#like honestly i WANT to see more of people's creative processes especially for art that's supposed to be 'alternative'

[bethrnoora]

boulets: the contestants this season DONT CARE what people think of them so get ready for CONFLICT

me: girl who give a shit

[eunnieboo]

IYHM ask replies! (2/3)

🌸 @csevet asked:

hi my copy of iyhm just came in and my fiancee and i snuggled up and read the whole thing cover to cover and CRIED!!! i love when lesbians 💕💞💝💗💝💗💘💞💖💗💝

AHHHHH thank you SO much!!! OMGGGGG 🥺 live laugh lesbian..... 💞💗💖💕💖💞💕💖💗

🌸 @chrysalis-the-butterfly asked:

I read If You'll Have Me a few months ago and I loved it! Your art is so pretty and Momo and PG are such cool characters! 🥰 If you're okay with sharing, I'd be interested to hear what inspired you during the creative process? Were there any pieces of media or any other characters which influenced the formation of Momo and PG? Or did you do your own thing?

oh my gosh! thank you!! i really love character interactions and relationship dynamics, so i wanted to depict two girls who seemed like opposites - one cool and laid-back, the other soft and sweet. after a while they started to take on a life of their own, and i thought it'd be wonderful if their story could evoke the feeling of a shoujo romance!

i had a lot of things on my mind when i wrote the script... friendship, intimacy, communication... communication can be so hard! sometimes it's harder with someone you're close to because their opinion is so important to you. and what happens when you've got a character who's non-confrontational and has low self-esteem + someone who prefers actions over words, and would rather burn bridges than admit to feeling vulnerable? how would they get past that? i wanted to write their flaws as believable, and how their life experiences have shaped the way they think about themselves / the way they respond to personal conflict... but also how they learn from each other and grow ❤️ tysm for the question!!

@bisexualgoof asked:

Hi Eunnie! I just finished reading “If You’ll Have Me” and let me tell you, it was spectacular! I saw it in a local bookstore the other day and it was a no brainer to grab. The characters are so fun, the story is beautiful and heartfelt, and honestly every character is attractive… I especially fell in love with the pages of the books without words, especially 312-313, it made me cry. Such beautiful art! I related to PG’s annoyance with her long hair, I felt very seen with her comments. I’ve definitely said “I’d like to forget” so many times myself, right to my butch heart haha. Thank you for sharing this story with the world, and thank you in particularly for your acknowledgment at the end of the book, it made me feel seen. What an amazing love story, hope to see more of this adorable couple in the future!

oh my goodness!! this is so lovely and wonderful and ahhh T_T thank you so very much. it's such a dream, having these girls be out in the world with their personalities and backstories revealed at last! and i'm so happy to hear about the cast and side characters, i love designing people hehe ♥ i'll definitely keep drawing this couple, alongside more sapphic couples that are to come 😍 thank you!!

🌸 @skittles-rainbow-cat asked:

HI HI HI!!! you’ve been one of my fave artists forever and i just got done with iyhm and it’s sooooo amazing im in love with it. also i think strawberry blonde by chloe moriondo fits mono and pg very well :] i hope you’re having a good day and thank you for all your art it heals me in many ways <3333

HIIII omg!!! thank you so much! this song is so cuteeee oh my gosh this line:

Takes my hand in hers when the lights aren’t on Smaller than mine and oh god I am gone

it's so sweet ;_; thank you forever, i hope you're having a wonderful day!! <3 <3 <3

🌸 @lord-of-the-froggies asked:

Howdy Eunnie! I know you're probably swamped with work right now, but I just wanna let you know that I got my copy of your book today!! I'm gonna start reading it right away, it looks and feels amazing. From a fellow Washington artist to another--congratulations on such a huge achievement!

yay hello fellow washingtonian! and fellow artist!! thank you so much for your kind words 🥺 and i'm so glad the book got to you safely! wishing you a happy read~

🌸 Anonymous asked:

I just found your art today and after scrolling through your stuff I went and pre-ordered your book. I'm so excited!!

omggg thank you that means so much!!! ;_; <3

🌸 @ddooyoung asked:

I got my (signed!) copy of the book, and I love it SO MUCH. It's everything I was hoping and more. I love finally getting to know them, especially Momo. Since the first time I saw them, I thought Momo was a lot like me and now I have confirmation 😆 Thank you so much for writing such a wonderful story!!! I'm excited for everything you do 💗

WAHH thank you so much!! yesss i'm so overjoyed to finally share their story after so long! i hope the signature turned out okay, i was very nervous signing books for the first time (shaky hand and everything) 😱 i think next time it would be fun to make a custom stamp and stamp a doodle next to my signature hehe. thank you again!!! 💕

🌸 Anonymous asked:

I somehow missed the news about your having created a whole damn book?? was just flipping through yu & me books's holiday gift guide and did a double take when I saw priscilla and momo!! zoomed in and sure enough, there was your name at the bottom! congrats on ihym and congrats on being featured on rec lists from shops as cool as yu & me 🎉😍

omggg thank you thank you!! 🥰 AHHH yu & me books looks so amazing! i've been to new york just once but if i ever get to go back i have to visit them... i'm always looking for indie bookstores to throw my money at 😤

🌸 Anonymous asked:

1. Will there be an “if you’ll have me” sequel? 2. Is Momo her full name or a Nick name? If it’s a Nick name what is her full name? Thank you i love your work! ❤️😊

ahh there's no sequel planned as of right now! but i'd love to make one if i get the chance... i have some ideas that i think would be fun <3 and momo gardner is her full name! i liked gardner because it made me think of flowers ☺️❤️ thank you so much!!

🌸 @upsidedown-shadow-dreamer asked:

Hello, long time fan here. If You'll Have Me was delivered an hour ago and I've already finished my first read. OMG it's AMAZING. I love the story, the beautiful art, the inner thoughts, the pacing, the page color changes for back story… Just major WOW. I hope you are so proud of this work. I'm already looking forward to reading it again. Thank you!!!

this is sooooo AHHHHH T_T i'm in tears. i can't tell you how happy and thrilled i am to hear this!!! it's so encouraging and uplifting and ahh!! i want to make more stories... and just knowing that this book will be read by the same person more than once, omg! it's truly the highest of praise. thank you from the bottom of my heart <333

🌸 Anonymous asked:

Hello!! I just remembered I could borrow graphic novels as e-books from my local library, found IYHM, devoured the entire thing in one sitting, then went through your tags so I could look at all your other IYHM art, and I was wondering if you'll make more stories about Momo and PG because I can't get enough of them! Absolutely obsessed with these two and I love seeing them so happy together 💖💖💖💖

hello!! oh i'm absolutely over the moon about this! i can definitely see myself making a follow-up book if i'm so lucky 🙏 but i'll keep on drawing more minicomics and illustrations no matter what!! thank you so much for this wonderful message 💕💕💕💕

🌸 Anonymous asked:

hi!! love love love your art!!! do you think we can expect to see another graphic novel about momo and priscilla in the future?

