The Big 1,700 Q+A -- All Questions Answered!

((*Yearly reminder  that the world of Mmian is rough. If they were exposed to society at  large, they would probably both go to prison! I don’t have very much fun  with the world because I think it’s heavier than I’m able to handle  thoughtfully, which is the biggest reason the story wrapped up!))

Heyo everyone! It's finally time for my answers to all your burning questions-- thanks for your patience with this, and I hope you'll enjoy! (This post is also available on the Secret Club site, in an easier to read format.)

As a heads-up, some of the answers are a little personal or revealing about myself or certain stories: specifically My Master is a Naga. So, if you'd like to preserve your image of either of those things in your head, I've marked off those sections so you can more easily avoid them.

I'll have the questions I answered with pictures to start, and then it'll lead into text only. Hope you enjoy and thanks again for your support and curiosity!

 Malik, Tomai, and Burdoc: what are things you find endearing about each other?

M: I’ve known these two for so long it’s almost hard to remember.
B: H-Hey!
M: Heh Heh…
T: I appreciate Malik’s sense of humor and Burdoc’s honesty.
M: Ah! Very straight forward.
B: …I like Malik’s confidence and Tomai’s kindness…
M: Ah! You too?!
(They both look at Malik)
M: Hm?
M: Oh, I was serious. I’ll never tell!
(They glomp him)

 Sal, what are 3 things you love about Battam?

Sal: His honesty, his confidence, and his determination. Battam is just so, vivacious and hungry, I can’t help but get excited for stuff when he is. It’s  honestly just so nice to have someone in my life who has goals and wants  to do stuff because it helps me figure out what I wanna do and I wanna  support him in his own things and – ah! Being with him just  makes me feel really fulfilled and good. Like I finally have a home and  purpose. Also, I love that big fat d*ck… (I can’t help it!)

 Why is Satine is closeted about being trans?

As a warning: I got into some personal details here  and if you’re sensitive to dysphoria talks or things like that, please  read with caution if you choose to do so.

Mainstream witch covens don’t condemn people who are trans, but it’s  one of the many “don’t ask, don’t tell” policies. It’s the same thing  for being gay or being with multiple partners or really anything like  that– even stuff like child birth is often behind thick walls because it  involves a lot of “high emotions”. Weddings are a really somber affair  as well as most anything else of that nature you can imagine.

So, something so personal is simply something they don’t want to see  you express too much. For example: a character like Nãm or Lia have been  out and transitioned for a long time now, but they had to do it very  hush hush with each similar witches inside the coven walls, almost like a  secret society within a secret society. There are often groups of trans  witches who help each other out, but it’s understood that you don’t ask  higher ups for help about this and you don’t draw attention to it.  Coven witches should act and look a certain way– so sure, be trans, but  you must still be emotionless, stoic and presentable.

But, that’s all besides the point that sometimes knowing you’re  trans, coming out, and then transitioning is just hard even when you’re  in a good environment. I personally only started taking my transition  more seriously within recent years because I had so much body dysphoria  and depression around being trans (honestly, I still do, it’s a daily  struggle but getting better) even though I already knew I was trans from  a VERY young age. It’s just hard. Which is why I’ve started to try and embrace more and more trans characters in my work in recent years because there is healing in that. I’m actually quite afraid to write out “being trans is  hard for me” and have anyone read that thought because I think that  makes certain types of folks mad, but it’s still my truth and I don’t think I’m alone in that. It’s difficult, I struggle. Things are getting better but it’s still hard.

So, if Gummy and The Doctor is trans euphoria and wish fulfillment  for me, Satine is a reflection of my struggles in that area– the trying  to make it work as cis, the trying to make it work non-transitioned, and  then finally, acceptance and transitioning– moving on to try and live  your best life and love your body, the way it changes, and the way it  interacts with others. I cried when I wrote Satine’s coming out scene  because it was really, really personal. My sprite assistant cried too.  It’sjust  great to see someone like Satine FINALLY be past so much  bullshit and to a better place and to write that all out.

