How did you first discover deviantART?
Ten years ago an online friend, alijha, linked to some of his work on dA.
What was it about dA that made you want to stay?
I was off and on for 6 or 7 years focusing on marriage and real life.
In 2010 I decided to pursue writing more seriously. I tried participating in a few writing sites, but couldn't quite figure out how fit in. Then I remembered good old deviantART, that great community with a place for all types of artists. It's hard to pinpoint exactly what about the community makes it easier to fit in, but it's a priceless quality I haven't found anywhere else.
What is the story behind your username?
What do you remember of your childhood in regards to art?
Visual art died suddenly for me in high school where the assignments were 'trace this photo' and 'draw that vase.' After creating strange and amazing art pieces in junior high adjusting to basic art class was impossible.
I refocused on my writing. I wrote poetry drowning in angst which I posted to dA and smutty fanfiction that wasn't on dA. I may cringe now but it sure was awesome back then!
Was there anything or anyone in particular that prompted your choice of art form?
Who or what motivates you to continue creating?
Well, and I enjoy it.
Of your own work, which has the most meaning to you and why?
Mother Nature's WrathThe supposed deity, Mother Nature, was always present on the backwater planet. The bitter cold wind, stinging Bosch's face and ruffling his fur, was a constant reminder of her wrath. At least the sun was shining as he trudged through the deep snow.is my first decent piece of short fiction written for ScreamPrompts and I struggled with the prompt until pretty much the day of the deadline. In the end it solidified my loyalty to the community here.
"Machu's hungry." Shelly, his small human mate, lagged behind him. The snow was knee deep for her, but she struggled through without complaint.
He did not speak her language, but the translator implanted in his ear understood most human words.
"Soon." In the distance, he still saw the human structure they had escaped. He had killed the humans, but now they were in a race against time. Rescue was waiting for him two days away, weather permitting. He would be assumed dead if he did not appear in that time.
The pup in question, Machu, huffed and circled his bearer on all fours, impatient for his meal. Still light enough to remain on top the snow, the pup kept up better than Shelly.
Machu took after him in appearance, as was natural when his rac
Though I loved the story my confidence was shaken since I had just come off some lit group rejections (rejected twice by the same group). I was worried people would say, "A yeti and a human pairing? What the hell is wrong with you?" No one did. It was featured as a DD by the wonderful nycterent and the community gave me great support and awesome critique.
Beta Reading Tutorialmeans a lot to me because I wish someone had written it when I was starting out. Beta readers over the last decade helped me improve my writing the most, and I couldn't imagine where'd I'd be without them. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of guides available to learn about the process which discourages many from participating. You really had to wing it and learn as you went. I created the guide to help spread awareness and remove some of the guesswork.
What is a Beta Reader?
Apart from being a writer's best friend, beta readers provide a cross between edits and a critique. A beta reader does not edit a manuscript, but will note the errors for the author to fix. Advice and critiques are other services a beta may perform.
Establishing a Relationship
You've just partnered with an author; what do you do first? Establish with your author what each of you expects from the relationship. A solid understanding of expectations starts the partnership on a productive path and avoids misunderstandings.Time Expectations
Is the author expecting a 24 hour turn around, while you're thinking a week? If not discussed prior to an exchange, turn around time can cause tension. Be honest with your availability and then add some padding, in case of emergency. Do not agree to time constraints you cannot meet.
Length of Partnership
Is the manuscript a novel or a short story? Ask what the author is seeking a beta
Do you have any personal goals in relation to deviantART?
emoticon. When in doubt though I like to trick people into projects with premium memberships.
I also abuse dA to meet my personal goals all the time!
Are you working on any projects or wish to promote some projects?
The Word Wars Chat Tour is kicking off on September 10th, 2011 @ 2:00 PM EST. We're going to play a fun writing game and everyone is invited.
Check out Love dA Lit by HugQueen instead. It's a weekly article that has more listings than you could ever want.
Which movies did you enjoy most?
What type of music do you listen to? (Specific groups/artists?)
Which books could you just not put down?
I think the last book I had to put down so it wouldn't end too soon was Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas. Warning: it's a fluffy historical romance. I adored the characters, especially the hero who described himself as the villain. I never wanted it to end. (I really need a swoon emote for moments like these.)
What foods can you just never seem to resist? Drinks?
Tea. I have to find it in decaf most of the time, but I love brewed tea. Orange spice and earl gray are some of my favorites after standard black tea.
What are your pet peeves on dA and in general?
Whining about "lack of promotion" or being "unknown" in the lit community bugs me. Similar to real life, you get what you put into this community. If you aren't where you'd like to be it means you haven't put in the work yet.
I'm a believer that if you have time to whine you're doing it wrong. In general, inactive people who complain make me crazy. (In context of attainable goals anyway. If you're dying from inoperable brain tumors I won't fault you for whining a little.)
Something random about yourself you wish to share?
No snubbing or ignoring is intended, but sometimes people just scare the bejeezus out of me.I am working on it.
What tips can you offer to better oneself in his or her art? Life?
That means: Use your resources. Actively practice. Actively seek improvement. If you don't like how something is going, don't waste time whining. Create an improvement plan instead.
You may not reach all your goals, but you'll be better off than you were. That applies to art and life.
What does Art mean to you?
Is there anything else you wish to say?
Routine 23BioCorp America
2256 A.D.
Max listened to Emma's soft voice strain after reading aloud for two hours. Settled in her bed with her feet tucked under her, Emma read to him every night. A hint of rasp scuffed the lyrical recitation and she turned the page of the printed book. The paper had cost her a week's pay, necessary because the novel was unspoken contraband, but he treasured these moments. Hearing the controversial tale in her voice settled warmth inside him and, he suspected, the emotion was contentment.
At the end of the chapter she looked up. Her mahogany colored eyes were soft and the corners of her full mouth tipped up. "Are you sleeping?"
He shook his head and leaned forward in his chair, resting his elbows on his knees. "Please continue."
She fulfilled his request and tucked her flaxen hair behind her good ear. The left one, burned off in combat, she kept hidden and tilted away from his gaze. Feminine gestures of that nature had been his first indication Emma had feelings for
A Dinosaur for AprilHeart in her throat and belly in knots, April Kinsey knelt in the grass and straightened her finest dress over her knees. The surrounding group of family and strangers remained silent, watching her every breath.
Shirtless beneath his tribe's blue plaid, her future mate knelt, towering over her. He stood taller than even her grandfather, who was the largest man April had ever seen. A young man of seventy-two, his broad shoulders and thick muscles intimidated her. A large gold amulet with his family's crest hung around his neck and glinted in the moonlight.
Roy McGregor, third son of the Drago Tribe leader, intended to mate her of all people. He was a full blooded shifter. She was a foundling, whom he had never met before this moment, and yet he had chosen her. Like in her storybooks, his tribe had appeared unannounced on her grandfather's doorstep two nights prior and demanded a promise ceremony.
Her adopted parents had refused upon learning she was the female they wanted. At seven year
A list of previous Devious Minds can be found in a widget on my page.
If you have a recommendation of someone you think I should interview for this series please send me a note with a subject of "DM Rec"