🌸 Anonymous asked:

I’ve read IYHM so many times already and I absolutely loved it!!!! Are you planning on writing another book with Momo and PG? Is is there a way we can buy more of your stories?

thank you both so much!!!! <3 a sequel is actually one of the ideas i pitched for my second book! my editor cautioned against it in case IYHM didn't perform well, so i ended up going in a different direction - but my fingers are crossed for future opportunities 😤 realistically, it will probably depend on sales... but for the record, i'd want to do one regardless of the numbers...

i have one more book coming out, which i'm working on right now! the timeline is a bit up in the air atm but i'll try to keep everyone posted. making a book is so slow but i'm so grateful to you all for waiting 🥺💛

🌸 @randomqueernoun asked:

Do you make webcomics for other apps/websites? If yes where can I find them and what do I search in them to find your comics?

ahh not at the moment! but thank you SO much for the interest! one of my biggest goals right now is to set up a website where i have all my work in one place, and that would definitely be the place where i post future webcomics 👀

also, just as an aside... i want to make webcomics so bad. i think after my next book, i might take a break from traditional publishing to do that. sometimes i can't believe i'm drawing hundreds of pages i can't post... i'm like, how are people supposed to read this if i can't show them? how will they know?! ahh it kills me... but yes... someday!!!

part 3 to come~

[art]

Creator Spotlight: @66sharkteeth

66 is a comic artist and the creator of City of Blank, a WEBTOON original series. They worked in the game industry at companies such as 2K Games before entering the field of comics. They began their career in comics at Tapas, where they worked as an editor and lead typesetter, before being signed to create their own original series on WEBTOON.

Check out our interview with 66 below!

Have you ever had an art block? If so, how did you overcome it?

The short answer is yeah, I’ve definitely had one. Overall, I feel like doing a lot of style studies during that time and trying to use new brushes helps a lot. In addition, because I’m a comic artist, I feel like writer’s block is in the same field, and with that, I’m really fortunate that I have an editor that I can work with, who helps me a lot there. Whenever I am stuck at a plot point in my comic, I can always go to my editor, who helps me hammer things out.

What medium have you always been intrigued by but would never use yourself?

Animation. Of course, everyone loves animation. I went to school for game art and design and even did some animation courses, and I am just not cut out for it. I don’t enjoy the process, and I am not good at it. Animation is beautiful, and I admire people who can do it. I’d love for my work to be animated some day, I’m just not capable of being the one to do it haha.

Warm tones or cool tones?

It really depends on the scene! Especially in my comic, I really go with both of them, just depending on the moment in the comic. There was a major character death, and that scene was almost black and white. But normally, the comic is very vibrant, and people really like it, so when I switch it to a more cold tone, it makes the scene that much more impactful.

What is a recent creative project that you are proud of?

Honestly, my current comic, City of Blank, takes up 100% of my time. But recently, I did a plushie campaign where I worked with Makeship through Webtoon to design the plushies and do a little bit of marketing for them. So that’s fun and different from what I normally do!

When planning a comic or a story, what do you do first, character design or character outline?

Normally, I have a design, and I fall in love with the character design, and then I find a role for them. That’s how a lot of my characters have started. Also, that’s how I’ve been tackling new projects that I want to work on after City of Blank. I just came up with a character, and I’m trying to make a story around them.

What is a convention experience that has stuck with you?

Meeting readers and realizing how much my work means to some of them. Some of them have started their own comics, having been inspired by mine. Learning that I’m part of the reason they started their own comic journey, the same way I looked to other inspiring comic artists to start mine—it means the world that I’m in that position now.

Top tips on setting up an Artist Alley booth?

Let’s see…bright, sparkly colors! I think just trying to make sure that the booth is eye-catching. I ended up making a big shiny banner for New York Comic Con, and I know many people stopped by because it caught their eye and they’re curious about what it is. I know a lot of people are selling merchandise of popular media. Even just a banner of your brand to get them curious about who you are and maybe interested in seeing what you make and taking a business card so they can look you up later. It’s better than someone just buying a pin and forgetting you exist. Lastly, put out a tip jar. You never know just how generous your fans are feeling.

Who on Tumblr inspires you and why?

I’m mostly involved in the webtoon sphere! I am definitely inspired by my fellow Webtoon creators, @lark-wren, who created the series Woven. I love their work and seeing them interact with their readers on Tumblr. Same with fellow Webtoon creators, @miranda-mundt-art and @astrobleme-enterprises, who created Lovebot.

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing, 66! Be sure to check out their Tumblr blog over at @66sharkteeth and follow their webcomic, City of Blank, over at WEBTOON.

[kyoukorpse]

Do you have any tips for drawing?

OKAYY this has been sitting for a while my apolocheese... i thiiink i might have answered a similar ask before (i did in fact) with some drawing tips... so this time i think i'll give some art advice on avoiding or coping with burnout <- guy who has spent most of its 20s with burnout, art block, and building a new relationship around art while working full time

one thing for sure i had to learn was how to trick myself into looking at art as a fun hobby and not more work, and it took a long time but it worked for me. takes some mental discipline, but well worth it. art comes easier when you see it as something fun throughout the whole process, and not more work. you have to want to do it.

don't always force yourself to finish something all in one go, especially without breaks. take breaks to get up, stretch, eat, drink, take care of yourself. you'll associate art with feeling better that way too. also, not everything needs to be done in one day, especially when it's for you. i stopped finishing things in one day a long time ago and it helped me find time to draw even on days i work. i always have time for art if i don't put pressure on finishing it the same day!!

