December 2009 – Page 3 – Andertoons Cartoon Blog

Coupons – New Feature at Andertoons.com

December 28, 2009 andertoons

We here at Andertoons.com are pleased to announce an exciting new feature that, especially in this economy, we know you’re going to love — coupons!

Throughout the year we will be offering special deals and discounts to customers in the form of coupon codes you can enter during checkout.

Where Can I Find Coupon Codes?

Coupon codes will be offered via:

…but not necessarily on all of them at the same time.

For example, newsletter subscribers may receive a special offer not advertised on Twitter, Facebook or the blog. So make sure you follow me all over the web just to be safe.

How It Works

Once you have a coupon code, you just enter it during checkout. It’s very much like any other online shopping you’ve done. Here’s a step-by-step example:

The coupon is entered on your shopping cart page.

Here’s a closeup of where you enter the code.

Enter the code and press “apply” to see your discount applied.

Then just follow the checkout process as normal. Easy!

We hope you enjoy the new feature and the special savings. And don’t forget to be on the lookout for those codes!

5 Common Cartoon Writing Mistakes to Avoid Like the Plague

December 28, 2009September 7, 2011 andertoons

Cartoon Writing Mistakes Writing is probably at least 75% of a cartoon. Good art attracts readers initially, but good writing is why readers come back.

Avoid these five common cartoon writing pitfalls and not only will your readers stick around, but you might even earn a rare “why didn’t I think of that?!” from a fellow cartoonist:

1) Funny names.

Example: “Mr Snuffenheimer will see you now.” Silly names slow the read and dilute the cartoon. Don’t use them.

2) Waiting for your muse.

Cartoonists that make a living from their cartoons write often and write purposefully. It’s a skill you can learn, but only if you stop waiting for inspiration.

3) Puns.

This is an Achilles’ heel for all of us. And, yes, occasionally they’re OK and might even sell, but they’re easy cartoons and you know it. Don’t be that easy cartoon guy.

4) Explaining captions.

Example: Businessman to chicken across desk – “I see here by your resume that you’d be a perfect fit here at Fowlco. Especially the part about you being a chicken since we make chicken nuggets here for restaurants where people consume them. So you’d be food which is why, ironically, you’re such a good fit here.”

If you have to explain the joke in the joke it needs to be rewritten.

5) Repurposing other cartoonists’ captions.

I remember reading a book about cartooning when I was starting out that suggested borrowing other cartoonists’ captions and reworking them slightly to make them your own. Maybe change the setting from an office to a school. Or change the gag’s point of view from patient to doctor.

Listen, we all dip our pens in the same gag well, so occasionally you’re going to come up with a cartoon that’s been done by someone else. But do not ever do it on purpose.

Keep the above tips in mind the next time you’re sitting down to write cartoons and you’ll be much happier with your gags. (And so will your readers!)