I always laugh thinking about it. There are so many variations you could use…”the bomb dot org,” “the bomb dot edu,” “the bomb dot biz” etc etc. So funny.
Well those are fantastic! I especially love the anniversary card, which I could’ve used back in April for our 25th…that *is* a lot of nights of not murdering him in his sleep! Love it.
“My eyes were bigger than my pride back then!” Been there. 🤣
Great interview, you two. Nice nice to meet you, Tina. Like CK, I, too, fascinated with your Hallmark card writer work.
My daughter’s fantastic artist. And we’ve talked about, but never followed through on the idea of a business where she drew pictures and I wrote words and we sold cards. in our brainstorming sessions, I’ve already realized how difficult humor card writing would be. So hat’s off!!
Aw, I love that you’re collaborating with your daughter! That’s so great. And you’re right, it isn’t easy! John Ratzenberger (aka Cliff from “Cheers”) once filmed us for his show “Made in America” and joined in on an assignment. He came in the next day befuddled at how hard it was. Made us all feel pretty good! A whole lot of people like to say, “oh, I could do that” when you tell them you write greeting cards. I learned it was best just to smile and nod.
Gaaagghgh, "Carol Swisper" is exactly the kind of inside joke that makes you both laugh forever! Loved this interview and especially love her work--so pithy and "blerg-worthy" 😂
I really enjoyed this interview, CK, and found myself relating to Tina all over the place. I wonder if Tina's dad was still teaching when "Carol Swisper" happened. It could have been a great addition to the absence sheet.
I love this. I also have a hilarious husband called Paul. And totally share a love of David Shrigley - has been making me laugh until I cry for 25 years!
CK! Such great bonus questions! 1. I still have short jokes come to me, and sometimes sit to write a page of them just to warm up, but I don’t know that they’re what we would call “sendable” in the biz. That was always the hardest part of writing a funny card—you have to bring it around somehow to make someone want to send it. It’s gotta land on an occasion. And that, I don’t have to do anymore. So it’s just the Wild West in my head at this point. 2. The short answer is, I went to their web site and downloaded a workbook of writing and editing exercises and mailed it in. (Although of a few of my former co-workers were hired after answering an ad in Rolling Stone!) The full story is here: https://open.substack.com/pub/thepanickedcreative/p/a-sexy-new-job?r=25tmfr&utm_medium=ios
No, but I do have tons of samples of the cards I wrote, so I like to pull one of those out, and especially if it makes no sense. I just added a zero to a “You’re 4!” card and gave it to a friend for her 40th. Maybe that counts as homemade?!
Fan girl here. Ok I officially have met a cool card writer. What else I wanted to say was I appreciate the self love in accepting the bad days of non inspiration. I’m a writer in my day job now and it’s real!!! I’ve also found my creative brain turns on inconveniently at like 3:30/4 which ironically is when I have to do stuff with kids. Maybe this is an evolutionary survival mechanism? 😂
I LOVE the bomb dot gov. Tee shirt, 100%.
I always laugh thinking about it. There are so many variations you could use…”the bomb dot org,” “the bomb dot edu,” “the bomb dot biz” etc etc. So funny.
Loved this interview! Thank you both!
Tina, I used to dream about getting a job writing greeting cards, but it seemed like such a teeny-tiny niche, and I doubted I'd ever find my way IN??
Since you dig weird/inappropriate humor, and are a greeting card master, you might enjoy this piece I created for my Substack for Valentine's Day 2023. https://stockfiction.substack.com/p/greeting-card-series
Did I miss my calling?? 🙂
Well those are fantastic! I especially love the anniversary card, which I could’ve used back in April for our 25th…that *is* a lot of nights of not murdering him in his sleep! Love it.
Ha! Thank you so much for checking out my post. My husband and I are approaching our 20th. I'll have to run the numbers again. 😉
“My eyes were bigger than my pride back then!” Been there. 🤣
Great interview, you two. Nice nice to meet you, Tina. Like CK, I, too, fascinated with your Hallmark card writer work.
