For 20 years, I have held the most wonderful job in the world — creating a daily comic strip that I’m privileged to see published in newspapers. As someone who grew up fascinated by newspaper and magazine cartoons, it is hard to explain the private thrill I get seeing my strip on the funny page, hearing someone comment about it, receiving fan mail.
But with this wonderful job comes the pressure of daily deadlines. It may seem like a small task, creating one cartoon a day, but it is herculean in many ways. Every Monday morning, there it is, the blank paper that represents the seven comic strips that need to be created. The pressure to be good enough, funny enough, to create interesting-enough drawings, live up to the standards of great cartoonists I admire and share the comics page with is not a small thing.
I have reached a point in life where I’d like to be free of these daily deadlines — free to travel more, spend more time with family and friends, pursue other creative projects. I love to write. I love photography. I’ve always been interested in marine science and scientific illustration. Who knows what might be on my horizon? It is exciting to think about the possibilities.
And so... I've decided to transition Stone Soup to a Sundays-only feature.
I thought long and hard about relinquishing my daily spot on the funny pages. I fought to get there, after all. But 20 years is a long time, especially when it comes after my previous incarnations – as a waitress, car salesperson, bookmobile driver, community college instructor, graphic designer and copywriter … all things I did along the way to syndication and that inform my characters and storylines now.
I am not at all ready to give up my Stone Soup family, which is why I am looking forward to continuing the Sunday strips. I’m looking forward to having just one great cartoon to create every week, to linger over the drawing and ideas and savor the fun of it. I hope my fans will continue to follow the fun and chaos of the Stone clan every week.
Thank you all! Your loyalty and enthusiam has carried me for 20 years. And now...
Sundays forever!
Congratulations, Jan!
Posted by: Laurel Strand | September 22, 2015 at 09:09 AM
Thanks for all the great ones.
Posted by: Jain Elliott | September 22, 2015 at 07:45 PM
I'm bereft. It has been such an essential part of my mornings! But, I wish you well.
Posted by: Ann Privrasky | September 23, 2015 at 11:25 AM
I am a fan of yours will miss the daily grind of stories of your Stone family, yet I can understand gets tedious daily strips and life keeps going on. You created a great family like to see the children grow up and become productive adults. I have not read as long as most of your fans but I understand. To me 20 years is not long as my husband worked 36 years wished longer in aircraft. Thank you.
Posted by: Karen Buchanan | September 23, 2015 at 04:57 PM
Hi Karen, thanks for reading Stone Soup and for being a loyal fan. 20 years is not so long, but this 20 years comes after 25 years of waitressing, car sales, graphic design, advertising and community college teaching… I am tired! My best to you and your husband. Keep reading the Sundays—Jan
Posted by: Jan Eliot | September 23, 2015 at 08:00 PM