Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?It took me years to write, will you take a look?It’s based on a novel by a man named LearAnd I need a job, so I want to be a paperback writerPaperback writer
“An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools.” Ernest Hemingway
“Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.” Ernest Hemingway
“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” Ernest Hemingway
“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” Ernest Hemingway
“When I have an idea, I turn down the flame, as if it were a little alcohol stove, as low as it will go. Then it explodes and that is my idea.” Ernest Hemingway
“Once writing has become your major vice and greatest pleasure, only death can stop it.” Ernest Hemingway
“A man’s got to take a lot of punishment to write a really funny book.” Ernest Hemingway
“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” Ernest Hemingway
When Patsis was writing strips the other day, he had a case of “writer’s block.” In a metonomic twist, he wrote, “pen is stuck.” Unfortunately, his message was misinterpreted!
Amazing how a guy with the simple and ordinary name of Howard Jones wrote and performed a song that was so emotional and powerful. What is love anyway?
I know hundreds of writers, primarily novelists, and we are no more likely to be needy than the general population. If anything, we know that we must find our inner worth from the inside, and not from other people.
Hmmmmm, did most people miss that the man is repeating the behavior of his parents? He is not interested in the needs of others, only of himself.
By caring too much about oneself a person misses out on caring about others, which naturally leads to people not caring about the person who is too wrapped up in herself or himself.
Volunteer work would go a long way toward correcting the problem.
Sorry for saving this one, but this one is a keeper. I’m going to frame it, and six hundred others and put them on every square inch of every wall in my house.
BE THIS GUY about 5 years ago
I hope he’s a successful writer so he can afford the good booze.
Rod Gonzalez about 5 years ago
Shoot Rat.
That would make everyone happy.
DennisinSeattle Premium Member about 5 years ago
Pastis, is this a self-discovery project assigned by your analyst?
SonicFan91 about 5 years ago
I hate these stories
juncarlo about 5 years ago
It’s common for an artist and his work to be appreciated after his death.
Liverlips McCracken Premium Member about 5 years ago
Rat says he has explained all writers, but we see the same writer in each panel of the strip. I think he has explained that writer.
some idiot from R'lyeh Premium Member about 5 years ago
I think that’s more “all people explained”, rather than just the subset who happen to write.
the lost wizard about 5 years ago
What he’s asking is what a lot of people today seem to think the government is responsible for.
hariseldon59 about 5 years ago
Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book?It took me years to write, will you take a look?It’s based on a novel by a man named LearAnd I need a job, so I want to be a paperback writerPaperback writer
Yakety Sax about 5 years ago
“An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools.” Ernest Hemingway
“Always do sober what you said you’d do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.” Ernest Hemingway
“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” Ernest Hemingway
“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” Ernest Hemingway
“When I have an idea, I turn down the flame, as if it were a little alcohol stove, as low as it will go. Then it explodes and that is my idea.” Ernest Hemingway
“Once writing has become your major vice and greatest pleasure, only death can stop it.” Ernest Hemingway
“A man’s got to take a lot of punishment to write a really funny book.” Ernest Hemingway
“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.” Ernest Hemingway
Little Caesar about 5 years ago
“A man’s got to know his limitations.” – “Dirty” Harry Callahan
Gent about 5 years ago
Ha ha ha! That’s perfectly correct! It’s called writing! And it’s called biking! Haw haw haw haw!
Breadboard about 5 years ago
Croc Power !
aerotica69 about 5 years ago
All writers….all actors….all musicians….basically, everyone who needs an audience to validate their work.
ekw555 about 5 years ago
I could go for a drink right now.
Jabroniville Premium Member about 5 years ago
haha, oh god. So true that it hurts. Right down to the part with the booze. How many great writers AREN’T tragic alcoholics?
Stocky One about 5 years ago
When Patsis was writing strips the other day, he had a case of “writer’s block.” In a metonomic twist, he wrote, “pen is stuck.” Unfortunately, his message was misinterpreted!
jvn about 5 years ago
This includes comic strip writers, too, I assume.
Andrew Sleeth about 5 years ago
One of the greatest gifts you can get as a writer is to be born into an unhappy family. —Pat Conroy
johnschutt about 5 years ago
Well, I like reading PBS. You’re my top strip writer!
Zebrastripes about 5 years ago
Hmmmm! Wonder who this poor guy was? Anybody?
KEA about 5 years ago
aaah… poor Pastis
GeifuKe about 5 years ago
Is this the life of George Thorogood?
GeifuKe about 5 years ago
Amazing how a guy with the simple and ordinary name of Howard Jones wrote and performed a song that was so emotional and powerful. What is love anyway?
diskus Premium Member about 5 years ago
Wow how sad
jonesbeltone about 5 years ago
Booze is the best friend you’ll ever have. Never dumps you, always there and never judges.
sarah413 Premium Member about 5 years ago
He drank alone
Yah, with nobody else
You know when he drank alone
He preferred to be by himself.
Flatlander, purveyor of fine covfefe about 5 years ago
Hemmingway could afford an adequate shotgun
belgarathmth about 5 years ago
Does this explain cartoonists also, Stephan? :)
DCBakerEsq about 5 years ago
I thought this was the explanation for cartoonists. But, without the booze.
marilynnbyerly about 5 years ago
I know hundreds of writers, primarily novelists, and we are no more likely to be needy than the general population. If anything, we know that we must find our inner worth from the inside, and not from other people.
Bilan about 5 years ago
Is the lowest of the low the comic strip writers?
Concretionist about 5 years ago
Writers only? Nah. Every entertainer ever. Not to mention all the rest of us who are both needy and untalented.
nopainogain about 5 years ago
wow… dark.
SukieCrandall Premium Member about 5 years ago
First step: recognize the worth of others instead of repeating the parents’ mistake.
The leads naturally to the second step of being cared about in return.
SukieCrandall Premium Member about 5 years ago
Hmmmmm, did most people miss that the man is repeating the behavior of his parents? He is not interested in the needs of others, only of himself.
By caring too much about oneself a person misses out on caring about others, which naturally leads to people not caring about the person who is too wrapped up in herself or himself.
Volunteer work would go a long way toward correcting the problem.
Kind&Kinder about 5 years ago
“Alas, poor Pastis, I knew him, Rat: a fellow
of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy….Where be your gibes now? your
gambols? your songs? your flashes of merriment,
that were wont to set the table on a roar? Not one
now, to mock your own grinning? quite chap-fallen?”
—William Shakespeare (obsequious apologies!)
Mentor397 about 5 years ago
Sorry for saving this one, but this one is a keeper. I’m going to frame it, and six hundred others and put them on every square inch of every wall in my house.
cosman about 5 years ago
I’d like to try some of this ‘Alone’, but no liquor store has heard of it..
Sisyphos about 5 years ago
“You are worthless scum! Go home and drink yourself to death!”
I will not.
I will survive. [Thank you, Gloria.]
Truth is, Cartoon-Boy likes to bend his elbow, now and again….
SukieCrandall Premium Member about 5 years ago
Perhaps the first part of G M Hopkin’s “Carrion Comfort” might help some readers?
Not, I’ll not, carrion comfort, Despair, not feast on thee;
Not untwist — slack they may be — these last strands of man
In me ór, most weary, cry I can no more. I can;
Can something, hope, wish day come, not choose not to be.
tinachambers about 5 years ago
Pastis does his best work on Sundays
Boxo croco says happy derby almost 3 years ago
Can anybody help meeee