Lynn Lake and the beginning of FBorFW:
In 1978, Rod and I, Aaron and baby Katie were planning to move to Lynn Lake Manitoba, when editors at Universal Press Syndicate saw the books, wrote to me and asked if I was interested in doing a daily comic strip. I sent off twenty examples of "The Johnstons" - a series based on our own family - since we were the only people I knew I could draw over and over again with some consistency. Expecting to be politely turned away, I received and ultimately signed a twenty-year contract; and the work began.

In 1979, however, when it came time for actual publication, I decided to change the characters' names - to the second names (Aaron Michael, Katherine Elizabeth, Roderick John) except for Elly who was named for a dear friend of mine who had passed away. My editor, Lee Salem, suggested the title "For Better or For Worse" - and it seems to have been a good choice, as the strip is not all roses. For years, I wanted another baby. Since it wasn't possible to do in reality, I made one up! Baby April appeared April 1st of 1991 and has added a great deal of creative fun to the strip.

Life in the funny papers:
Most cartoonists start the way I did: doodling on anything as soon as they were able to hold a pen. I've always loved to draw, and have always had a silly streak that more often than not, got me into trouble. "For Better or For Worse" lets me put it to good use! I always knew I would be a cartoonist, but I never expected to make my LIVING as one!

FBorFW Today:
"For Better or For Worse" now appears in over 2000 papers in Canada, the United States and 20 other countries. It is translated into eight languages. There are more than 30 books currently in print. For a list of all of Lynn's published works, see our illustrated bibliography.