#az’s listener? freelancer I think.

[vampire-biter]

I’m Srry if this is a hot take but.

I need there to be more empowered listeners and I’m tired of being unempowered…

I also need there to be another demon listener but that’s not really a hot take I think???

Freelancer (or inchoate) type listeners do NOT COUNT, there’s already like 4 of those bitches/Hj

[authorstalker]

The Author Stalker Interview with Sarah Enni

You probably already know Sarah Enni thanks to her podcast, First Draft, where she interviews all your favorite and soon-to-be favorite authors about their major influences, career journeys, and upcoming work. Now the interviewer has become the interviewee! Sarah let me ask all kinds of nosy questions in celebration of Tell Me Everything, her debut novel about art and anonymity in the age of social media.  

You host my favorite bookish podcast, First Draft, where you interview storytellers about how they make their magic happen. In honor of First Draft, I stole your standard first question: where were you born and raised? I’ll add: how did your hometown shape you as a reader and writer?

I’m so happy you enjoy the podcast! Thank you so much for listening, and for turning my own question around on me, ha! Honestly, it’s a complicated answer. I was born in Tacoma, WA, then moved to Tucson, AZ; Arlington, TX; San Jose, CA; back to Seattle, WA; then to Washington, DC; and then to Los Angeles. I’ve never lived anywhere longer than six years (though that streak is likely to end here in LA—I have no plans to move anytime soon!). 

I think moving around shaped me into a reader because, though everything around me kept changing, books were constant. As far as writing, the landscapes of Washington state (particularly the peninsula) and coastal Northern California feel absolutely magical to me, and I’ve returned to them again and again in my books. Tell Me Everything is set in Sudden Cove, California, which is a very thinly veiled, fictional version of Santa Cruz. 

The first line of your author bio can serve as inspiration to anyone toiling away at a less-than-glamorous day job: Sarah Enni has come a long way from her first writing job, a journalism gig covering the radioactive waste industry. Were you always planning to be a writer or did you consider other career paths? When did you feel ready to focus full-time on your personal/freelance creative endeavors (which include writing books, producing a podcast, and moderating publishing panels)?

I went into college knowing that writing was the one natural talent I had. But it never occurred to me to pursue creative writing, because authors felt like magical creatures who lived in clouds—that, and I have a very pragmatic streak. I majored in English and Journalism, and worked for magazines and business publications for years after college. Writing and hosting and producing the podcast are each full-time jobs in their own right, so doing the journalism day job at the same time was burning me out. I was able to quit my day job a year and a half ago, which was amazing. It’s also a privilege that I try not to take for granted.

I love learning about how writers write. Do you write in a specific place or can you write wherever? Do you created a detailed outline or go with the flow? Music while you write: yes or no? Tell me everything (I say this constantly, so the title alone would have convinced me to pick up your book). 

I feel much more creatively energized out in the world, usually at coffee shops. Thankfully there’s a great community of writers in LA, so there’s almost always someone down to meet up and write with me, too.

I outline projects, though I constantly revisit and adjust that outline as I go. For Tell Me Everything I wrote a synopsis and a chapter-by-chapter breakdown. For my newest project—which is a rewrite—I also made a chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the five main relationships in the novel, so I could see how each chapter was moving all those arcs forward.

I absolutely listen to music while I write. I actually tend to find one song that suits the tone of the project I’m writing, and I’ll listen to that single song on loop for every writing session. My Spotify stats are completely wacked out.

Tell Me Everything is your debut novel. Can you describe its path to publication—how long did it take to write and then to sell? As a first-time author, which moments have been the most thrilling? The most surprising?

Tell Me Everything has had a somewhat unique path to publication. I’ve been writing fiction for 10 years, and at this point have written seven books. I was connected to my editor at Scholastic, Amanda Maciel, by a mutual friend. Amanda had been working on a nugget of an idea for Scholastic, and she thought I might be the right fit to write the book. It was just a paragraph, but I loved the concept for Ivy’s story right away. I wrote a sample chapter and synopsis, and Amanda really enjoyed my take on her idea, so we signed a contract in May 2016. But writing a book after selling it was a wild experience, and drafting Tell Me Everything (all three times) was tough. Thanks to Amanda’s guidance, I found the right way to tell the story and I’m so thrilled with the book.

I’ve been in the publishing world through writing and hosting First Draft for a long time, but it’s thrilling to finally be able to talk about and promote my own work.