NEVER force yourself to draw if you don't want to, same goes for writing or any creative endeavor. you'll burnout faster by forcing yourself and it'll feel like a chore and you'll grow a negative connection with your art which will make it harder and take longer to heal from. its taken me Years to remind myself of this but now i can come home from an 8 hour shift and still want to sit down and draw after i get home and take care of myself first.

if you feel like you're burning out or there's a creative wall preventing you from doing anything, ride it out. it sucks and it's upsetting, but the best thing to do when you want to make something but just Can't is to let it be, and gain some perspective doing something else for a while. play some games (especially new ones), watch new shows, new movies, try a new craft. Honestly, dabbling in anything new that shows other peoples' creative processes, and doing something new to create something, does wonders for art block. you get a new perspective on things and you'll come back to your creative process with a new lens on things and new solutions as well.

i think this one's most important but oh my god. please. please. love your art. love what you make. be proud of it. i save all my art to my phone and look at it all the time, even older pieces from years ago. find what you love about your art, yeah you'll find mistakes but that's not bad either. learn from them, grow, but oh my god please love the process as much as the outcome too. love the way you sketch things, the way your lineart changes details as you go along, how much the colors make it come to life, and be proud of the end result. loving your art and the time you spend to make it makes all the difference, it's not a chore, it's a form of self expression and that's what makes it all worth it. LOVE YOUR ART.

okay that was my sentence i hope you liked it. (:

[kcokaine]

I just want to say that your Au's and art is so thought provoking and intriguing beyond "Ooh, gay porn!" Seeing someone put so much thought and consideration into their characters as well as the characterization and dynamics within such a niche rarepair is a fresh of breath air among so many others who's manga literacy is infantile. I don't know how you think of this stuff or what your creative writing/drawing process is, but it's honestly so great.

You've picked my brain in such a good way and inspired me to get back into art and analyze the manga I consume more. I hope with more time and practice I too, can put fictional characters through gay, well thought out, trauma.

Thank you for being peak :)

P.s. When you said that Sukuna was incapable of love, did you mean that he couldn't feel or give love at all in any capacity, or did you mean that he's incapable of loving in the same way and capacity that we and other characters do? The way I've always interpreted his character is that the "love" he feels is respect and interest, particularly when a person is strong or entertaining enough to either challenge him or pique his curiosity. I'm a little delusional when it comes to Sukuna so I'd love to hear a second opinion on this topic if you don't mind!

Hello thank you very much. I appreciate your positive criticism of my work ❤️ makes my day everytime i see people enjoy my stuff to such degree. Thats the motivation after all.

When it comes to sukuna’s love. Its the latter. He can’t feel love like any other human can cuz he is so far gone but i believe every human being (sukuna being a human being no mattter how people precieve him or he precieves himself) craves love and contact with people, no human can exist alone not even Sukuna. He is simply so broken he thinks he doesnt need anyone but if you notice, he seeks interaction through battling people, through battling people equal to him especially, thats where he gets the most passionate. Therefore thats his way of craving contact, craving love. His affection is possesive and animalistic, carnal love. Unhealthy obsession kind of love, that only damages the other person but Sukuna is still selfish, he only cares about himself, even if love subconsciously makes you care about the other. There sukuna is no exception either. He is subconsciously compassionate to Gojo many times, thats where i find it beautiful cause you know its the truest kind of feeling from him. Sukuna would never lie about his feelings he is always 100% honest about everything but he is still very complicated with how he expresses it, thats the toxicity in it. He is hard to read

[yellowhellion]

I just read through Sky Sea Saga in one sitting, and I'm super interested in where it might go, to say nothing of really enjoying your art. Comic or no. I'm curious, as an aspiring creative myself, I'm wondering how much of the story you're telling has been mapped out ahead of time, if at all you're doing any rewriting behind the scenes, and lastly how you started practicing comic layouts as opposed to just Drawing Characters.

Ahhh thank you!! I hope you enjoy where it's gonna go! 🙏

Sky Sea Saga is something that's been basically spinning like a rotisserie chicken in my head for a loooooong time now lmao, it's gone through several drafts and a few rewrites and more than one overhaul. Some things I've kept, others I've thrown out, and some new things have been introduced, but I've always known the general shape of the story, some important story beats I wanna hit, and how I want it to end. To be honest? The road map to get there is still pretty fuzzy! Some people might do well with a perfectly laid out and meticulously planned script for their story, but for me? In a format like webcomics where it can take YEARS for them to get where they're going? I think it's important to leave yourself some room to play around, change things if you need to, and to be a little spontaneous sometimes. I think it'd be pretty boring to follow a perfectly laid out story map I wrote years ago, especially if my tastes and sensibilities have changed since then. It'd feel more like trudging through rote work rather than letting the plan organically change and evolve with me as I go. So yeah! I do end up rewriting stuff as I need to, nothing's really set in stone until it is if you know what I mean lmao!

As for comic layouts, honestly I think the best way to practice is to just start doing them! You can see the theory by reading Scott McCloud's books Understanding Comics and Making Comics (and you should! They're really good!!), but theory without practice isn't necessarily gonna make you better at it, so just dive in and start making comics! They might suck at first (I know mine did lmao), but as a wise man once said, "sucking at something is the first step towards being sorta good at something." Honestly, I'm FAR from being an expert, I've got a LOT to learn and a LOT of room to improve, but looking back at an old scrapped draft of this comic from a few years ago, I can see just how far I've come since then, and it's exciting to think that I'll probably be thinking the same thing in a few years of the pages I'm making right now!

If you'd like a practical tip, do thumbnails! They're a super important part of the process, basically doing a really quick sketch of the whole page in miniature so you can get a quick view of how the layout looks, how clear it is to read, and what might need to change about it. Also it helps to just read a lot of comics and think about what makes them work the way they do (or maybe what makes them NOT work, which is also important to know!). Lastly, just have fun with it! Comics are fun to make, so just enjoy the process! ✌️

[chemnections]

It’s infuriating when people take anything F says and does to be shade directed at G, or somehow to be about G. WHY does everything have to be about Gerard, can’t Frank be his own person? You and the people you interact with also do this and I don’t get it bc you guys seem like Frank fans too. Surely he doesn’t have mfing gerard of all people front and center in his mind constantly, jeez 🫠. LS Dunes is thriving and Frank finally has bandmates who actually appreciate him, yet mcr fans here (on twitter too) STILL tie everything he does to mcr/gerard, and have been doing so since stomachaches era. As a Frank fan I honestly see this as devaluing his work, and I genuinely don’t get how others don’t see it as such. Frank’s existence doesn’t revolve around Gerard, and I’m sick of mcr fans pretending it does.

