For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for October 23, 2009

Oh well, left brain innocense, that’s us, guys

And so what exactly is wrong with writing for fun?

So the line was rewritten but the panel not redrawn? I can’t imagine anyone (not even Ellie) being offended/shocked/surprised by the idea of people wanting to write for their own enjoyment … or am I missing something?

i sometimes write for my own enjoyment, but it would wind up in the shredder, back in the day i used it for starting a fire in the fireplace

I write in Gocomics for my own enjoyment. :-)

No Elly shouldn’t be offended that he said some write for their own enjoyment. So Lynn should’ve redrawn Elly’s face. I would be offended at the remark about bored housewives though.

I wish I could take Elly’s course with her, since I love to write.

i don’t read Ellie as miffed in the last panel…. more of a “which am I” expression.

I like For Bitter or for Worse (pun intended), and have followed it for many years – but sometimes, in the past as in the present, Lynn let’s herself be led by Political Correctness. I think that this strip is another sample of it. Too bad. Besides, it makes for an absurd situation, while the original cartoon reflected a real situation and a real reaction. It is not trying to hide reality that good cartoons are made.

The two don’t always mesh as well as they should, especially, when you have “the Man” (your Publisher) moving up the deadline on you! :-D

think about it this way, the guy just labeled his class in two categories: the ‘Serious’ writers and the ‘dabblers’. Basically, even with the rewrite it means that one group matters and the other DOESN’T. She updated it, cause that category doesn’t just contain bored housewives anymore.

Funny! I recall this strip from years ago too. I didnt’ think to go check if any changes. Note: I took a creative writing course as a non-technical elective in my undergrad years ago, and now … for close to 20 years, I have worked as a technical writer and instructor in industry, having to coach others in proper writing techniques. Plus … I too dabble in creative writing in various respects … “for enjoyment.” Maybe someday I will seek publishing of any of my works, especially after a number of other people whom I write about are long since gone.

Unless I am mistaken , several people (from yesterday’s comments) totally called that the green turtle-neck guy would be her teacher. Way to go, guys!

I don’t see Ellie as offended in the last panel, either. It’s more like startled. I’d be startled too with the “bored housewives” comment, but it didn’t fit with this revision. Take away the movement lines next to Ellie’s head and it would have been better.

I read people’s comments here for pleasure.

Maybe Ellie is thinking she’s in over her head?

i look at her expression as being “doesn’t everybody??!” or “uh-oh.”

I liked the original end better. I have her first 20 collections, and I re-read them frequently - I can always spot the new strips, and the updates!!

He says it like it’s a bad thing. ;)

Is there a way to see the old versions on-line for comparison?

I wonder where Open Wings is today.

mrob - who/what R “Open Wings” - I tried googling & found sites for an acoustic band “Open Wings Broken Strings” along with photos of different insects/bugs.

I’m sorry but the way Elly is drawn is just dumb. I mean it made sense when he was going on about bored houswives, but it doesn’t sound offensive when he mentions writing for fun. Lynn should have redrawn Elly’s expression. A bit of a cop out on my opinion.

Hi Jehosaphat. Open Wings is a poster who frequents this strip. Nice to see someone else from SOTU get out of the looney bin.

mrob - Thanks, I should have realized that “Open Wings” was someone’s Posting Name.