To Write: Comic Strips and Comics

K Wordbird Bate  The Writer's Life Coach

     Daisy Mae pined after Li'l Abner for years (and years) (and years). Until finally he done married that gal in the award-winning, culture changing comic strip Li'l Abner which ran from 1934-1977. Charlie Brown, Dennis the Menace, Dick Tracy, Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield, The Far Side, Spider Man and hundreds of others have entertained and befriended us. Who are your favorites?  

     Today I met a young lady, age 22 and just out of college, who is thrilled to be working as a comic strip editor. She said she feels blessed to have a job at all, but to have the job of her dreams is really something. Imagine editing Superman!

     I was the Managing Editor of my college paper, and that is a golden and happy memory.  I have fond recall of "brainstorming" days. The same day each week we call everyone in, close the door, no feedback if any kind is allowed, and we all shout out ideas. The idea is you get to let your brain cook up any idea it can, free to be as zany as it wants, without feedback or criticism. The zanier you let it be, the more it will come up with something really useful. Someone at the front writes down everything, and we bounce off each other's zaniness, until we have enough possible story ideas for the week. This is a time to just let the brain bounce out stuff for its own sake. Many people find it hard to just voice things without getting feedback. We want criticism or praise. There's real freedom and fun in it, though, once you get some practice.

     You can try it in other situations. "Vacations we should go on as a family."  Try just tossing out everything that comes into your heads, as a family. "Riding zebras catching stars dining with lobsters Parents giveaway..." You laugh a lot.

     Other comics I'm thinking about are related to the Science Fiction movies so popular. The Matrix. X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Star Trek. Comics and comic strips are a lot of fun. Best of all:  They all need writers. They all need editing! You ever thought about it?

Who are your favorites?

Let Yourself Bloom! 

© Kimberly Bate