My daughter’s fantastic artist. And we’ve talked about, but never followed through on the idea of a business where she drew pictures and I wrote words and we sold cards. in our brainstorming sessions, I’ve already realized how difficult humor card writing would be. So hat’s off!!
Thanks for sharing funny women , CK!!
Aw, I love that you’re collaborating with your daughter! That’s so great. And you’re right, it isn’t easy! John Ratzenberger (aka Cliff from “Cheers”) once filmed us for his show “Made in America” and joined in on an assignment. He came in the next day befuddled at how hard it was. Made us all feel pretty good! A whole lot of people like to say, “oh, I could do that” when you tell them you write greeting cards. I learned it was best just to smile and nod.
“Oh I could do that.” Nod and smile for sure. Ha! How cool to have done the show with John Ratzenberger!!
Thx for supporting funny gals, Holly. 🥰🙏
Great interview - I'm going to sign in to our next construction safety meeting as Mel Ted Snow
If it’s construction related, you have to go with Rusty Nail.
All right!
Gaaagghgh, "Carol Swisper" is exactly the kind of inside joke that makes you both laugh forever! Loved this interview and especially love her work--so pithy and "blerg-worthy" 😂
Thanks, Alisa! That’s very kind of you.
🥰
So fun. Loved this interview so much. If I’m ever feeling lonely, I’ll hop over to EBay to see if her son is still available.
I will tell him that! He texted his dad and I yesterday after reading the interview to ask if there had been any offers 😂😂
Right? I might outbid you.
Really enjoyed this interview, and I definitely subscribed! Thanks for introducing your readers to Tina!
Her Substack is wonderful. Glad you subscribed.
Hi Sue, glad to be introduced to you as well!
“I’m going to go list him on eBay.” This one got me 🤣 Great interview!
I really enjoyed this interview, CK, and found myself relating to Tina all over the place. I wonder if Tina's dad was still teaching when "Carol Swisper" happened. It could have been a great addition to the absence sheet.
Haha! Never thought of that! Excellent work.
I love this. I also have a hilarious husband called Paul. And totally share a love of David Shrigley - has been making me laugh until I cry for 25 years!
I just found him a few years ago. So great!
CK! Such great bonus questions! 1. I still have short jokes come to me, and sometimes sit to write a page of them just to warm up, but I don’t know that they’re what we would call “sendable” in the biz. That was always the hardest part of writing a funny card—you have to bring it around somehow to make someone want to send it. It’s gotta land on an occasion. And that, I don’t have to do anymore. So it’s just the Wild West in my head at this point. 2. The short answer is, I went to their web site and downloaded a workbook of writing and editing exercises and mailed it in. (Although of a few of my former co-workers were hired after answering an ad in Rolling Stone!) The full story is here: https://open.substack.com/pub/thepanickedcreative/p/a-sexy-new-job?r=25tmfr&utm_medium=ios
That’s awesome. Do you ever make homemade cards for friends and family?
No, but I do have tons of samples of the cards I wrote, so I like to pull one of those out, and especially if it makes no sense. I just added a zero to a “You’re 4!” card and gave it to a friend for her 40th. Maybe that counts as homemade?!
Fascinating interview!
My husband and I are both cackling at Chris P. Bacon. Thanks Tina's Dad!
I will pass that along to Ken, who will be delighted to know he’s still got it! But let’s not encourage him too much…
Haha, I know the type!
Good stuff! I’ve never met a real Hallmark card writer. Not that I have now - it’s virtual. Still, this is so cool!!
Hi hello Beth! Here, let’s make it more official: 🤝🤝🤝—nice to meet you!
Fan girl here. Ok I officially have met a cool card writer. What else I wanted to say was I appreciate the self love in accepting the bad days of non inspiration. I’m a writer in my day job now and it’s real!!! I’ve also found my creative brain turns on inconveniently at like 3:30/4 which ironically is when I have to do stuff with kids. Maybe this is an evolutionary survival mechanism? 😂