Cinderelle, 1 year later

Wow. Tomorrow May 24th will be the first year anniversary of Cinderelle launching with its first 3 episodes! I'm still in shock that she has become my life in so quick a time, and how much change and growth we've been through.

I've been drawing comics since I was eight. My first was an epic saga: "The Adventure Cats!" (the cats turned into Neko girls with I reached middle school, naturally.) In high school I was reading Siren's Lament and wishing I could make something so beautiful. But despite having ample ideas, none of my stories held my interest or seemed concrete enough to become a full comic.

Cinderelle crawled into my head three years or so ago. The image of a noble girl climbing violently up her chimney popped into my head as I was falling asleep one night, and I scrambled to write the concept down. The note doc grew as more ideas accumulated for the next couple years.

Last Janurary I had been searching for a tattoo apprenticeship in NYC when my family and I abruptly moved away. I took art commissions and was almost making a liveable wage, and just was wondering what the hell to do with my life. I picked up Webtoons for the first time in awhile and was knocked to the floor by "The Blind Prince." Cozycroww's whimsical fairytale dreamland swept me into a waltz of wonder. I was so inspired!

But this happened to me all the time. I got on Webtoons and would read some wonderful artistic masterpiece of a comic and think "I want to make one, too!" And then I always picked up a story of mine and hyperfixated it for a few weeks before tossing it back in the miscellaneous ideas bin. So when I reapproached Cinderelle, it was tentatively, and with only a little hope that I would actually do something with it.

So I dipped my toes into it. I went over my notes, then added more. I explored my new neighborhood, thinking of Cinderelle. I drew characters and scenes, and then quickly fell into storyboarding as entire interactions fell into my head. (I was zooted the whole time mind you)
Within two months I was thumbnailing the first six episodes, thinking fuck it, I have to make this, even if no one loves it, I need it for myself!

And you did love it. A lot of you loved it. You looked into my fun house mirrors and saw yourself in my silly characters, and stumbled though my poorly planned plot same as I did, confused at times but so enthusiastic and supportive. I remember how many last minute changes I was making behind the scenes, because of the inspiration your comments gave me! And I was so nervous for some reason to announce that I had gotten picked up by Webtoons, and cried seeing everyone screaming in excitement for me, even though it meant you would have to wait even longer.

A year later, I'm so honored to have you still peaking over my shoulder as I prepare the new Cinderelle. It's so difficult to keep myself enthused and feeling positive about it all the time. There are many days I feel scared sick over the thought of launching. Reading glue overwhelmingly positive comments fills me with motivation and energy! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on the episodes I'm currently drawing, and then for every episode after.

Who ever you are and however you've supported me, thank you. You make it all worth it. Happy 1 year!

Also I have to shout out Cozycroww again who let me transition so gracefully from her adoring fan to colleague. She keeps me sane and has been so generous with me!