#154 Charles Schulz Charlie Brown

In this comprehensive discussion, the host delves into the life and legacy of Charles M. Schulz, the revered cartoonist behind Peanuts. Schulz's dedication to his craft is highlighted by his personal handling of every aspect of the 17,897 comic strips produced over nearly 50 years. The central theme revolves around the universal human experiences reflected in Charlie Brown's character—our societal roles, identity struggles, neuroses, and the quest for destiny control. Schulz's autobiography, "My Life with Charlie Brown," is explored, offering insights into his creativity, inspirations, work ethic, and advice on cartooning. The host emphasizes Schulz's consistent work, love for his craft, and the impact of his comics on readers, underscoring the importance of finding work you love and improving others' lives through it. The discussion also touches on Schulz's personal insecurities, his advice on reading and self-improvement, and the significance of individual creative effort in achieving long-term success.

• Charles Schultz is recognized as America's favorite and most respected cartoonist of the 20th century.
• His comic strip, "Peanuts," was widely syndicated, appearing in over 2000 newspapers.
• Schultz was responsible for creating every aspect of the 17,897 comic strips published during his career.
• "Peanuts" characters like Charlie Brown and Snoopy became cultural icons, featured on various merchandise.
• Schultz's work touched on universal themes such as self-identity, societal relationships, anxiety, and the pursuit of destiny.
• Charlie Brown is a relatable character, embodying resilience and the humanization of impersonal forces.

Charles Schultz was 20th century America's favorite and most highly respected cartoonist.

This quote underscores Schultz's prominent status as a cartoonist and his widespread acclaim in the 20th century.

• Schultz personally wrote, penciled, inked, and lettered every comic strip, demonstrating his extraordinary work ethic.
• His dedication to his craft is likened to a "north star," serving as an example to find and pursue work you love.
• Schultz's approach to work emphasizes making a positive impact on the lives of others through one's passion.

Schultz wrote, penciled, inked and lettered by hand, every single one of the daily and Sunday strips to leave his studio, 17,897 in all for an almost 50 year run.

This quote highlights Schultz's incredible commitment to his work, illustrating the vast number of strips he produced single-handedly over nearly five decades.

• The book is a collection of Schultz's essays, functioning as an autobiography.
• It offers insights into Schultz's early life, creative process, and the development of his career.
• The reader learns about Schultz's views on a variety of topics, including creativity, inspiration, daily routines, and work in animation.

Schultz's major writings have been gathered in this volume.

This quote introduces the comprehensive nature of Schultz's autobiography, which compiles his significant writings and thoughts.

• Schultz advises mastering at least one task well and maintaining integrity in one's profession.
• He emphasizes the importance of not losing sight of the basics, regardless of success or external validation.
• Schultz believed in focusing on doing what he loved—drawing cartoons—and letting everything else fall into place.

If there were but one bit of advice I could give to a young person, it would be to learn to do at least one task well.

This quote represents Schultz's belief in the value of specializing and excelling in a specific skill as a foundation for success.

• Schultz's comic strip experienced slow and steady growth, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and not quitting.
• The growth trajectory of "Peanuts" from 7 to 2000 newspapers illustrates the power of consistent effort over time.

In 1950 starts out in seven newspapers. Two years later, he's in 40 newspapers.

This quote provides a snapshot of the early growth of "Peanuts," exemplifying Schultz's gradual success in expanding his comic strip's reach.

• Schultz shares his personal experiences and the influence of his childhood on his work.
• He discusses his early influences, like Walt Disney, and the impact of his parents on his life and characters.
• Schultz reveals that his own insecurities and the death of his mother profoundly affected him and his work.

I have been asked many times if I ever dreamed that peanuts would have become as successful as it is.

This quote reflects Schultz's confidence in his vision for "Peanuts," despite his personal insecurities and challenges.

• Schultz decided to pursue cartooning early in life, opting for art school over college.
• He faced financial struggles and personal loss during his formative years, including the death of his mother.
• His determination to follow his passion for drawing led him to success, despite the hardships he encountered.

During my senior year in high school, my mother showed me an ad that read, do you like to draw? Send in for our free talent test.

This quote marks the beginning of Schultz's formal journey into cartooning, which was catalyzed by an advertisement for an art correspondence school.

• Charles Schultz pursued his cartoonist career during his free time while working at an art instruction school.
• Schultz consistently worked on his cartoons and submitted them to various syndicates.
• He highlights the importance of always having work "in the mail" to maintain a steady effort towards success.
• Schultz's dedication and consistent submissions were key to breaking into the industry and securing a syndicate deal for "Peanuts."

"I tried never to let a week go by without having something in the mail working for me."

This quote emphasizes Schultz's commitment to continuously work on and submit his cartoons, ensuring a constant presence in the eyes of potential publishers.

• Schultz sold cartoons to the Saturday Evening Post, which were one-off pieces rather than recurring strips.
• These early successes were crucial in developing his ability to generate ideas and present them effectively.
• Schultz attributes his success to the invigorating atmosphere at the correspondent school where he worked, surrounded by aspiring creators.

