The Collaboration period has begun! In these quiet months before works are due, we want to foster a sense of excitement, camaraderie, and celebration among our participants. To that end, all participants were given the option of a formal interview by our mod, Dema, or an informal “ask-game” survey. We hope you enjoy getting to know our phenomenal creators as much as we have!
Q&A with Beasty
What is your favorite specific moment in the DA series?
This is both my favorite scene and favorite dialogue but the Chantry scene with Cullen when he says, "Andreste preserve me, I must send you to him." You can feel the sense of duty there. He is reluctant to send his love on this mission, but he knows she would go either way. But still he is taking on all the responsibility and feelings as if it is his decision alone. You can really feel his heartache and fear for his love there
If you could date a DA character irl, which one and why?
Davrin. 100%. Look let's be really most of the romances in Dragon Age are more than a little damaged. We are all Bob the Builder out here fixing our loves. And then there's Davrin who is just like the most put together supportive 'I'm going to die so let's live life to the fullest while having this sexy hunter prey dialogue'. His only red flag is he thinks he needs to sacrifice himself to save the world. Not that I don't love every one of the DA romances but... Davrin. Plus he's hot
Do you have a favorite easter egg?
The cheese wheel. Soon as I saw it in Veilguard I screamed. Like I have a whole headcanon about Solas the sad man in the Lighthouse playing the piano eating cheese. I have a story involving the cheesewheel you see with Bellara that ties in with Skyrim and my Khajiit dragonborn who becomes a crow. The cheesewheel brings me so much happiness
Do you have any writing tips?
I have written a few times about writing tips. I'm definitely not one of the best writers out there, but I'm one of the happiest. And the best advice is, love your work. Be your biggest fan. Don't write for other people. Write what you love. I have no idea how many kudos and comments I get most of the time. But I can tell you which of my works made me giggle and kick my feet
What other events do you like to participate in?
Pretty much anything I get invited to. Currently doing the Dragon Age Reverse Bang, Black Emporium Rarepair Exchange, an Emmrich Zine, and probably create a thon. Still debating on the Thedosian zine. Have a Viago and Dreadrook even coming up towards the winter. I do all the DATV Companions weeks and many of the other weeks. I also host the Weekly Thursday Bangers and do a lot of promotions via my Tumblr. I don't sleep much and write fast
The Collaboration period has begun! In these quiet months before works are due, we want to foster a sense of excitement, camaraderie, and celebration among our participants. To that end, all participants were given the option of a formal interview by our mod, Dema, or an informal “ask-game” survey. We hope you enjoy getting to know our phenomenal creators as much as we have!
Tired Woman Paints Sad Things, Unexpectedly Sad?!
Christina and Dema talk FASHUN, FOMO, and the importance of reference boards
Dema: So, a (very brief, I swear) stalking revealed that you went to school for concept art! What was that experience like?
Christina: Being stalked? Girl it happens all the time.(jk.) I did do a year-long diploma program for concept art – it came on the heels of a 10 year period of pretty much NO art and I really needed to get back into it. So while it did gear more towards concept, I kind of used it as a means to get back into practicing and painting with a deadline. Like a bootcamp for my art skills. That isn't to say I'm not interested in concept art, I love it - especially character design because I can nerdily tap into my fashion design background and make rad outfits.
Dema: Oooh please say more about this fashion design background, that’s so interesting!
Christina: Haha. So. When I went to university way way back in fall of '06, I was still 17. Very much had no idea what to do with my life (still don't!) I took so many intro courses, and DID study things I loved but after 2 years I decided to do a summer program at Parsons in NY to see if it really spoke to me (and whether I could do a whole program). It was really fun and it let me do more illustration which was nice, but I ultimately stayed at University, although I revisited fashion and styling on the side after I moved back to Toronto following my masters. Also, my mom went to college for Fashion Design and sewed all through my youth so there were constantly brides and bridesmaids trying on dresses in our house because of her A+ single mom hustle. Fashion TV was always on, I learned to do basic sewing (especially altering my own clothes). Came back to sewing fun little things during the pandemic, and I still do it now.
Dema: So you paint, you design and make clothes, any other creative hats in your millinery?
Christina: Oh damn, I wish I was a milliner. My mom often laments that she didn't study it in school. I think it was one of her electives haha. I also write too, but that's more of a recent development. Plus some graphic design on the side. I've made some basic furniture & have done upholstery as well haha.
