Comments (29) Jump to Comments Form

1. 

   EarlWash said, 29 days ago

   Oh well, left brain innocense, that’s us, guys

2. 

   howtheduck said, 29 days ago

   In 1981, the last panel line referred to “Of course there are always a few housewives looking for a change”. In 2009, Lynn Johnston has updated it to “Others just want to write for their own enjoyment.”

3. 

   ejcapulet said, 29 days ago

   And so what exactly is wrong with writing for fun?

4. 

   Fairportfan2 said, 29 days ago

   ejcapulet - see the post before yours for the original line and why Ellie was miffed.

5. 

   amongthestars said, 29 days ago

   So the line was rewritten but the panel not redrawn? I can’t imagine anyone (not even Ellie) being offended/shocked/surprised by the idea of people wanting to write for their own enjoyment … or am I missing something?

6. 

   bald 716 said, 29 days ago

   i sometimes write for my own enjoyment, but it would wind up in the shredder, back in the day i used it for starting a fire in the fireplace

7. 

   lightenup said, 29 days ago

   I write in Gocomics for my own enjoyment. :-)

8. 

   Macushlalondra said, 29 days ago

   No Elly shouldn’t be offended that he said some write for their own enjoyment. So Lynn should’ve redrawn Elly’s face. I would be offended at the remark about bored housewives though.

   I wish I could take Elly’s course with her, since I love to write.

9. 

   pearlandpeach said, 29 days ago

   i don’t read Ellie as miffed in the last panel…. more of a “which am I” expression.

10. 

    jungleman said, 29 days ago

    I like For Bitter or for Worse (pun intended), and have followed it for many years – but sometimes, in the past as in the present, Lynn let’s herself be led by Political Correctness. I think that this strip is another sample of it. Too bad. Besides, it makes for an absurd situation, while the original cartoon reflected a real situation and a real reaction. It is not trying to hide reality that good cartoons are made.

11. 

    Ji2m said, 29 days ago

    Can’t it be both? Think about how much or our lives we spend at our vocation. I am working to have a serious career that I enjoy…

12. 

    Coffee-Turtle said, 29 days ago

    The two don’t always mesh as well as they should, especially, when you have “the Man” (your Publisher) moving up the deadline on you! :-D

13. 

    LadyThornewood said, 29 days ago

    think about it this way, the guy just labeled his class in two categories: the ‘Serious’ writers and the ‘dabblers’. Basically, even with the rewrite it means that one group matters and the other DOESN’T. She updated it, cause that category doesn’t just contain bored housewives anymore.

14. 

    Comic-Nut said, 29 days ago

    Funny! I recall this strip from years ago too. I didnt’ think to go check if any changes.
    Note: I took a creative writing course as a non-technical elective in my undergrad years ago, and now … for close to 20 years, I have worked as a technical writer and instructor in industry, having to coach others in proper writing techniques.
    Plus … I too dabble in creative writing in various respects … “for enjoyment.” Maybe someday I will seek publishing of any of my works, especially after a number of other people whom I write about are long since gone.

15. 

    ShaZamKaPow said, 29 days ago

    Unless I am mistaken , several people (from yesterday’s comments) totally called that the green turtle-neck guy would be her teacher. Way to go, guys!

16. 

    Burgundy2 said, 29 days ago

    I write for pleasure also. The only thing I’ve managed to have published so far is “letters to the editor’!

    I do agree that the strip makes more sense with “bored housewives”, however I’m sure there’s lots of very busy housewives out there that would find that line offensive.

17. 

    JanCinVV said, 29 days ago

    I don’t see Ellie as offended in the last panel, either. It’s more like startled. I’d be startled too with the “bored housewives” comment, but it didn’t fit with this revision. Take away the movement lines next to Ellie’s head and it would have been better.

18. 

    Susan001 said, 29 days ago

    There is definately an innate pleasure in creating something artistic. I remember feeling that way when I finished a painting.
    I suppose Elly’s class will be a factor in starting her bookstore years later.

19. 

    imrobert said, 29 days ago

    I read people’s comments here for pleasure.

20. 

    mroberts88 said, 29 days ago

    Maybe Ellie is thinking she’s in over her head?

21. 

    diggit03 said, 29 days ago

    i look at her expression as being “doesn’t everybody??!” or “uh-oh.”

22. 

    PNmom06 said, 29 days ago

    I liked the original end better.
    I have her first 20 collections, and I re-read them frequently - I can always spot the new strips, and the updates!!

23. 

    kfaatz925 said, 29 days ago

    He says it like it’s a bad thing. ;)

24. 

    Reddheadd said, 28 days ago

    Is there a way to see the old versions on-line for comparison?

25. 

    mroberts88 said, 28 days ago

    I wonder where Open Wings is today.

26. 

    GJ_Jehosaphat said, 28 days ago

    mrob - who/what R “Open Wings” - I tried googling & found sites for an acoustic band “Open Wings Broken Strings” along with photos of different insects/bugs.

27. 

    Wolfdreamer250 said, 28 days ago

    I’m sorry but the way Elly is drawn is just dumb. I mean it made sense when he was going on about bored houswives, but it doesn’t sound offensive when he mentions writing for fun. Lynn should have redrawn Elly’s expression. A bit of a cop out on my opinion.

28. 

    mroberts88 said, 28 days ago

    Hi Jehosaphat. Open Wings is a poster who frequents this strip. Nice to see someone else from SOTU get out of the looney bin.

29. 

    GJ_Jehosaphat said, 28 days ago

    mrob - Thanks, I should have realized that “Open Wings” was someone’s Posting Name.