#siw asks

[truths33k3r4]

Hi there! How are you doing?

How do you decide what your next story ​arc or comic is going to be about? And what's your process for everything? The writing and the art?

Also, what do you do to prepare for VA work? Any warm-ups or affirmations?

You​r work is amazing!

God bless you!!

Hey, Egbee!! :) So nice to have you back!! <3 Sorry it took me a bit to answer this! Had to wait for more brain power and time haha XD

Anyways~ On to your questions!

"How do you decide what your next story arc or comic is going to be about?"

When I was gathering my list of possible specials and chapter ideas, I was also organizing it by which events came first. For the next special, (focusing on Don and Mikey), my previous chapter "Observations and Obligations" is being referenced a good amount. So I knew it had to come after the events of that chapter. But then there are other specials, (specifically ones just showing Lotus growing more comfortable in the Hamato household), that aren't so picky with where they fit on the timeline. Those are my more or less "back-ups" that I can turn to in case I'm feeling run-down by the more long-lasting chapters.

2. What's your process for everything? The writing and the art?"

2. Normally, I will begin by referencing my SIW Character Profiles Sheet. This is an IN-DEPTH study and analysis on every turtle: their strengths, their flaws, their pasts, their futures, their truths, and their secrets. This helps me when I transition to writing the next special or chapter, so that I don't ever write the characters incorrectly. Here's a small peek at each of my turtles' sections.

Leonardo

Raphael

Donatello

Michelangelo

Lotus

After going over these, I will begin writing down my ideas. (usually something I had scribbled into my notes months prior). After writing down a small rundown of the story about to be told, I go straight into writing the actual chapter/plans for the panels of the comic. Once I'm finished with that, I either begin lining the art, or cleaning up the finished written chapter. I organize em all neat and pretty, send them to my beta reader friends, fix up the mistakes, and then post them soon after. :)

3. "What do you do to prepare for VA work? Any warmups or affirmations?"

3. Honestly, the only thing I do right before I hit "record" every time is pray. From the very first time I recorded a dub to the last, this will always be how I prepare myself before I begin acting. God is the One Who has given me the opportunity to begin a YT channel. God is the One Who has sculpted my voice from day one. And God is the One Who will always get front row seats to every performance I do. This has been my prayer since my very first day as a voice actress on youtube.

"Dear Lord, please help me to work hard and do my best for Your glory and not for my own. Help me to glorify You in everything I do and say. In Jesus' Name, amen."

It's short, but it brings everything I have on my heart to the table. Because I never want to create a single project that He can't use to glorify Him and inspire and motivate others.

1 Corinthians 10:31

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Thank you for all your questions, Egbee!! :) I had a blast answering them, and I hope they encourage you as my fellow creator! You are such a beautiful, skilled person, and MANY times God has used your talent and art and spirit to uplift and inspire me. So-- I hope this returns the favor <3

To God be the glory.

~ Melissa

[truths33k3r4]

Hello, Mellisa it’s me again >:3

From my last question, I asked how come Leo doesn’t have marks and that has been bugging me ever since so I decided to take it upon myself and make my own I hope you don’t mind that I used your art. I just don’t know how to draw ninja Turtles And you can come up of what his marks would look like on his arms feet anywhere i’m not the best drawer and when looking at a reference, it’s just sometimes pretty hard so yeah, and you can come up with how he got his marks or whatever because I couldn’t think of any you could do anything, but they are not tattooed or painted on. I just wanted to let you know that they are very real and I would like if he got them magically or something I don’t know, but they are NOT FAKE… Thank you :3

Hello!!

Thank you for your patience for me to return home and get situated again before answering this ask!

HA I would say your little comic here is about right-- though I will add one thing-- which is Leo not getting a chance to brag cause he's holed up in Don's office as the befuddled genius tries to decipher how magic gave his oldest brother markings. XD

D - "THIS ISN'T POSSIBLE--"

L - "Uh... Don?"

D - "MAGIC ISN'T REAL! How in NEUTON'S LAW DID THIS HAPPEN--"

L - "I don't-"

D - "WHAT ARE WE, IN A DISNEY MOVIE?! Did you WISH UPON A FRIGGIN' STAR OR SOMETHING?!"

