I make no secret of my incredible affection for Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson, who on the whole is a pretty reclusive author, but when he speaks he makes it count.
So two great links to share. In the first, Fast Company pulled four great principles on creativity from his interviews in the movie Stripped.
And in the second, Slate reprinted the cartoon blog Zen Pencil’s cartoon rendering of part of Bill Watterson’s commencement speech at Kenyon College about creating a life that’s in tune with your values.
Just about everything I’ve learned in life seems like it came from Calvin and Hobbes, from the power of imagination to our powerlessness on some days when even lucky rocketship underpants can’t help. Bill Watterson is a national treasure.
A treasure indeed. The world will never look at a pile of snow the same way again – who knew snowmen could be so funny? His succinct wit and wondrous curiosity set the bar high for all the story tellers around him. Personally, I look to his work for inspiration whether it be with my art or my writing. Thanks for sharing. By the way, his fun little appearance in Pearls Before Swine early this summer proved to be a great surprise.
Loved both the links and shared! Thank you.
Thanks for the links! I miss Calvin and Hobbes; I still have one of the anthologies of the comic strip. Bill Watterson made it cool for a kid to live in his imagination; I like to think that maybe Calvin would have grown up to become a fiction writer.
Love Calvin and Hobbes. "People have better things to do than read your work." Now, there's an unfortunate truth.
I have the two oldest Vampire Infants reading Calvin and Hobbes. I'm pretty sure I deserve some sort of parental award.
I have a ten year old Calvin. He wears me out. Also, he loves "Calvin and Hobbes" and I think I have all of it in print.
I'm super glad we are too far south for snow monsters or snow victims in the driveway and yard.
Have you seen Watterson's recent work as a guest artist on Pearls Before Swine? Start here, then read the next two strips.
I am french and discovered 'C & H' 1991 as a small format paperback – thanks to a friend back from Florida's 'Swiss Ski School' where I couldn't join.
In fact, I enjoyed much this kind of replacement gift, that led me to discover the world of Bill Watterson.
Later, I could read at the Meribel public library the whole range of albums in french – yes, 'C & W' is quite popular here too! But kids are considered their main target, while I feel adults can enjoy the reading more…
Nathan, I might have a post which you would appreciate – https://www.paulduffau.com/blog/category/a-calvin-hobbes-life-and-a-far-side-death
Gotta treat life like Calvinball- and it helps to have a buddy like Hobbes
I'm late to the party this time, but just had to thank you. Watterson's advice translates amazingly well to fiction writing, and it gives me heart.
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