Sorry for the “radio silence” lately, but there have been a few things going on in the world outside the OpenDoor that have been stealing my time and attention.  None of which I’ll get into here, because it’s all boring and it doesn’t really matter (in this context).

Regardless, I’m checking in once again and reporting that, honestly, I have nothing much to report.  Most of my activities here have been limited to updating plug-ins and deleting spam.  So much spam.

So much…

BUT!  While I’m a bit disappointed, I’m not dissuaded or discouraged, and I continue to press on.

Which is kind of the point of this post.

One of the most frequent comments I hear and see in reference to OpenDoor Comics is some variation of, “I wish I could draw.”

Honestly, I wish that, too, both in regards to my own meager talents and to the self-reported meager/entirely lacking talents of the people who say that.  Because if I could draw (or, rather, draw better and more consistently than I do), I would happily devote myself to my childhood dream of being a professional comic artist, and if you – the “you” making the wish – could draw, you might be posting comics here and helping me pursue my adulthood dream of being a professional comic publisher.

But, as they say, if wishes were horses…

“Horseshit,” I say, in response to your wish.

So you can’t draw?  So what?  Why is that stopping you?

One of the tenets of OpenDoor Comics is that nothing should be a barrier to expression.  Not prejudice, not technology, and not even talent.

I think it’s increasingly clear that I have no idea how to design, build, operate, and market an open and inclusive publishing platform for comics, and yet I’m doing it anyway.  Am I doing it well?  Oh, hell no.  I mean, clearly.  But I’m still trying.*

And most days you can find me putting pen to (digital) paper and taking yet another shot at honing what talent I have in the hopes of someday achieving that childhood dream even as I pursue – about as successfully – my adulthood dream.

You can’t draw?  Oh well; do it anyway.

Test the waters and submit a Napkin.  Or just jump in and create a site and post anything you can.  I mean, why not?  Maybe you’ll get better with practice.  Maybe you won’t.  It’s still worth a shot.

On the other hand, if you’re absolutely convinced that you can’t even produce a convincing stick figure, keep in mind that there are a lot of other ways you can help OpenDoor Comics fulfill its mission, and help a (former) little boy achieve his grown-up dream.  Sign up to be a Collaborator, and find someone who can help bring your ideas to life.  Maybe you have a talent for creating tools or templates that could be sold in the Supply Closet.  Have app and/or web development skills?  Maybe you can contribute to that part of the success of OpenDoor Comics. **

The point is, I’m willing to bet you can do something other than just wishing that you could draw.  I know that some of you may think it smacks of false modesty, but I honestly do know that feeling and share that wish.

But I’m doing something other than wishing.  Why not join me?

*Yes, Yoda.  I know.

**Seriously, if you have those skills, let’s talk.