I am trying to decide if I want to move Women Worth Knowing onto its own blog. It seems like that is the right thing to do. The Outside Lane is about me and my world, and while WWK is definitely part of that, it is also something bigger. It definitely gets more page views! It seems to deserve its own space.
Actually, I already have the blog in place, I’m just deciding how to make the transition.
Of course I will always post the WWK profiles here, but the main link would be to the WWK project’s own place.
I love comic strips. I started reading comic books when I was about eight, spending my first summer away from home at my grandparents’ house. I had Archie comics, and Spider-Man, and Superman. I kept up with the X-Men comics through junior high, and then started reading Elf Quest in high school. No, I never would have told you this back then. But I also wouldn’t have told you about my crush on Mr. Spock.
The funnies in the newspaper were always mine. I would grab the paper and divest it of section C before my parents could, and spend the morning finding out what Opus, Calvin, and Ophelia were doing. In college, I subscribed to the paper solely to get the comics, and when they came out, I would stock up on my favorite artists’ books.
As a grown-up, who gets her news via the internet, I miss dirtying my hands on the funny pages, but I have found a wealth of entertainment in webcomics. I have three favorites, and I admit to feeling a little stressed when I miss an update: Sinfest, Multiplex, and Girls With Slingshots.
Danielle Corsetto is the artist behind Hazel and Jamie, the girls with slingshots, who are my two favorite characters on the web right now. Along with enjoying the art and the wit of Danielle’s comic, I truly appreciate the storytelling and the rounded-outness of the characters. Girls With Slingshots reads more like a sitcom than a comic, and it’s one of the only strips that doesn’t bore me with side-stories about the B and C list cast–I look forward to every character’s appearance.
From Girls with Slingshots
Another thing I enjoy is that while Danielle writes about all sorts of adult issues, she writes about them like we live them. Sexuality is never an anvil. Health is never a city bus. Paying the Bills is never a piano falling out of the sky. Things just are. She writes about life as we know it, and does it with a very real fondness for her characters and her audience. Danielle is that rare kind of wit, who is very, very funny without being mean-spirited. She brings out the best in her characters, even when they are at their worst.
All that led me to believe she would be an awesome Women Worth Knowing. I contacted her a couple of weeks ago, and was very excited when she responded with a yes. Then, I got her Q&A back, and now I want to be her best friend, but I have promised myself that I won’t stalk her. See, her answer to how she wanted to be remembered made me want to cheer. I love her attitude! I have great taste, people. I have excellent taste.
If you aren’t already reading Girls With Slingshots, get cracking. And you can follow Danielle on Twitter (like I do–the one with the great taste.) But before you go catching up on the adventures of Hazel, Jamie, McPedro, and the Ghost Cat of Doom, you should read the Q&A.
Meet Danielle.
Name: Danielle Corsetto
Age Range: Turning 30 in two weeks, woo!
Preferred Job Title: Cartoonist
Industry: Lazy-Ass Webcomics
Who are you?
I can’t decide if that’s supposed to be a deep question or not, so I’ll give you the official “I am Danielle Corsetto of Girls With Slingshots” for now.
How much of Danielle ends up in the characters you create?
A LOT! It’s far from being autobiographical, but my personal agendas and musings are shamelessly featured in the strip. Hazel’s basic personality (aside from her occasional dabbling in homophobia) is often similar to mine when I’m sober and alone: grumpy, contrary, and introverted. But when I’m around others (and often when I drink), my inner Jamie pops out: tickled, friendly, flirty, and goofy. Even the other characters sometimes adopt my voice (which makes me a hypocrite, as I often advise young writers not to turn all of their characters into sounding boards for themselves).
You seem to have a real fondness for your GWS characters. If you had to have one for a roommate, which one would it be and why?
Oooh, that’s tough! Like I said, I’m a bit of a bore to be around when I’m alone, and I tend to be very antisocial when I’m at home (especially after talking to fans and fellow creators for several days at conventions), so I’m not much fun as a roommate! That said, I think Jamie would be the most understanding of my drab at-home lifestyle, seeing as she understands Hazel’s so well.