this is going to have to be an agree to disagree thing.

first, this is ultimately a mcr blog. even though i am a frank fan.

mcr fans have reason to pay attention to band conflict because less fighting means more mcr, and more fighting means less mcr.

second, interpersonal conflict is normal and everyone deals with it. and it’s very normal to write about it especially in music. and frank has been quoted saying that he often writes lyrics that continue or finish an ongoing conversation he’s been having.

and interpersonal conflict with gerard is also different than regular conflict with a friend. because it’s tied directly to their careers. frank never wanted to give mcr up and wants to continue with it. you can replace a drummer (three times) but you can’t replace the vocalist.

mcr at the time of the breakup was tied so closely with his personal identity and his career and it was taken away from him for reasons outside of his control. his solo projects are essential to his creative expression and for him to have a career that he has more control over. and he is a truly incredible artist and i’ve lived following his career.

but conflict like that takes a lot of processing, especially when it’s ongoing.

but for me part of enjoying his music is listening to what he writes and says. and it’s too hard to deny the call and answer of lyrical themes between frank and gerard’s first solo albums. and as frank’s work continues on many songs revolves around encouraging someone to to also continue on. Occam’s razor tells us who it is.

besides the topic, frank’s lyrics are relatable and have inspiring messages embedded. the topic of the songs doesn’t take away from that. and i’m not always thinking about mcr when i listen.

ls dunes’ care deeply about frank, but all of them have had similar experiences being in bands. and that’s a big reason why they created ls dunes to begin with, to have a project where they don’t have to feel like a cage bird in a sense.

when violet came out i was really looking for songs that weren’t about interpersonal conflict within bands, and specifically conflict that doesn’t have to do with mcr. i was actually shocked how heavy they went on it. violet is filled with repeating themes that have been in frank’s work for the past decade.

but the music is of quality that draws people in, it’s good music.

frank lives a rich life, outside of music and outside of mcr. but that doesn’t mean it always ends up in a song. and that’s probably a good thing on its own. you don’t need multiple songs to say how good things are going. many artist use art for coping. and there is no shame about that.

and i admit i hope one day he releases a project that has nothing to do with his conflict with gerard and mcr because i’m curious what it would be like and think there is a lot of creative potential there.

so no, i don’t believe i am devaluing frank’s work by noticing and talking about the patterns i see. what the songs are about is part of critical analysis.

but you are allowed to disagree, and the block button is there for a reason.

[arintheman]

A bunch of art I've done

I don't post as much of my art as I want to (for a couple reasons) but here's some of it.

I got back into Warrior Cats and joined an rp group (through aj lol). It was kind of a way to get back to my art roots as an artist since WC is a bit of what made my friend group in school and I had some art of. Admittedly I am rusty to drawing cats.

This is Twistertail! He is part of Asterclan (or was a part of, he is now a member of Surgeclan read about the clan HERE) I'll try to keep his about brief but he is roughly 36 moons (3 years) and he's a little weird personality wise. He lost is tail in a bit of an accident right after he was promoted to a warrior. He does kinda have a mate, Bleakspot, who he constantly thinks about as well as an apprentice, Fernpaw. Please send an ask if y'all want to see his whole bio.

AND OF COURSE I HAD TO MAKE A HUMAN VERSION OF TWISTERTAIL LOL. >:) His name is Scott (for now. I don't have a last name for him.) I am a bit horny for him but for good reason. He works as a mechanic and is a recreational sharp shooter. (He also has a crush on the Domino's pizza delivery boy as you'll see later.)

🚨🚨 BOYS KISSING🚨🚨

🚨🚨 BOYS KISSING🚨🚨

(I'm including the sketch version because I like it more.) That's human Bleakspot btw. Their owner is much more creative and his name is Blake Spott. I just realized I'm making this post like how I used to post art on Wattpad. I don't care honestly. If this post gets more than 5 notes I'll be surprised.

🚨🚨 MORE BOYS KISSING🚨🚨

🚨🚨MORE BOYS KISSING🚨🚨

I'm honestly very mixed about how this fully turned out but :/ posting anyways. I also think Scott has a bunch of different meme tank tops he just ordered off Redbubble. (One of the people in the rp group does go fucking ape for human Twistertail and it's lowkey funny. Salt you're great)

And of course I turned this gay boy into a meme, based off that one clip from Gravity Falls. Again, I really liked the idea for this one but I know it could be so much better. (Hollyhush btw is another cat who gave Twistertail a super hard time about his totally not apparent crush. I feel like I might revisit all of these in a couple months and just. Redo them.

I have a BUNCH of stuff in my sketchbook though. I will include it here but to avoid this post being too long its under a read more.

Hollyhush often uses Twistertail as a ride. I’ve also included Twistertail’s dad, Owltooth. Owltooth is also based off Ogata from Golden Kamuy

Meme of Twistertail and Gloomsong (I want to color it soon)

There is something that happened called the Lunar Procession where everyone had to wear a mask and this was Twistertail’s

A little bit of Twistertail being aggressive, especially against Hareskip (who is now Harestar) Big shout out to the WC manga for helping me with the poses and stuff for these

This is Magpieheart. I would have loved to bring her into Aster/Surge but I couldn't as Magpie was already taken for a very important role character, which I was fine with. I do have a bunch of cat ideas and I want to make my own clan thing but that will probably never happen.

Of course more art of Twistertail and Bleakspot. I am obsessed with them oops.

This is all of the art I've done in like the last month or two and I hope y'all don't mind me sharing all of it in one post. I didn't want to make a separate post for each one. (Unless y'all want that.) It is like 90% of just one character who has been rotating in my mind and giving me brain rot.

[goodluckclove]

Things You Might Want to Know

So I recently realized that I spend most of my time here talking and forming relationships with young creatives, and that might look weird in a vacuum. Especially since it's something I plan to continue doing along with all my other machinations.

So I thought I'd give some information about myself all in one place. It's more than I might need to give, but it might put someone at ease.

My name is Clover Gardener, and I'm in my late 20s. I am an Agender individual in an asexual marriage and I'm in the process of medically transitioning. Currently I work as an author, but I have experience in technical writing, ghostwriting, social media management, food service and administrative work. Oh and theater. I worked backstage for some community theater productions. These are all like Employment Jobs I've Had to Include On My Taxes, but I've also done more short term gig work/weird jobs that didn't work out. I dropped out of college.