"These were strongly formative years, and my ability to think of ideas and to present them properly was improving steadily."

Schultz reflects on the importance of his early career, which was a period of growth and improvement in his craft.

• Collaboration with fellow instructors and friends at the art school played a significant role in Schultz's development.
• Frank Wing, a fellow instructor, encouraged Schultz to focus on drawing children, which led to the creation of "Little Folks" and eventually "Peanuts."
• The characters in "Peanuts" were named after his friends and colleagues from this period.

"Sparky, I think you should draw more of those little kids. They are pretty good."

Frank Wing's advice to Schultz to concentrate on drawing children was a pivotal moment that steered the direction of his career.

• Schultz made regular trips to Chicago to sell comic features and faced rejection from a newspaper president despite positive feedback from the comic editor.
• He learned to overcome shyness and feelings of inferiority, which helped him in his professional interactions.
• Despite setbacks, Schultz continued to submit his work, leading to a significant opportunity with United Feature Syndicate.

"One day opened up a letter from one syndicate that turned me down, and the next day opened up one from a director who said he liked my work very much."

This quote illustrates the ups and downs of Schultz's journey, showcasing the resilience needed to persist through rejection.

• After a failed deal with another syndicate, Schultz sent a batch of cartoons to United Feature Syndicate.
• Following a period of uncertainty, he received a positive response from Jim Freeman, their editorial director.
• A miscommunication led to Schultz missing the meeting, but the syndicate decided to offer him a deal regardless.

"I received a nice letter from Jim Freeman, their editorial director, who said they were very interested in my work and would I care to come to New York and talk about it."

This quote captures the turning point in Schultz's career, where his persistence finally paid off with interest from a major syndicate.

• Schultz reflects on his work ethic and the oddity of working hard to get ahead only to take time off.
• He emphasizes that one's life work should not be about avoiding the work but rather embracing it.
• Schultz's ideas often came from solitude and consistent work, rather than external influences or memories.

"You don't work all of your life to do something, so you don't have to do it."

This quote encapsulates Schultz's philosophy that the purpose of work is not to escape it but to engage with it passionately and consistently.

• Even in his 70s, Schultz was questioned about his involvement in drawing "Peanuts," which he found astounding.
• He clarified that the strip would end with him, as per his contract.
• Schultz viewed "Peanuts" as a message of perseverance, embodied by Charlie Brown's character.
• He believed in sticking to the basics and focusing on generating new ideas daily.
• Schultz maintained that one should improve over time in their profession, countering the notion that his work had deteriorated.

"I just think about how I'm going to get two or three more good ideas, and I draw from day to day."

This quote shows Schultz's dedication to his craft and his focus on continuous improvement and idea generation, rather than dwelling on external opinions.

• Charles Schultz expresses a fear of becoming boring, especially as people get older.
• He suggests that staying interesting involves maintaining an interest in others and forgetting oneself.
• Schultz recommends asking others about their personal histories to keep conversations lively and engaging.
• He believes that this approach not only prevents one from becoming boring but also fosters deeper connections and ideas.

"I also have a great fear of becoming boring. There are a lot of boring people around you, and I talk about this double entendre. Avoid boring people. I think it's just great advice."

This quote highlights Schultz's concern about the prevalence of dullness and his advice to actively avoid it by being genuinely interested in others.

• Schultz reflects on the nature of cartoon ideas, aiming for depth beyond superficial situations.
• He acknowledges the limitations of the comic strip medium, especially when dealing with heavy topics like death.
• Despite the constraints, Schultz believes that with effort, it's possible to explore complex themes within the medium.

"Anybody can think of shallow cartoon situations, but I'm always trying to pursue something a little bit deeper."

Schultz emphasizes his aspiration to create more profound content within the simplicity of comic strips.

• Schultz discusses his commitment to reading and self-education, which he pursued despite not having a college education.
• He sees continuous learning as a way to overcome insecurities and stay open to the world.
• Schultz rejects the notion that a college degree automatically makes someone smarter.

"I read a lot. I don't read simply for research or to get ideas. I read because I enjoy it."

This quote underlines Schultz's passion for reading, not just as a tool for work, but as a personal enjoyment and method of self-improvement.

• Schultz shares his personal insecurities and feelings of being out of place, even at the height of his success.
• He identifies with the character Charlie Brown and admits to his own anxious nature.
• Schultz finds comfort in connecting with others who share his interests and in recognizing that insecurity is a common human experience.

"I'm always insecure. I think I'll always be an anxious person."

Schultz candidly discusses his ongoing struggles with insecurity, suggesting it is a part of his personality.

• Despite his financial success, Schultz admits to a lack of knowledge in business and finance.
• He emphasizes the importance of pursuing one's passion, as it can lead to success and fulfillment.
• Schultz's career in cartooning serves as an example of how focusing on one's interests can resonate with a large audience.

"All I know is cartooning, golf, hockey, books and reading and a few more things like that."

The quote reveals Schultz's focus on his passions, which contributed to his success despite his lack of business acumen.

