March 28th, 2016

Pajama Diaries hits the big 1-0!

by Terri Libenson

My apologies for the long delay between posts. If you read my last one, you’ll know why. I’m currently in the midst of illustrating my book…and wow, is it slow going. Kind of the opposite of illustrating the strip. I’d gotten a little spoiled there.

Speaking of which…

There are many giant milestones in history…civil rights…man on the moon…the internet… Yeah, this isn’t one of those. But hey, it’s still a pretty big deal for myself. Ten years of syndication! To celebrate, here’s my very first strip (also one of my more embarrassing ones in retrospect).

(click to enlarge):

That’s right, this very day a decade ago, PD launched in papers across the country. It’s steadily gained a following, and I’m grateful to all my readers then and now for keeping up with the Kaplans.

To give you some time perspective, the following are illustrations of a few PD characters in 2006 and today.

My, how they’ve changed. Stylistically, anyway. Looks like the only ones who actually aged are the kids. Funny how that works.

Anyway, this post wouldn’t be complete without a top 10 list about the last 10 years. So without further ado, here are the 10 reasons I love creating Pajama Diaries (in no particular order except #1):

10. I get to draw and color most of the time. Cartoonists and kindergarteners have a lot in common.

9. I get to write funny things. Well, things I find funny, anyway. If they make other people laugh, that’s icing on the cake.

8. Writing funny things and coloring can pull anyone out of the doldrums. Seriously. It’s hard to be depressed when you’re busy cheering yourself up.

7. Nice reader feedback. What more can I say?

6. Not-so-nice reader feedback. Because sometimes any feedback is better than no feedback. In case you’re wondering why I occasionally stir the pot.

5. I’m always on my own schedule. No, that’s not true — I’m on my kids’ schedule. But this is pretty close. (Also, pajamas till 3 pm rocks.)

4. I don’t have to talk for 8 hours straight. On the flip side, when I do start talking, I tend to have diarrhea of the mouth. But still, it’s nice.

3. I get to meet — and even become friends with — other cartoonists. This is a seriously cool fringe benefit. I still pinch myself. Ouch.

2. I have great fans. By the way, having “fans” makes me feel awkward. But I do have great ones. They encourage me and keep me motivated. I’ve even made friends with some of them. That is another seriously cool fringe benefit.

1.  This last one needs no elaborating and is the perfect way to end this list:  I love what I do. 

Thanks again to all my readers. For those whose local paper doesn’t carry PD, I urge you to call or email the editor and ask that they add it to their lineup. It truly helps.

In the meantime, here’s to another ten and beyond!

-Terri, March 27, 2016