A lot of folks have pre-maturely condemned Satine just based on their  actions in the prologue and uh, I think a lot of folks are going to  grow to regret that because of information like this. Battam, Sal, and  Satine are all not perfect by any means, but I think because Satine is  on the “outside” of the romantic relationship Battam and Sal share, so  it’s easier for people to dislike them. But, I’ve personally loved  writing a messy person like them. Someone who changes their beliefs and  eventually embraces themselves, finding a close friend who is trans and  just, making it all work. I love Satine!

Er, this became a bit of a tangent but, hopefully it was insightful  on why I’ve written Satine like I have, and how some of witch society  functions. Thanks for the question!

 Does Sal’s father know about him and would he care?

Sal’s “father” is an amalgamation of spirits so I don’t think they  can care? They are aware of him as much as any animal would be: they  know they created spawn, but have totally moved on to the usual eating  and sleeping. It’s rough!

But, I still think Battam’s Dad who has basically always been absent  is worse. Because, he could be around but just chose not to! Battam  barely wastes a breath on him.

 Where did Sal’s mother go?

*THE HUGE SPOILER ALARM BLARES, ABSOLUTELY BLASTING YOUR EAR DRUMS AND BLOWING YOUR HAIR BACK*

Sorry, can’t tell you this one! You’re gonna have to play the upcoming game!

 Does using/giving his magic dehydrate Battam?

Yes, but it takes a while. I’ve never decided exactly how magic is  stored inside a witch body, but we can imagine it uses a lot of the same  fluids anyone has in their body as a base. The magics are inspired by  the humors, so just imagine a bunch of yucky stuff in there that comes  out pretty. He needs to use a pretty GOOD amount of magic to hurt  himself though, but he does have a lot of water and liquids on deck to  replenish himself. Certain potions can make him produce a lot though, or  just feeling real excited.

 Gummy and Edwin, would y’all ever find each other in a romantic relationship or is it just s*xual?

*the huge spoiler alarm blares YET AGAIN*

Boy howdy, why, the show still has at least 7 episodes left! I wonder how things could go or change during that?  Looks like you’ll just have to write some juicy fan fiction until then. Thanks for your patience!  I’m serious, the wait and seeing it all play out within the show is  gonna be way more satisfying than an answer from me. Give us some time, I  don’t think we will disappoint you.

 For Kabocha and Pumpkin: What are things you find endearing about each other?

I think Kabocha likes Pumpkin’s earnestness and honesty, and Pumpkin  thinks Kabocha is very elegant, smart and refined. These two have a  whole back story I’ve just never written down or drawn because I haven’t  had time– and I don’t think I’ll be making another comic with them?  Maybe a fic or general post about how they met might be fun? I have no  idea.

 For Telen and Buck: What are things you find endearing about each other?

This was kind of answered up above? Telen likes that Buck is nice,  strong, and soft– his love is very simple but strong. And Buck likes  that Telen is confident, protective and sweet. Generally they have a  very fluffy and cozy relationship! Very committed to each other!

 For Sal and Battam: What are things you find endearing about each other?

Again, sort of answered above. Sal likes Battam’s honesty,  confidence, and determination, while Battam likes Sal’s sense of humor,  gentleness, and think he’s really smart and likes hearing Sal’s thoughts  and opinions on stuff. The two are really peas in a pod and compliment  each other nicely– they fall into a rhythm where they really know what  the other wants. It’s so cute! Also, they are hopelessly attracted to  each other’s bodies. Their physical compatibility is off the charts!

 For Yarrow and Havi: What are things you find endearing about each other?

For this, I’m not sure! I was not the writer for Yarrow Valley–  Arcade Party. It’s part of why asking questions for the Tomai gang is  tough too. I still don’t consider Havi and Yarrow “my” characters  because I made them with AP. (Though, the Tomai boys I made before  meeting AP, so it’s a little easier to have fun with them.) So, sorry,  not sure I can answer this one! I’m sure you can come up with something  fun just by playing the game and thinking on it though.