At 16 my first one-act play was produced. I proceeded to form a small youth theater troupe just out of high school where I wrote, directed, and produced three full length plays at festivals and other venues. I also took a play I wrote at like 19 and got invited to a reading at the Last Frontier Theater Festival in Valdez, Alaska a year later.

In regards to writing, I completed my first novel when I was 13 after only making it through a fifth of NaNoWriMo the year before. I've completed 11-14 novels since then. I honestly can't really remember at this point. Only maybe four of them left the first draft stage. One novel, Blind Trust, is self-published online. I also have a few short stories available in online literary journals. At one point I had an arts column on a small culture website but they're harder to find now.

I have taken three writing classes at varying points in my life and didn't find them helpful other than as an opportunity to keep practicing writing and maybe get some good feedback.

In terms of interacting with young people, there was actually a six year period of my life that was primarily dedicated to youth mentorship and advocacy - specifically for queer, neurodivergent, and abused youth, a lot of whom were passionate about the arts. I was way less stable enough to do it then compared to now, but I tried my very best. Supporting young artists and queer youth has been an intense passion for mine since I was 14.

It's my ultimate dream in life to form some sort of youth empowerment program in the arts, or at least a writing program where everyone is respected regardless of age or experience. I'm kind of working towards making that happen. I just want to see how accessible I can make it as opposed to doing something just within my city.

Anywho, those are my general qualifications for talking to teens about writing and creativity. I also have a full history of trauma and disability, but this seems slightly less important to talk about here.

I will say though that if you are a person, of any age frankly, who is ever looking to compare notes or seek support or guidance on anything mentioned above, my DMs are always open. You can also email me at luckyclovegardener@gmail.com if you'd like. I like getting emails and I would love to gain new perspectives.

[neonmetro]

I know you have talked about it in segments. Usually very briefly but it obviously takes time to come up with a story, especially one as complex as Novaturient so what were some of your thoughts behind it ? Like what helped you influence your choices on settings, dynamics and all that jazz. For example the Corp heads. I know you mentioned Aishire and Dante being made before the rest but what made you want to take the paths you did with them and the system in general. What made you decide you wanted 4 separate story lines. Why not more or less of them ? ALSO are you still planning to make Novaturi a visual novel or game ? If so I want to know if you have thought about what ways you are going to go about that :)) I don't think I can add anymore questions to kind of like, lay out what I mean so answer this however you see fit.

Learning people's thought process behind why they do certain things is so intriguing don't you think

HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR DAY NEON STAY AWESOME !!!!

-Ulysses loving anon

i heart talking about my process it makes me feel special and that my art is worth talking about the process of !!! i also love learning people’s process (i’m like a sponge and absorb any info i can from any creative process (THIS IS WHY I LOVE ARTBOOKS SM !!! i want to make one, one day))

to be clear i am still planning to make novaturi’s stories into video games, but i did want to test out the game engines (like visual game maker or rpgmaker) before i definitively release anything… i might release novaturi in chapters…? maybe that’ll encourage me to work faster LOL but i do want the art to be consistent… but waves my hand wildly these are just ideas i have to explore this sort of thing

figuring out an outline is the easiest way to figure everything out for a story for me, it helps me not improvise and planning stuff out is generally good for my erratic brain. i also have multiple documents containing everything, i.e. ideas i want to include, themes of the story, vagabonds i want to have, etc. its super messy because i’m generally not a very organized person, but it helps at least remind me of the ideas i have :D

for the setting, i honestly don’t remember why i began novaturi…? and why i decided to do a magical girl dystopia specifically, but i think it was something along the lines of “it sounds like a really engaging idea, let’s roll with it.” a lot of novaturi is just narrative based, anything that can serve to add to the world/story, it’s added in. it’s also super inspired by project moon, and i just love writing about dystopias because i am so passionate about hating capitalism (while still being on the capitalist grind… i’m a socialist i’m sorry 💔). I still try to make things make sense but its also the most batshit thing ever just because its fun to write. because every novaturi character would be considered insane if they were in the real world . thank god they are not

the system in novaturi is also meant to be absolutely insane, but still reflected in idol/celebrity/internet culture because its something that i’ve observed that because of the internet, people act like insane people over the things that they like and that corporations are feeding off of that sort of thing. the whole culture around magical girls is meant to have the same energy as online fandoms, the most toxic, insane places ever because i wanted to poke fun at fandom spaces… good god get me out of here /LH

i had decided for awhile that the corpheads would be based off of the chinese zodiac but i didn’t have coherent themes for them aside from that… so that’s kinda why i had to retroactively go back multiple times for some corpheads to get proper themes that united all of them (lowkey i’m not happy with ezra’s inclusion still but it is what it is when you make a character then come up with lore for them)

my thought process is also super sporadic, i don’t type out and think, i usually think and then type my thoughts out so they’re coherent lol… so i can’t really tell you why i wanted a greek mythology district and all the corpheads to represent heroes that have experienced olympus, the ocean, and the underworld but i know i did and it was super cool. I CAN tell you why i wanted chastise to be gothic and center around the divine comedy (i really like religious themes and the divine comedy is a really big interest of mine), and the recreational district were knights from literature because its a reflection of heroism in a different way (and also i wanted to be more diverse with the mythos i explored tbh)

i’m fully aware i have very similar characters because i continuously choose to start characters out with specific archetypes (i.e. charismatic asshole, cool guy who is a loser, resting bitch face) so i just circulate them in my mind to come up with different dynamics and see how differently 2 characters who are the same archetype treat the other (e.g. ulysses has vitriol towards dante and has killed her and threatened to kill her multiple times for her abhorrence to nature, aishire has admiration for dante and recruits her to help with his fucked up experiments) i’m just really mentally ill about my own characters my apolocheese i literally think about at least the main characters once a day

4 story lines was to limit myself, because naturally i gravitate to making things large scaled while not having the ability to fully explore it, in the past i’ve come up with grand plot lines and just wasn’t able to fill in the blanks because they required so much to happen (THE URGE TO MAKE LIKE. AT LEAST 6 STORIES JUST TO EXPLORE THE CORPHEADS IS SO STRONG. ITS DIRE)

SORRY IF THIS IS ENTIRELY INCOHERENT. I HAD A LOT OF FUN ANSWERING THIS :) HAVE A GOOD DAY TOO ULY ANON!!!