What do you enjoy most about conventions?
Meeting the fans, and hanging out with fellow cartoonists! Oooo, also hotel rooms. I love staying in hotels, particularly alone. I know I’m turning thirty in just a few weeks, but staying in a hotel room alone makes me feel like a grown-up.
Describe your family:
Wonderful. I didn’t get along with my parents when I was younger, and I never thought I’d be the type of person who boasted about their parents, but I am now. And anyone who’s heard me talk about my brother knows that I hit the Sibling Lotto; he’s like my twin, except two years younger and, uh, not identical.
My dad and my brother and I have very a similar sense of humor. I only noticed it recently, but our family dinners are driven by constant joke construction between the three of us. My mom’s funny in a way that the rest of us aren’t, and when she throws in a comment, it often floors us. There’s a lot of laughter in my family.
What does the first hour of your day look like?
My alarm goes off, I hit snooze for about half an hour, and then spend another half-hour in bed with my two cats, Smudge and Ellie, as I look over my e-mails and Twitter feed on my iPhone. Then I move downstairs to the kitchen, start up a pot of tea, and find something to read or write while I bask in the afternoon sunlight (the term “morning” is subjective in this house).
I used to rush my mornings, but I feel that your day is shaped by what happens when you first wake up, so I’ve resolved to spend at least two hours slowly waking up and enjoying myself. I don’t start moving until my tea is finished.
The last hour?
Rushed and crazy! Ha! My daily schedule is sort of flipped from most people’s; I spend my mornings relaxing, and then work until I fall asleep. My last hour (on work days) is spent moving my inked strip from the drawing board to the computer, scanning, coloring in Photoshop, uploading to the website, answering a few last tweets, and falling into bed by 3 am.
There’s really no such thing as a non-work day for me (I generally work every day), but on nights when I don’t have to update, you’ll find me closing all the bars in town with local friends.
What makes you feel successful?
Seeing a lineup at my table when I go to conventions. It’s heartwarming and extremely humbling! Also, I suppose, being able to afford gifts for my family at Christmas. That’s something I was never able to do before.
What brings you joy?
Sunny weather and a pot of tea, and a cat in my lap. I’m pretty easy to please.
What women do you admire?
Hmm… I’m sure I’ll come up with many more after I’ve sent this to you, but I’ve been inspired by Juliette Gordon Low (founder of the Girl Scouts) and Zora Neale Hurston (early African-American author).
What do you like best about your closest friend?
She’s just as gross and bizarre as I am. (I have a tiny collection of very close friends, but this one in particular is like a sister to me.)
What do you like best about yourself?
I’m constantly trying to improve myself.
What advice would you give boys about girls?
If you’re desperate, she’ll smell it on you. Don’t seek to make one woman the sole source of happiness in your life; it’s a very stressful burden to place on her. Find happiness elsewhere, THEN search the singles ads.
How do you overcome adversity?
I could be dead, or I could have been given a shitty childhood. I’m not, and I wasn’t. Anything bad that happens to me could always be worse. I laugh things off, most of the time.
How do you want to be remembered?
As the girl who shared everything about herself. I don’t like taboos and I don’t like secrets, and I especially don’t like pretending that I contribute to social norms. The greatest gift I can give to people, I feel, is the confidence to accept themselves as they are.
You know that really cute, popular girl, who defies all teenaged logic by being an amazing person? Oh, she’s got some salt in her, but she’s a completely decent human being, who also just happens to be beautiful, and talented, and smart, and funny. You know that girl? That girl grows up to be Kerri.
Shazza, Sherri, Kerri, Kimmie, Lane and Simon Le Fauxn.As I met so many great women, I met Kerri on the “Big Brown Ugly Ass Couch” forum, at what was formerly John Taylor’s website. It was a couple of years of posting back and forth–and the ladies of the BBUAC posted on that forum like most people IM, so the conversation was flying all the time–before Suzanne threw a party for the Dallas locals. I met Kerri there in person, and she was even better than she was on paper.
