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greycappedjester · 3 years

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Since I log the fanfictions I read, I’m realizing that June 19th marks the first day I read one of your fics! I read All in the Cards and was blown away by the storyline. Then, I continued to read your HQ series, the other cards fics, and your Dr.STONE fic too. I want to read your DC fics as well. I don’t know much background on it though, so I’m working on it. I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your writing and how it has honestly made this past year a lot better. With all that being said though, what’s your favorite thing/theme to write in each of your individual series? Like world building, relationships, etc.? Also, what inspired you to write in the first place?

Ahhh, thank you so much! This is honestly such a sweet ask and I am so, so glad that I could make your year better.

For what's my favorite thing/theme to write in each series, that's a tough one as a lot of times in changes; but, after thinking about it, I think these are my favorite things overall for each....

(I also thought I'd do something fun and put what my favorite line to write was in the last few chapters for the ongoing works. I always wonder what lines are people's favorite so figured it would be fun to add mine)

Hq at Hogwarts: I really love writing Oikawa and Hinata's relationship. Which is kinda an odd thing to say since they purposefully only have a few conversations spread out through each story. But, they're my two favorite Hq characters to write hands down and so I absolutely love showing them as foils to each other in the series. That said, I also love writing them (and especially Oikawa and Suga) as foils/parallels to the Giant and Hisashi (Suga's grandfather). I love both foil relationships and writing parallels between generations--especially if the next generation is completely unaware/uninformed of the previous generation's mistakes

Favorite Recent Line to Write: Kenma met his eyes and his voice broke: “Why am I the only one you have to hide?”

*Note: Okay, technically not the most recent chapter but fun fact: I wrote the Kuroo/Kenma conversation waaaay in advance and used it a lot as a reference to where I wanted this relationship to be headed and I viewed this line as one of the biggest break points (along with "I am waiting" from the dance)

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Cards: This one is the most tricky for me to think of one since it changes a lot. I love doing the world building for this one (like the huge long time line I have for the history of the country). I love writing fantasy politics. As I consider a Hearts Civil War story more, I'm getting back into the groove of just really love writing Oikawa's complicated relationship with being King. And, of course, I love writing Tsuksihima and Hinata's relationship

Favorite Recent Line to Write: Oikawa swept across the office, never seeming to pause for even a second as he pointed a quill at Iwaizumi. “So, tell me, are invasions just like a semi-annual thing?”

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The Hq/Scooby-Doo AU (Investigations Inc.): the humor and banter

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Walking With My Eyes Open: I think this might be my favorite romance thing I've ever written. I really, really wanted to show a view of romance that emphasized the choice to be in love (and the work that goes into a functioning relationship). I especially wanted to do this with Hanahaki since this trope is so tied to the forfeit of choice on the patient's end and the inherent unfairness/weight on the person they're in love with. Couldn't imagine it with any other characters but Senkuu and Gen tbh.

Favorite Recent Line to Write: But, human shoulders weren’t meant to bear the expectations of divinity.

*Note: Lol, this scene got cut and reworded so many dang times in editing, the one thing that stayed consistently I feel like is me really wanting to keep this specific line

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After the Fall of Olympus: Three things and I find it really hard to pick which one is my favorite.

(1) I love that this story format lets me show the slow growth/aging of Dick as a character and (I hope) that each chapter shows how he's grown to the point that Dick at age 14 in Ch. 1 is noticeably younger in internal monologue than Dick in his 20s in the latest chapter.

(2) I love writing tricky political/social issues where all characters have their points and there truly is no write answer...with that, I love writing Dick and Jay Garrick's relationship.

(3) If I had to pick, I don't know if it's my favorite but I think it's the most important element of the story. I very much wanted to show a more realistic view of grief where it feels like the world ended; but, it's not actually an apocalypse. They recover. At the start of the story, it is without a doubt the lowest/most devastating point, but they rebuild. It's slow and there's set backs but they are rebuilding a world that isn't (and shouldn't be) the same but is there and is new and is important. I know a lot of stories that focus on grief view it as a tragedy and an end which it is in a huge way. There's the phrase "it gets better" but a lot of times I think it's viewed as "things will go back to what they used to be" which is understandably hard for people to believe because a lot of times, it fundamentally is impossible for what's lost to be regained. That doesn't mean it's the end of everything. I think sometimes we forget that the previous world (be it actual in this story or what feels like the entire world) may not exist anymore but something different can still be built. The new world and old should never be compared because they can't be. It won't be the same. But, it can be good and they can be happy.

