by jdsmeaton | Dec 6, 2023 | Storytelling, Writing
The Evolution of Charlie Brown (And Your Own Work) Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I got to go to the Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California. It was wonderful and inspiring. I lucked out with my visit coinciding with the current exhibition of Peanuts Evolution...
by jdsmeaton | Oct 3, 2023 | Storytelling, Writing
Why Shakespeare Couldn’t Care Less About His Legacy (And You Shouldn’t Either) I think about legacy a fair amount. There’s a part of me that wants to create a lasting body of work. But the more I contemplate it, the more it seems personal legacy does not...
by jdsmeaton | May 2, 2023 | Storytelling, Writing
You Might Find You Get What You Need Are you watching season 3 of Ted Lasso? The writing is excellent with setting things up and paying them off in satisfying ways. Which doesn’t necessarily mean giving the character (or viewer) what they think they want. *Episode 7...
by jdsmeaton | Mar 1, 2023 | Storytelling
Lettering! The part of comics (almost) nobody cares about but is sooo important. The problem with lettering is that the reader doesn’t notice it when it’s done well. It’s like sound in a movie, it’s taken for granted but if you’ve ever watched an old film where...
by jdsmeaton | Feb 1, 2023 | How To, News, Storytelling
When it comes to being a commercially successful creator, there is something more important than talent, or skill, it’s the ability to delight. Have you ever seen or read something that immediately just spoke to you? You thought, “I love this!” Have you had the...
by jdsmeaton | Dec 26, 2022 | How To, Storytelling, Writing
I was browsing in a bookstore when a cover caught my attention. I picked the book up and read the back cover. There were no blurbs from famous authors spouting pithy praise. No lines taken from glowing reviews. There wasn’t even a description of the story. What it did...