• Schultz contemplates the mystery of life and finds solace in his work as a cartoonist.
• He compares his dedication to cartooning to a religious experience, providing him with a sense of purpose and survival.
• Schultz values the routine and familiarity of his work environment.

"Drawing a comic strip for me became a lot like a religion because it helps me survive from day to day."

This quote illustrates how Schultz's work in cartooning serves as a stabilizing force in his life.

• Schultz answers questions about reading, emphasizing its role in his career and personal growth.
• He encourages reading as a means to gain knowledge, experience, and enjoyment.
• Schultz shares his favorite book and the impact it had on his understanding of newspaper history.

"Read, read. The more you read, the easier reading will become."

Schultz advocates for reading as a fundamental activity for personal and professional development.

• Schultz advises aspiring cartoonists to start working on their craft without aiming for immediate success.
• He emphasizes the importance of practice, patience, and focusing on the present work rather than the end goal.
• Schultz shares his creative process and the evolution of characters and ideas over time.

"One of the hardest things for a beginner to do is merely get started on his first set of comic strips."

This quote addresses the challenge of beginning a creative endeavor and the necessity of dedication to one's work.

• Schultz discusses his approach to creativity, preferring a simple work environment and routine.
• He takes pride in his work and chooses not to use assistants or others' ideas.
• Schultz believes in the essence of cartooning—drawing funny pictures—and the importance of reaching and communicating with people.

"I feel more comfortable in a small, plain room than I do in a fancy studio."

Schultz expresses his preference for a modest and consistent workspace, which he finds conducive to his creativity.

• Charles Schultz pursued his passion for drawing comics, which positively impacted readers' lives.
• He found joy in making others' lives better through his work, even if the impact was small.
• Schultz believed his success stemmed from his competitive nature and love for his craft.

"I'm going to pursue something I love, and at the same time, I get to make other people's lives better, even if it's in a small, very tiny way." "I succeed because I'm competitive and I love what I do."

The quotes emphasize Schultz's motivation behind his work, highlighting the blend of personal passion and the desire to positively influence others.

• Schultz's approach to work was simple and consistent; he referred to it as drawing "funny pictures" rather than work.
• He felt secure and in control in his studio, which he preferred over traveling due to agoraphobia.
• Schultz maintained pride in his work and contributions to the advancement of cartooning.

"I still enjoy going to work each day, though friends who know me well can testify to the fact that I never actually use the term work." "When I sit behind the drawing board, I feel that I am in command."

These quotes reflect Schultz's enjoyment of his daily routine and his reluctance to label his passion as "work," as well as the comfort and control he experienced while creating his art.

• Schultz faced criticism for the commercialization of Peanuts but defended his approach by emphasizing the integrity of the comic strip.
• He expressed pride in having personally drawn every strip and generated every idea without letting merchandise affect the quality of his work.
• Schultz's independence and focus on the joy his work brought to others were central to his philosophy.

"We have covered the world with licensed productions... although for reasons that I cannot accept." "It has always been a mystery to me how we can be accused of over commercializing something that is basically a commercial product."

These quotes illustrate Schultz's stance on commercialization and his commitment to the quality of his work despite external criticism.

• Schultz believed in the power of a single creative mind to produce successful work.
• He valued individual effort over complicated team endeavors found in other entertainment industries.
• Schultz's focus on the individual aligns with the podcast's emphasis on the importance of founders and individual contributions.

"Beyond this lies one of the great truths of artistic endeavor, the value of a single creative mind turning out a piece of work." "Invariably, there is one creative mind responsible for each successful comic strip."

The quotes highlight Schultz's belief in the significance of individual creativity and its role in the success of artistic projects.

• Schultz discussed the importance of aligning one's work with personal qualifications and interests.
• He emphasized the need for dedication and adaptability to sustain a career over time.
• Schultz's quote from SJ Perlman underscored his belief in the value of all forms of art, regardless of scale.

"To have staying power, you must be willing to accommodate yourself to the task." "I don't believe in the importance of scale. To me, the muralist is no more valid than the miniature painter."

These quotes convey Schultz's perspective on the necessity of dedication to one's craft and his appreciation for the inherent value of different artistic expressions.

• Schultz stressed the importance of sticking to the basics and maintaining passion for one's work.
• He warned about the dangers of corporate indifference and the need to be cautious in business relationships.
• Schultz advocated for gratitude in being able to do what one loves and for pleasing oneself rather than others.

"Never forget what it's all about. Stick to the basics." "Cartoonists have nothing to complain about... and they send us money."

The quotes underscore the importance Schultz placed on remembering the core purpose of one's work, the need to be wary in business, and the value of personal satisfaction over external validation.

• Schultz acknowledged the difficulty of maintaining quality in one's work amidst life's challenges and pressures.
• He shared personal experiences of overcoming emotional difficulties to continue creating humor.
• Schultz believed that maturity and the ability to set aside anger were crucial to carrying on with daily work.

"Every profession and every type of work has its difficulties... It takes a good deal of maturity to be able to set all this anger aside and carry on with your daily work."

This quote reflects Schultz's recognition of the challenges that come with a demanding profession and the mental resilience required to persevere.