Dema: Writing is a recent development?
Christina: Yes! The first fic I ever wrote was for BG3! I HATED English class basically my whole life. I don't really know why. I only liked one year of it, but I had a great teacher, and it was the year in high school when you read Macbeth. So I never really considered writing much before.I think it was the pressure to find symbolism and themes in literature instead of just enjoying a book. So when I write now, I really avoid metaphor and flowery language in favour of imagery and describing sensation. Slice of life stuff. I'm also just very silly. Too many jokes.
Dema: How much have you written since you started? Have you really caught the bug?
Christina: Yes! Although I'm very bad at follow-through. I'll make outlines and conjure up really cool ideas and then just not have the mental spoons to actually write them. I actually find writing VERY difficult. It's not super fun in the moment, but I enjoy the final product, and I love having something that my friends can read. My long-fic is still a WIP, but I've found I like doing little dialogue one-shots, and diary entry type things. Short and sweet, and don't stress me out. Things to make my friends laugh.
Dema: That’s lovely! Fics don’t have to be long to be impactful. Have you painted much for fics in this fandom? Have you done a Big Bang before?
Christina: Never done a big bang, structure tends to make me stressed. But a group of friends signed up and I got FOMO haha. I do like painting for fics, and surprising authors with art haha. Although sometimes when you do that, more people start doing it also and then it gets weirdly competitive when it used to be fun, so I don't do it much anymore unless asked.
Dema: Is the structure this time feeling stressful?
Christina: It's not too bad. I did a bunch of sketching and thumbnailing at the beginning to hold me over for a while, as I rarely ever take months to paint something. I'm more of a 'do everything in a 1-2 week period' kind of person when it comes to art.
Dema: Oh, 100%. The task of the artists is definitely shorter than the task for the writers. I take months to paint something sometimes but like. Those are oil paintings I think most artists painting digitally are in the same boat of a few weeks of actual work!
Christina: Yes I definitely take longer irl time to paint traditionally.
Dema: What is your process like for a piece like this?
Christina: My process is very different depending on the style, but for this project in particular, I'm doing a fully rendered MTG-style fantasy painting, so first I make a mood/reference board. I added in a bit of the text from the pitch on it so I can keep the vibes right. Then I'll proceed to very loose thumbnail sketches to get the scene/angles, and then pick a favourite. After that I gather more reference for the individual aspects of what's in the painting so I can make a real sketch. After that it's rendering and I tend to change the colour palette as I go.
Dema: Are your thumbnails line art, rough values, rough colors?Something else?I’m always very curious how people start because I think it’s the hardest part ha, or at least it is for me. (That, and the middle…and finishing….)
Christina: B&W, usually a rectangle brush on low opacity – if it's a landscape then the background is lightest, the foreground is darkest. For this one, I basically just made each object/aspect a different value for contrast and keeping it easy to see everything. Big and chunky, no lines.
Dema: Nice. Sexy, even. I love a chunky sketch.
Christina: I rarely do tight lines/lineart at all with this style because it's more like realism, which, you know, doesn't have lines haha. Just shapes and light!
Dema: What stage of a painting do you find the most challenging?
Christina: Usually going from the flat colours --> the render. Once I'm in the render stage, it's all just noodling but getting that very ugly messy values part over with is the kicker.
Dema: Is there a particular piece of yours that taught you a lot?
Christina: I think I try to tackle different things to improve in each portfolio-worthy piece. I recall painting my piece with the young woman artificer and her sword was a step up, especially with how to handle ambient and direct light sources.
Dema: Do you have a favorite piece you’ve done? I feel like “favorite” can be vague so: either one you really enjoyed making, or one you’re especially proud of (perhaps they are the same)?
Christina: That's tough. I actually revisited that same character later when she was older and a lot more powerful. I love how that one turned out. But I also really love my Inuit Malamute - he was a joy to paint and his happy face is just the best.
Dema: Is there anything you feel like you need, to start painting? A certain headspace, a certain ambiance? Or can you paint anywhere/any time?
Christina: I cannot paint whenever, my brain is a real asshole haha. Good mood, nice weather, focused.
Dema: Haha we have kindred brains.I am so envious of people who can sketch on a bus.
Christina: I would absolutely throw up.
Dema: THERE’S ALSO THAT!!! SAME!
Christina: I actually get a lot of iPad sketching done in the late evening while watching tv.
Dema: Do you sketch things from what you’re watching?