Which is honestly the recovery of what Dick Grayson, to me, should represent rather than the constant grief/vengeance of Batman.

Favorite Recent Line to Write (technically the last line here, just doesn't make sense out of context)

“You need someone with you. I’m not just leaving you alone!” Selina shouts.

“No? Why not?” Dick spits back. “You’re so good at it !”

Selina flinches back and Dick is viciously, painfully glad.

“You don’t get to care just when it’s convenient, Selina,” he says and it hurts, a wound that’s never going to heal. “I needed someone eight years ago. I needed someone when Bruce died, when Batman was gone, and the city was falling apart, and you weren’t there. You didn’t call. You didn’t check on me. You didn’t even say bye. And that’s fine. I lived, I rebuilt it.”

He steps away. “But, you don’t get to come back now and pretend it never happened. I don’t have to let you just because it hurts either way.”

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Flash Facts of Bart Allen: Lol, what might be my least popular but in my opinion best written story. Favorite thing is Bart and Len's relationship hands down, followed by showing Bart's relationship with how he navigates the weight of the Flash legacy while feeling like he's fundamentally different than the Flashes that came before.

Partly since this is getting so long and partly because personal story, I'm putting why I started writing under the break.

I started writing for a lot of reasons.

My first fic--and the first book I ever finished--was the first Hq at Hogwarts story (Mirror of Erised). For background, I started the story when I was in my first year of getting my master's degree (which was surprisingly a lot less busy than my undergrad for a number of reasons but me getting sidetracked into that is a whole other ask about grad school).

My first reason I started writing was that I had more time. I'd had the idea for the story for years; but, I finally had enough details that I was like "okay, now, I gotta write it" so I did. I'll say exactly what the final straw was when I actually get the series finished since it's a major spoiler.

My second reason probably didn't consciously occur to me at the time but is what I consider the most important reason I write and continue to write. I fundamentally want to write stories that make people's days better. It doesn't have to be anything big; I just really wanted to write the kind of story that people could get lost in for a few hours when they're scrolling through AO3 and looking for a distraction. I wanted to write something with happy endings.

Here's the more personal part. I really don't mean this in a sad way so please don't take it as such. However, when I started writing and posting, my dad had just died completely unexpectedly a few months earlier and right before I had to move cross country for masters. It was definitely a hard time (though I had friends and a good support network, again please don't worry--it was years ago now). But, writing then definitely helped me be in a positive happy attitude while thinking of plots and friendships in my favorite anime that always puts be in a better mood.

My point here is that while that was never the reason that I wrote, it's something I reflect on a lot for why fanfic can be such a positive force. Someone can have either the worst day ever, a mildly inconvenient day, or a perfectly fine day and still want distraction. To have a community with both writers and readers interested in the things you're interested in. To have a site where fic can be easily shared and for free. There's something just wonderful about that.

So, most of all, why I write: I want to show people that care about each other. I want to make someone's day better and often that day is mine.

That's really all there is to it.

#atfo #hq at hogwarts #cards #wwmeo

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thotyssey · 6 years

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On Point With: DJ Ted Bishop Nieves

The newly-anointed Mr. Fire Island Bear 2018 is actually a veteran nightlifer and DJ in this city, breaking through during the days of ball houses and big clubs. He shares a bit of his history with Thotyssey, and hints at some amazing stuff to come.

Thotyssey: Ted, hello! Happy Pride! And of course, a big congrats on winning Mr. Fire Island Bear at Cherry’s on the Bay this past weekend!

DJ Ted Bishop Nieves: Thank you so much, Jim.

How good did that win feel? It really felt amazing to win. I'll be honest, I'm still in a bit of shock. It was really quite a surprise for me to be entering the contest, and it blew my mind when I won. It was an amazing rush of joy that I really can't describe.

Have you done contests before this one?

My first "contest" was actually just a few weeks ago during the Urban Bear street festival run by Robert Valin and his Urban Bear team. They had their first ever Mr. Urban Bear Contest, and I had enough liquor in me to give me the bravery to enter. I ended up winning on the strength of my lip sync performance, lol! That contest, of course, was all in good fun and I enjoyed that immensely.

