"They" say you have to be funny and artistic to be a cartoonist. I beg to differ.

I am not a very good artist, but am told I am funny. I have written humor stories that have been published. Since the founding of Londons Times Cartoons, I've published over 8500 original cartoons. Before launching the project in 1997, I contacted the biggest names in the industry and several of them were generous enough to show me the ropes. Their names are Leigh Rubin (Rubes), Dave Coverly (Speed Bump) and Jon McPherson (Close To Home)

I won't bore you with too many of the details of my beginnings. Let's just say it was not a piece of cake.

I also can't tell you how many times I nearly "threw in the towel". A day did not go by that I was not certain I could never do this again. In 2001, I suffered a major heart attack, and was for certain I would never create again. Oddly enough, the opposite happened. I was more productive than ever after that event.

No neon light went on that said, "You've made it. Artists will start seeking you out now. They simply did. It was a process. It was slow. But it happened.

Being funny is enough. Find someone else to draw if you can't and split the profits.

Do you have to be funny? Well it couldn't hurt. But the word "funny" is subjective. I get emails and letters daily asking from everything to autographs to permission to print in periodicals, training manuals, newspapers, magazines, etc.

From my main cartoon site I have given birth to a superstore, Londons Times Superstore with over 70.000 gifts in 23 different categories, even my own private label coffees, Ruth Londons Exquisite Coffees that come in gift boxes with cartoon mugs and coasters (none other like it anywhere). I also launched my own offbeat cartoon designer clothes (again a first) with Rick Londonwear. And I'm planning other stores as well. There is always something new to learn.

Planning, studying, researching, and finally doing, That is really all there is to it. When you hit obstacles and challenges, and you will, don't be afraid to act even if it means making mistakes. Because if you learn from those mistakes, you will do it right, or at least better next time.

The tell yourself you know you are going to come across rejection. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. I cannot begin to tell you how many rejection letters don my walls. I remember the first one that was from an angry New York literary agent. I wanted to do a series of cartoon books and queried agents (before I was even a little-bit well known). I received one letter back; it was the one I sent her and she merely wrote at the bottom "What do I need with another failed cartoonist?". I braced myself for the emotional blow and kept going, knowing that Margaret Mitchell had over 40 rejection letters for Gone With The Wind. Isaac Asimov had his share. So did many others. So why not me? I had fun putting myself in the league with literary giants who were used to rejection. Suddenly I felt a bond with them.

I highly suggest buying a domain name and use it to brand yourself. You can point it to your server where your cartoons are parked, do a bit of promotion, and you are in business!

Be prepared to succeed. It may just happen when you aren't even aware. Suddenly I was getting calls, and emails to donate to private celebrity auctions, and autographs and requests from magazine publishers and such. I thought I was still receiving 100 visitors on a good day. I discovered I was receiving about 4000 per hour or 4.5 million per year, and still am

I can't imagine trying a project like this, unless it was local, if there was no Internet. The Internet and all its new tools and information almost prevent you from failing, if you will learn but just a fraction of them.

The English language is gold to a cartoonist. If you know what to do with words and phrases, you've jumped the highest hoop. If you don't, you can learn. Info is all over the Internet.

Once upon a time only the Rockefellers, Perots, Rothchilds and others had access to very important business tools. As you can see, that is no longer the case.

It is the First Amendment in full action, no doubt. Express yourself. Be creative. Make a hobby or business out of it. You will see what great therapy it truly is. Good luck