Christina: Almost never. Day before yesterday I scribbled out a messy and lewd scene from Luzial's fic 'Roots' in like 15min and then sent it to her without warning. That's my fave hahah.
Dema: HAHA nice. Perfect evening pastime.
Christina: My goal is basically to get people to keyboard mash.
Dema: Is there anything from your concept art program that really changed how you look at or approach art-making? I should have asked this earlier but it only just occurred to me.(My own experience doing a concept art workshop with a Pixar guy actually shocked me.)
Christina: The mood/reference boards for sure.
Dema: Say more?
Christina: It just made me be more religious about doing them. Keeping them as huge separate .psd files that I can pull things out of at my leisure. And I keep using them in other projects too. Since I paste all the photos in and organize them by subject or technique etc I tend to remember the individual images really well, so it helps build my mental library and/or I can go back to them for another painting.
Dema: Oh that is very interesting! Is it like a giant grid of images?
Christina: Ya! One sec, I’ll show you an example. [Image is of a collection of voluminous cloaks, gowns, and sleeve details, many in motion.]
Dema: Ohh yes, very cool. Great fabric dynamics
Christina: I use this specific one often, and send it to people when they're stuck. I tend to get annoyed when people explain fabric wrong hahah.
Dema: I’m sure that drives you particularly crazy with your fashion background.
Christina: Yes, haha. But also people ask me specifically to help with it now, which is fun.
Dema: You are very kind to share your knowledge so freely!
Christina: It's better the knowledge flow than my irritation grow. (I didn't mean that to rhyme but here we are.)
Dema: Embroider that and hang it on a wall. Well friend, the time has flown and I need to wrap up, and I cannot let you leave without getting my “Florida Man” headline from you. I’m asking all the artists to come up with one about themselves. For examples: Local Artist Hates Flat Colors, Deranged Artist Renders Toaster as Furry, etc.
Christina: Tired woman paints sad things, unexpectedly sad?!
Dema: Hahahaha perfect. It has been lovely chatting with you!
The Collaboration period has begun! In these quiet months before works are due, we want to foster a sense of excitement, camaraderie, and celebration among our participants. To that end, all participants were given the option of a formal interview by our mod, Dema, or an informal “ask-game” survey. We hope you enjoy getting to know our phenomenal creators as much as we have!
ELF FINDS HOT TIP FOR RETIREMENT (AND IT'S NOT GETTING BLIGHT)
Critta and Dema talk dopamine tasks, Date Everything, and Solavellan
Dema: Happy Friday! [Narrator voice: I am sorry, dear reader, if I have made you believe it is currently Friday. It is, in fact, Tuesday.] Do you have a weekend of writing planned?
Critta: I’m hoping to! It's been hectic this week but I try to write a little everyday.
Dema: Ooo wow, every day! Have you more or less accomplished that in this DABB writing period?
Critta: Just about! I allowed myself leeway because of the adhd and I knew that these last 2 weeks would be super busy.
Dema: Very impressive! Fellow adhder here – do you have any tips for tackling a project like this when the brain is full of squirrels?
Critta: Oh! That's a good question actually. When I usually write, I'm just following the flow of my brain, but with this there's so much structure that it's somehow easier! But I do also allow myself little rewards for hitting progress; like playing a game or going to do a dopamine task. Plus, me and the other writers often 'pact' words, with no time limit, so it feels almost like we're hanging out body doubling too.
Dema: What are your go-to dopamine tasks? And have you been playing anything good lately?
Critta: Right now, it's making air dry clay magnets, or the little Make It Mini balls you can get! I like fiddling with little things. As for games, I'm deep in Palia, Tales of the Shire, PEAK and Date Everything. I love me a cozy game!
Dema: Who’s your favorite in Date Everything? I have seen only fever dream accounts of this game.
Critta: Oh! A tie between Hector the air conditioner and Chance the d20! I love them both! Hector's voice is butter, and I can never resist Matt Mercer's voice.
Dema: Sentences we never could have imagined, ten years ago.
Critta: A mood, but a wonderful one, Hector is so very Spanish soap opera vibes!
Dema: Even better.
Critta: Though fever dream is accurate to describe the game!
Dema: Tell me about your magnets. I am feeling the siren song of air dry clay lately and I need to be talked out of it.
Critta: Then I am the wrong person. I make little food items! Sometimes I throw in a cute frog for good measure! But you're really only limited by what your brain conjures! I even made an egg (yes, that).