And now look at you, you’re a pageant queen! How did the Fire Island Bear contest go... what was required of you?

It was pretty intense. The first part of the contest actually took place several hours before the event at Cherry's. Each of the contestants who signed up ahead of time sat with the judges for a pretty intense Q&A.

After that we had the event at Cherry's, and there we had to present two outfits: a "bar night" look followed by a fetish outfit. That was pretty amazing and difficult. I'm sometimes very shy, and had a hard time getting up the courage to go up there. Once I dd though, there was no going back.

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So the bear world--and nightlife in general--knows you best as a DJ, which we’ll get to a bit. But first, let’s start at the beginning: where’s your hometown, and what were you into growing up?

I was born and raised here in the South Bronx, where I was surrounded by a lot of loud family and friends! Many of them were loud because they were musicians, so I developed a love of music pretty early on. And that was really what I was into as a kid: music.

The kids I grew up with in the neighborhood all played together after school, and most of the day during the summer. I was the one who always had the boom box with him, playing the loud music as we played handball, slugs, red light / green light, or all the other games a lot of us played as kids.

What were you listening to?

Back then I loved it all. My sister introduced me to disco, but I also listened to rock, country, and just about any other genre that was showcased on Kasey Kasem's American Top 40 radio show. Haha! Do people still know that existed?

I bet they don’t!

How did you discover nightlife?

I was probably about 16 years-old, and like a lot of kids in the Bronx I decided to get working papers, and had worked a few jobs around my immediate neighborhood... stock boy, and stuff like that. But at 16, I got a job at Alexander’s department store. One day while riding the train, I caught an older man checking me out, and he got off at the same stop as I. We started speaking, and he told me about a place called the Pier. He asked if I wanted to check it out. I said yes, and we exchanged numbers and we stayed in touch.

That Friday after work, he picked me up for what I thought would be my first date with a man, but turned into my first class in NYC nightlife and drag and voguing and houses. That night I got the education of a lifetime, and he told me we'd do it again the following night.

That next night, instead of the Pier, we went to the legendary Tracks Nightclub on 19th Street. I stepped foot into that club, and it felt like I was home.That began my love affair with NYC's gay nightlife.

Over the years, I would be able to experience The Saint, Red Zone, The Copacabana, The World, Mars, my favorite of all time Sound Factory, and The Roxy. These places were my home, and I felt connected to them like nothing else.

Were you voguing yourself, and turning lewks?

Ha! No, I never did master voguing, and was very shy back then. Never tried to draw too much attention to myself. But the LEWKS my friends would turn! Gurrrrrl. They were epic! Especially at Red Zone and The Tunnel.

Did you have a favorite Ball House?

Well, ALL the houses knew how to turn it in their own way. They all had it going on, so I wouldn't say I had a favorite house. However, you were always guaranteed crazy heights of entertainment when the Magnifiques, Aviances and Extravaganzas were in attendance at Sound Factory.

Is the new show Pose accurate in its portrayal of that time, from what little has aired so far?

I would say that yes, it's quite accurate as far as depicting the scene and the struggles of the people who were part of it. It's really quite spot on.

How did you ultimately get into DJing?

So, DJing started when I was pretty young. It's actually the reason I started working as a kid; I wanted to buy my own DJ equipment, and I did. I started teaching myself around 15-16, but it wasn't until my late 30's that I grew the balls to try and do something with it outside of it being a hobby.

Did you ever try using a DJ moniker before deciding to just go by your (presumably) actual name?

My real name is Ted Nieves. I decided to use “DJ Bishop” back in the 90s, when the X-Men introduced this character named Bishop, who absorbed energy and converted it into concussive force. I've always felt that a DJ absorbs the energy from the crowd and turns it back to them as concussive beats, so it seemed appropriate. Later on, as I started working, I added it to my own name in order to help spread my brand.

As of right now, what do you enjoy spinning most when given the freedom to do whatever?

Oooh. I'm seriously feeling my Afro and tech house vibes when left to my own devices. Those beats just get right under your skin, and drive your hips into madness.

What have been some highlights for you, or major moments, DJing venues in this city over the years?

Oh, that's a really hard question... but I think that I can narrow it down a bit! The first major milestone for me was when G Lounge asked me to be part of their now legendary DiLF party, promoted by Mark Lander and Franco DiLuzio.

