Writer and lIlustrator

Teri Kent gravitated towards writing and illustrating books while studying at the Columbus College of Art and Design.

An illustration professor commented on the dullness of Teri's artwork. It was technically sound but lacked creativity. Her grade suffered miserably and this young artist became very angry.

In the next project, students were asked to illustrate text from a fairy tale. Teri chose, "Jack and the Beanstalk" which ultimately became a twisted tale sure to earn a failing grade. But she enjoyed every minute of this self-distructive rewriting of a classic. Her villainous Jack seeked revenge on the soybean industry yet secretly enjoyed McDonald's hamburgers. The story was simple, complete nonsense, but entertaining... at least for Teri.... and the corresponding illustrations were completely ridiculous... but the project was due and she turned it in for the dooming grade.

Teri sensed trouble when she read the dreaded phrase, "See me in my office between 4-6 pm" on the back of her returned project.

Teri searched for the professor's door and located it too quickly. Her heart pounded as knuckles created the longing sound for home on the rickety door. She nearly bolted but the "come in" growl pulled her into the other side. The wood floors cracked as she inched her way toward the desk of the heavy-set professor who looked strange sitting down. This husky woman turned with her glasses dropping from her nose and suddenly snapped, "Take a seat."

Teri sat as the professor fumbled through paperwork on the desk. Without looking up she said, "Do you enjoy my class Miss Kent?"

"Yes."

"You realize this project should have followed the exact text of the fairy tale."

"Yes."

"You took it upon yourself to rewrite the fairy tale." She stopped and stared. The glare burned through the closing space. "Why did you rewrite the story?"

"You said my artwork was dull so I tried to-"

Teri's words were cut short as the professor asked, "Did you enjoy rewriting the story?"

"Yes?"

She dropped her papers on the desk, leaned in close, and said, "From this point on, you are to write your own stories. Your rendition of 'Jack and the Beanstalk' made me laugh. If you can make someone laugh, you got yourself a career."

Teri sat there in disbelief.

"You got your 'A.' You may go now."