Dema: Intact or cracked?
Critta: Oooo now you've given me ideas! The one I made was intact, alas.
Dema: What is the most satisfying little food item you have made?
Critta: Oooo. These guys! A little bowl of ramen noodles, and the cutest orange I've ever seen.
Dema: Very impressive! I don’t normally include images in the interviews but I may have to for this. So you mentioned that the Bang involves more structure than you usually have – is anything else about this project different than how you usually operate?
Critta: So much! I'm usually yelling to all my friends whenever I write something I'm proud of, or noodle out scenes if I'm struggling. With this, I'm relying more on the other DABB writers. Which, thankfully, they're also the same brand of weird and wonderful I am, so it's worked out well. And it's also my first time properly outlining the actual fic!
Dema: Ok so you’re normally a pantser. Do you write a lot of one-shots?
Critta: So many! They're little bite-sized pieces of creativity! I collect one-shots like I do crafts, which is to say there's an entire room in my head of spinning ideas all begging for release.
Dema: That’s a great way to be! Is there a common element between them or do your interests really run the gamut?
Critta: Well, the common through-line tends to be smut, for reasons But I primarily also write Solavellan, and absolutely put that man through his paces. It's a little like, 'sir please stop being the most dumb man on the planet' but then follows with 'but you get a treat because i love you.'
Dema: Fantastic, you give the people what they want.
Critta: One can hope!!! I've gifted a few one-shots for friends too, which always gets amazing reception because 'YOU THOUGHT OF ME' is the highest form of showing how I love them.
Dema: Do you do a lot of events like this, or exchanges, or theme weeks? Or do you tend more to let your own muse take the wheel?
Critta: This is actually my first fandom event EVER! In any fandom! And it's been a blast.
Dema: Wow! You dove right in!
Critta: I’ve gifted fics but never done exchanges before, though those friends have given little gifts back in other ways. Mentions of OC's in their work is the regular way. First time I saw my OC's name in a friends fic I about died, I was so happy!
Dema: Aw I love that. As a Solavellan, is Inquisition your favorite game in the franchise?
Critta: Yes it is! Though I did play Origins way back when it first came out I played an elven mage (shocker) and romanced Alistair, dealt with that whole tragedy when he ended up King and I stayed just a mistress.
Dema: Brutal.
Critta: So when I played Inquisition, I kinda thought "Well, if I romance Cullen surely it won't happen twice!" And then Solas chuckled, the bastard, and put me in a chokehold. I went into DAI blind too! So I had no idea what was coming.
Dema: Well, you weren’t wrong about Cullen!
Critta: Which I discovered on a subsequent playthrough! I'm glad he got a wholesome romance, considering.
Dema: I also went in blind, and was completely flabbergasted when Solas broke up with me.
Critta: DID YOU KNOW! When Solas breaks up with you in Crestwood, thats when the romance locks in? You can continue romancing anyone else until that scene.
Dema: …… Wow. I did not know that. That’s rude as hell.
Critta: Yeah, hurt my feelings when I found out like 'damn, he do be out here being a bitch like that.' I think the exception is if you get really mad at him, but I can't remember off the top of my head. But yeah, locks in AFTER he leaves your ass in Crestwood, the bastard XD
Dema: Incredible. So: did you play VG, and if so, did your Inquisitor and Solas ride off into the sunset/Fade?
Critta: Yes to both, I needed my girl to get her happy ending!!! But in fact, I almost didn't play VG at all. My best friend bought it for me because I couldn't afford it!
Dema: Aw, good friend.
Critta: And I then very promptly started writing Dragon Age fanfic after I finished it coz I suddenly had SO MANY IDEAS. So he's directly responsible for the little corner of AO3 I now have.
Dema: Had you written before for any other fandoms?
Critta: A long fic I ended up abandoning! I wrote a Breath of the Wild fiction that kinda made no sense after Tears of the Kingdom came out. Mostly I just wanted to write Zelda and Link getting to be domestic.
Dema: That’s very sweet!
Critta: Sometimes my fic is to bonk the blorbo, other times it's to give them a break from their reality. I contain multitudes.
Dema: Ahahahaa. Does Solas ever get to be domestic in your fics?
Critta: That is a loaded question…Because yes? Technically…
Dema: Technically?
Critta: I’ve written him in a kitchen! What he was doing in the kitchen wasn't very sanitary, but hey, he was in there.