L - *guilty silence*

D - "... You didn't."

There have been a few people who have asked why SIW Leo's the only one with no markings. And my answer to that question has always been the same. Because that's how I have drawn him since the beginning concepts of my story. XD But your ask did make me wonder what he would look like with markings like his siblings~ Sooooo here's my (hypothetical) guess to what his markings would be if he was born with any. :)

This was actually quite fun to experiment with, so thank you very much for this ask! :) It was also nice to just sit and draw on my tablet again. Been a little while since I've drawn anything SIW related. I've missed it. <3

To God be the glory!

~ Melissa

[truths33k3r4]

Hi Melissa is there any other drawings like this because I love seeing them all together

Hmmm~ Let me go check my archives~

There aren't as many with all of my turtles together- but there are a few of just the brothers! These are a mish-mash of challenge entries, sketches, and finished art. :)

That last one is a possible sneak peek to a future chapter as well~

Enjoy! :)

~ Melissa

[truths33k3r4]

SIW Expression Challenge ~ 2025 Entries!

A8 Mikey and D2 for Don

E6 Raph

G8 Lotus

H4 Leo

C3 Mikey

D6 Don

D9 Raph (with guest appearance, Leo)

A2 and A3 Lotus

I1 Don and Leo

B1 Mikey

A3 Leo

D10 Raph

D3 Don and C4 Mikey

H8 Leo and F5 Mikey

J7 Mikey and J4 Raph

J1 Leo and B2 Raph

[truths33k3r4]

How is the latest chapter going

It is nearly complete!! My editor is on the last page of the draft! Once she's done, I'll clean it up and then post it! Soooo if all goes according to plan, the next chapter should be posted very soon! (in the coming week!)

Thank you for your patience! After this chapter things are going to change direction in my story, so I'm very excited to show it to you all!

~ Melissa

[truths33k3r4]

Hi! I was thinking about your TMNTember art today and I realized that you never got to Mikey. Did you have a plan for who SIW Mikey was going to meet? I’m curious to know! (Also, could TMNTember extend into TMNTober? Since it’s no longer September) Happy Sunday! (Or whatever day you read this!)

Hello! :)

Ah yes-- You see, life happened and hit me like a truck. HAHA! So I was just a litttttle bit distracted for a while to get back to my challenge. But thank you so much for the reminder! I will do my best to finish my series with SIW Mikey meeting 2012! :)

In all honesty, my spark for traditional art has been fanned into a blaze now that I have my sketchbook. XD So, yeup, I've definitely been distracted. XD But I'll do my best to at least finish my TMNTember series before I sketch anymore. :) (Or maybe I'll draw it as a traditional sketch first and then transform it into digital ooooo)

Oh absolutely a drawing/creating challenge can stretch into other months! So long as you're continuing to do the challenge, to me, it doesn't matter if it takes you a year! ;) Long as you're having fun and stretching your abilities to better hone your skills.

Anyways, I hope you have a lovely day/night as well! Thanks for this ask! :)

~ Melissa

[truths33k3r4]

how long is the siw hitaus

NOT MUCH LONGER, BABY!! HAHAAAA

Today, in fact, I got a huge burst of inspiration to get back to writing Chapter 19 of Book Two, and I am happy to proclaim that the first draft of the chapter is finished!! ~^^~ Now I just gotta send it to my editor, clean it up a bit, draw the art for it, and then I'll post it. :)

So... to answer your question the hiatus is nearly over. :) Hopefully in a few weeks or so I'll be posting this next chapter. :)

Also... here's a little sneak peek to what this chapter entails.~

Another sniffle sounded close to his ear, wet and viscous, and he smothered the instincts telling him to flinch at the gross noise. Leo was being fully vulnerable with him right now, so Raph couldn’t allow the eldest to see just how uncomfortable this whole situation was making him. 

“Love is sacrifice.” Splinter’s voice echoed in his brain. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Raph’s mind froze.

Splinter.

