I recently started Kan’t Draw Komics, and you can read my first one here. Since I just returned from the whirlwind of my third residency at the Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA) in Writing for Children and Young Adults, border crossings are on my mind. So my second comic is on that theme, and it’s actually based on a true story from one of my trips. I hope you enjoy it!
In this semester, I’m writing my critical thesis, which I’m very excited about, and I’ll share more about my topic later. When I started this program, I expected the critical writing to be a chore, but I discovered how much it feeds my creative work. I’ll also be working on creative writing projects, of course. I’m thrilled to be paired with the talented faculty advisor and program chair Will Alexander, author of fantasy and science fiction for young readers. His most recent book, A Festival of Ghosts, is a fun, ghostly romp!
I’ve always been a terrible artist, and here’s a story to prove it.
In grade one, I came home with a D on my report card. It was in Reading Comprehension. Oh, I could read, but I couldn’t prove that I could understand what I’d read. This was because my grade-one teacher had decided to test our comprehension by asking us to draw pictures of what we’d read, and I refused to draw any people or animals. Why? Because I couldn’t draw them perfectly. So my reading-comprehension drawings had little or no resemblance to the stories.
Fast forward a year or so, and I’m at the kitchen table attempting to draw a squirrel. (At least I got past the refusing-to-draw-animals stage.) Anyway, I’m frustrated because I can’t get my squirrel right, so I ask my mother for help. She draws her version of a squirrel, teaching me how to make a body first, then add the head, ears, fluffy tail and paws. I said to my mother, “If you can’t draw a squirrel, why didn’t you say so?”
Ouch. Sorry, mom.
I suppose I’m a terrible artist because I haven’t tried to learn much about it. I’ve stayed stuck in perfectionism, which is a big block to creativity. But recently, I’ve felt the urge to share some of my writing tips in comic form, mostly because we live in a visual world, and I want to share in that. The only problem? Yes, you got it. I can’t draw.
Or can’t I?
This post is my official launch of Kan’t Draw Komics. I’ve decided that, not only am I going to attempt to draw my Komics, I’m going to share them with the world. Yes, I can only draw stick people. Yes, I’m afraid you will think I’m ridiculous. But I’ve decided that looking ridiculous is a risk I’m willing to take.
Here, folks, is my first comic. Enjoy! No please, really, do try to enjoy it!
