We Connect Through Our Stories
Stories are the way to our inner pandas
I have to remind myself: What I do has meaning, it is useful. Not just to me, but to the people who read my stories, who get comfort from them, who reach understanding through them. Maybe a computer could do this, but I don’t know. At least not now, they can’t. There will always be something slightly off about the stories they tell, the pictures they make.
For now, I will treat the whole AI thing like I treat everything else I don’t want to deal with: I will ignore it till it either goes away, or I can’t ignore it any longer.
Even when we don’t get to tell our stories, they don’t really go away. We put them in a drawer, in a closet behind the dresses that no longer fit. But sometimes, the stories start to ferment. They bubble. They steam. They swell until the drawer pops open or the closet explodes.
Today, a former president was arraigned on serious charges, having to do with documents that if revealed to the “wrong” people, could cause serious damage to the United States, could cause the death of people around the world who are trying to keep us safe from harm.
I’m pretty sure that the stories he is telling are not true. While in the abstract, I don’t have a problem with fiction (I mean, I make up stories about bears, right?) I don’t think that fiction is the proper genre for this subject. People I have come to trust over the last six or seven years who write about these things explain them quite differently than TFG does. People whose opinions are at least as strong as mine and maybe don’t get all flustered and finger tied just thinking about the lies that all too many people are willing to believe, are writing about this. You can go read things about TFG there. I need to limit my exposure, like to radiation or fried foods.
I won’t be ignoring these stories, but I am making a pledge to myself that I’m not going to wallow in them either. I have other stories to write, other bears to draw. I just got an email from my agent that a story that I had put in the drawer because it hadn’t found a home, has the possibility of a renewed chance at publication. Huzzah! My energy is better spent there (also with the bears!)
Visit The Panda Chronicles if you want more pandas!
And speaking of the world of KidLit…
There seems to be a groundswell of writers and illustrators of children’s literature here. This makes me very happy! If you are interested in what writers and illustrators of kid lit think about how they make their work, here are a couple of Substacks to get you started.
Wait . . . . you are writing fiction? Frank and Mikey aren't real? Excuse me, I'm going back to bed and suck my thumb while I dwell on this for a while. Now that TFG has been indicted, I need something else to obsess about.
p.s. Got my pseudo thumbs crossed that your work gets published!!
I am shocked, shocked, I tell you! I am with Gloria! Are those sweet bears NOT REAL? BIKKIE, Mommee Mei, Daddee Tian, Frank, Mikey, Mehitibel, Bob T Panda, Pinky, Bebe Maurice, Sister Mary Fluffy, all my little friends? TTTHEY ARE, TOO, REAL! I LOVE THEM ALL! Pookie, Josie? I think I @m h@ving @ meltdown!!!!!
(Slaps face--smack, smack!
Wait, wait, I’m ok!
Too much of tfg yesterday. Talk about an unreal world. What part of treason and espionage does he not understand?
We should thank our stars for people like Jack Smith who strive to protect us. tfg is unhinged and cannot keep his mouth closed.
We also should thank our lucky stars that we have you--using your talents to remind us what is important in life. I know this sounds over the top, but it is true. Your stories and ‘toons keep me chuckling and grounded. Thank you for what you do. One of the best days of my life when I found you on Fezbook! 🐼❤️