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I must apologise - as your cartoon is older than I am (I am 26, born in 1981) I can honestly say that I have missed the development of the characters. While your work is not in our local "rag," it is in the larger stae paper, which I now read at work - which is where I began a more regular following! It's been 6 months, and I have loved it!

I must admit, that while discussing my new "obsession" (I can't help but find so many similarities with family life in general!), my best friend pointed out that both your "young adult" characters have done something that is inspiring for me personally - gone back to their childhood loves.

The stories I have read are beautiful, and although I am sure you cop some flack over the "hybrid" works, I will say that at least I am grateful for the chance to revisit the past. It allows me to fall in love the characters more fully.

Thank you for this wonderful addition to my daily reading - along with the Soduku page, Garfield and the Teacher's Communication pages in the staffroom!!

Chris, Gladstone, Queensland AUSTRALIA

What's Elly short for? It's never been specified either in the strip or on the site.

Molly S, Nova Scotia

Hi Molly - it's just "Elly". It's not short for anything!

Your strip is the first on the comics page that I read every day. I've loved it for years. My favorite storylines are John and Elly, because my husband and I are about the same age and go through a lot of the same things. And Elizabeth and Anthony because I see my daughter in Elizabeth, searching for that one who will be right for her for life, not settling for anything less than what she knows is out there, what she learned is possible because of her parents. The only thing I have not enjoyed are the recent flashbacks of Michael's. Frankly, I find it boring compared to the strip living in the present.

BJ M, Norman Oklahoma

I have been reading FBorFW since it debuted in teh NY Dailey News years ago. I have always been fascinated by the "real time"
aspect of the strip. I literally feel as if I've grown up with the Pattersons. There is none other like it and the current trip down memory lane is fantastic!

Greg, Bethel CT

Your comic strip always hits the spot, whether it's featuring the young, the old, in between or the animals. You've touched on all sorts of topics that affect all families. I look forward to what you have to say each time I open the newspaper.

Thank you for being a part of my life!

Lynn S, Walla Walla, Washington

I love For Better or For Worse!!
I am doing a project on it for school. Any idea if there is anyone I could interview with some simple questions??
Thanks,

Maya, Lex. VA

Hi Maya - thanks for picking Lynn's art for your project! We recommend that you take a look in the Behind the Scenes section of our site - most answers to simple questions about Lynn and the strip can be found there.

Hi,
I just wanted to let you know how much your comic has meant to me over the years.
I had a really hard time learning to read, I struggled with sounds and phonics.
It was not until I discovered your comic in the Daily News Paper that I began to take any interest in reading. At the time my family recycled the news paper. I let the papers pile up for about a week and when I got home from school on Friday night I would draw a bath and sit in the tub to read.
I would read your comic first, and continue on to the other comics finishing with Anne Landers.
In four months my reading level jumped 2 grades a head. My parents were elated at my new interest in reading & bought me every FBOFW comic book on the shelves. They were also quite pleased at not having to bug me to take a bath.
The Better or for Worse comic strip taught me to read & to love reading.

I am about the same age as Elisabeth and her life being so similar to mine was comforting especially as I became a teenager.
When I cut off all of my long hair in the 6th grade, I freaked! To my surprise the next day my dad posted a FBOFW comic on my bathroom wall where Elisabeth had the same reaction to her hair being cut. I even had a sister that was born in 1992.

These days I come to work and the first thing I do is get a hot cup of coffee check my e-mail & read For Better Or For Worse

It has brought me up taught me to read, and made me laugh out loud. Thank You for all of your hard work and dedication over the years,

Jessica, Northridge.Ca

Dear Lynn,
I absolutely love, love, LOVE the new/old hybrid strip! I started reading the strip close to 27-27 years ago so I have missed some of the early strips. It's wonderful to "hear" Michael explain his childhood to Merrie! I do hope we find out more about Liz and Anthony. I have recently reconnected & re-fallen (is that a word??) in love with my high school sweetheart (something I had always hoped would happen) and to me, there's nothing better than their romance! We have a child together that is about Michael's age who also has children so it really hits home. Whether you're in your 20s or nearly 50 (like me....) love is grand! Thank you for old/new and everything in between!

Peggy, Elgin IL

I have enjoyed following the Patterson family as it grew. As I watch Michael turn from a selfish, obnoxious kid to a responsible young man and father, I am enjoying the same transition in my sons.

I have only one request, though it seems cruel. I hate to see Grandpa Jim in his current state, and hope you are not planning on keeping him there (I know he looks great in the most recent retro, but I know that he's really an invalid in an apartment now).
I hope you will consider letting him get better, or letting him pass on to a better state.
I also want to keep up with Shannon. I think she has a great future.

Thanks for everything!

Robert P, Champion TX