I’m reminded of the old saw about an infinite number of monkeys banging on an infinite number of typewriters, eventually they’d write all the great works. They hadn’t counted on Mr. Vale!
Wow, so Tara actually is taking this writing thing seriously. Luann is starting off as a short storyteller. And Vale? Even as he takes credit for another’s ideas, he still has a “who cares?” attitude.
Walter Gibson, author of most of The Shadow novels used to write two 40,000=45,000 word novels a month and did so for around 15 years. Max Brand, H Bedford-Jones and (I think) Erle Stanley Gardner wrote over a million words a year. And all of them on manual typewriters. There are books on writing, marketing and publicizing one’s work. Most areas have writer’s groups which offer advise, moral support, advice, 1st readers and encouragement. NaNoWriMo seems entirely unnecessary.
Also with Print on Demand you can can have anything you’re written printed out in a nice hard cover or paperback book. Some people seem to be doing alright as self-publishers.
Come next week I’m hoping for the Spanish Inquisition to bum-rush Vale out the door, Since no one expects the Spanish Inquisition that would make an interesting twist to this arc.
Tara is always very supportive and wants Luann to try new things that can make her happy. I hope Luann can still enroll in the same writing class that Tara takes, it would be very helpful for her and she and Tara would spend more time together. I have said it often, but I repeat it. Luann needs to spend more time with a friend who is encouraging and who believes in her! Tara is that friend. More Tara, less Bernice in her life!
I find it interesting that Greg mentioned NaNoWrimo and Harry Potter in the same strip, given that the NaNoWrimo people canceled J.K. Rowling 2 years ago.
You know, I think the Vale character is here as a foil to Ox. While they have some similarities (like being tall, beefy athletes), that’s pretty much it. Where Vale is selfish and haze a hazy understanding between right and wrong, Ox is always kind, thoughtful and selfless. Perhaps this story line will end up with Tiff meeting Vale and seeing Ox in a brand new light?
Walter Gibson, the writer of “The Shadow” pulp novels, wrote a novel every two weeks at the height of magazine’s popularity. He also wrote the Shadow comic strip. He was also an avid amateur magician and the ghost-writer for Houdini and Blackstone. It’s estimated that he wrote 10,000 words a day for decades.
Lester Dent wrote “Doc Savage” which was only published once a month, so he only had to write a novel a month, the slowpoke.
It’s bad enough that Luann lost the top prizes to these two boors, but now they are all but ignoring her. So HOW exactly, is Tara being “supportive” to Luann here?
I guess it’s good that Tara takes such an interest in her writing class. I’m glad Tara is taking a interest in something academic, because I remember when she (And Nil) took Zebo’s art class just to make fun of him (And Luann).
But hey.
Tara should write.
Not just 50,000 words a month but 100,000.
Even a million.
The more Tara writes, the better writer she may become.
And the more Tara writes, the less time she’ll have to get Luann into trouble.
Scary how that new guy in the middle reminds me of big band era musician Tex Beneke (with a bit of Bobby Kennedy). I’d be amazed if that was intentional. But if by some unlikely chance it was, that’s pretty clever.
Tara is challenging Luann to do MORE while Luann might have previously entered this one story contest, taken a prize and then abandoned story writing, like she abandoned drawing and art, … how many sketches could Luann do in 1 month?…. all begs the question of just how much can one do in one month. and Vale, alias not eye candy, is taking interest. Hats off to Tara!
So boring. These three young people discussing writing is like watching my brother advising our mechanic on how to repair a car. They don’t have the experience or commitment to be honest with their words and feelings. Instead, they discuss learning to write like getting a high score on a video game (50,000 words a month will make you accomplished) which in my opinion is just a recipe for promoting empty fodder. But since Luann is never going to really settle on anything in life she might as well try this for awhile.
At first, Jack seemed like a big galoot. G & K cleverly worked Jack into the cast, and we wondered if he would wind up being Luann’s guy. But Vale? Hopefully his role is just comic and occasional.
November is a terrible month for a writing event. There are lots of sports going on this month. Thanksgiving is in November and many people are traveling and cooking and visiting with family. And it only has 30 days instead of 31. March or May would be much better months for most people to write 50,000 words.
A friend came to visit James Joyce one day and found the great man sprawled across his writing desk in a posture of utter despair. “James, what’s wrong?” the friend asked. “Is it the work?” Joyce indicated assent without even raising his head to look at his friend. “Of course it was the work; isn’t it always?” “How many words did you get today?” the friend pursued. Joyce (still in despair, still sprawled face down on his desk): “Seven.” “Seven? But James… that’s good, at least for you.” “Yes.” Joyce said, finally looking up. "I suppose it is… but I don’t know what order they go in!”
Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but what little we saw oif Vale’s entry was kind of funny. The part about 700,000 people living in Paris and 600,000 being artists, with the rest can can dancers and mimes, definitely would not have come from Wikipedia or any other source purporting to be factual. Calling Lautrec “Tooloose” and Monet “Clod” are warmed-over adolescent jokes. So, maybe Vale really did write the whole piece. We’ll soon find out, I hope.
My daughter has been participating in NANOWRIMO for the past 10+ years. She finishes the 50,000 words, but then never completes the final edit (you have until April or something to edit, add illustrations, cover art, etc.). Amazon used to offer to print your finished novel for a small (like $10) fee.
Is Vale good at math or does he have a calculator on his wrist phone? Other than promoting writing, where is this going? No friends or parents attending this event?
NaNoWriMo is an organization that has as a real-world base its location in Berkeley, CA….. so I suspect Greg may be especially fond of mentioning it because even though most know of it via the Internet….. it’s origins are in California.
Tara is surprisingly well versed about her craft (sic), though she uses her knowledge to humble Luann (“824” words in her story). And, yet, even getting all the words in the right order and churning out words by the tens of thousands, Luann could never write three “Harry Potter” books, sadly. Luann lacks that kind of creativity….
Forgive me for reposting if someone already said this, but it’s inconsistent that Vale needs small words, but has a calculator watch and can do complex math.
Ah- HAH! A watch is shown in the first act, so it has to be used by the third! Reminding us about the watch and what he did with it (secretly recorded Luann during tutoring)? HMmmmmm
AnyFace about 2 years ago
Ugh. ✨
lvlax about 2 years ago
Will Luann be writing The Great American Novel for NaNoWriMo?!?
She’ll need to do roughly 165 pages. I wonder what she’d write about?
Vale is still totally annoying!
I’m curious what Tiff is up to. Do we think Bets has made an appearance yet?
P.S. I hope your hands are feeling better, Wally!
Vilyehm about 2 years ago
His massive fingers can do this thing?
kenhense about 2 years ago
Luann LOST to this guy!!!
Tyge about 2 years ago
I’m reminded of the old saw about an infinite number of monkeys banging on an infinite number of typewriters, eventually they’d write all the great works. They hadn’t counted on Mr. Vale!
ronaldspence about 2 years ago
what an odd trio!
Tyge about 2 years ago
This will continue into next week.
J. Scarbrough about 2 years ago
I feel like GET FUZZY did a similar punchline about the order of certain words before.
Enter.Name.Here about 2 years ago
16 hours a day? I quit.
Airman about 2 years ago
50,000 words, or 500 words if they can do it in cursive.
Templo S.U.D. about 2 years ago
Vale’s right in the final panel when it comes to writing something creative.
ericbrower about 2 years ago
Wow, so Tara actually is taking this writing thing seriously. Luann is starting off as a short storyteller. And Vale? Even as he takes credit for another’s ideas, he still has a “who cares?” attitude.
beb01 about 2 years ago
Luann: “Thank you but I won’t take advice from someone who plagiarized from me,,”
Note that Bricks-For-Brains used a smart watch to do the math,
Binky about 2 years ago
Blech!!! ( ͝° ͜ʖ͡°)ᕤ
beb01 about 2 years ago
Walter Gibson, author of most of The Shadow novels used to write two 40,000=45,000 word novels a month and did so for around 15 years. Max Brand, H Bedford-Jones and (I think) Erle Stanley Gardner wrote over a million words a year. And all of them on manual typewriters. There are books on writing, marketing and publicizing one’s work. Most areas have writer’s groups which offer advise, moral support, advice, 1st readers and encouragement. NaNoWriMo seems entirely unnecessary.
Also with Print on Demand you can can have anything you’re written printed out in a nice hard cover or paperback book. Some people seem to be doing alright as self-publishers.
Joe1962 about 2 years ago
Vale is totally annoying but funny.
Rhetorical_Question about 2 years ago
Hey, he can use a calculator.
capricorn9th about 2 years ago
Pointless strip today.
Airman about 2 years ago
Quantity does not make up for quality, we’re already overwhelmed by a landfill of worthless words that nobody really cares about.
beb01 about 2 years ago
Come next week I’m hoping for the Spanish Inquisition to bum-rush Vale out the door, Since no one expects the Spanish Inquisition that would make an interesting twist to this arc.
Argythree about 2 years ago
I hope the arc ends tomorrow, with Luann walking out of the room and Vale disappearing for good…
nneu about 2 years ago
Vale makes Jack look like the most fragile and gentle guy. Bring back Jack!