[cinderflower]

25 68 74

25. What fic do you wish you got more of a response on?

Oh, easily "The One You Kill For" which remains one of my favorite fics I've written but only ever got one comment :')

Honestly a lot of my princes fics though actually. It's the main thing I genuinely and truly appreciate in the small but surprisingly active MalMiq community is people actually comment??? Like despite getting a fraction of the kudos compared to my princes fics, the community actually comments and engages with the fics regularly which has been truly encouraging and inspiring for me to keep going (in addition to the horrible, unrelenting brain rot).

I do wish Kintsugi also got more love, but that's purely me being selfish because I poured my heart into writing that fic for weeks and it's performed substantially worse compared to the 2-day rushed fic Morning Bloom :''''')

68. What, if anything, do you do for inspiration?

I avidly horde art and consume tons of books/tv shows/movies/etc. I have separate private archive blogs purely for keeping and archiving all the art for my current brain rot, especially since for niche fandoms/ships like mine the artists love to vanish along with their works, so the copy I have is all that remains of some of them.

I also try to make it a point to constantly be experiencing new things like shows, movies, video games, books (not as much for books), etc because it helps to pull me out of my own head and my own creative hole and exposes me to other works that always somehow serve to inspire me. It's why I love still collecting physical copies of things like movies and shows because I adore the behind the scenes where the directors, actors, set designers, etc all get to talk about the creative process behind what they do and why they did things in certain ways. I just love art in every medium honestly, it all serves to inspire me!

74. You’ve posted a fic anonymously. How would someone be able to guess that you’d written it?

Haha, I have posted fics anonymously, and it's anonymous (and orphaned) purely because I do not want to be associated with it. The most recent was very much a self-challenge/experiment to see if 1 - I could even write the fic based on the premise despite not having any interest in it whatsoever and even actively disliking aspects of it to see if I could write it in an unbiased way & 2 - if it would perform better than the fics I actually genuinely cared about and put effort into writing (spoiler: it did, which was depressing)

My writing style is very distinct however with how I write from certain POVs and certain descriptors I gravitate towards while writing smut so I'm sure someone could trace it back to me if they really wanted

[dallonwrites]

bestie how the fuck do you start writing again when you haven't written in years bc you're so paralyzed with Fear of Writing Badly mixed with How Do I Get Started and also WHAT do I write about HELP

I WANT to write but every part of it is. so. DAUNTING

Ohhh bestie I have BEEN there. Whenever I take breaks from writing I find myself scared that I'll have just….forgotten to write?? I think the fear of "bad writing" is amplified when you don't write for a while, however long, because you have to like hype yourself up to go back to writing and it's like what if I do all that and then I just can't do it? Returning to writing, especially after a long time, for me has taken a lot of mental work, trying to understand what will make writing fun and healthy for me. A lot of it, honestly, is easier said than done, but also it's mental work you'll keep doing after you start writing again and as you write, and for me it's easier to process my relationship with writing when I am actually writing.

A big part of that mental work for me, and something I think is so valuable, is to reconsider what "bad" writing is and give yourself permission to write it. Sometimes you will think your writing sucks, happens to all of us, but that isn't all it has to be. Like yeah, I'll think something I wrote sucks, but I still wrote it. I can revisit it and work on it and maybe I'll turn it into something I'm happy with. And even if I don't, I still wrote it, I learned from it. Writing does not need to be "good" by whatever standard we're holding it up to for it to have value. And you can delete it! Nobody has to see it! Also you can have fun writing something and still think it's not your best. I've written a lot of "bad" scenes that I had fun with because the scene was entertaining to me! I love when writing turns out how I like it, or I write a banger prose line, but equally I found it helpful to give myself permission to not worry about that all the time and just focus on my interest/enjoyment in what I'm writing, regardless of the "quality". Again, easier said than done, but something I've found easier the more I write, because you'll have bad writing days but you'll also have writing days that are so good

I know a lot of people see writing as a skill that they want to improve, and like I agree it feels really good to see your writing grow, but writing is so much more than the skill and the craft and the theory. There is no objective "perfection" to reach with writing like we are not Sims with levelled skills LOL. Writing is art and creativity and it should be fun and fulfilling. And IMO, the more you focus on what makes writing fun, you will grow and "improve" as a writer a lot quicker and in a way that is a lot more enjoyable than if you treat writing like some icy quest for perfection. You also get to decide what "good" writing is for you/your story. Some of my stories are more prose focused and I'll play more with language, imagery etc. Others are more about the plot and just having fun imagining this scene. Sometimes it's a mix of both. What is "good" writing depends on the writer, story, genre, etc. There is no one way to write.

I'm rambling a lot because I'm just really passionate about this and I cannot express enough how easier writing got, including all the difficult and ugly and frustrating parts, when I gave space to prioritise my enjoyment and fun. People love to romanticise the idea of the "struggling" writer. I see stuff on here and I'm like you guys….writing should be fun. Like yeah sometimes it's hard and we should talk about that but like, you Need to make sure you are having fun. Anyway I'm going to try not to ramble and bullet point some things that helped me:

Make Writing Fun: Lol! Literally whatever makes writing fun. Sometimes I just write super indulgent scenes and the fun of that sets me up to work on my projects. When I work on my projects I try to find what in each scene I'm going to enjoy the most, and focus on that to help me write the rest. I make playlists, moodboards, memes, art etc for my story because it's fun, and it helps me be engaged with my story outside of writing it. Just, have fun.

