7.02.2009

Dear Sir or Madam, will you read my book? . . . . It took me years to write, will you take a look?

My sister in law recently mentioned dreaming that I was a famous writer. I didn't think to ask about her track-record for accuracy in dream prophecy.

But I had a similar dream once. Unfortunately, mine involved student loans, homework, brutal critique sessions, and rejection letters.

Fortunately, in the ensuing years Al Gore invented the internet so now I can write to my heart's content and then just hit a little button that says "PUBLISH."

Most satisfying.

I believe that Stephan Pastis, creator of "Pearls Before Swine" (one of my favorite comic strips), must have had a similar dream at one time. He recently ran a whole string of "Rat the Book Editor" strips that are probably best appreciated by someone who owns a personal file of rejection letters.

So I loved them.

(click on to enlarge)







Luckily, I developed other interests.

And as any fortune-cookie-fortune collector
worth her salt can tell you:



It's now been quite a few years since I turned in my pen for a needle, and thankfully the art buying public has been infinitely kinder than Rat, the Book Editor.

I'm currently stitching away on a couple of projects -- one is the commission I mentioned awhile back. It's a piece that involves 10 separate frames with characters (like the one in my banner).

These pieces are fun for me because when I make itty bitty people (approx. 2"), I cut them straight from the fabric and just start sewing.

No plan, no drawing.

It's a good exercise for a control freak like me.

And it's a little like a party in the studio -- I just put out the invitation and see who shows up!

Here are the folks who have RSVP'd so far:


Miss Kitty, cute but spoiled, and also slightly suspicious-looking . . .


Fish-head guy, who turns up from time to time and who I've never thought to ask why he has a fish on his head -- I think I should ask the fish, who always looks like something's up . . .


Flower-pot-head Lady, who never fails to show (invited or not), and who this time is sporting a painted paper flower
that I like quite a bit . . .


A rather serious/matronly looking bird woman, who looks as if she is about to lead the group in a chorus of some song I learned in 4th grade music . . .


And nerdy glasses-guy, who pokes his head in from time to time but never seems to say a darn thing.

This being Monday morning, I can't help but wonder who's going to knock on the door today . . .



I guess we'll all find out together.

But if it's a rat, he's not coming in.

7 comments:

Daryl said...

Writer wannabees, unite! Thank you Al Gore!

Susan, you always make me smile, and Mrs. Pot head looks down on me in my studio and declares frequently, "Grow"...

I'm just doing what I'm told...

Daryl

susan m hinckley said...

Thanks, Daryl -- maybe all the writer wannabe/fiber artists should get together for an anthology of some kind . . .

Mrs. Pot-head continues to encourage me as well, much to my chagrin -- won't she ever stop?

Allie said...

Well the rat editor cracked me up - I used to dream of writing. I too traded my pen for a needle and I'm very happy about it. LOVE your new work, Susan!

Amelia Poll said...

I love you.

Unknown said...

Oh come on, rats are fun! LOL If I can make a golf-playing, rat-treat eating rat named Joey, you can SURELY make one! LOLOLOL
Jill

VO said...

I'm pretty sure if a rat shows up, it'll be a cute rat.

I'm so impressed that you cut without a plan. Novel idea...one that I rarely do so I am wowed by you doing it.

susan m hinckley said...

Only because they're small, there are a lot of them (so if one is really ugly it's not the end of the world) and I can make one in 2 days. You'll never see me just cut on a full-size piece.

However, for some odd reason I can cut a better line than I can draw. I'm more comfortable with scissors than with a pencil. Never understood what that's about.

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