 This  is a really big question I need to ask…. Would Battam be part of the  covens if it wasn’t for what happened to his mom? Or would he still have  that call to action? Would he ever have noticed the dangers and torture  covens put their witches through if he thought everything was normal  and accidents were simply “something that happens to those who aren’t  careful”?

This is a really big question– and very tough! I honestly think if  Battam’s Mom hadn’t died, he would have taken a very similar route to  Satine’s. Continue in the coven schools, graduate into the Rowan Coven  and then sell his wares for them. Maybe Satine and Battam would have  traveled together? Maybe they would be a lot closer, earlier?

But, I think just like with Satine coming out, Battam’s own nature of  well, being sexual, would eventually get him in some kind of trouble.  And, I think it’s hard for him not to notice people suffering too– I  think eventually he would still defect, but it would take a LOT longer–  maybe even until he’s 30. Though, would he still even meet Sal in this  route, I’m not sure?

I think with Violana, she would still have some kind of accident– no  matter what. Even if she didn’t die from an overload, she would have  absolutely lost a hand, arm, or leg which is an unfortunately common  thing to happen to Coven Witches. (Thank god for Satine’s “activities”  with Coven members, it helps them blow off steam.) But, Violana was a  very repressed person and no matter what, this would catch up to her.

I believe this could have happened to Battam too– because he is so  naturally emotional and has a lot of magic. It’s tough out there!

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 Now begins the section where folks asked me more personal questions, or about my process in general. If you wanna preserve the image you have of me in your head, proceed with caution.

 How does your work day function? (Like – do you have a set time period each day for work? Do you have a special work area?)

I work out of a planner and many notes/lists (I think everyone should  use a planner, they rule) and I work every day but Monday and Friday. I  usually work about 8 to 12+ hours a day (yes, I work too much but I  also have many bills and not a ton of cash flow) while juggling personal  life stuff. I am taking more days off lately though because it’s  summer, but I often have long stretches of doing basically nothing BUT  work all day and night. I do love my work so I don’t really consider it a  bad thing most of the time, aha.

I get up, I eat breakfast, I do “paperwork” stuff like e-mails,  social media, and anything else that isn’t drawing, then I cook dinner,  then I sit back down and work until I go to sleep. Rinse and repeat.  Sometimes I’ll take time off between that dinner time and sleep time,  but most of the time I’m just sitting there working, widdling away at my  ever HUGE list of things to do.

 How about a photo of your work desk?

Decided this one was just a little too personal to share, but I can  give you some highlights. It’s a big standing/sitting desk that goes up  and down as I need it. I have a single monitor and my tablet to my left,  it’s all very utilitarian. Up above, my computer is pink as well as my  keyboard. On top of that, are 4 peepy dolls that me and my partner  co-own. Behind that is prints of my own work (mostly Alkaline from Space  School, my beloved) and a wall of The Search for Henry Jekyll prints and a prized original from Midori. On the other side, a pin-up calendar of Lexual.  Scattered around are important medical papers, tax filings, and my  trusty planner and pen. Sitting at the desk is a tired, but excited  looking grub with funky hair– hey, that’s me!

 What inspires you?

This one is ALWAYS very, very hard for me to answer. I guess the  simple one is other comics, life, people, music, the world? Everything? I  have a general passion for life even though I’m a low confidence, self  loathing, filled to the brim with anxiety bug– I still love the world  and see so much good and humanity, and I just want to like, create stuff  that gives folks a little break from the bullshit. It’s part of why I  let my work just earnestly be happy and why I try to update so often.

