First, thanks very much for the mentions! I'd elaborate: I've worked as both a writer writer (newspaper reporter, freelance journalist, science writer) and as a cartoonist writer, and in my mind they are absolutely the same thing. Writers and cartoonists are solving the same problems with different tools. Both are exercises in organizing…
First, thanks very much for the mentions! I'd elaborate: I've worked as both a writer writer (newspaper reporter, freelance journalist, science writer) and as a cartoonist writer, and in my mind they are absolutely the same thing. Writers and cartoonists are solving the same problems with different tools. Both are exercises in organizing and delivering information as clearly and economically as possible. You write just the right word, draw just the right line, to say exactly what you want to say.
If anybody asks, I tell people I'm a writer. Sometimes I write with only words, sometimes I write with words plus drawings. The process feels identical in my head.
In response to Dana Jeri Maier, my take is that you don't have to be a great artist to be a great cartoonist. Cartooning is storytelling. If you can make people laugh, think or cry with stick figures or scribbles, in my opinion you're a great cartoonist.
First, thanks very much for the mentions! I'd elaborate: I've worked as both a writer writer (newspaper reporter, freelance journalist, science writer) and as a cartoonist writer, and in my mind they are absolutely the same thing. Writers and cartoonists are solving the same problems with different tools. Both are exercises in organizing and delivering information as clearly and economically as possible. You write just the right word, draw just the right line, to say exactly what you want to say.
If anybody asks, I tell people I'm a writer. Sometimes I write with only words, sometimes I write with words plus drawings. The process feels identical in my head.
In response to Dana Jeri Maier, my take is that you don't have to be a great artist to be a great cartoonist. Cartooning is storytelling. If you can make people laugh, think or cry with stick figures or scribbles, in my opinion you're a great cartoonist.
I’m flattered that you read the piece, Brian! 🙏
Love your perspective on this. (I hope I didn’t mangle your quote.)