Next would be getting to be part of the team of DJs that work with NYC promoters Antonio Cedeno and Shane Tate. It's always an honor to be listed as a part of their teams. Also, being a part of the Fire Island Bear Weekend has been amazing. I've played the opening party two years in a row, and loved every minute of it.

Finally, now being able to have my own party in partnership with John-John Punki (Mr. Eagle 2017) at Rockbar. Those are really some of my proudest moments.

Did you ever think the bear scene would become as huge as it is today?

Yes. The bear community was built out of a need for acceptance. The level of shaming and prejudice in the gay community has always been really bad. We're all aware that, often, the oppressed become the oppressors. Well, it is certainly true in the gay community. We are oppressed, so we need to oppress those who are larger than we think they should be, or skinnier than we think they should be, or who have a different color skin than we find attractive... and it goes on and on.

That doesn't mean, of course, that it's always love and light within the Bear Community. But I have certainly experienced more love and acceptance here than I have in the other aspects of gay life that I've experienced.

And with that said, that is why I believed from the beginning it would be a growing community. Who doesn't want to walk into a room of people that all look different, and not feel like they are judging you? Man, that's heaven right there.

Okay, that brings us to the gigs. First off, there’s the Pride edition of Soaked at Rockbar in the West Village on Friday, June 15. John-John appears, J. Rios and Matty B. host, Viva Vidalia performs, and dudes in underwear get wet for our entertainment. This monthly has been a huge success for Rockbar!

This is actually my debut with the Soaked team, so I'm super excited about it. What makes it even more special is that there is a full upgrade of the sound system at Rockbar that [manager] Jason Romas and I worked on. It's going to be the official unveiling of that, and I can't wait to blow people's socks off with that sound.

And you'll be back with John-John at Rockbar for your actual monthly, Purgatory, on June 28th! Hey, why aren''t we calling it FURgatory?

LOL, we had originally wanted to use a different name, but had to change it at the last minute. “Purgatory” was whet we came up with because that sounded sexy and naughty, and it kinda stuck. But maybe we should put it to a vote and see if people would like us to change it to FUR-gatory. What do you think?

Either works! What's the scene like?

It's a really fun vibe. The party takes place right after RuPaul’s Drag Race, so people are really happy (usually) and very chatty after the show. We like to carry that vibe over, and slowly make it sexier. I bring a blend of pop, house, and EDM to the event, and I keep it sexy with our gogo dancers. We've had awesome response to the event, and are excited to continue and see how it goes.

And tell us about (r)Evolution at the Hangar, also in the West Village. It looks that venue is trying to have more defined nights there (named parties, established DJs, some drag, etc).

Yes. (r)Evolution Saturdays at The Hangar was born out of them wanting to have a legit, full-on house music event that catered to the classic house heads, and the new kids that are still discovering what real house music is. DJ Mando and myself talked about it, and determined the sounds we wanted. We worked with management to come up with an official name for the event to start branding it, and breathe new life into this NYC gay nightlife fixture.

There are a few plans to really begin fleshing out some other nights as well. As you know, the Hangar has been a haven for many of our brothers and sisters of color for decades now, and yet so many people don't even know about it. I mean, can you believe that this coming Pride march, they will be celebrating 25 years of service to our community?

Amazing!

So, anything else coming up for you?

Well, along with Soaked and (r)Evolution this week, I have Purgatory next. And Pride Sunday is a double-header for me playing at Rebar from 2-9pm for their annual Pride celebration, followed by The Hangar's Annual Pride and 25th Year anniversary celebration. So, it's a jam-packed June for me.

Nice! Enjoy the gigs! Okay, last question: What should a young, new DJ do when trying to make a career in this business?

Work hard and promote yourself. No one will believe you if you don't believe it yourself.

Thanks, Ted!