So yeah, this is tough. This answer changes all the time. The world  is full of good stuff and folks making good things. NEVER let anyone  tell you “art isn’t good anymore” – it just means they are lame and  don’t seek out indie work or do any kind of fucking googling or hunting–  if you go looking, you’re GONNA find good indie stuff and even good TV  shows and movies right now. PEOPLE ARE STILL TRYING TO MAKE GOOD STUFF,  PUT IN THE WORK AND FIND IT. ASK YOUR FRIENDS, LOOK UP REVIEWS– GET THAT  STUFF!!! DON’T GROW BORING.

 What do you do to relax?

Another tough question. I’ve struggled with anxiety my whole life and  thusly, have always struggled to relax. It’s gotten better with therapy  and age, but I still am constantly trying to be “productive” or “on the  move”– but I really like movies, tv shows, video games, comics, and  music. Really, I just like art! I also like nature walks, bird watching  and stuff like farms or museums. Generally, stuff made by humans for  humans I like– AND I LOVE EATING. Going to restaurants with friends was  the best and I miss it so much, really glad I got my hot pot so I could  do that at home with my partner and roomies at least. So yeah, nothing  too specific or unusual. During Christmas time I do a lot of wreath  making and scrap booking too. I’m a grandparent in spirit, basically,  LOL.

 How important is music and poetry to you?

Music is incredibly important to me and I make playlists for almost all of my stories (list here)

Poetry I’m not as familiar with, but I like scripts and other word  play stuff, so maybe it’s time I read some? Not sure! Maybe I’ll start  looking up some videos about this.

 Any favorites?

I’m a big fan of alternative, disco, vaporwave, funk, rap, and  generally anything that’s “odd” or “interesting”. I like multiple voice  tracks, I like funky little sounds and instruments and I like people  just talking in a song. Lately, I really like “Elastic Girl” and “Helicopter”. I think these two songs encompass my music taste pretty well, haha!

 And do you like animals/pets or even have some?

Love animals, and yes, I have a cat, his name is Baby Cat and he’s a celebrity among our friends and has his own gallery on the site here.

 What started the process of you creating everything?

Not sure. I was a kid when I started making comics! We simply had an assignment in 5th grade to “make a comic” so I made like, 8 pages or something overboard. Ever since, I was hooked!

 How has it felt knowing that so many people love and appreciate the creations that you have worked so hard to bring to life?

It feels good!

 What was the inspiration for each of your works?

This is almost impossible to answer because I have so many. Don’t  forget– I’ve been drawing comics since I was in high school, so I just  uh, couldn’t possibly name everything. Plus, I’ve got a bad memory (it’s  kind of a problem) so, I’m just going to list what I do remember:

Cavemate – Minecraft, Dungeon Meshi, the need to see a spider boy in  action! They are so rare! Also, I was originally going to make this for a  bug themed zine I was running but it fell thru, but I liked the  thumbnails so much I still pursued it.

Solanaceae – Someone once told me my p*rn was “too wet” so I  literally made a character that could PRODUCE LUBE to smite them. Fuck  you rando, people love Battam now! He’s the most popular! Also, I  thought humorism was gross and interesting and wanted to explore that.  It spiraled from there– I started with a very loose story but it  eventually evolved into something way more complex, but I’m super happy  with it so far! Really hoping people will like the game and I can work  out some of the story kinks in there.

Lee’s game – Old character designs, Lee’s REALLY STRONG backstory I  had randomly come up with, and the One Piece movies. One Piece has this  great “stories between the lines” vibe and the movies are the best  example of this. They are a slice of REALLY interesting characters and  world without all the extra bullshit the long ass arcs bring (sorry, OP  has become a fucking nightmare after timeskip) so I said, Okay, I will  make up a story and only show 4 big slices. The 4 bigger and most  important slices, and that’s it. You will never actually see how Lee and  Beracus met, you will never see all of their  adventures, and you will not see what happens after the endings. Those  things are for you to come up with and have fun, just like I had fun  with One Piece. Please embrace it!

