My Creative Autobiography, Part I
on September 12, 2012 at 12:00 am
In her book The Creative Habit, Twyla Tharp asks her readers to write their “creative autobiography” by filling out a questionnaire in one of the book’s exercises. I thought I’d fill it out and share my answers with you guys in a series of seven posts. Do yourself a favor – ask yourself these questions and replace my answers with yours.
1. What is the first creative moment you remember?
When I was a kid, I can remember taking a piece of 8-1/2 by 11 printer paper and filling it with a scene. I would then erase half the drawing, and redraw it as though some time had passed. For instance, I remember one particular drawing I did of a large boat. In the water next to the boat, I drew a shark’s fin. I then erased my drawing, and redrew the boat sinking in the water as the shark ate the people falling off the boat.
In retrospect, it was a pretty violent image. But it was the first time I started telling stories with my drawings.
2. Was anyone there to witness or appreciate it?
Nope. Just me. I’ve always been my primary audience.
3. What is the best idea you’ve ever had?
Honestly, I think Insert Image is the best idea I’ve ever had.
4. What made it a great idea?
I think what makes it a great idea is that there’s nothing like this comic in the Christian sub-culture. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but I guess I kinda am. I really feel like I’ve found my niche.
5. What’s the dumbest idea?
Probably the first version of You’ll Have That. Originally, YHT was going to be about me and my fictional friends. Sorta like how Seinfeld was about a fictitious version of Jerry Seinfeld. I submitted that comic to newspaper syndicates, and it was soundly rejected.
6. What made it stupid?
I was trying too hard to be hip and funny. I wasn’t focusing on being me.
7. Can you connect the dots that led you to this idea?
Sure. I love drawing comics and Seinfeld is the greatest TV show ever. Why not try to marry the two? Well, I know why not now, but at the time I thought it’d work out well.
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How would you answer these questions?
Nice interview, but my favourite bit is the way the 2 photos on the right make you look like you have really short legs!!!!! :)
Thanks for making fun of my freakishly short legs, Kev. Thanks for making me self-conscious for the rest of my life.
Loved Part 1 of the Creative AutoBio, Wes. I’m going to have to give it a try. I did a Christian comic back in the late 90′s that ran in severla Christian newspapers. I know what you mean about feeling you’ve found your niche. Here’s a sample: http://lifeasweknowit.toon-it-up.com/comics/life018.gif Last year, I collected them all in the book, My Best Friend is an Idiot, found here: http://www.toon-it-up.com/bookstore.htm
You’re a very talented cartoonist, Ron.
Thanks, Wes.
Great stuff, Wes. Was fun hearing how it all got started, and especially fun hearing how God has led you to really enjoying Insert Img! We all enjoy it for sure, but if you weren’t, that would kind of suck.
I dont think YHT is your dumbest idea. My whole family loved it immensely.
Thanks, Nick!
I don’t think YHT – as most people know it – is a dumb idea, either. In fact, I’m still quite proud of it.
But the first version of YHT (which didn’t look anything like the Andy and Katie we all know and love) was terrible. :)
I’d do one of these, but I don’t have a professional photographer to follow me around and take cool pictures. Also, Kev is right, freakishly short legs!
You should totally get a professional photographer to follow you around. It’s expensive, but worth it.
I bought that book a while ago, but haven’t dove into it yet. The creative autobiography sounds like a good reflection tool. Oh, and those pictures are great; whoever took them is a creative genius! ;)
I’ll be honest with you, I’m not really enjoying the book that much. The exercises after each chapter are pretty cool, but I’ve read too many “creative self-help” books and this one seems like a recap of everything else I’ve read.
Also, my photographer *is* a creative genius. She’s super-talented at what she does, but you already know that. :)
Really enjoying this interview. Looking forward to reading more!
Had to give it a go.
Started to fill out my version this morning…
http://geekshowink.com/blog/?p=1780
I am so glad I saw you on Relevant… Not only do I have something to kill time at work, but I can also make fun of the truths that normallly I would be afraid to make fun of, but since God hasn’t struck you down dead it must be okay!
Ha! Thanks, Tommy!
Just because I’m still here doesn’t necessarily mean God agrees with me! I imagine I’ll find out one day!
Thanks for reading!
No Prob!
The beauty is His grace and His sense of humor. Keep up the good work.