Dema: Getting scrambled? Put in a cake, perhaps?
Critta: Eating. Yes. Eating.
Dema: Hahahahaha.
Critta: There’s a blurry memory of him and Lavellan hanging out in the library, too. But mostly I just give them angst. "Angst with a Happy Ending" I think might be my most-used trope.
Dema: And you are so valid for that! In our last few minutes, I request of you a clickbait title for your Bang fic that contains no spoilers.
Critta: Ahhh how do i word this not spoilery…Oh! ELF FINDS HOT TIP FOR RETIREMENT (AND IT'S NOT GETTING BLIGHT)
Dema: A+. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me tonight!
Critta: No problem! It was so fun! And you got your feelings hurt free of charge.
The Collaboration period has begun! In these quiet months before works are due, we want to foster a sense of excitement, camaraderie, and celebration among our participants. To that end, all participants were given the option of a formal interview by our mod, Dema, or an informal “ask-game” survey. We hope you enjoy getting to know our phenomenal creators as much as we have!
The Gallows: What the Chantry doesn't want you to know!!!!
Libri and Dema talk newbie jitters/enthusiasm, battling the brains, and poetry IN THE pizza hut
Dema: So, Libri. I feel like I see you everywhere these days. The Dragon Age Energy is strong with you. To what do you attribute this potency?
Libri: It’s definitely a mixture of the content and the fandom! I started playing the DA games last year because they were on sale, really loved them, and by total coincidence saw there was an event happening on tumblr just as I was finishing origins. I'd never participated in fandom before, decided to give it a try. And everyone was so lovely, and it cemented my love for this world and these characters so much that the rest is history!
Dema: Oh wow, just last year? Did you play all of the games?
Libri: I’m more than halfway into Inquisition, I think. Had to put it on hold to focus on DABB, and then there's the books to look forward to.
Dema: Yeah, there is so much content! So does that mean you’ve gone chronologically starting with Origins?
Libri: Yes, I decided to start from the beginning, and I'm so glad I did! I really got to follow the lore and the characters all the way through I think. (Just checked out of curiosity, I bought origins in late June – officially a whole year of dragon age!)
Dema: I feel like you’ve written a lot in that time!
Libri: Oh god yeah I have done quite a bit. I went a little overboard with excitement haha
Dema: Have you been basically in back-to-back events since you started?
Libri: Yes. I have zero impulse control it seems. But I'm really enjoying it!
Dema: Which events have you done?
Libri: So I've doneeeee….create-a-thon was my first, I'm currently in this big bang, reverse bang, and Black Emporium exchange together, and in between I did lots and lots of little exchanges in different servers.
Dema: Does participating in events help you with momentum?
Libri: I think it does! A lot of the fandom energy is what's carrying this personal energy of mine. I don't think I've written anything that wasn't for an event, or a gift for someone.
Dema: Prior to Dragon Age, had you participated in fandom before?
Libri: Nope! And I was Very Nervous I can tell you. Very 'new kid in new school, new town' jitters.
Dema: I would never have guessed, from my perspective you seem like you’ve been in town a long time.
Libri: I think the trick is that I'm very loud ahaha.
Dema: LOL. What is your favorite thing you’ve created so far?
Libri: OOOH a tough question for a person frequently down on their own work But I think I'm still very happy with the first fic I ever wrote with my OC, Lux, for a couple of reasons. First, I drew my first dragon age fanart for it, which I'm still very proud of. Second, I decided to be very extra and make all the chapter titles turn into an abstract poem which is something I always wanted to do with a chapter thing. Thirdly, it ended up being 35k? This wasn't planned, I just kept writing until I hit the end of the story and went ??? Never written anything longer than 5k before or since, haha
Dema: That’s amazing! And now going for round two for a longer fic! How’s it going?
Libri: Good news, I'm officially over the minimum word limit, which I was really worried about being able to hit. Bad news, I'm now in The Struggle Zone and have been for weeks. I do know what I need to include, just not quite sure how to get there. Poking at it though! I have faith! To be honest, it's coming around that time where I've stared at it so long that I'm starting to be too critical of it, and worried it's awful, but that's a reality of any longer work. Got to fight our brains. I am excited about some content in the final chapters so there's that to look forward to!
Dema: Over the minimum at this stage of the event is very impressive, especially for your second longfic. Have you been a writer for a long time? I know you’re new to fic, but where did you get your start?