DJ Ted Bishop Nieves spins weekly Saturdays at The Hangar NYC (10pm), and last Thursdays at Rockbar for Purgatory (10pm). Check Thotyssey’s calendar for all his scheduled gigs, and follow DJ Ted on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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tprplt · 7 years

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Update! Part 2

Alright! This summer music camp started Sunday, June 19th. I do skip Monday and Wednesday and that is because either I don’t remember what happened or nothing happened between us. Anyway. :)

Sunday. I take a shower, getting ready for the auditions. I look at my phone and guess who has texted me? That’s right- K! He first sent me a picture of his camp badge. Then he texted “Ready? Audition time.” I was laughing so hard at the fact that he bothered to text me. I told him I’m on my way and he replied with “Woot!” I show up and the first day was great! At this camp, if you live around there you are allowed to commute, so I am one of those who get to go back to their house after a day of camp. I wasn’t sure where to get picked up so after rehearsal, I went up to K. I asked him if he knew where we are supposed to be picked up. A sneaky grin grows on his face. He sort of rolls his eyes and says “Maybe you should ask your camp counselor that.” The camp counselor happens to be in the same room. By the way, did I mention my high school orchestra teacher is also a staff member at this camp? But she’s not my teacher anymore because I’m moving away from that high school to where K will be teaching a 7 AM class at ANOTHER high school…ANYWAY. So she is there too, sitting right next to the camp counselor. K puts his arm around me and leads me towards them. “No, no, no, I know where to go!” I keep repeating. He has his hands on my shoulders and has me pretty much held down so I can’t move. “She wants to know where campers get picked up.” Here we are, this grown man teasing me in front of this camp counselor and my old high school orchestra teacher. They both seem pretty weirded out by our physical contact. The camp counselor tells me with a monotone voice to follow the other commuters. I sheepishly nod my head and head towards the other campers. And that was my first day of camp. I knew I was in for a long ride with K at this camp.

Tuesday was pretty crazy. These middle schoolers pointed out that our music said “fagott” (which stands for bassoon in German). They were snickering pretty loud and being outright disrespectful. K noticed and called them uneducated and went on a speech about how it meant something differently. He was pretty pissed and the boys went silent after that. I was glad K called them out. Rehearsal continues and he told us his wife fainted on their wedding day! I know that is actually pretty common but I did not know that. He told us how he caught her and how it was romantic and that he has video evidence lol. Hours later, I was in the hallway. It was time for rehearsal. I was standing with J (from my previous post, one of the staff members at this camp, also a friend) and K. K tells me “Too cool to go back to rehearsal?” I cross my arms, lean against the wall and cross my legs. He walks over right next to me. To try to get me to move, he leans against my left side of my body and basically starts pushing me with his body. He is pretty much pressed into me lol. I pushed back and he said “She’s strong enough to push back” or something along the lines of that. He keeps pushing me, slowly sliding next to the fire alarm. “Don’t touch that.” I hold my hand up as if I’m going to. He walks to my right side where the fire alarm is. “I’m gonna stand here just in case.” We chat around and K tells J to not pull the fire alarm either or he’d rip his earring out lol. We stand there and K looks at me asks me what my glasses prescriptions are. I tell him I can't see from far away and he says me too (he also wears glasses). I lift my glasses up and point at this board in front of us with huge letters. "That's blurry" I tell him.

Thursday, he has noticed that I am on my phone during rehearsal. He asked the kid next to me if he figured out how to communicate with me. He said either Morse code blinking or texting. This was all during rehearsal, in front of the whole orchestra. He texts me something related to the music and I reply with a question mark. Later on, during another rehearsal I was talking to this pretty annoying kid across the orchestra. K notices this and without saying anything, picks up his phone and starts typing something. I look at my phone. “No talking to N.” N and I start laughing hysterically and K gives a small smile. After the camp day was over, we were at a camp excursion in the concert hall. I don’t see K after that. But I take out my phone and see K has texted me. It reads “Hey. Your mom texted me. Said she hadn’t heard from you. Check in with her. And nice job today!” I smile and thank him. ALSO, I don’t remember if this was from Thursday but anyway at lunch in the dining hall, I notice K looking around for a place to sit. N tells him to sit with us. N is a short little 8th grader. K says with a monotone voice “Your lap doesn’t look inviting” and walks away! We all started laughing so hard.

