As I consider the way getting rejected by the Clarion Workshop in 1974 helped me break into comics and getting accepted by the Clarion Workshop in 1979 helped me break out of comics, I remember the writing schedule suggested by Harlan Ellison which proved impossible for me, the terrible comics-related advice I got from Damon Knight, Thomas M. Disch’s tips for building better characters, the questions Robin Scott Wilson wanted us to ask when critiquing short stories, the night Joker co-creator Jerry Robinson predicted I’d someday work in comics, the Barbie artist who painted me with tattoos and drew my portrait, the Robert Graves poem which explains why I had to quit writing comics, and much more.

You can eavesdrop on my memories via the embed below or download at the site of your choice.

Here are some images which will enrich your listening experience —

Stan Lee at Carnegie Hall poster

Scott at Nathan’s Con

Jerry Robinson sketches

Barb Rausch’s portrait

My post-Clarion Workshop cast