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The Delightful and Insightful Lynda Barry

A week ago I had the great luck to have dinner with Lynda Barry and attend one of her workshops. If you don't know her, well, you know how to find out, you're online after all...

 Lynda is incredibly creative, from the bones out. She's best known for her comic strip Ernie Pook's Comeek, but I got to know her through her books, starting with Girls and Boys and Big Ideas.

Her newest book ---What It Is (2008) --- is a graphic novel that is part memoir, part collage and part workbook in which Barry gives us methods to open up our own creativity. 

What It Is won the 2009 Eisner Award for Best Reality-Based Work.

So, her workshop is a writing workshop, and is based on the book, which is amazing and inspiring. As is Barry herself. Truly original, warm, energetic, incredible. 

For me, watching the creative process of another cartoonist, getting the benefit of their experience and perspective... a perfect weekend. 

Thanks, Lynda!

Our dear Simon...

Recently a reader posted a concern over my character Simon. His concern is that Simon represents a negative stereotype that reflects badly on real-life gay men. He feels that as a member of the media I might be teaching heterosexuals that all gay men are effeminate fashionistas. And that those heterosexuals will therefore not treat real gay men very well when they meet them.

Simon, one of my favorite characters, is based on my own beloved hairdresser, who gives me suggestions for Simon every time I get a haircut. Simon is a hairdresser, first and foremost, and as a hairdresser he represents the sort of gay man who would become a hairdresser. One who likes hair, and fashion...and has a flare for the dramatic.

Simon is no more a representative of all gay men than Holly is a representative of all middle school girls. They are just characters in a comic strip, with attributes that make them fun to write for.

While I don't agree with the reader, I certainly respect his opinion I can't discount his experience or feelings. If any other readers have their own opinions on the topic, I invite you to post them.

PS Hopefully this is beyond necessary... but hateful comments will be deleted.