Tell Me Everything is a timely book; it focuses on activism and anonymity, artistic control and free speech, all through the lens of a social media app called VEIL, which is a hyperlocal Instagram-Snapchat combo. VEIL is an artistic app with three caveats: 1) you can only see posts by users in a five-mile radius, 2) all posts are anonymous, 3) the content disappears at the end of each week. Lots of VEIL-inspired drama ensues, much of it thanks to Ivy, the novel’s socially anxious, VEIL-obsessed protagonist, who performs a random act of kindness whenever she discovers a poster’s identity. Why is Ivy so adamant about VEIL remaining anonymous when she goes out of her way to not only identify users, but to let them know she’s identified them?

Ivy wants VEIL to remain anonymous because that’s what allows the local artists to be so brave with what they post. But at the same time, she longs to know who the artists are because she’s been personally touched by their work. The inherent contradiction of those two things isn’t immediately apparent to Ivy, who’s also working through her fear of sharing her own art publicly. That’s the crux of the novel: sharing the vulnerable parts of ourselves is scary, but it’s also the key to creating personal connection. Ivy is struggling to grasp and accept that.

There’s a divide in the book between those who think the anonymity makes VEIL problematic and those who think it encourages free expression. Ivy, who I would describe as a Real Deal Artist, absolutely loves the app, though she’s not brave enough to post her own work. She’s a background player surrounded by activists; in a line I found at once patronizing and motivational, Ivy’s best friend tells her, “At some point you have to start participating in your own life.” Was VEIL ultimately good for Ivy or was it holding her back?

Ha, you are so right—Harold says that to Ivy, and he has his own issues. Namely, thinking he knows what’s best for everyone around him. I think VEIL was ultimately good for Ivy, for a number of reasons. One: it showed Ivy that artists are everywhere, around us at all times. Two: it allowed her to make the distinction between being shy and being anonymous. Even though the site was totally anonymous, she couldn’t bring herself to post there! So Ivy had to start thinking about what was really holding her back. And three: by seeking to engage with artists she found on VEIL, Ivy went outside her comfort zone and forged some IRL connections. By the end of the book, VEIL has done its job because Ivy doesn’t truly need it anymore.

Tell Me Everything lightning round! 

Favorite Jeff Goldblum movie?

THIS IS HARD! I’m a 90s kid, so I have to say Jurassic Park. It’s such a classic.

Garden gnomes or Bigfoot?

Bigfoot, hands down!

I have to know: how did you come up with the name Rake Burmkezerg?

Rake Burmkezerg is an anagram of Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had naming a character.

Was Teenage Sarah more of a Harold or an Ivy?

In total honesty, I was an Ivy as a young teen, and grew into a Harold by the end. I was definitely pulling from personal experience in writing them both.

Last question! What advice do you have for all the aspiring writers out there?

Honestly? Patience and perseverance. Learn to revise—it’s the key to this art, and it will set you apart from 90 percent of other writers.

You can find Sarah Enni online at her website or on Twitter @SarahEnni. Her podcast is truly one of my favorites, so check out First Draft, too! Tell Me Everything comes out on February 26, 2019. 

[neighbourart]

SZAKOS DÁNIEL - grafikus/graphic designer

Egyre csak gyűlnek a teleskiccelt kockás füzetei, egy tartalmas beszélgetés tölti fel a leginkább, a telefonjához nagyon kötődik - amióta ritkábban gördeszkázik, ezen tudja levezetni a trükk-éhségét, stílusa letisztult, tipográfia- és geometria központú, saját magát egy igazi typochonderként aposztrofálja.

He has more and more of squared notebooks full of sketches, a meaningful conversation can recharge him the most, he is very bound to his cell phone, since he is rarely skateboarding he can release his “trick-stress” this way, his style is clean and typography and geometry centered, he calls himself a real typochonder.

Dani asztala/Dani’s table.

1. Milyen típusú emlékek inspirálnak jobban: a jók vagy a rosszak?/What kind of memories inspire you the most the good or the bad ones? Azt hiszem, mindkettő.

I think both.

2. Hogyan lendülsz túl az időszakos alkotói válságon?/How do you come over a temporary artistic crisis? Mivel egyidejűleg általában több projekten is dolgozom, ha valamelyikben megakadok vagy eltévedek, azonnal van egy másik feladat, amihez már van a fejemben néhány ötlet. Eközben, a másik gondolatban érlelődhet. Ha egy hosszabb „szellőztetés” után is marad a válság, akkor azt csak sok-sok tervezéssel töltött óra oldja meg.