Libri: I’ve been a writer my whole life basically! I've always loved reading (primarily fantasy of course, started branching out into sci fi much later), and I was always doodling in my notebooks and making up stories. I like writing poetry a lot as well which I've started shoehorning into my fic because who can stop me? Got a couple of original stories/novel ideas that I lost momentum on a few years ago but DABB has really given me the belief that I can get back in and shake them into something complete once DABB itself is done.
Dema: I am such a poetry lover. Do you have a favorite poet? (Or five LOL…or novel/author if that’s easier!)
Libri: Dema why do you do this to meeeee
Dema: AHAHAHAHAA BECAUSE I WANT THE RECSSSS
Libri: OKAY favourite author: Terry Pratchett, if you've never read him you should (but start with Guards Guards, not his first book). Perfect blend of fantasy, parody, and absolute sincerity with fantastic writing Favourite poet: hmm. I'm a sucker for some of Pablo Neruda's work, and I like the lyricism of Coleridge's The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Poe's works a lot. And I've recently started reading Mahmoud Darwish and Dunya Mikhail. Their work is heartbreaking but very beautiful.
Dema: Lovely, thank you. (SEE! YOU DID IT!!)
Libri: I’M SWEATING
Dema: I don’t know if you’ve seen past interviews, but this is the part where I ask you for a clickbait title for your dabb fic, with no spoilers.
Libri: I did not know that, this is hilarious. The Chantry hates them for this one weird trick kind of thing.
Dema: YES lmao. The Chantry doesn’t want you to kNOW. What they are DOING. IN THE pizza hut!! (Those caps were meant to be reversed but it’s fine)
Libri: it’s so much funnier the way you did it though. "IN THE (robotic voice) pizza hut"
Dema: lmaoooo
Libri: The Gallows: What the Chantry doesn't want you to know!!!! Yeah I think that's my title. The four !!!!s are essential
Dema: Got em. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me, Libri!
Libri: Thank youuuu! This hour just flew by! I had a lovely time.
The Collaboration period has begun! In these quiet months before works are due, we want to foster a sense of excitement, camaraderie, and celebration among our participants. To that end, all participants were given the option of a formal interview by our mod, Dema, or an informal “ask-game” survey. We hope you enjoy getting to know our phenomenal creators as much as we have!
How to Lose Two Guys, Your Entire Family, and Your Powers in 20 Days!
Alice and Dema talk Tabris, books, and truth in storytelling
Dema: We’re about a week into the collaboration period. How’s it goin’? Do you feel like you have lots of writing momentum?
Alice: So idk about you, but creativity ebbs and flows for me! I tried the daily minimum method, but that doesn't seem to work when my brain kinda feels splat. And then, randomly, I'll get these bursts of energy. Actually, this is the first full-length work I think I'll finish (ever!) so I almost didn't sign up for the event because the deadline spooked me a bit. I'm glad I did though. You/the mod team worked so hard to partner us and my chats with my artist have been lovely! Truly such a fun event.
Dema: I’m glad to hear that! And yes, I am definitely a fits and starts writer/artist, myself. I do love how events challenge us. Is this your first fan event?
Alice: It is! I haven't really been in the fandom space before. Really only started writing, too, in January and I find myself learning something new every day. Always been in creative spaces/surrounded by creatives, yet felt completely inadequate myself. (Perfectionism, etc.) But the support in this community has worked wonders on my confidence in these past few months. I've felt good about sharing my work (something I've NEVER done before). It's been such a warming experience. (Roundabout way of saying, yes. This is my first event!)
Dema: Ah yes, perfectionism. A demon many of us wrestle. I’m glad you are having such a good experience with the fandom! Are you new to fandom in general or specifically the Dragon Age fandom?
Alice: New to fandom in general!! Well, maybe not so new anymore, but I just started really engaging with the community earlier this year.
Dema: What prompted you to get involved?
Alice: Ah, the big question. Hahaha. I've been into the DA series for the past 14-ish years. What brought me into more of the fandom side this time was, I could say, to meet like-minded individuals, and that would be true! But were I to elaborate, it was (at least a little) to do with a certain bald character we all love and/or hate. I joined a server for/about Solas, and through it met so many wonderful individuals I've grown so fond of, that will for sure live in my heart once this hyperfixation runs its course.
Dema: I think I saw you mention Origins is your favorite game in the franchise, followed closely by Inquisition? Have you played all the games?