Another tear fell from his oldest brother’s eyes, followed by arms tightening even further around Raphael’s torso. More broken sobs tore their way out of Leo’s throat, making him sound weak, small, and… young, things he had never been “allowed” to be all his life. 

Suddenly there was a vibrant warmth in Raph’s chest. But it wasn’t fueled by love. 

When this is over… me and dad are gonna have a little chat. He inwardly vowed with fists clenched and fangs grinding. The crushing embrace squeezing the air out of his lungs became coal, stoking the flame burning within him. The words PROTECT- PROTECT- PROTECT rang endlessly in his heart. It didn’t matter if Leo was his leader, his medic, or his oldest brother. 

When you mess with one lion, you get the fangs of the pride.

See you all in a few weeks give or take. ;)

~ Melissa

[truths33k3r4]

what makes your turtles happy. Like what would I have to give them to make them smile.

(there's been too much angst recently and I need something cute )

╥﹏╥

I am.. SO SORRY it took me this long to finally answer your question- I promise I sincerely wanted to, but life got busy, I got sick, and uh.. here we are. XD

Anyyyyways! Onto your question!

Leonardo- One of Leo's favorite past times is putting together puzzles while listening to movie soundtracks on his CD player. After tense missions or siblings annoying him all the time, he needs this kinda activity to rest and relax. :) Because his brothers think that putting together a puzzle is "old lady stuff" he's able to do it without any interruptions. (Except for a possible impromptu dance break from Mikey, but that's usually appreciated.) He also LOVES to organize all the pieces into their respective piles of color and shape.

Eventually, later in the story, Leo notices that Lotus fights anxiety and stress as badly as he does. (Maybe even worse.) So, in an attempt to help her, he invites her to join him whenever he takes out a 1,500 piece puzzle.

Raphael- This. This brings him immeasurable joy.

...Though sometimes things don't end so well for him. XD

But- in all seriousness, he loves to draw. :) Especially when he's allowed by Don to just chill in his beanbag chair as his freckled twin works at his computer. He also loves to get into wrestling matches with his brothers- a good little tussle to get the blood pumping and practice their grappling- as well as to get a chance to test each others' strength!

Donatello- With how stressful and annoying customers can become with his IT job, Don just sometimes needs some space outside. Compared to his stale, cramped office, a peaceful forest is paradise to him, allowing his always-moving brain to finally quiet.

Lotus- It takes her a long time to find things that she likes. For one, the first few weeks of being in the lair consist of lots of Medbay visits and physical recovery, but once she grows strong enough, Don teaches her how to bake. :)

And in time, and with lots of practice, Lotus learns to find so much happiness when she watches her brothers enjoying something she made. :)

Michelangelo- Hahaha there's a whole list- but I'll just go over the main things he loves. :) Firstly, Mikey loves it when he's called into the Kitchen or Medbay by Leo to have Medic lessons. This isn't only time spent with his big bro, but it's also really neat to hear about how the body works, how he can help his team better, and how to better take care of himself. It takes a lot of concentration to sit and listen, but it's always worth it. Especially when he sees Leo get passionate about something he works so hard to do. <3

Next would be singing and dancing. :) Anywhere. And at any time. He could be in the middle of a geography test and he'd still break out into song. And dancing is just such a cool way to express himself! Clicking on Leo's CD player with his favorite Smash Mouth hits, it won't even be two seconds before he's swaying, shimmying, and moon-walking.

Chores don't stop him from having fun either- Dishes are lame, but add your favorite hits on your MP3 player, and it's AWESOME.

And lastly, but most importantly, Mikey loves to paint. <3 He always has since being a toddler, thanks to an accident when Splinter left paint out in the boys' bedroom. Diving his hands into the cool, smooth, brightly-hued paint just sparked a deep creative drive in him, and it's been that way ever since.

Hahaha my story has been on the angstier side, so this was a lot of fun to just draw my turts being their fun, wholesome, chaotic selves. :) (Before more angst occurs in my story MUAHAHHAHAH)

Thanks for the question!

To God be the glory!

~ Melissa