Happy Halloween you hauntingly amazing witches and ghouls! 😀 I figured on this all enchanting night and to honor the last day of me being 31 (my birthday is tomorrow, woot!), I would introduce a new segment I want to do monthly for a while. I am so lucky to have some incredible friends who support me in adventures, life, nerdoms, and careers. They have been beckons to me in my writing as well and I thought you lovely folks may want to know how they perceive my process on crafting my works and give you a glance of who I am outside of media. A ‘behind-the-scenes’ if you will.
So, let’s get started!
My first guest is my creative, kind, sassy, and darling little sister to my heart, Cat Gladden. Cat and I met at SEMO Con three years ago and made an instant connection. A few months later, after we had been conversing and her asking me very in-depth questions about “Spirit Vision,” she came to one of my local book signings. We had a grand time and then I invited her to join us to go to a summer con with us. The rest is history. 🙂
I am so glad the universe has brought us together. We both have a passion for Disney, musicals, Twilight, cosplay, creativity, books, and trying to be kind to others. I never feel pressured around her; I can truly be myself and when I have anxiety that seems unreasonable, she is one of the few that truly understands and is there. We get each other in a way others do not. I am so proud of all she has accomplished; chasing her dreams to work at Disney World, even when things got tough, pushing through her fears, and always there for others. She is a true star.
Without further ado, here is what Cat had to say about me in our first ever “Behind-the-Scene with the BFF Interview:”
Cat’s Responses:
Q: What got you into theatre and costuming?
A: I grew up in a musical family and they took my brother and I to many theatre productions, especially at The Muny in St. Louis, MO. My mother was even part of the orchestra for one of their productions of “The Music Man.” I was the strange child who loved Peter Pan but not the Disney version, but the Cathy Rigby on Broadway version, and it is still one of my favorites to this day. However, the show that really got me interested in theatre and costuming by extant would be “Newsies.”
Q: Which one Disney film can you watch over and over and why?
A: Peter Pan, hands down. Maybe it’s because I have always secretly dreamed of Peter Pan taking me away to Neverland or maybe it’s because growing up involves too much stress.
Q: What’s the weirdest drink you have ever tried?
A: Iced coffee with a shot of vanilla. It’s honestly my favorite and they always ask if I want milk in it like a normal person but nope, give me it to me straight.
Q: If you could have any power from any of your cosplays, what would it be?
A: Agent Peggy Carter’s level of sass and determination. She’s a superhero in my book, people!
Q: What cosplay do you think would be good for Morgan that she might not have thought about?
A: Squirrel Girl or the cartoon version of The Wasp
Q: What’s three of your favorite memories or times with Morgan?
A: First would have to be introducing her to the pink drink because she now has it in my honor. The second would be showing her around my second home a.k.a Walt Disney World. And Third would have to be hanging out at her book signing at the amazing coffee shop, Villainous Grounds.
Q: If you turned into a cat for a day, what would you look like and what would you do?
A: I would be a black cat with purple eyes and I would sleep the whole day because cats can do that and I cannot.
Q: Who would win: your favorite Doctor Who or Star Wars characters?
A: The Doctor only has a sonic screwdriver versus let’s say Ahsoka Tano who has lightsabers. They are both equally smart people that don’t enjoy hurting others so it would be a tie.
Q: What are your three current favorite fandoms?
A: Julie and the Phantoms (Where my fellow Fantoms at?!?), Disney, and Doctor Who.
Q: What is something Morgan has taught you or helped with?
A: Morgan is usually the cheerleader for whatever I set my mind to and right now, especially, that is needed.
Questions Cat Gave Me:
Q: What has been your favorite memory of us hanging out?
A: You mentioned many of my favorites, but honestly, any time we spend together is a fantastic time. ^_^ Some other times I enjoyed a lot was the first time you came to one of my book signings, all of our sleepovers and how we can watch movies for hours, Football Australia and play board games while staying on topic (and you introducing me to facial masks), and conventions, such as Cosplacon and Cape Comic Con or doing events for kids and making them smile. Whenever we hang out, it’s a wonderful adventure and I feel happy and at ease.
Q: Also, if you could watch only one movie (across all franchises) for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: One movie? Ooh. That’s so tough! Probably “Reduced Shakespeare Company” OR if I can do films by the same director/company, I would do Studio Ghibli films.
Q: How did you come across wanting certain types of characters in your books?
A: This is a good book question. 🙂 Sometimes it depends on what the story needs. Personality-wise comes from inspiration that strikes me at different times and places. I let the characters take over how they speak even if I guide their dialog and plot. For example, I knew for the weapon’s master role in “The Hunter and The Bringer,” I needed a rough and tough character who could handle every situation. I wanted to explore the thought of taking a character that I have always struggled with and loathed, Xigbar from the Kingdom Hearts franchise, and kept his butch, jerk personality but made him a fighter for justice by destroying blood-thirsty monsters. I wanted to find a way to like this hated enemy of mine. It took a while before I found his voice and speech, but he took over and is now the a-hole we tolerate. LOL!