Since I am working on several projects at a time, if I get stuck with one of them, I already have another one to turn to with ideas about it already. Meanwhile, my thoughts about the other one can develop. If the crisis remains after a longer period of rest to it, then it can only be solved by a lot of hours spent on planning.

3. Kinek mutatod meg először az új alkotásodat?/Who sees your work first? Változó, ahány projekt annyiféle feltétel, határidő és kimenetel. Van, amit csak megrendelő lát, de ha lehet, szeretem kikérni a barátok véleményét egy-egy fontosabb állomásnál. Bár azt gondolom, hogy jó kritikusa vagyok a munkáimnak, mégis hasznos a megerősítés menet közben, akár egy jó tervről van szó, akár egy elvetendő irányról.

It varies. Different kinds of projects with different kinds of condition, deadlines, and result. There are works that only the customer sees, but if I can, I like to ask for my friends`insights at specific stages of a work. However, I think I am a good critic of my own work it is good to have some encouraging in the process no matter whether it is a new project or a direction that should be rejected.

Francia kártya - Magyar Nemzeti Galéria

4. Mi a legkedvesebb gyerekkori emléked?/What is your favorite childhood memory? Szép gyerekkorom volt, sok kedves emlékkel. Mostanában gyakran eszembe jutnak, főleg az általános iskolás éveim. Akkor a matek volt a kedvencem, de a számolások mellett a kreatív firkálgatásoknak is szorítottunk helyet a négyzetrácsos füzetben. Mikor az egyetemen az első betűm tervezésébe kezdtem, bevillantak az olyan rajzórai feladatok, mint a szabványbetű rajzolás milliméter-papíron, vagy újság címbetűből ABC-tervezés. Illetve az első – saját kézírásomon alapuló - script betűmnél az, hogy ötödikben „engedélyt” kaptam az irodalom tanárnőmtől, hogy nyomtatott betűkkel írhassak.

I had a beautiful childhood full of nice memories. Recently I have been thinking a lot about my elementary school years. Back then maths was my favorite subject, but besides counting, we also made space in our square notebooks for creative sketches as well. When I started to design my first letter at the university, I had flashbacks from art classes in elementary school when we in art class we ad to draw standard letters on graph paper, or when we had to design an ABC after the title letters in newspapers. When I designed my first script letter –based on my own handwriting- I thought about when I was in fifth grade and I got ‚permission‘ from my literature teacher to write with printed letters.

5. Mit érzel, amikor egy másik művész a tiédhez hasonló munkát készít?/What do you feel when someone does something similar to your work? Nem találkoztam még ilyennel, de örülnék neki. Szerintem sokkal fontosabb az ötlet maga, mint az, hogy ki álmodta meg először. Mivel minden projekt egyedi megoldást igényel, próbálok az összes munkámban találni valami megismételhetetlent.

I’ve never seen something like that before, but I would be happy about it. I think the idea is more important than who executes it first. Since every project requires a specific solution, I try to find something unique in all of my works.

6. Mit szeretnél, hogy miről emlékezzenek majd rád?/What would you like to be remembered by? Valami olyanról, ami inspirálja őket.

About something that inspires people.

Hommage à Kurtág György

7. Gyűjtesz valamit?/Are you collecting something? Tudatosan nem, de a teleskiccelt kockás füzeteim gyűlnek…

Not consciously, but I have a lot of squared notebooks full of sketches.

8. Van-e napi rutinod?/Do you have a daily routine?  Nincs.

No.

9. Kedvenc tárgyad?/Favorite object? Valamiért nem kötődöm túlságosan tárgyakhoz, a telefonom nélkül viszont nehezen vagyok meg. No nem azért, amiért szerintem manapság sokan - amióta ritkábban gördeszkázom, ezen tudom levezetni a trükk-éhségemet. Veszélyes, mert bár nem állok a deszkán, így is könnyen eltörhetem valamimet. Ha valaki űzi még ezt a sportot rajtam kívül, az keressen!

For some reason, I am not bound to objects. Although, I can hardly imagine life without my phone. Not for the same reason like most people need their phones nowadays, but because I can release some “trick-stress” on it since I am not skateboarding anymore. It is dangerous because even though I am rarely on a skateboard I can still break something of mine easily. If there s someone out there who feels the flow of this sport as well, contact me!

10. Hogyan fogsz neki egy új munkának?/How do you get started on new projects? Rendet rakok az asztalomon, aztán ceruza és papír.

I clean my table and then a pencil and paper.