Like I said, cute, popular girl, who is a completely decent human being, and a wonderful person. Wherever she is, there is a crowd. And whenever there is a crowd, Kerri is a standout. You can’t help but want to know her. She’s shiny!
Kerri is good to her friends and family. She is generous with her life, if you know what I mean. She opens her home without reservation, and once she’s taken you into her heart, you can guarantee she’ll help if you need it. She inspires loyalty in return. You just want to be around her!
She is quite modest, given the abundance of talent she possesses. She is an artist and musician, she’s a great cook. She is a wife and mother, with four great kids, who are all clearly well-loved. And even with so little time for herself, she still pulls off Stylish and Fierce.
I am very grateful to know this talented, creative, smart, funny, beautiful woman, and get to be among the crowd of fans orbiting her. Hers is one gravitational pull you won’t mind drawing you in.
Meet Kerri.
I don't know why, but this is one of my all-time favorite pictures of Kerri. It's just very "her".Name: Kerri Bittenbender Bordelon
Age range: 42
Preferred Job Title: College student currently (in addition to a myriad of other possible titles, including mother, nurturer and menial paper pusher. Oh, let’s not forget Goddess ;). )
Industry: previously dentistry; eventually Counseling/Health Advocate
Who are you?
I’m constantly expanding in regards to that question! I’m someone who believes we never stop growing, mentally and emotionally. I’m always seeking ways to learn and be inspired. I’m a mother of 4 children, a wife, a good friend. I’m someone who is constantly questioning and looking for answers, someone who seeks to make this world a better place. I’m someone who wants to travel more, live more, laugh even more than I already do. And I laugh an awful lot. Loudly. I’m a lover of music, art, people. I adore my friends. I love throwing pottery, taking photos, making music.
You’ve gone back to college after a number of years. How is it different from your first campus experience?
Going back to school is something I’ve been striving for at least 20 years. This time I’m really doing it! It’s been a terrific experience; although it was a little daunting at first. I thought I’d be the old lady on the campus, but come to find out that wasn’t quite true. There’s quite a few of us! Texas Woman’s University has been an incredible experience for me.
Everyone there is united in their purpose and the spirit on that campus is almost tangible. It’s exciting and I see light at the end of this tunnel finally. Another part of my finishing this degree that is so important to me is to show my children exactly how a college education can change their lives for the better. I think they see their mom having to study so much and it makes an impression on them..I see them working even harder in their schoolwork, just to keep up with me!
What do you want to be when you grow up?
After I finish this degree, I hope to be in a hospital environment as a counselor/health advocate. I’ve always had an interest in medical studies and at this point in my life, the thought of helping others find the resources necessary for their loved ones is very appealing to me. I’m a helper by nature and this fits me. With our society aging, this type of counseling will be necessary in many areas. That’s if I don’t get the gig as a back-up singer for Duran Duran or something.
What does the first hour of your day look like?
I typically get up at least an hour before everyone else. It gets pretty busy around here once everyone is up and about, so I value a little me time. The first thing I do is get my coffee ready (a necessity!) and the second thing I do is turn on some music (also a necessity!). The television is almost never turned on if I can help it.
The last hour of my day?
The last hour of my day typically looks the same as the first, minus the coffee!
What women do you admire?
I’m fortunate to have some amazing women friends. Women who are out there working hard to achieve their goals, while being amazing mothers, partners, friends. I admire women who overcome whatever obstacle may be in their way. I have three daughters and I want them to recognize that they are strong, brilliant and can do anything their hearts desire. I hope they will see me as someone they admire.
What do you like best about yourself?
Open-minded. Always ready for what’s next. Laughter.
How do you want to be remembered?
Hopefully I’ll be remembered as someone who loved well, accomplished a few things, made someone happy. That works for me.
The Outside Lane 