Friday, I had a performance with jazz band which was my first experience with jazz! I performed and it went pretty good overall. I went backstage (side corridors) and see K. He congratulates me and tells me that I did a good job. J is also there so I start chatting with him. About an hour had passed and because my mom works at the place the camp is being held at, it was convenient that I leave the concert early. There was no rule that said I shouldn’t but anyway, I asked K if I could. He flat out said no. I asked him if he was serious. He said yes. I kept asking him. This is such a small detail but I noticed even before I finished my question, he was already ready to say no. His mouth was formed in an o shape and I noticed his tongue at the roof of his mouth. THAT IS SO CREEPY that I notice that shit but it was pretty funny to me. I told him I had a doctor appointment just to get the hell out of there. He says “I want your mom to confirm that. I want her to text me.” I pull out my phone and tell her to text K that I have a doctor’s appointment otherwise I can’t leave. I look up and K is looking at me with his phone in his hand, facing me. I try to get a peek at his phone but presses the power button so i can’t see. Eventually, I just got the hell out of there without K noticing. :D

Saturday was the last day and our performance. We perform and that’s it- camp is finally over! I ask K for a picture as I always do at events. I can’t remember exactly what he said but he said something along the lines of that the fact that I always ask for photos is a sweet kid-like quality in me. He compliments my shirt before we take the photo! He puts his hand on my shoulder, pulling me into him, and gives a few pats on my back. We talk a bit and he tells my mom that he can’t wait to harass me everyday about my grades (I’m moving to a new high school where he will teach a 7 AM class). We say, but about ten minutes later we encountered him again. He chats with the other folks who were there about how he is actually scared of what teaching two schools will do to him mentally and physically. At first I thought he was joking, but I noticed he was serious. I felt so sorry. He said he is only teaching that 7 AM class because he wants to keep the music community alive. I feel so bad, but hopefully I can somehow make him feel better when school comes around and I can see him everyday. Besides the sad stuff, it was so attractive listening to him talk in his quiet and calm voice. It was deep and quite hot to be honest lmfao. He says his goodbyes and leaves. That was the last I saw of him (besides his car driving away but yeah lol).

June 24th was the last day. The next day, I posted on Instagram two pictures (you know how you can post more than one pic at once? yeah), the first one of the concert and the second, me with K. June 25th, late that night…guess who somehow stumbled upon my profile and liked my photo? YUP, it’s K (yes he has an Instagram haha). I was so ecstatic but also nervous. I have three other photos with K on my page. What if he looked at those? The fact that he might’ve stalked my profile kinda scares me. I have nothing bad on my page but yeahhh like imagine your TC finding your Instagram (which mine did lol yikes)! He doesn’t follow back students at all so I was at least happy he liked it and read my dumb caption lmfao.

I KNOW THIS IS SUPER LONG!!! Thank you so much if you read all this. I just had a lot to tell you guys and I hope you read all of it. The next time I see K will be July 30th so until then…no updates. We both need our summer break. :)

#teacher crush #tc community #teacher crush community

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stardustblackcastle · 5 years

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It has been my good fortune over the years to run in circles that allowed me to meet many talented people, such diverse and beautiful creators. These people were a large part of the inspiration behind Castle in the Sky. My desire to share their work helped hone the focus of this blog. It felt important to build a place where I could introduce all of these amazing people while covering conventions, indulging my anime fixation, and generally having a blast with my readers.

As part of the “Grand Opening” of Castle in the Sky, I wanted to aim the spotlight for a time on a dear friend of mine who also happens to be a talented artist. May I present -drum roll- Sarah Meadows! While Ms. Meadows is most well-known for her work in the Sailor Moon fandom, she has much to offer in other fictional realms including (but not limited to) Zelda, Ranma, and Stephen Universe. She also has inspired original art. The true extent of her diversity can be seen firsthand in her commissions if you check out her DeviantArt gallery (link at the end of the interview!) (And, yes, she does commissions! ❤ )

How long have you been drawing?

Since I was seven years old. I know this specifically because the first thing I learned to actively draw was Yoshi off of the SNES booklet that came with Mario World. So 27 years now? Yikes. (Awww! I bet the result was absolutely adorable! <3)

Please, tell us a bit about how you got started.

It’s a silly answer…but when I was in Kindergarten I remember washing my hands at the classroom sink and over it was a diagram of a rainbow with each of the colors “red orange yellow green blue purple” labeled appropriately. I don’t know what clicked that day but I became fascinated with color and couldn’t wait to learn more. School supply aisles always filled me with joy seeing all the possibilities in color. (Not silly at all. You’re just proof that there is magic in rainbows.)

What are your top three most inspiring sources of inspiration?

Manga and anime (Primarily classic 80s to 90s golden era) took my soul, but Disney movies growing up definitely made me want to think about drawing cartoons and possibly animating. I’ll get back with you on the animating haha (I think we will all agree that you should DO THE THING!)