Aladar30 Premium Member about 2 years ago
Tara is always very supportive and wants Luann to try new things that can make her happy. I hope Luann can still enroll in the same writing class that Tara takes, it would be very helpful for her and she and Tara would spend more time together. I have said it often, but I repeat it. Luann needs to spend more time with a friend who is encouraging and who believes in her! Tara is that friend. More Tara, less Bernice in her life!
luann1212 about 2 years ago
Words fail me.
rshive about 2 years ago
Picky, picky, picky.
imagenesis about 2 years ago
Just walk away slowly and stop making eye contact Luann!
theincrediblebulk about 2 years ago
Word order means little or nothing if you use it creatively in the dialogue of a character… " In order spoken must words be"
Brdshtt Premium Member about 2 years ago
Vale: “A, B, C, D, R, Q, M, T, P, Z.”
“And I know a lot more letters in the alphabet, just not all in a row like that”
The Reader Premium Member about 2 years ago
Order words right in.
Susan00100 about 2 years ago
Oh, Gawd!!
I hope this isn’t leading to a romance between Tara and that ape!!
Even Les would be an improvement.
Richardf8 Premium Member about 2 years ago
I find it interesting that Greg mentioned NaNoWrimo and Harry Potter in the same strip, given that the NaNoWrimo people canceled J.K. Rowling 2 years ago.
Ellis97 about 2 years ago
This guy knows his arithmetic.
tonypezzano about 2 years ago
Vale, you might get in trouble doing Harry Potter novels.
Dkram about 2 years ago
He seems to be good at math, but he’ll likely become a politician.
\\//_
coffeemom88 about 2 years ago
You know, I think the Vale character is here as a foil to Ox. While they have some similarities (like being tall, beefy athletes), that’s pretty much it. Where Vale is selfish and haze a hazy understanding between right and wrong, Ox is always kind, thoughtful and selfless. Perhaps this story line will end up with Tiff meeting Vale and seeing Ox in a brand new light?
ctolson about 2 years ago
Dingleberry can work a smart watch but he’s not smart enough to write a good Original composition. Hmmmm.
arabianne1231 about 2 years ago
Yaay! Shout out to NaNoWriMo!
Ignatz Premium Member about 2 years ago
Walter Gibson, the writer of “The Shadow” pulp novels, wrote a novel every two weeks at the height of magazine’s popularity. He also wrote the Shadow comic strip. He was also an avid amateur magician and the ghost-writer for Houdini and Blackstone. It’s estimated that he wrote 10,000 words a day for decades.
Lester Dent wrote “Doc Savage” which was only published once a month, so he only had to write a novel a month, the slowpoke.
[Traveler] Premium Member about 2 years ago
It was a dark and stormy night……
WilliamVollmer about 2 years ago
And, how long did it take JK Rowling to get all the words in the right order to create the Harry Potter universe?
Busrayne about 2 years ago
Come on, we have to have some Luann arcs; otherwise, the comic might be called Tiffany.
dwindy54 about 2 years ago
An infinite number of monkeys……
Mordock999 Premium Member about 2 years ago
You know what?
It’s bad enough that Luann lost the top prizes to these two boors, but now they are all but ignoring her. So HOW exactly, is Tara being “supportive” to Luann here?
I guess it’s good that Tara takes such an interest in her writing class. I’m glad Tara is taking a interest in something academic, because I remember when she (And Nil) took Zebo’s art class just to make fun of him (And Luann).
But hey.Tara should write.
Not just 50,000 words a month but 100,000.Even a million.
The more Tara writes, the better writer she may become.
And the more Tara writes, the less time she’ll have to get Luann into trouble.
BlitzMcD about 2 years ago
Scary how that new guy in the middle reminds me of big band era musician Tex Beneke (with a bit of Bobby Kennedy). I’d be amazed if that was intentional. But if by some unlikely chance it was, that’s pretty clever.
Robert Nowall Premium Member about 2 years ago
Before this nano-contest became a thing, I once wrote a fifty-thousand-word novel in a week. I was never able to match that speed again.
Of course, it wasn’t very good…in fact, it was awful.
phileaux about 2 years ago
Too bad they didn’t make Vale a math ace by not having him calculating with his iWrist
Johnnyrico about 2 years ago
Luann is wondering if she should humiliate herself by showing up and excepting the third-place prize..
wtepps about 2 years ago
Dumbest arc EVER
Tetonbil about 2 years ago
That Vale! A future Road Scholar for sure!
RSH about 2 years ago
Tara is challenging Luann to do MORE while Luann might have previously entered this one story contest, taken a prize and then abandoned story writing, like she abandoned drawing and art, … how many sketches could Luann do in 1 month?…. all begs the question of just how much can one do in one month. and Vale, alias not eye candy, is taking interest. Hats off to Tara!
RSH about 2 years ago
Tara is all about action Luann is…. “hey lets go shopping”. Come on Luann; time to do more.
comic reader 22 about 2 years ago
So boring. These three young people discussing writing is like watching my brother advising our mechanic on how to repair a car. They don’t have the experience or commitment to be honest with their words and feelings. Instead, they discuss learning to write like getting a high score on a video game (50,000 words a month will make you accomplished) which in my opinion is just a recipe for promoting empty fodder. But since Luann is never going to really settle on anything in life she might as well try this for awhile.
