Sometimes you start with the drawing and then the gag comes to you in the middle of it. That is when you start working on the solution of the gag which is composition placing equilibrium and character design.
I inherited that calm from my father who was a farmer. You sow you wait for good or bad weather you harvest but working is something you always need to do.
It’s usually a big kind of vent of frustration or anger or sadness that puts me in the right frame of mind to write. It’s such a cliche to say that artists write when they’re down but it’s true for me. It’s a relief to get out what’s eating away at my heart or my soul or my head.
I know that my grandfather is 92 years old. And he has seen this country evolve in amazing ways. He looks at South Carolina and he says wow what an amazing state that we have the blessing to live within because of the evolution.
In a state therefore of great equality and virtue where pure and simple manners prevailed the increase of the human species would evidently be much greater than any increase that has been hitherto known.
I think a lot of writers male and female write as if their parents were killed in a car accident when they were 2 and they have no one to hold accountable. And unfortunately I don’t have that. I have parents who I care about what they think.
My dad’s one of my biggest heroes. I also think Paul Newman’s an inspiration. I know a lot of people say that but I love that he’s a great role model and a humanitarian. I admire people who don’t necessarily want to change the world but try to make it a better environment.
There are two types of courage involved with what I did. When it comes to picking up a rifle millions of people are capable of doing that as we see in Iraq or Vietnam. But when it comes to risking their careers or risking being invited to lunch by the establishment it turns out that’s remarkably rare.
I do not believe the picture that some people paint of Scottish towns dependent on welfare. Every time I come here I meet people who are determined to get into work. Who with the right help are desperate to get off benefits support their family and set an example for their children.
I have a responsibility to nurture and shepherd my talent and when I’m living the parts of my life not related to that I feel I have the right to be left alone.