jokes or comic strips to share? Feel free to describe them, or send me a JPEG or the link, or fax them to me at 415-831-9650. I’ll scan them into the computer and add them to the blog as the day goes on.
And my own special poll: which of these comics best describes your writing (or reading) life?
Just sit back, relax and take a deep breath. Remember, it isn’t like you’re putting on pantyhose and commuting to work everyday.
Here’s a beaut, just in from JD Rhoades.
And here’s another helpful spouse, in reply to Pari’s comment:
This one’s in honor of Simon Wood’s Anthony Award for Best Short Story:
Here are a couple of oldies but goodies, offered by "Anon":
Check out these new four new ones, sent by Cynthia D’Alba. And in the last one … his $25,000 advance? Pfffttttt.
I usually don’t get writer’s block, but that panel especially resonated with me. I think it’s my secret fear! Thanks for collecting these comics–I had never seen them before.
I kind of liked the glamour one, myself. Of course, the muse was pretty funny too.
Thanks for the laughs, Louise.
I can’t finde one of my all time favorites this morning, but it’s from the New Yorker (a great source for writing comics btw)from decades ago. It has a despondent man sitting in front of his typewriter; I think he’s on the porch of their writer’s retreat cabin.
His wife is standing at the doorway and is speaking. She weaves a yarn, basically about herself turning into a nympho-lesbo axe murderer and her diatribe concludes with “Now, hit those keys!”
These are all really great!
If you can’t laugh at the craziness that is writing, then what can you laugh at???
Hi Naomi! Ah,the dreaded writer’s block! When I feel one coming on, I keep reminding myself “accountants and electricians aren’t allowed to have blocks. Why should I get one?”
I like that comic, Pari. I’ll add a similar one to the column. Another “helpful” spouse over the shoulder.
And Dusty, the one you sent is grand. Maybe the best yet.
Hi Stacey,
Thanks for sharing the laughs today.
Love these, Louise! I went and looked into my cartoon stash (an American friend sends me a daily selection) and discovered most were grammar-related, which possibly means I am a sad git :o)
Never a sad git, Shaz! And the grammar-related ones are often the funniest. But then again, we have a President who provides those for us. We don’t need no stinking comic strips here.
The Snoopy one is actually pretty much the way I write.
Santa Tom, I think we need to dig that one up. Great cartoon.
Yes JD, that’s the way I’m writing today, too. Not just in Annie Lamott’s Bird by Bird style. But two words in, one word out.
There’s a great book that somebody gave me as a gift called SNOOPY’S GUIDE TO THE WRITING LIFE, edited by Barnaby Conrad and Monte Schulz and includes Snoopy cartoons and short essays by famous writers. Here’s one I love: Snoopy says: “Dear Editor, Why do you keep sending my stories back? You’re supposed to print them and make me rich and famous. What is it with you?”
Patty, that’s grand.
And what is it with all these picky editors anyway?
Very fun! Thanks for the laughs tonight, Louise! After a long day revising, just what I needed.
Alas, once again late to the party…screamingly hilarious, Louise! I’d love to frame everyone of them!