Alice: I’ve played most! I skipped DA2, watched a let's play a while back, but my partner and I have been on an DA playthrough so I will be playing DA2 soon. Origins holds a very special place in my heart for me. I don't think I've found another game or form of media (even within the franchise) that has evoked a similar emotion, and I'm not sure why. My favourite character to write is my Warden Tabris.
Dema: Tell me about your Tabris!
Alice: She's a rogue, obviously, but has shit eyesight lol so cannot aim long distance. I think she sees people for who they are and accepts them as they come. Not afraid to question them on their ideals but able to accept their view. She's self-effacing. Angry about the state of the world, always, but too depressed to believe she's actually doing anything about it. In my fic, I kinda gave the city elves in Denerim an underground rebellion in Alarith's cellar and I like to think Thea's mom had a pretty active role to play in it. Oh, and she's kinda a big loner.
Dema: She sounds lovely! I also have a Thea OC.
Alice: AHHHHH! I’d love to hear all about her!
Dema: Perhaps when I am not interviewing you ahaha. Besides Dragon Age, do you have any other recent hyperfixations? Books? Movies?
Alice: All of the above!! I love to read and am a big fan of movies. I can go on and on about my faves but going to stick to what I'm currently reading and a few movies I've watched recently! I'm currently reading All Tomorrows for a bookclub with a group of friends, highly recommend!! Really enjoying the story and the illustrations. A very quick read! I'm also reading Revolutionary Suicide by Huey P. Newton -- has been on my list for a while and I'm enjoying it so far! Recently rewatched Being John Malkovich and Girl, Interrupted because I wanted to revisit my highschool days. My partner said "this combo makes so much sense for you" and I'm not sure how to take that. Also watched this Japanese short called Chime which was fun too!
Dema: *Girl, Interrupted *is so gooood
Alice: SO good!!
Dema: Do you feel like there is a common thread in the media you most enjoy?
Alice: Ouhh good question. Tough to answer! I think I like a lot of different types of things. Spotify doesn't know what to make of my taste haha. I think I value truth in storytelling. Like, a movie can be completely trash, but if it's able to convey a truth about the world or it's characters, I find that's usually enough to stick with me for a while. I also love to be surprised! When a story can convince me of a perspective I originally thought impossible, I find myself returning to it again and again. Overall, I think our craft speaks to our stories in such a complete way, it's just fun to see it reflected in how we tell them. Idk if that made a lot of sense hahah.
Dema: Definitely does! We are out of time but I do want to invite you to participate in our DABB interview tradition of creating a clickbait title for your bang fic, with no spoilers.
Alice: How is: How to Lose Two Guys, Your Entire Family, and Your Powers in 20 Days!
Dema: Two thumbs up! Thanks for taking the time, Alice, it has been lovely chatting with you!
Alice: Thank you for organizing this! I look forward to hearing about Thea.
The Collaboration period has begun! In these quiet months before works are due, we want to foster a sense of excitement, camaraderie, and celebration among our participants. To that end, all participants were given the option of a formal interview by our mod, Dema, or an informal “ask-game” survey. We hope you enjoy getting to know our phenomenal creators as much as we have!
Area Artist Actually Three Seagulls in a Trenchcoat
Arja and Dema talk comic books (specifically, her comic book), curating one’s fandom experience, and favorite DA games
Dema: Italy has such a storied history of art. What was art education like for you, growing up? Did you make art as a child?
Arja: I started scribbling over paper when I was 3 years old? Both my parents drew as a hobby, I loved comics and cartoons, it just felt natural to try and mimic what I liked. I was self-taught during my school years, art education at school mainly meant art history. I drew in my free time. After high school, I attended two art schools. One focused on comics, in the evenings alongside a "proper" university, and later an editorial illustration master’s.
Dema: Wow that sounds like a lot of work during university!
Arja: I slept very little, LOL. And all my university notes have doodles on the sides as I exercised in class.
Dema: Did your Master's program feel very different?
Arja: Yes, it did. There were fewer students in the class, so we were all followed more closely. Plus, it was structured to be focused so much more on practice. We had professionals there to guide us through the making of an illustrated book from start to finish, and prepare the pitch for a publishing house. We were asked to do more, work more at home, and print it in the end. It was a lovely experience and much more practical than before. Maybe it was because I attended evening classes at the first comic school, not the full day program, but the Master’s was much more focused on results and on having us with a finished product by the end.
Dema: What was your first project after graduating?
