Lila's Blog Has Moved

I created a new website for "The Meaning of Lila" on Tumbler. I'm concerned that new readers are not able to follow Lila, so the new website keeps things simple by being divided into four categories: Cast, Plot Updates, and Readers' Questions. This website will be removed shortly.

Update: Lila's Engaged

Lila  and Annie went to Barcelona, Spain to visit the Gaudi Institute for Gifted Children. Trace, Annie's teacher at the Andy Warhol School, recommended that Annie apply. Trace is hopelessly in love with Lila, who just got engaged to Dr. Matthew Klein, despite Lila being bribed by his mother to stay away from her son. Meanwhile, back at Metromart, there's a new girl in town. Her name is Lorraine and she's captured the attention of Mr, Payne, the head of the Customer Service Department who used to favor Lila and let her get away with her not-so-impressive work ethic. Lila insists she's not threatened by Lorraine, but is started to realize she may have to actually work for a living.

Meet Kathy Dow

Kathy is one of my closet friends in Cleveland and has been a big part of Lila, the character. Kathy is a screenwriter from LA and we wrote a screenplay for "The Meaning of Lila" that got very far with a Hollywood producer, but then wasn't picked up in the end. Kathy is pretty like Lila, and extremely talented and very funny. I often wonder how she would react to situations when I'm writing dialog for Lila. I've always said that Lila and Boyd have a lot of me in them, but there's also a whole lotta Kathy in Lila.

Annie and Andy: A Perfect Match

Lila and Annie are touring the Andy Warhol School this week and a reader asked if there is really such a place. I don't think there is, but I did recently visit the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, which inspired me to invent the school for the strip. I appreciated how Andy struggled for acceptance in his youth and ended up being one of the most popular Manhattanites as an adult, not to mention an extremely influential artist. He was definitely an innovator, a free spirit, and a successful businessman--three things I wish were part of my childhood education. Hence the Andy Warhol School for Annie!

The Real Frankie

Frankie Mayfield, Lila's white Burmese cat, was actually named after my not-so-exotic cat. My cat was a stray with four homeless brothers named after the Brat Pack. I got Frank Sinatra. Unlike the pedigree of a Burmese, there's nothing fine about Frankie's breeding. He carries extra weight and walks around as if a cigar is hanging out of his mouth. If he talked, I think he'd sound like Paul Sorvino. Despite being a stray, he doesn't seem grateful for the home I've provided and has an odd sense of entitlement. My friends are convinced he invites unsavory neighborhood cats over for a pokerfest the minute I leave the house. I'm not exactly sure why people love cats so much. They definitely don't return the love the way dogs do. I don't know...perhaps it's a different kind of love. He does sleep with me, but I'm sure it's only to keep warm.

The Inspiration for Boyd

This is me (left) with one of my very best friends, Joe Bahhur, at a cool new restaurant in downtown Cleveland called Chinato. I met Joe at American Greetings almost ten years ago when I first moved to Cleveland and we've been the closest of friends ever since. He has an incredible heart and a great sense of humor and he often gives me great lines for Boyd. In fact, sometimes I think Joe is more Boyd than I am!