What works best for you when you need to take a wrecking ball to an “ART BLOCK”?

Normally my life is a funk when I’m experiencing my worst art blocks. Getting back on track with routine or taking a week off to just veg and play some video games helps me “defragment” so to speak. Things like Pinterest and Tumblr help when I just don’t know WHAT to draw but the urge is there. (Both great suggestions. Taking a break is widely overlooked when it comes to creating.)

Is there a particular medium that you would like to explore in the future? (watercolor, oils, charcoal pencils, etc.)

I wish I was brave enough for colored pencils and Copic pens. But then there’s no edit>undo and that cuts at my confidence sometimes. But I do wish to play around and make pieces that way. I’d love to sell pieces at conventions like this. Feels more personal than digital for some reason… (Can we get a vote on how many of you would love to see her work at your local convention?)

Do you have any advice for budding artists?

Draw draw draw. It’s 90% practice and 10% talent and artistic eye. If you look at an older piece and cringe don’t get discouraged. That’s pure proof of improvement that you can find ways to make your piece better. Revisit old ideas and see how much you’ve grown! If you’re young and still in school take all the art classes you can. You may know a lot of what is being discussed but there’s no bigger value than practicing these techniques and sharing them with your peers. You can always learn something new. (Take notes, everyone! This is good stuff here! Take it to heart. <3)

Random Questions

What’s your sign? (Because, you know, astrology intrigues me. Lol I always feel like such a creeper asking this. >__<)

My birthday is June 19th so I run smack between a Gemini and Cancer. Some days I feel more like one than the other. But anytime I read stuff on either sign they nail me dead on. (Another water (and air lol) baby. I’m going to start keeping track of everyone’s signs. lol)

If you had to paint your world in only three colors, what would they be?

I tend to like soft and sweet colors. Like early sunrises or sunsets. But at the same time, I love the filtering of lights through the trees. So shades of green as well! It’s tough to narrow it down much further than that. Green inspires me. Soft pinks blues and purples soothe me. (Does anyone else think she should do a picture with this theme? It would be gorgeous!)

A magic door appears before you. When you open it, what’s on the other side? (Absolutely anything or anywhere you can dream up…)

Endless possibility. All your hard earned work has finally brought me to a place that brings me peace and joy. Also a sense of accomplishment. That’s what I’d wish to see on the other side. That magic door is effort and motivation. And I intend to use it! (Oh! I think this would be perfect. Want some company? ^_^)

You’re having afternoon tea in a magical garden. You can invite anyone alive, dead, or fictional. Who’s on the guest list?

This is gonna sound cheesy, but I would love to have tea with girls like the Sailor Senshi. I learned that Naoko created her girls in the image of what kind of friends she’d love in her life. I think I would be much the same. You’re more than welcome to join. (Aw! What do you say, guys?)

Name three songs that would be included on the soundtrack of your life.

Oh gosh, this one is tough. “No Roots” by Alice Merton explains my philosophy on life and how I like to live it. Another is a duet by Selina and Lee Hom. It’s called “You’re the Song of my Life” and it pretty much fills my heart with love for the rock in my life Javier. The third is gonna be cheap but the Moonlight Densetsu (Sailor Moon theme song to those who don’t know) because that show is awesome and so many aspects of Sailor Moon entrance me. (I’ll be checking out the first two, and the third… If you don’t know it, you should check it out!)

Do you have any random facts, sage advice, or anecdotes you’d like to share with the readers?

If you come up with a creative idea and find out it’s been done, try not to get discouraged. Go through with it anyway! Instead feel happy that ideas that come naturally to you are also things the greats have thought of and you’re on the right track! (Another valuable bit of insight that any creative soul should keep in mind. No one can do the thing quite like YOU!)

What else can I say? The art speaks for itself. Here is just a sampling of the artist’s work. Links to her social media and art sites follow the gallery. Stop in and show her some love!

You can find Ms. Meadows and her lovely art @

Art Station

DeviantArt

Instagram

Facebook

Artist Spotlight: Sarah Meadows It has been my good fortune over the years to run in circles that allowed me to meet many talented people, such diverse and beautiful creators.

#anime #Art #Artist #Fanart #Interview #manga #ranma #sailor moon #sailor moon art #zelda

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