Diósgyőri vár logó - MGL Creative

11. Van egy jól körülhatárolható hangulat, amikor könnyebb számodra az alkotás?/Is there a specific mood, atmosphere which makes creating easier for you? A legjobb érzés, amikor beugrik egy ötlet, és az ember már alig várja, hogy megvalósíthassa, ekkor bármilyen környezet megfelel, de a hosszabb session-ök esetében nem bánom, ha azok az estébe nyúlnak. Kint sötét, bent csak a monitorom és a lámpám világít, fülemben szól valami zene. Sehol egy e-mail, vagy telefonhívás.

The best feeling in the world is when an idea pops into your mind and you can’t wait to realize it. In this case, any mood and atmosphere will do, but in the case of a longer session, I don't mind if they extend into evenings. It is dark outside, inside the only light is provided by my monitor and my lamp, I listen to some music. No e-mails, no phone calls.

12. Mit szeretnél kifejezni az alkotásaidon keresztül?/What would you like to express through your artwork? A „mi” a munkám során általában adott, viszont igyekszem mindig egy ötlet köré felfűzni a mondanivalót, legyen az akár egy logó, vagy egy reklámkampány. Ez lehet nyelvi, vagy grafikai poén egyaránt.

During ‘our‘ work it is pretty specific however, I try to build the meaning around an idea, regardless whether it is a logo or advertising campaign. This can be a lingual or graphical gag as well.

Typoszalon - Iniciálé sorozat

13. Milyen a stílusod?/What is your style like? Letisztult, tipográfia- és geometria központú.

Clean, typography and geometry centered.

14. Mi az, ami a leginkább feltölt?/What can recharge you the most? Egy tartalmas beszélgetés, amiben tanulok valamit. Illetve ha sikerül utolérnem magam, minden teendőmmel. :)

A meaningful conversation during which I learn something. Besides that when I can catch up with all of my tasks. :)

15. Hol leszel 10 év múlva?/Where will you be in 10 years? Szeretnék Magyarországon maradni, és itt hasznos dolgokat alkotni.

I would like to stay here in Hungary and to create useful things here.

Esküvő arculat

16. Kedvenc évszak?/Favorite season? Amíg aktívabban sportoltam, egyértelműen a nyarat preferáltam. Minél hosszabbak a nappalok, annál többet tölthettem kint mozgással. A túlságosan hideg hónapokat nem szeretem, de azoknak is megvan a jó oldaluk: télen hamarabb indulhat az éjszakai műszak. :)

When I was more active in sports I preferred summers. The longer the days, the more time I could spend outside. In general, I am not fond of cold months, but those also have their bright sides to them: In winter my night shift can begin sooner. :)

17. Van visszatérő álmod? Miről szól? Esetleg megjelenítetted már valamelyik alkotásodban?/Do you have a reoccurring dream? What is it about? Have you ever realized it in any of your works?  Nincs, de egyszer volt olyan, hogy a reggeli félálomban ugrott be egy logómegoldás, nem bánnám, ha ez visszatérne néha. :D

No, but once during a morning half dream a logo idea came to my mind. I would be more than happy if this occurrence would come back sometimes. :D

18. Ha egyetlen tanácsot kellene adni más, esetleg még kezdő tehetségeknek, mi lenne az?/If you would have to give one piece of advice to a young talent, what would that be? Ne feledjék, ha tehetségesek, nem csak a lehetőségük, de a felelősségük is több.

Do not forget: If you are talented, more responsibilities come with more opportunities.

--------------------------------------- NÉVJEGY - Szakos Dániel:

"A Metropolitan Egyetem végzős hallgatója a tervezőgrafika mesterszak betűtervező-tipográfus szakirányán. Saját magát egy igazi typochonderként aposztrofálja: képtelen elmenni egy felirat, vagy logó mellett anélkül, hogy azt ne analizálná. Az egyetem mellett szabadúszó tervezőgrafikusként dolgozik, legszívesebben logókat, arculatokat tervez."

"He is a senior master’s student in graphic design at the Metropolitan University of Budapest, he is majoring in character design- typography. He calls himself a real typochonder: he just cannot pass by a logo or label without analyzing it. Besides finishing his studies, he works as a freelancer graphic designer. He likes to design logos and corporate identity the most.”

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// DANI MUNKÁI ITT TEKINTHETŐK MEG/CHECK OUT DANI’S WORK HERE: https://www.behance.net/szakidani889b2 https://www.instagram.com/szakos_/ https://www.facebook.com/typochonder/