Another Panel From the Graphic Memoir: The Trouble With the Truth

Here is a problem I never considered as a reader of memoirs that I think about all the time as an aspiring author of one. What do you do when you come to a part of the story that casts you or anyone dear to you in an unflattering light? My wife is, believe me, a woman of great patience. When she saw this panel she objected that "It makes me look mad." I replied that it was my impression that she was often frustrated and a bit angry about my inability to speak clearly. She admitted this was true. I asked her if I should lie to my readers. She countered with a distinction "I get mad at this disease."

Why not show all the times she patiently listens while I struggle to articulate? Well, because a story is about conflict. As a storyteller, that is naturally what one is drawn to. Besides, although it may not seem like it, I'm really doing her a favor.

In addition to being true, her moment of impatience has the advantage of making her a more sympathetic character. First, it's hard to identify with a saint. Second, a person who perseveres in spite of anger or fear or whatever weakness you name,  is more human and likeable. It makes for a better story because it's true. But nobody, including me, wants to be reminded of times when they behaved in a way they didn't like.

As the teller of the story you cannot include everything. You can and must decide what to leave in and what to take out, what to draw and how to draw it. The temptation to juice things up or gloss over what you do not wish to confront is powerful. How well you avoid that temptation will be a large measure of the success and value of the work to the reader. But when it makes a loved one upset, it can't be blamed on a disease.  

A note, spell check is underlining nearly every word in the draft of this post. It's clearly on the fritz. I apologize for any spelling atrocities that I let slip.

High Country: Whacked on Anesthesia, DBS Patient Has Visions

Yes folks, it's another panel from the yet-unfinished-or-sold-blockbuster-graphic-memoir. In this thrilling episode, our protagonist has visions. But visions of what?... or should that be whom? Find out when you read the entire thrilling narrative of one man's adventures with Parkinson's Disease. Not sold in stores, or anywhere else. Yet.

A Team Cul de Sac Book update: Go ahead, laugh at Parkinson's Disease

Team Cul de Sac, a project to raise money for Parkinson's research will bring out its book in June! The effort, helmed by the formidable Chris Sparks, is a book of cartoons that are a tribute to Richard Thompson, creator of the strip "Cul de Sac". Thompson is a cartoonist's cartoonist, and person with Parkinson's Disease. Contributors include Pat Oliphant, Garry Trudeau, Bill Watterson and a host of other extraordinary talents. You can find photos of much of the work here, including a portrait of Cul de Sac character Petey Otterloop by the reclusive Bill Watterson. The profits go to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. This has been a massive labor of love for Chris, and you can buy a special edition, if you're quick, by going here here It is rumored that the book will contain the image below, attributed to an obscure cartoonist who lives far, far away.

Coming Soon to a Location Near You (If You Are Near Anchorage)

Here comes the next telehealth seminar. It's Parkinson's and music therapy. Learn how music is being used as therapy to address physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs. It will be presented by Bill Dluhosh, MT-BC Music Therapist. The broadcast can be seen here in Anchorage on January 9, at 1:00pm, Look for this event in room 2401 at 1:00 p.m. in the Providence oncology wing. Go to the second floor walk down the lonnnnnnnng hall that stretches South from the cafe and look for room 2401 pretty much at the end of the hall on your right, not far from the statue of Mary in the nook at the end of the Hall. We will have our regular meeting on the 20th, fifth floor of the Pioneer home, 3:30, subject to be announced.

Reworked Page, Trying to Get Blockbusting, Brawling , Sprawling Parkinson's "Graphic Novel" Right

What was the problem with the page I posted yesterday? Too much talking and too little showing. We graphics novel author wannabes are supposed to trust the picture as a narrative tool. And besides, bouts of dyskinesia aside, drawing is fun. So I went back, took out some words and put in some pictures. Et voila! One page became two. Then I showed them to Pam who had some constructive criticism. So I went back and reworked them again. I'm trying to bear in mind the words of economist J.K. Galbraith, who said (quoting from memory here) "The note of spontaneity that people praise in my writing always emerges in the fifth draft."

Zap! Pow! FZZZZZT!! Daring UFO rescue of Parkinson's Patient. Pushing Ahead With the PD Graphic Novel

If Parkinson's Disease does nothing else, it certainly adds drama, No? Click on the image to enlarge.

He Won't Get Far on Foot...

(Click on photo to enlarge) Just as I reached my car to depart for home after finishing up a segment of a radio show, I noticed that I had left a story in my tracks. The tracks in the foreground right, heading away from my camera are the prints I made going in. The set of tracks on the left, after spending an hour and a half inside the building, are the later tracks I made as I returned to my faithful Subaru. Anything strike you as odd about them? How about this: The stride on the left is about half as long as the stride on the right. Yet both were made by the same person. Holy festination Holmes, the poor blighter was entering an "Off" state as he walked back to his car! His medications were sputtering out and his ability to move freely through space is literally vanishing before our eyes! The early steps show him enjoying an "on" state, with his medications putting the cut in his strut and the glide in his exuberant stride. But the return steps tell of a world of neurological woe. As John Callahan said "He won't get far on foot".

Comicization of a (Relatively) Recent Post

I now have about 50 of these pages done. Sort of getting the idea. I plan to start on a major new part of the story, the brain surgery I underwent about year and a half ago. Still trying to figure out the angle I will take. I'm thinking something along the lines of "Super-intelligent beings come back from the future to patch me up".

The December Parkinson's Report

Hello Friends, This is your rundown on PD events that I know of for December in Anchorage. MONDAY the 12th will be the Telehealth presentation. The talk will be by PD psychologist Dr. Darelle Volweiler, who will offer advice on getting the best of holiday stress. Look for this event in room 2401 at 1:00 p.m. in the Providence oncology wing. Go to the second floor, walk down the lonnnnnnnng hall that stretches South from the cafe and look for room 2401 pretty much at the end of the hall on your right, not far from the statue of Mary in the nook at the end of the Hall. Our Support group will meet the 17th at 3:30 for our annual holiday potluck. Bring something delicious to share. In the meantime, enjoy this festive time of year, and do your best to not fall down.

Thar She Blows: Another Peek At My Graphic Novel Manuscript

Here is a page that owes a debt to the stark illustrations that Rockwell Kent created for an elegant edition of Moby Dick. An artist with wanderlust, Kent actually spent some time in South Central Alaska. He lived for a period on Fox Island in what is now Kenai Fijords National Park. It's hard to imagine someone with a greater ability to strike the proper tone for Melville's novel than the rugged Kent, who would have felt right at home with the rigors of a whaling voyage. As it turns out, there is inspiration for those of us that have PD in Melville's book as well.