Smarter…then HarderIn the middle of a long stretch, right around the time people’s tempers flare and their wits end, I often hear the phrase, “work smarter, not harder.”It isn’t helpful. It isn’t smart. It isn’t that the person saying it is dumb, that’s not it at all.It’s never a smart move to assume ignorance with a counterpart.  […]

There are way more work ponies than there are show ponies.  If you don’t believe me, look in the acknowledgements section in a book.  Open the front cover of even one of our comics. Sit through all of the credits on the next show or movie you watch.  It takes a village. That’s not just a

None of us want to be a stepping stone.  We don’t want to be buried on a hill overlooking the promised land without actually getting to go.  But, that decision isn’t left up to us.  In the case of artists, it is left up to the populous.  That reliable. Dependable. Populous.  That’s how writers go

Everyone is afraid of the dark.  Maybe not in your room.  Maybe not in your home.  But outside, with nothing but a clear sky to light the way, the darkness consumes. Every sound is accentuated, nature is alive in an audible array, and size becomes small.    It is a nocturnal realm, akin to swimming with sharks.  To

The cavalry isn’t coming. It just isn’t. So gather your tight knit foxhole compatriots and dig in.Not because people are rooting against you and you need to prove them wrong. But because the majority of the people out there are not your audience. Your story isn’t made for them. Even if it is really, really good. They just don’t care. Most

I recently had the opportunity to be a fly on the wall.It was fascinating to be able to observe and listen to stories from artists so successful in their field and craft.They were as excited as children to share stories.That’s when you know it isn’t a job.When the success comes and you can’t stop.When it’s

The grass will always be greener. Someone will always have it easier. Worse people than you will find success and better people will fail.The only thing that you can control…is you. Stop talking. Start doing.  Announce when it’s finished. Quietly tinker. If your job is to produce a product. Then produce. Don’t celebrate that you’ve done what you’re there to do. Don’t

Even if you’re a vegetarian, there’s only one way to eat an Elephant.  No matter what your project is, or the deadline that’s hanging over your head, you’ve got to chip away at it.  Michelangelo didn’t hit a stone with a chisel and call it good as the rubble fell away to reveal a masterpiece. 

I don’t know where I’m headed, and the landscape will no doubt look different than I expect it to by the time I get there, but damnit… I’m going to get there as fast as I can.  The phrase means to move recklessly fast, usually by horse.  It doesn’t matter what you do in life,