On productivity: some people will benefit from setting clear goals and running towards them. Some people don't. For me it depends on my headspace. I don't think productivity is a bad thing, it can feel good, but productivity should not be the only reason you write. And the most productive writing process is whichever one makes writing enjoyable for you, because that's how you'll get words on the page

On that note, please be wary of anyone online who who treats the writing advice they share as Fact. I'm not saying every writing teacher out there does...but some of them market it that way! And creators do not have an authority on writing just because they have a platform however big. There are some AMAZING content creators out there who talk about writing, and I have found them motivating, but like just let yourself be picky about who you listen to/engage with. I say this because I consumed some very Strict writing advice when I was younger and it literally contributed to my years long slump so like...I'm picky now LOL

About goals: Personally, gentle goals are what help me get back into writing. Maybe just write for 20 minutes, or write every day for a couple days. When I do word count goals, I base them on how I feel that day, and recently I don't make a word count, I'll transfer it to the next session but smaller. So if I try to write 500 words but can't I'll say okay, lets try 250 next time. Goals can be a great motivator and way to feel achieved, and maybe bigger goals will help you, but you're also allowed to adjust them as you go to make it easier

On finding new ideas, having been there before, you don't need a fully fleshed out idea to start writing. My longest break I came back to writing with...one character and a backstory? If you have stories/characters already you can revisit them, either build on what you have or completely change it. Or if you don't have that, if there's a piece of media you like you can take that concept and play around with it in your own way, or you can even just write fanfic until you have your own idea (if you want your own idea, fanfic is cool too!) You can even just find a cool pic on pinterest and play around with describing it, writing about it, seeing if you can get anything from that. Ideas are everywhere and they can be tiny, and I think if you have that want to write you Will find your story eventually. All writers have had the Idea struggle, but I think the more you engage with writing and think about what concepts and stories interest you already, the more you'll like train yourself to get ideas

That was very long and maybe a lot but like, I am very passionate about this! I've been in writing "slumps" where I didn't know if I would write again, I've started writing again with no ideas, and in those times all I had was the fact I knew I wanted to write. There are a lot of reasons why we end up having long breaks from writing and it is totally normal, sometimes beneficial for us, and we should never give ourselves a hard time for not writing for however long. But also remember that you can always come back. Every one of us has the capacity to create, whatever that looks like, and you can make it as self indulgent and self serving as you want.

[music-orthemisery]

Hi! So another Patrick podcast appearance, huh? Why those two hours long things with Patrick in them always feel like half an hour max? I guess it’s just me, ready to listen to this man talk about anything till the end of times🤷🏻‍♀️

I guess we’ve got some new insights? I mean I’m always here to get some bts stuff and also learn what else we as a society got wrong about Pete Wentz ))) Like in this one, we’ve learned, that he’s not some savage businessman, he’s just from the lawyer family and he’s taught to do things right and correct way from the start, he always cared about his bandmates and is actually really earnest about all of that. The things this man says in those interviews…

Also on the srar topic. I wanted to add, that when he started to tell that story, he was talking about how while expressing himself in the art is super important and actually essential to the creative process, to check in with your ego sometimes is as crucial. He was undoubtedly hurt and disappointed, that it wasn’t him, that put the right music to Pete’s words, but at the same time he acknowledged, that it is necessary to recognize this moments and allow other people to have their input. And of course he immediately chased it down with the story, of how everything felt right again, when in the midst of all the angst he pulled out some lyrics Pete gave him a while ago, and managed to use it in a new song. He was so delighted when he told it! He even told it the second time by the end of the podcast… it’s just gold. Oh, and the advice that Sia gave him? He asked for it, he received it, and immediately admitted that he couldn’t do it himself… yeah, he can’t just receive Pete’s words, write a song a let it go, can’t he?

There’s an essay now in your inbox, I’m so sorry! I just have so many thoughts! I hope you have some too, and be willing to share with the class )) I always love you long posts, they’re very insightful ☺️

Have a nice day 😊

hi, anon! i always welcome essays in my inbox, so thanks for this!

i finally made it through the entire podcast yesterday, and i fully agree that i could listen to that man talk forever. i love how candid he has been lately, and did find it quite illuminating in terms of his perceptions and experiences in the industry.

i was especially struck by how he talked about the writing process post-hiatus. i fully see your take on him seeing ego as something to wrangle, and he definitely does acknowledge this and obviously grew a lot from it.

i couldn't help but focus on how fucking impactful it was to his sense of self as an artist, though. his statements about writing for others and minimizing how much of "himself" he put in there was...honestly, it was super validating.

don't get me wrong, i LOVE fob in all their eras - truly. i am in no way a fan who thinks "their pre-h stuff is better" etc. etc. etc. however, i'll gladly be candid that i think having SMFS as a comparison does show just how much...different FOB's music feels when patrick is pouring more of himself into the songwriting and has the right people in his corner.

it's obvious that he values input from people he trusts and cares about (primarily his band), so he doesn't want to be tyrannical about it (he learned that lesson long ago), but the level of control their Island team insisted on was obviously not nurturing for him as an artist.

this also brings up the observation i've had regarding him in general this past...hm, 6 months to a year or so? how much more open and carefree he has been? first in stage presence and appearance and now with how he talks. i'm genuinely amazed by this loose, talkative, CURSING, vulnerable patrick we've been treated to lately. he seemed so wrapped up and reserved in a lot of ways the past decade or so, and it feels like we are finally getting to see the real him.

his oh-golly-gee buttoned up image always felt a little off, and i'm not sure why he's chosen to do away with it, but it's a difference you can FEEL in so many ways, and i'm honestly thrilled to see what it continues to take him.

[bubbleduckart]

Hi guys! I haven't been as active as much recently with my art as i wanted to this year (This may be a bit of a read sdfnsd), and I honestly think after the theme park season came to an end I just hit a massive burn out and stopped creating entirely. I was always brainstorming ideas for costumes i wanted to make and ideas for merchandise to sell because I really did want to start my own small business back in 2024 (i still semi do) that i think eventually i just gave myself too many ideas and goals to achieve and i just stopped entirely because it burned me out badly. - Going into 2025 though i want to make sure i set achievable goals and to not set myself too much work on top of the work I need to already complete, or leave things last minute and frantically try to finish them. I need to know that i don't need to impress anyone or prove something and especially impress the biggest critic of all, me. I'm not an expert, I can't jump into something and expect it to be flawless every time but my brain runs like that and I need to change that thought process and not expect to master something instantly or try to make something absolutely perfect because in the long run it'll make me dislike art and I love making art so much. I'm so happy to have a small following of people who do come and enjoy my art, I honestly appreciate you guys SO much! I'm a very VERY shy person at first (until you get to know me lmao) so i find it hard to reach out to others at first or even communicate well but I've met and seen so many wonderful artists in the theme park community and outside and i love seeing everyone get creative with ideas etc. Now! It's best i wrap this up and so... - Here is my end of 2024 art pile. It's not very big but it's more than I drew last year and I can definitely see some improvement. Here's hoping this year I can extend on the amount of art I do until then. Happy new year!

[xielexalt]

2024 Retrospective, in detail

(aka the yapping version???)

Oh man. There's a lot I could say about this year.