The Orange Mailman about 2 years ago
NaNoWriMo
A rare instance where lower case letters would be advantageous.
Tom_Tildrum about 2 years ago
800 words is something like 3 pages, I think. The writers really seem dedicated to making Luann look like a child.
kenhense about 2 years ago
At first, Jack seemed like a big galoot. G & K cleverly worked Jack into the cast, and we wondered if he would wind up being Luann’s guy. But Vale? Hopefully his role is just comic and occasional.
locake about 2 years ago
November is a terrible month for a writing event. There are lots of sports going on this month. Thanksgiving is in November and many people are traveling and cooking and visiting with family. And it only has 30 days instead of 31. March or May would be much better months for most people to write 50,000 words.
sallymargret about 2 years ago
A friend came to visit James Joyce one day and found the great man sprawled across his writing desk in a posture of utter despair. “James, what’s wrong?” the friend asked. “Is it the work?” Joyce indicated assent without even raising his head to look at his friend. “Of course it was the work; isn’t it always?” “How many words did you get today?” the friend pursued. Joyce (still in despair, still sprawled face down on his desk): “Seven.” “Seven? But James… that’s good, at least for you.” “Yes.” Joyce said, finally looking up. "I suppose it is… but I don’t know what order they go in!”
MJ Weber Premium Member about 2 years ago
TIL about NaNoWriMo! Thanks Luann/Greg!
AndrewSihler about 2 years ago
I think Vale is onto something, there.
paldec about 2 years ago
Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this, but what little we saw oif Vale’s entry was kind of funny. The part about 700,000 people living in Paris and 600,000 being artists, with the rest can can dancers and mimes, definitely would not have come from Wikipedia or any other source purporting to be factual. Calling Lautrec “Tooloose” and Monet “Clod” are warmed-over adolescent jokes. So, maybe Vale really did write the whole piece. We’ll soon find out, I hope.
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace about 2 years ago
He’s got interesting potential for humor.
jimboklein about 2 years ago
My daughter has been participating in NANOWRIMO for the past 10+ years. She finishes the 50,000 words, but then never completes the final edit (you have until April or something to edit, add illustrations, cover art, etc.). Amazon used to offer to print your finished novel for a small (like $10) fee.
YorkGirl Premium Member about 2 years ago
Is Vale good at math or does he have a calculator on his wrist phone? Other than promoting writing, where is this going? No friends or parents attending this event?
donwestonmysteries about 2 years ago
Yeah, getting the words in order is the hard part. Some of my friends are doing NaNoWriMo. I’ve been too busy writing to do it.
jojo318 about 2 years ago
I didn’t know Stevie Wonder was a barber on the side.
xtc45688 about 2 years ago
IMO Vale is a useless character.
priyansh.jeziel about 2 years ago
This guy IS thicker than a brick, WITH the added bonus of being totally obnoxious.
radgrom8109 about 2 years ago
wow, this is stupid!
Pipe Tobacco about 2 years ago
NaNoWriMo is an organization that has as a real-world base its location in Berkeley, CA….. so I suspect Greg may be especially fond of mentioning it because even though most know of it via the Internet….. it’s origins are in California.
JPuzzleWhiz about 2 years ago
Can you use words twice, Vale? I seriously doubt they’d make that a “no-no”…! d;o)
eladee AKA Wally about 2 years ago
Wow Vale is really good with numbers.
eladee AKA Wally about 2 years ago
He’s not wrong in that last panel. I used to say All I need today are 2,000 words. But they have to be 2,000 GOOD words. lol
BuckarooDave about 2 years ago
Sunday : Shannon writes a poem!
Sisyphos about 2 years ago
Tara is surprisingly well versed about her craft (sic), though she uses her knowledge to humble Luann (“824” words in her story). And, yet, even getting all the words in the right order and churning out words by the tens of thousands, Luann could never write three “Harry Potter” books, sadly. Luann lacks that kind of creativity….
Aibohphobia about 2 years ago
Forgive me for reposting if someone already said this, but it’s inconsistent that Vale needs small words, but has a calculator watch and can do complex math.
overtherainbow about 2 years ago
Ah- HAH! A watch is shown in the first act, so it has to be used by the third! Reminding us about the watch and what he did with it (secretly recorded Luann during tutoring)? HMmmmmm
Kenezg about 2 years ago
This guy…..
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 2 years ago
Vale sure is good at math.
MT Wallet about 2 years ago
I just saw Harry Potter as Weird Al.
ndblackirish97 about 2 years ago
Is he really using a calculator watch? LOL