LET'S TALK ABOUT CARTOONS!

Actually, let's not... it seems as though I get at least two e-mails a day showing me some web site or another where people are screaming at each other about cartoons. I mean, I love cartoons too, but... sheesh...
The second most common - yet absolutely topmost baffling - e-mail I get is from folks who want to ask me "How do I get my own cartoon idea picked up?"
Now, please don't get me wrong... I'm flattered that folks would think to ask me this, and I'm grateful to all who grace my humble little blog with their presence (truly, honestly)... but the fact remains: I don't have a show of my own... so how would I know? Most of my career has been spent working on OTHER peoples' shows (and bless their hearts for letting me).
I've had two of my ideas "optioned" before (that is, a studio buys the POSSIBILITY of making the show) but the chasm betwixt getting something optioned and getting it on the air is vast and fraught with many trials.
A lot of times, it's that last little PUSH at the end of the journey that is the most difficult, and I've yet to make it past that point. Fortunately, the process of developing a show is, on a creative level anyway, pretty fun... so while it can be daunting and exhausting, it gives you an excuse to write and draw stuff that you wouldn't have otherwise.
The scant bit of "wisdom" I can pass on with regard to pitching shows is:
1) If you won't be able to say "Well, I had fun trying" when your idea gets passed on, then don't do it.
2) Even if you win the "option-lottery", don't go around telling everyone you've got your own show until it's well into its third season.
3) Have more than one idea. If you can't come up with more than one idea, how do you expect to make several seasons of a TV show?
4) Don't fall into the trap of self-pity if your pitch gets rejected. Your only "enemy" is the same enemy that everyone involved with pop-culture must face: the fickle mood of the general public. You think Bobby McFerrin doesn't wish his music was still popular? You think his lack of chart-topping hits over the past couple of decades is due to his age or a corporate plot to keep his style of music off the radio? No... the public dictated that it was finished with him, and that was that. So when your idea gets rejected, it's not because anybody's out to "get" you, it's because the studio doesn't think it will hit. End of story. Chin up, move on and try again.
Finally, but most importantly...
5) Enjoy life. If the alpha and omega of your happiness hinges on your ability to get a cartoon, you're missing out on a lot of great stuff in life. Now go outside and look at some stars (or trees or whatever) until you get things back into perspective.