Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Still Writing...

I have to apologize for not writing this blog for the last several weeks. I've been very focused on writing gags (which is a good thing!) specifically geared toward the needs of the people I write for. Some of the cartoonists I write for only want business gags. Others want relationship gags (husband/wife, my favorite!). Some want gags centered around animals while others want gags that have no category...they're just "different." So, it's important that I keep up with the news (especially the election), read newspapers, magazines, direct mail, anything that might lead to a good gag. Sometimes just commenting on situations you find yourself in will lead to a great cartoon. The best humor is based on truth. Anyway, I've been busy reading, writing, editing, getting organized, you understand. I'm constantly trying to improve on what I do.

I know I need to get out of the house more and experience life. Try new things. Go places I've never been before. Writing is isolating and I have to push myself to get out and trying writing in places other than my house, such as the library or a coffee shop. Sometimes this works. Sometimes it doesn't. I have to say I find great humor in the whole going out to eat experience (lousy food, awful service, long lines, nasty wait staff, high prices, etc.). I think if I ate all my meals out I would come up with so many cartoon ideas that I could retire and just eat out for the rest of my life. Forget the gag writing.

Anyway, today I'm writing husband/wife gags but I'm always looking for business gags. Today I'll read my local daily newspaper, watch the news, try to fit in The New York Times and Barron's, and  will most likely have to put off reading the latest issue of Harvard Business Review till tomorrow.

Have a great day...and keep creating! I'm always on the lookout for new writing opportunities or to be part of a cartoon panel discussion. Send me an email to: gagsbyhelene@gmail.com.