Art Imitating Lit 7

I'm still crazy busy, but had to squeeze in some time to whip up my latest Art Imitating Lit strip. There's nothing like staying up into the wee hours of the morning, pencilling, inking and erasing like mad to help you keep perspective on things! Like the fact that eventually you gotta stop when the fingers just won't move anymore! But I digress...

There's been an interesting conversation going on for about a year now, this whole serious women's fiction vs chick-lit. I think it started with some article written by Curtis Sittenfeld who made a comment something to the effect that having one's book labelled 'chick-lit' was akin to being called a slut. And then Elizabeth Merrick edited a book of stories by a group of women entitled This is not Chick-Lit, which naturally pissed off some of the chick-lit writers out there, people like Lauren Baratz-Logsted, Jennifer Weiner and Rachel Pine. There's been some interesting discussion about this subject ever since, and I'm sure it will continue for many years to come, 'cuz let's face it, chick-lit is not going away. And earlier this month, Lauren Baratz-Logsted produced an anthology of short stories basically in response to Merrick's collection. Lauren's book is entitled, This is Chick-Lit. What else would it be called?

I knew that eventually I would devote a strip to this subject matter, it was just a matter of finding the right kind of inspiration. Often times I will be reading a newspaper, or a blog, and some word or phrase will light a fire under my ass. It was while I was reading Edward Champion's blog that the muse struck. He got into the whole chick-lit discussion too, providing as always, great wit and insight. But it was one of his comments that stuck in my brain and wouldn't go away. He wrote in his post: there is, as of yet, no estrogen answer to the Jonathans. I have to agree with him, which kind of pisses me off. It's not that there aren't great women writers out there, but they just aren't being promoted like those goddam Jonathans. With that idea in mind, and the whole chick-lit discussion, I got inspired. So there you have it. I now have an official muse, and his name is Ed.

I did want to add that I, too, used to hold my nose up at all chick-lit, but over time my attitude has changed. I see no reason why this genre (is it a genre?), not unlike mysteries, science fiction and thrillers cannot exist without all this criticism and hostility. There's a wide gamut of fiction written by women, from extra light to very deep and serious (and really, who decides what is deemed light and what is serious?), and you should be allowed to read whatever the hell you want. It really does beg the question, can't we all just get along? But then, if everyone got along in the publishing world, I'd have nothing to draw now, would I? Heh.

Oh, and a few words about the strip. I was once again very rushed, so the body of the strip hasn't been coloured yet, and yes, the brush strokes are quite frantic at times. My apologies, but I really wanted to get this damn fool thing posted, and if I waited any longer, well, it would never happen.

Enough blather. Enjoy the strip.

Now I gotta get back to work!

Comments

[Richard]

You have outdone yourself. I cannot stop chuckling.

[Lauren Baratz-Logsted]

*You* can't stop chuckling? The woman's a magician/artist; she did what no one else has ever done - she made me tall!

[patricia]

Ha! I don't know why Lauren, but I just saw you as a tall person.

Who knows? Maybe you write tall!

[Lauren Baratz-Logsted]

4'11 in stocking feet, but yes, all my life I've heard, "You don't look that short!"

[Isabella]

Brilliant. I particularly love the boy banter: "you elitist dumb fuck" and "oh blow me, Brooklyn boy."

Just brilliant.

[iliana]

That was fantastic!

[Shon]

This is so hilarious! I love it.

[Trish Ryan]

Omigosh - this is the funniest take on the chick-lit battle yet. All the sniping and fighting is worth it, just to have produced this strip!

[CL]

You don't look that short!

[Caren]

For those who have a small browser window like me (or are just generally addled): you have to keep clicking on the arrow on the lower right to read the whole cartoon.

Anyway, you are a goddess, Patricia Storms! "As did my friends before you f-d with their heads" ...and Jonathan S.F. saying "Hello, I'm right here, you know..." Awesome!!

[ed]

Again, I'm honored to have served as your muse. Good stuff.

[Kristy]

Ha! Fabulous, and I've always thought of Lauren as tall too, hmmmm...maybe it's that long name?

[Anne]

I am swamped, too, but that was totally worth it!!! Wow. Very funny.

[Carl V.]

That was very fun, nice job!

[Elisabeth Stewart]

Brilliant. I'm still laughing. Patricia, your mind is incredible.

[patricia]

Yes. Yes it is.

;)

[Max]

I've just discovered your site, and this strip on chicklit is excellent - can't believe I haven't discovered you before! I am sending this to all my friends who love their chick lit along with their 'real' literature like me!