How Sketching Helped My First TV Appearance

Tapping into a tool we all can use

I had the chance to appear on the Jason Show this week, a local talk show that’s filmed live.

Drawing really is a gift for so many reasons—for connection, for self-expression, for enjoyment, for processing emotions.

I hear from so many people who think they can’t draw, but I promise you, you can. The real obstacle isn’t usually skill—it’s judgment. Anyone can make art. It might not look like what you imagined, and that’s okay. But if you can quiet that self-criticism, who knows what you might discover?

Maybe it will make you laugh. Calm you down. Help you connect with someone else.

Let me know in the comments:

What techniques do you use to calm yourself down in stressful situations? I’d love to hear your strategies in the comments below!

My Sketch in the Green Room

Here’s the drawing I mentioned above, the one that helped me calm my nerves before appearing on TV:

My TV Debut

The host despised The Great Gatsby from back in high school—not sure if I fully convinced him though! Watch it here:

Also, you can get my graphic novel adaptation of The Great Gatsby at your local indie. Or it’s only $9.99 on that site owned by Jeff Bezos:

Spreading Joy Bingo

Last week, I wrote about creating Joy Bingo boards and it’s been such fun seeing the ones that people have created as well as what brings them joy!

Here’s one that Amaris Ketcham, of the awesome Autobiographix Substack, made as a group activity with patients, nurses, and family at the Cancer Center. It’s heart-warming to see how many people are doing them as an activity with others!

If you make a Joy Bingo of your own, I’d love to see it! There’s a fun chat conversation going on in Substack or tag me in your post.

Leif Love

I’ve missed running with Leif since I’m healing up from a minor sprained ankle. I hope to be back on the trails with him in a week or two!

Take care and keep creating!

-Katharine

P.S. A reminder that my graphic novel adaptation of Tuck Everlasting is available for pre-order! Pre-orders make a big difference in a book’s success, so if you’re planning to get a copy, I’d be so grateful if you ordered it soon.