{"id":140801,"date":"2019-11-06T11:48:39","date_gmt":"2019-11-06T16:48:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/?p=140801"},"modified":"2019-11-06T12:12:33","modified_gmt":"2019-11-06T17:12:33","slug":"you-used-to-tell-stories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/2019\/11\/06\/you-used-to-tell-stories\/","title":{"rendered":"You Used to Tell Stories"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><i>\u201cThere was a time when drawing and writing were not separated for you. In fact, our ability to write could only come from our willingness and inclination to draw.\u201d So begins <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawnandquarterly.com\/making-comics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Making Comics<\/a><em>, the latest book from the artist and writer Lynda Barry, who\u2019s spent the past few years acting as a sort of patron saint of creativity. The creative impulse, Barry argues, is intrinsic to our humanity; her popular classes at the University of Wisconsin\u2013Madison are open to students from all departments. If you\u2019re envious of these lucky pupils, fear not:<\/em>\u00a0Making Comics<em> is stuffed to the gills with Barry\u2019s friendly wisdom, characteristic doodles, and mind-expanding exercises.<\/em><em>\u00a0An excerpt appears below.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior10.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-140802\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior10.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1358\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior10.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior10-221x300.jpg 221w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior10-768x1043.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior10-754x1024.jpg 754w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a> <!--more--><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior11.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-140803\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior11.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1298\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior11.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior11-231x300.jpg 231w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior11-768x997.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior11-789x1024.jpg 789w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior12.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-140804\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior12.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior12.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior12-228x300.jpg 228w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior12-768x1012.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior12-777x1024.jpg 777w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior13.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-140805\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior13.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior13.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior13-216x300.jpg 216w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior13-768x1067.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior13-737x1024.jpg 737w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior14.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-140806\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior14.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior14.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior14-227x300.jpg 227w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior14-768x1015.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior14-775x1024.jpg 775w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior15.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-140807\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior15.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1277\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior15.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior15-235x300.jpg 235w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior15-768x981.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior15-802x1024.jpg 802w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior16.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-140808\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior16.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior16.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior16-232x300.jpg 232w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior16-768x991.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior16-793x1024.jpg 793w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior17.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-140809\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior17.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1309\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior17.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior17-229x300.jpg 229w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior17-768x1005.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior17-782x1024.jpg 782w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior18.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-140810\" src=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior18.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1281\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior18.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior18-234x300.jpg 234w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior18-768x984.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.theparisreview.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/makingcomics.interior18-799x1024.jpg 799w\" sizes=\"auto, (min-width: 62.5em) 67vw, 100vw\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Lynda Barry has worked as a painter, cartoonist, writer, illustrator, playwright, editor, commentator, and teacher and found that they are very much alike. She is the inimitable creator behind the seminal comic strip <\/em>Ernie Pook\u2019s Comeek<em> as well as numerous comic books and graphic novels, and is the recipient of the Eisner Award, the R.\u2009R. Donnelly Award, and a Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as an inductee into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame. In 2019, Barry was granted a MacArthur Fellowship for \u201cinspiring creative engagement through original graphic works and a teaching practice centered on the role of image making in communication.\u201d She lives in Wisconsin, where she is an associate professor in interdisciplinary creativity and the Chazen Family Distinguished Chair in Art at the University of Wisconsin\u2013Madison. <\/em>Making Comics<em> is her most recent book.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>From Lynda Barry\u2019s <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drawnandquarterly.com\/making-comics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Making Comics<\/a><em>, in stores now. Images courtesy Drawn &amp; Quarterly.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lynda Barry argues for the importance of the creative impulse, a basic human function that is too often snuffed out shortly after childhood.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1253,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[30980],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-140801","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-comics"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.4 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>You Used to Tell Stories by Lynda Barry<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Lynda Barry argues for the importance of the creative impulse, a basic human function that is too often snuffed out shortly after childhood.\" \/>\n<meta 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