When worlds collide

Books have always held a special place in my heart.

When I was a child, books provided an escape from a world in which I didn’t fit in. I found my fingers tracing illustrations carefully crafted on pages, longing to be in a world where things made sense. A world where mysteries were to be solved and adventures to be had by children my own age.

One of my favorite series of books was in fact not so much a book, but collections of Peanuts comic strips. I have many fond memories of curling up with old Peanuts treasuries and getting lost in the world which Charles Schulz created. I felt Charlie Brown’s pain. He was a kindred soul who also had trouble fitting in with the people and world that surrounded him. I laughed at Snoopy and his wacky adventures. I wondered with Linus as he explored the human condition and thoughts theological in nature. I identified with Lucy’s misplaced rage.

Each panel, so succinctly drawn, pulled me in with the little things. The way Charles Schulz drew the lines of rain, covering most of the panel as Charlie Brown was stuck in a rainstorm. I felt that rain. The way snow lines flowed in the background, the way a single leaf would fall down from a tree. I was TRANSPORTED to that world and it felt safe and comforting.

So, why am I talking books and comics?

Well, it is these childhood treasures that shaped who I am today as surely as a pen draws a series of strokes which shape words and images. These books made me want to write, made me want to draw comics, made me want to create and bring worlds alive for others to lose themselves in.

Many worlds

The internet has become to many, what books were for me as a child – escape.

The web offers us access to more worlds than we can imagine, real and imaginary. The web also allows us something books never did – to sometimes meet our fellow world travelers. Whether it be chatting with fans on a message board or interacting with the artist themselves, the web opens up a host of possibilities which never existed before.

Sometimes, it even allows creators to meet and author a world together. A marriage of words and images. Two worlds into one.

When worlds collide

I was thrilled recently to discover Writer Dad, another writer who has strong devotion to words and his creations. I was honored when he asked me to help bring one of his worlds to life. While the first story he pitched to me is still in the creation phase, we decided to collaborate on another project he was looking to complete. One which aims to help parents and children through a sometimes difficult phase – potty training.

Told with humor and love, Number One and Two It should help ease some of the trepidation that parents feel about the subject.

Writer Dad tells a little of the story behind the story in his appropriately titled post today.

So. yeah, this is a lot of buildup for what is essentially a story about where your poo goes, but it’s not everyday that you meet someone who you can trust enough to help you build a world. The collaboration, along with the words of others I’ve met in the past three weeks since this blog began, has refueled my desire to create more worlds. Perhaps, maybe even build a world you (or your children) to get lost in.

Here is a picture of the book’s cover. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed creating it. You can order the wee-book below or at Writer Dad’s site.

(Special thanks to Jayniebell for the photo of the book sign)

Tagged as: books, comics, Parenting Blogs, wee-book