 I  like to ask a few questions about you, little things I’m always  interested in with people, especially the ones with whose creative work  I’m fascinated with: Occupies the development of your characters much of  your day – like do you always have little scenes and stories in your  head in daily situations apart from when you’re working or how feels the  creative process for you?

I absolutely have some kind of narrative or idea running through my  head on the daily– but I’ll be honest, it’s mostly just horny stories,  aha. I do brainstorm for things like Lee’s game A LOT and write down a  bunch of little notes as they come to me– though it’s hard to track what  helps certain elements “click” through this pre-production time.  Sometimes it’s a line in a video essay or a way a song sounds, it just  helps it click. I keep a long list of notes until it’s time to write an  official outline.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about Renny and Edwyn from the webcomic, Woodlands. I just really like the world and relationship that  comic has built, and the author’s are people I chat with here and there  and do trades with– so it’s rewarding to make fanart for something where  I can just like, hand that over to the creators like a little treat  without guilt. Also, I’m just genuinely passionate about the dynamic and  the direction for the story! That’s besides the point though.

 Do you imagine characters in other works you like, too?

Oh, I accidentally just answered this but I will elaborate– it takes a  special kind of thing for me to get into it if it’s not my own work. I  can count on both hands the fan work things I’ve stopped to get really  passionate about– and I often have one big “project” for them and then I  move on. (Kiryu/Majima being a great example of this.) I often just  enjoy stuff passively or buy merch here and there, fan work is usually  left for when people request it because I just have so much of my own  stuff to do and feel so passionately about my own work of course I would  imagine it on the daily!

But, sometimes something really clicks and I wanna explore it in fan  work or little fantasies in my head. It’s nice to let myself have that  stuff as it often opens my mind/art to more, different kinds of ways of  telling stories. It’s good to leap into someone else’s world for a  second and dig around: think about why they make certain decisions and  see if you can “match” the tone. I’m very picky with fan work because  CONTEXT IS KING and I wanna see fan work that feels /in character/.

It drives me nuts to get asked to make fanart for something that  doesn’t fit– and I’ve even denied folks commissions of my own characters  for not being in character enough. I’ll indulge in AU or goofy ideas  here and there– but I’m simply very passionate about stuff that feels  “canon” or “fitting”! I’m a picky, what can I say? I did have a write up  of shows I like, but I have yet to post it on the site.

 What work do you wish got more love and attention?

Lee’s game, without a doubt. Folks are going to be kicking themselves  when the second game comes out because I think the story has everything  I usually write about, but just without the fucking. (And honestly, it’s WEIRDLY hurt the game among my usual readers that I made it not p*rn, lmao, I did not expect that)

But, I have a lot of plans to improve the gameplay, the art, and the  story in general with the second game, so I really hope people will show  up and give Lee and Beracus a chance. I promise they are so fucking  interesting and a really different dynamic from what you’re used to me  writing– shit is fucked and unhinged and you will see me write about a  lot of hard things and ask hard questions but IT’S GOOD. It’s not to  hurt you, it’s just to compel you and move two fucked up guys to a wild  end. AND YES, THE GAME IS GAY! PLEASE! I wouldn’t make a thing that  wasn’t queer or trans in some way– Beracus is a trans man who ends up  torn between choosing two guys but like, not really because who could do  romance in a situation like this and AAAAH PLEASE OH MY GOD HE STILL  WANTS A KISS! I feel so passionately about the story but I’ve just had a  lot of hang ups getting to the second game but I PROMISE it will come  out and so will the others and I just hope you consider giving it a  chance if you haven’t already. It’s available on PC, PS4/5, Xbox,  Switch, and SOON Android!!! Thank you!

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 Down here are some tougher questions, which include some thoughts about My Master is a Naga, so proceed with caution.

How much do you enjoy interacting with fans/what kind of interactions do you enjoy the most?