As I said in the month-by-month art (music) retrospective, this is a transitional year and I've felt that heavily throughout, with things happening in IRL, school, and the creative world that show that this is a year where I'm turning the page, or starting the next entry, and most importantly -- learning where I stand in the world, while looking back upon my entire past.

This is the year I decided to put more effort into ZETHIEL's existence, he's honestly given me so much happiness. Commissioning artists and singing as him, building his lore, being thankful that other people love him and are excited to see him -- it makes me so, so happy. Although 2024 is definitely the year of ZETHIEL in a way, I'll probably have to dial him back in Q1 2025 just so I can focus on my other project that's in the works. (More on this later.) With Seraphic Alchemy especially, I think he's in a good spot where I can step away for a bit and he can still be something I'm satisfied with.

I've reevaluated a lot where I stand as a music producer, and I feel like I'm just kind of in a weird limbo in regards to that too. I'm a little under a year away from graduating my music production program, but as for my work opportunities, it's a bit strange. I'm proud I can do VGM & BGM work for others, but in terms of my personal tastes and creations, I'm just not entirely certain since I haven't created much in the way of original vocal songs this year either. I hope next year I can continue working on things so I can find the answer to what it means for me to be a music producer.

About my self-identity. To put it plainly, I have some form of DID/OSDD, although I don't talk about it in detail, it does strongly influence some of the narratives or emotions behind my work. This year has been vital for uncovering certain truths about my past and my soul, and coming more to terms with myself. These revelations definitely drive me forwards as a musician and creative. Honestly, the way I interpret and process the different sides of myself is almost a form of art in and of itself; like a sort of writing and worldbuilding that helps me process my memories and traumas. The sort of "beautiful" artistic approach I bring to understanding the facets of myself, is also the way I wish to express myself in the art I publish in the outer-facing world. Even now, I'm on the precipice of yet another a vital realization, I'm always trying to look inwards and outwards to figure out how I'm supposed to grow, and how I can put together the puzzle pieces of my disharmonic memory. It's been a rough challenge over the past four years especially to process certain things, but I'm finally glad that after all this time I feel like we're closer to the truth, and we're at a place that feels much better than the years preceding. This is why 2024 feels "transitional."

I don't want to sacrifice or hide any part of my self-identity when it comes to the public works I create. I may dress it up in metaphor, but I don't want to be inauthentic and self-sanitizing. I don't want to live in fear that the real things I experience are to be hidden away from my "professional" canvas. After all, to fully convey the self is something I think is a goal in art, and is the very essence of art itself.

It's easy to get lost in creation, and get frustrated with it, or feel like you're at a standstill with yourself. Imposter syndrome or art block, you name it -- these things bring severe doubt. But you have to remember the "soul" -- one should care for their soul, their body, that sort of thing. It's not easy, by any means. It can take years to truly understand what that means for you -- what it means to nurture and take care of your soul, and how it connects to you being an artist. Maybe this is what you call "purpose," too. More and more this year, I realize the importance of connecting to one's soul, and then in turn connecting that soul to art. This makes an outlook on art that brings more authenticity, and little regret. At least, that's how it is for me.

I regretted a lot of things when I first started creating. I felt like I was inauthentic too. But there are these things: taking therapy, reflecting upon my own self, finding healing and catharsis through fictional outlets, taking certain humanities classes that enlighten me on vital things about human nature and history... All of these have helped me grow and in turn prepare to be an artist I can be confident in.

I'm still prone to breakdowns and episodes, unfortunately is the nature of my disorders and the way I was raised. Even now I'm writing while trying to recover from a terrible mental health emergency, that happened over a week ago. I'm unsure when I'll fully recover, but I'm really looking forward to getting the ball rolling on that one personal project -- the one I said I'm gonna focus on in Q1 2025.

I've already done quite a bit of work on it this year behind-the-scenes, though I'm really going to have to shift gears and lock into focus for this now that ZETHIEL channel is less of a priority. I've brought together many artists and I hope they can showcase their work soon as promotional material once I finish my main promotional piece.

In the coming year, 2025 will still be in the transitional phase of my life. I'm expecting more new beginnings as I set sail into adulthood more and more, since I'm set to graduate college soon. After that, there's the question of moving out, relationships, careers, all that kinds of stuff. I think I'll figure it out as I move along.

Since I have quite a few mental disabilities, it is difficult for me to work every day, and I rest more often than not. But I still find myself dedicated to my music work and find fulfillment in being able to do things I have pride in.

This coming year will definitely be all new territory that I'm afraid to face, but I know I'll make it out one way or another. And I hope I can continue creating something that is beautiful and inspiring to others, to give them hope in this world that lacks it.

[this-acuteneurosis]

How do you manage to stay motivated on one project for so long? I understand you must have your ups and downs but I can't help but admire your consistency with this fic. Do you have any advice to give to someone struggling to stick with something?

Honestly, I have multiple roommates who read my fic and would kill me if I stopped posting new chapters.

I'm only sort of joking.

I actually have several stories that I'm working on at any point in time, but I'm trying to only post one or two of them at a time so that I don't overwhelm myself with the sense of obligation to different readers. If I'm completely stuck on any given day, I do let myself work on other projects for a bit.

But the most important thing for keeping me on track for a long work, especially Don't Look Back, has been treating the creative process as a collaboration, not a solo project.

I'm lucky enough to have some of these people live in my home, so if I'm ever stuck or disinterested I can wander into another room and start whining about not knowing what to do next, or being confused by characters getting away from me. When I get comments that make me want to scream or run away and never post again, I can rant to them until I feel better. When I'm low on inspiration or desire to write, I can tell them about my favorite parts that haven't happened yet, and all the special plot points that I'm excited to torment people with and they will giggle with me and egg me on.

There's the practical aspect of me figuring out how often I can post and not burnout (weekly works well for me on this project, but I've had more aggressive and less aggressive posting schedules), and having an outline so when I'm getting lost I can get back on track. There's the fun of a lot of the comments that people leave, excited to see what happens next and making guesses. That's pretty motivating.

But beyond that, having a community of people who I can be uncool and unsure with really helps. Having people I can spitball ideas at, who can correct me in real time, who can make suggestions and keep me on track is really critical.

Art is so collaborative. If you don't have people physically close to you who can hype your writing, even through the worst bits of it, I would suggest trying to find people online who can do it. People who can be consistently there, and like what you see as your weirdest or most niche ideas. I have several, but even having just one can make a huge difference.