The drift
…and Violet and her friend are playing with the mice on her bed (so hygienic!)
I really haven’t recovered from Mansfield and Me. I am trying to write a kids’ comic book, but I am lacking the ambition that has propelled me through all my other books – that this will be the one, that this will be the break out book. At the age of almost 44 I have to come to terms with the fact that there will be no break-out book, and that I just have to keep making things regardless of their reception. Ambition is deeply flawed anyway – it’s the hungry, insatiable monster who always ups the level so you can never be pleased with your successes – all you can see is the next marker of success just out of reach. Maybe the thing that’s getting in the way of me burning ahead with my next book is a. the nagging sense that I need some downtime and b. the knowledge that creating a book-length comic takes an enormous amount of work. Which is why I like doing comics here, which can be ragged and unfinished and drifty. Still, I’m coming up seven years on the blog… maybe it’s time to retire…
LET ME BE FRANK 
Cute beast!
NOOOOOOOOOOO!! Please don’t retire I love your comics they are so domestic and honest and reassuring and lovely… I’d buy many copies of a collection of your comics here and give it to all my friends (would your publisher buy that idea?).
Hmmm that’s an idea… maybe when I actually get to my 7 year anniversary I will suggest it! Select the best… and thank you!!
Don’t retire Sarah, your work is amazing. I’m reading Mansfield and Me right now and loving it.
Thank you, Christine!
Sarah, no words of wisdom from me. Instead of writing my next book I am socialising and planning complex travels (how about Eastern European Capitals?) and servicing the local Sea Scout headquarters as Quartermaster…and so on.
So don’t give up, you have loyal readers. This one went to the Wanaka Festival of Colour to see Paddy and Lou who both had solo gigs. And I took two copies of Mansfield and Me in my luggage to say thanks to my hostesses, in Waimate and Dunedin, both of whom declared themselves to be rapt.
Keep on casting that bread!
A sea scout quartermaster – how wonderful! And yes, I definitely think you should do a tour of Eastern European capitals. I just read Kapka Kasobova’s book about going to Bulgaria. Robyn is walking the Franciscan trail across Umbria and sending us enviable photos. And thank you so much for gifting my book!
I enjoy your blog for all its “that’s just how I feel” moments, lots of which I forward to friends, who say the same. Thanks for putting into words the insane, joyful and mundane bits of life we are all feeling.
That’s great to hear! Thank you!
Please keep going. Your blog is a tonic for me, but sounds like YOU definitely need some down time.
Thank you! I think I may have been having a day… am feeling more energetic and inspired now. That’s the problem with making yourself blog every week; you end up expressing some of your weird moods.
Reblogged this on World4Justice : NOW! Lobby Forum..
I only discovered you recently and it would be terrible (for me) if you were to stop! But I know what it feels like to get to a point where just grinding on may not be the right thing to do. There’s a lot of love and compassion in your comics, and I find them often like a mirror held up for me to recognise myself. Great sense of honesty. May you find what’s right for you next, and very best wishes for whatever it may be.
Thank you! That is so nice to hear. Your drawings are beautiful! So loose and expressive. I might try out the beginner approach you describe in your latest post.
You are loved, Sarah, but it might not be enough. If you need to, take a break. You will be missed, but you are not there to meet the expectations of strangers. Even those of us who think you are terrific and are so grateful to you. Do what you want; as much as a mother of three can. Thank you for what you have given your readers.
This is the first time I’ve seen your work Sarah. This popped up on my ‘Suggested reading’ page. I love the nature of your cartoons and the stories.
Who said there was an age limit on when you can have your break out book?! Your break out book will never happen if you keep telling yourself it won’t.
This is the first time I have read your blog and I think it is great, for what it is worth! Don’t retire, or stop writing or drawing.. if you need to take a break, do it, but I am sure you’ll get bored before too long 🙂
I love your book. In fact, i envy your kind of writing flair. Just keep at it, your work is excellent.
Thank you so much! That is the nicest thing to say 🙂
I am 41 and have lived my life driven by creativity whether it be painting, writing or cooking, however any level of success has always eluded me. I’ve come to accept that it’s just part of who I am and success is not important! Thanks for writing about this.
Hi, I really love the illustration section, I would like to know how you are able to achieve such descriptive drawings also if you know an app that can be recommended??
Thanks.
Shelmith
No please don’t retire. I have only just discovered you! I second the idea of collecting the best of your domestic sketches into a book. They’re refreshing and relatable and I for one would definitely buy this.