I enjoy interacting with fans a lot, but I tend to be a pretty  grouchy and overly serious person sometimes so I don’t know how much  fans like interacting with me, lol. Lots of folks say I’m nice, and I  think I’m… okay? But, I am REALLY truly a grouchy person and tend to  have a pretty quick tempter/jump to conclusions, so I don’t think I’m  the easiest to handle if I’m having a bad day.

Even so, I still have to take every comment and question VERY  literally, because people have gotten mad at me in the past for not  doing that– so when I answer a question like, “Why is Sal doing x?” I’ll  often give a serious answer and people will be like, “Oh, I wasn’t  being serious.” and it’s like :/ It can be a very flat feeling, like,  how do I know you weren’t being serious? How do I know I wasn’t supposed  to respond?

I’m started talking to fans less and less because I think I’m… maybe  not very good at it? And there are so many comments lately that I just  can’t keep up with. But, I’m determined to at least respond to everyone  here on Patreon and such! Cuz I have met a ton of fun people through  them reading my work and I’m super glad for that!

But, there are also a lot of folks (especially mobile only players)  who can be very entitled and mean-spirited folks who just feel like  making fun of my work, hating on it, or having a really bad faith take–  that comes with the territory though. The worst is folks who get overly  friendly and say they are “in love with me”— I’ve had a few  borderline stalkers and folks who just REALLY cross some boundaries. I’m  in a super committed relationship in my personal life (for over ten  years) so anyone telling me they “love me” based on the d*ck and balls I draw is just like, could you please stop?

Mostly, I have a lot of really good interactions though! People are  very creative, especially with the lore of Solanaceae and I think folks  come up with better ideas about the magic than I do. It’s part of why I  keep it vague, I think people should be allowed space and freedom when  it comes to that stuff and it’s a kind of freedom I wanna bring into  Lee’s game too. I think it uh, also makes certain folks mad that it’s  “light on lore” but like, c’mon, just do a little thinking and I’m sure  you’ll catch on. I don’t wanna give you a big lore dump, I really don’t–  especially because I’m not great at lore! You’re better than me!

Folks who are encouraging or really thoughtful with their readings of  my work are the best. I appreciate when folks have their own ideas  about things or think critically on why I made a decision. Also, fanart  and ESPECIALLY fanfiction fucking rule and I really like looking and  engaging with that stuff– because I’m basically just an overly excited  fan of my own work in the end– though I understand I also need to be at  arm’s length so I don’t mess up anyone’s fun.

So, yeah, interacting with fans is complex, I won’t lie to you about  that. It can be very tough, but also very rewarding. Thanks for the  question!

 If you could change anything about anything you created what would it be?

First and foremost, make the world of My Master is a Naga not so  fucked up. It’s a really sweet, fluffy sappy story set in a REALLY dire  world that makes it totally unfun (and maybe even inappropriate?) to  expand on the story or lore in any serious way. I’ve even scrapped the  idea of a prologue for the comic just because I dislike the world so  much and don’t think I could tell that kind of story with the care it  needs. I just don’t think my writing is that strong.

Could I just scrap the original comic and draw it all over again?  Sure! But, would I rather spend that time on other stories I feel  passionately about instead? YES!

Secondly, I might actually change the pacing for the first prologue  chapter of Solanacae. I think Sal didn’t spend quite enough time hating  Battam but at the same time, the comic is way way more about their  relationship AFTER that initial confrontation that I wouldn’t add too  much more. Maybe just another scene or two?

But, going back and fiddling with stories is a fool’s errand and will  honestly cause you a lot of trouble. A lot of folks I know recommend  not going back and fiddling with stuff too much– it’s a letting sleeping  dogs lie, kind of thing. People like MmiaN the way it is, they have  their own interpretation of how the world is and they don’t need to know what I know. They can just like the comic as it is, I’m good with that.

And, that’s the end! Let me know if you read all the way to the end,  and if you’d be interested in an event like this again. Thanks so much  and have an awesome day!

(Also, please forgive the censor in the words here, Patreon is kind of a mess lately.)