Thank you so much to Kristen Gudsnuk for the interview.

Who is Kristen Gudsnuk?

Kristen Gudsnuk is a comics writer and illustrator. She got her start with the webcomic Henchgirl, which was later published by Scout Comics in single issue and Dark Horse Comics as a collection. Her other works include the middle grade graphic novel series Making Friends from Graphix, the Minecraft: Wither Without You trilogy, co-illustrating Amelia Aierwood: Basic Witch by Emily Hampshire, and illustrating Modern Fantasy by Rafer Roberts

Interview

What was your inspiration for Making Friends?

Making Friends is basically a depiction of all the things I yearned for as a kid. Toys, friends, and adventure. I read a Chinese fable as a child, about a girl who was such a great artist that everything she drew came to life. I would fantasize about that all the time, all the things I’d draw that would supposedly make life better. Hence, Dany’s magical sketchbook, where whatever she draws comes to life. And yet, as an adult, I learned that material goods and the esteem of others doesn’t mean much if you don’t have self-esteem. I wanted to enact my childhood fantasies, but also to explore how they aren’t a panacea for one’s personal problems. But with jokes!

What drew you to writing and illustrating graphic novels?

I always liked to draw, and never knew what to draw. And I’ve always loved reading, writing, and watching TV and movies. Comics are the closest thing to making your own movie, where the only budget is your own time and energy, and without having to leave the house. And now I never have to figure out what to draw— because I just have to draw whatever is next in my comic!

How did you choose which character to focus the story? 

I was actually toying with the idea of having the later Making Friends books being from the point of view of other characters. But my editor wasn’t into that idea. So, I guess I just leave it up to the hands of fate. But I chose Dany rather than Madison because I relate to her more. I was always wishing I was magical, rather than being an actual magical kid. So I had a lot of material when it came to exploring Dany’s personality. 

What was your process for writing and illustrating Making Friends?

I usually write a general outline, hammering out the necessary story beats. This helps prevent writer’s block, because if you get stuck you can just move on to the next bullet point. Whenever I get stuck I just write “xxxxxx” in the script as a marker, and move on. Sometimes it’s when I need to look something up, other times it’s just that I don’t feel particularly inspired. I’ll move on to a scene that inspires me more. And then, later, I either just cut to the next scene or figure out what to write. 

As for drawing, I will do rough thumbnails that I submit to my editor. Then, once those are approved, I’ll move on to actually drawing. 

How has your process changed since Minecraft: Wither Without You?

I’ve played around with digital inking, which is fun but has a learning curve and is somehow both more convenient yet more time-consuming than traditional inking. I inked the first two Minecraft books traditionally, and basically taught myself inking in Clip Studio with book 3. Other than that, every book is kind of different; I like to change things up so I don’t get bored. I don’t think I’ve approached any of my books in the exact same way, in terms of writing or art. 

What is your approach to world and character building?

I always start with characters and theme. I try to find things that I feel strongly about, and I try to find an approach that doesn’t feel done to death. I get excited when I’m writing something that I relate to. I can’t even always tell why I relate, in the moment; often I realize it later when I’m rereading. In a way, writing is like dreaming because it’s a fractured version of your own life, through the prism of fiction rather than sleep. But when I get a rush when I’m writing, I know I’m on the right path. I also take a lot of inspiration from whatever I read or watch, or from video games I’ve played (choice-based games are really useful in terms of understanding story architecture!).  

How would you describe Making Friends in five words?

Awkward, depressing, funny, magical and cute?

Did you have a favourite moment in the book to write?

I always like writing Prince Neptune scenes. He’s an evil anime prince, a fictional character brought to life. He’s very sassy and rude. I also remember really enjoying writing the part in Book 2 where Dany gets an off-brand Pokeball for her clone to live in. It’s kind of like a fantasy clubhouse, one of my go-to fantasies when I was a kid. And writing the ending of Making Friends 4, the upcoming conclusion to the series, was really cathartic. It felt right! Now I get to just sit here and wait to hear what readers think. 

What was your favourite book growing up?

I read a lot as a kid, so there are too many to name. I really loved The Mouse and the Motorcycle, The Giver, Hatchet, the Wild Magic series by Tamora Pierce, Animorphs… and I really loved this author from the early 20th century named Lois Lensky, who wrote books about girls living in different regions of the US. Strawberry Girl, Coal Camp Girl, Houseboat Girl, Flood Friday, Prairie School… growing up, my local library had old-timey copies of all her books and I found them impossible to put down. 

Do you have a favourite genre to read?

I love old sci fi pulp novels. There are a lot of truly incredible books out there, like The Demon Princes series by possibly my favorite author Jack Vance, and Of Monsters and Men by William Tenn, in which people are the vermin living in the walls and floorboards of the houses of giant aliens. And it’s fun going to used book stores and buying old SF pulp novels, marveling at all the beautiful, ridiculous covers, and discovering some books that time seemingly forgot. I found the book The Adventures of Terra Tarkington by Sharon Webb for a dollar in a dusty old used book store, and it was one of my all-time best finds. It’s a nurse romance novel, but it’s set in the far reaches of the galaxy and it’s hysterically funny.