Lynn’s syndicate, Universal Uclick, recently asked her to write an essay for their “Meet Your Creator” series. Here’s an excerpt from the piece. You can read the entire article here (and see some rare examples of her early work!)
I don’t think anyone begins a career as a cartoonist. As one possible moneymaking option drifts into another, you simply fall into it. A cartoonist is “that way” from birth. A cartoonist is in training for a lifetime; watching cartoons, appreciating the antics of expressive, story-telling relatives, and trying anything that will get laughs. A cartoonist is an entertainer. More often than not, cartoonists’ childhood behavior is considered annoying and irritating, but it is here, amidst family, teachers and friends, that funny stuff is tried, tested, reworked, polished and honed. “Class Clown” is a compliment. A teacher won’t demean a cartoonist in the bud with admonishments like, “You’ll never make a living by telling jokes, my friend! … Do you think you’re funny?” The answer to this is, “Yes, I think I could make a living telling jokes …. because, I am funny!” It’s in the blood. It’s in the mind, and in the heart — it’s unmanageable for the longest time.