Arja: I started working on personal projects after the university/comic school combo. I joined forces with a dear friend of mine, also a talented artist who attended another comic school. We worked on an urban fantasy comic, an adventurous road trip around Europe with Greek Gods and godly problems on the side. We did all of it by ourselves, printed our own books, attended conventions and met so many people. It was a really fun time!
Dema: Oh wow that sounds amazing! What was the process like to pull all of that together? Did you and your friend write the "script" for it first, or work on visuals first?
Arja: We were young and inexperienced, so what we did then is NOT what I'd do now, ahahaha. I started with a script I had in mind, she helped me refine it and checked if it made sense. Then we went on some visuals, but not enough... And then we started with pages. Printed, did merch... Today, I'd spend more time on visuals, honestly, it saves so much time in the long run (even if it feels like it's only dragging you behind, at the start). I still much prefer having a script first, and visuals later. It's highly personal, I know people who build stories around designs. I just prefer the other way around and designing characters and environments with their roles in mind.
Dema: I'm guessing the process making art for the Big Bang is pretty comfortable, then? Since it's art based on writing? Or does this feel like a different beast altogether?
Arja: It's quite comfortable! It's a pretty standard illustration process: you get a text to read, and illustrate what you read, trying to represent it best visually. Having the writer to collaborate with is a GREAT help. Two pairs of eyes work better than one, and you can be sure you're actually doing a good and accurate job. In both editions I participated in, actually chatting with the writers (and last year, with another talented artist) has given me so many ideas, I was really lucky on both occasions to have amazing teams.
Dema: That is wonderful to hear. How far along are you in your piece this year?
Arja: I'm on track, I have the lineart ready to be coloured, a solid sketch to go by, and solid references. It should proceed pretty quickly from now on.
Dema: Have you participated in other events like the Big Bang?
Arja: I'm participating in the Reverse Bang alongside this one, this year! I had a relatively free summer, so I took advantage of it. I'm having fun and I can't wait to show the pieces I'm working on.
Dema: What inspired you to get involved in the Dragon Age fandom? How long have you been a fan creator?
Arja: A hyperfixation with the games kicked me in. I'd never been a strong fan creator. Dragon Age mixes OCs in the middle, and it ignited my creativity. I had the luck of meeting a nice bubble of lovely people, so I stayed. I first started being active in fandoms on Tumblr in 2012/2013 ("Back in my days...!"). The fandom I was into was pretty toxic, at least back then, and it put me off fanart for years. Save the occasional thing, but very sporadic. I started with Dragon Age in 2022 and have been here ever since, it helped me through an eventful and stressful time.
Dema: I'm so curious what your toxic fandom was, I have been in several that absolutely killed my love for the original media. I think the Dragon Age fandom is so special. It's not perfect sunshine and rainbows all the time, of course, but overall it is so much nicer than any other fandom I have ever participated in.
Arja: It was Star Wars, alas. I grew up with that saga, but it was the years when you couldn't express any appreciation for the prequels without nasty anons popping in your inbox. I do think that every fandom has the potential to be toxic, the trick is to block and scroll on, curate your own bubble. But yes, my Dragon Age bubble is very happy and nice, I'm glad to say I formed deeper and more profound opinions on many things thanks to it. It's been enriching.
Dema: Do you have a favorite game in the franchise? Or a favorite player character?
Arja: Hmmm, I love the games for different reasons. In terms of writing, story and themes, DA2 is my favourite. Hawke has a DELICIOUS vibe of Tragic Hero that scratches my Literary History BA in the most delicious way. But, I love DAI too. It has the tendency to give you good ideas and then develop them all half-way. But I love how that balance kicked me into fanfiction and fanarts the most. And the theme of the Inquisitor slowly losing their own persona as the Inquisition grows... Yes. As for characters, I'm a good OC mom and I love all my babies in the same way. -coughs- My Inquisitor is the favourite doll at the moment, she's just relaxing to write. -coughs-
Dema: Those are wonderful reasons to have! We are reaching our time limit, so in these last moments I'd like to invite you to write a sort of click-bait headline about yourself as an artist.
Arja: -turns into a deer in the headlights- I'm BAD at click-baits and at headlining myself. Can I answer with "Actually three seagulls in a trenchcoat?”
Dema: “Area Artist Actually Three Seagulls in a Trenchcoat,” maybe?
Arja: LOL perfect.
Dema: See, you're not bad at these at all!! Thank you for chatting with me today Arja!
