by jdsmeaton | Apr 10, 2024 | Creativity, Writing
The Thief of Joy: Overcoming the Comparison Trap My wife and I were talking about our career paths and aspirations. The conversation drifted to comparing our current situations to those of others we perceive as more “successful.” I’ve certainly tumbled...
by jdsmeaton | Mar 1, 2024 | Behind the Scenes, How To, Recommendations, Writing
Making A Comic Page: From Script to Final Art Last year, my book agent asked me to share how I break down a comic page for her blog. I love to hear other creator’s processes, so I was happy to do it. I figured I’d share that with you here. Step 1: The Script I...
by jdsmeaton | Feb 7, 2024 | Writing
The Most Amazing Song Never Written I read Tom Petty’s biography a few years back. I had been a fan since high school but reading the book gave me a greater appreciation for the music I’d been listening to for years. But if things had played out a little differently,...
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 | Nov 1, 2023 | Writing
The Surprising Key to a Child Prodigy’s Artistic Greatness I came across musician/singer Ethan Bortnick on TikTok. He performs these insanely impressive pop/rock piano songs. I liked his work so I looked him up. He’s in his early 20s now but turns out he was a...
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...
