When I think of Sam, it makes me smile automatically! Her kindness, bubbly energy, and expressive expressions, all just make you happy and want to be around her. She is so fun and thoughtful, adventurous (except with food, lol,) and a true friend. Sammie is a doll and it has been an honor to have her in my life since high school thanks to Amber. She’s pretty. She’s talented. She’s fun and charming and clumsy! I want to introduce you to my dear Otaku Sister, Sammie!

1. What are your three favorite memories of us together?  

-The first memory that comes to mind is camping in Amber’s backyard.  We were piled up in a tent watching ‘Howl’s Moving Castle’ like 3 times.  The second one has to be seeing you at Anime St. Louis for my first convention ever back in 2014.  It was such a fun-loving experience.  The greatest thing about it is with you having the experience of you showing me and allowing me to explore different conventions with you.  The third one is our first Otaku Meeting and every single one after that.  Being able to come together once a month to go shopping, to talk about manga, anime, and all the nerd stuff.  It’s great to have a group of friends to share that with and especially you getting us all together.

2. What started your love for vampires?

Hard to say. I always loved them due to my mom loving vampires; she introduced me to them at a very young age, but ‘Interview with the Vampire’ sure did help bring the love out.  I have always been fascinated with them and enjoyed the lore and people’s thoughts on what a vampire truly is.  

3. How’d you meet Amber? 

I met Amber back in 2nd grade when we shared a class together.  But Amber and I have evidence that we talked in first grade.  We have been friends since then.  

4. You’re stuck in your beloved Labyrinth. You can take two anime characters, an actor, a book character, and a movie character to help get you out. Who would you pick and why? 

Inuyasha– he has a good sense of smell and can climb things easily.

Meliodas– he can bust down the walls if needed and he has been through a labyrinth before and can help find the right direction.

Jennifer Connelly– she made it through before so she can help guide us through the Labyrinth.

Hoggle– he lives in the Labyrinth and tries to be a great friend and can help get through tough obstacles.

Ludo– you have to have a best friend with you.  He will help call his rock friends to come help when needed.  So if I get into trouble ludo calls his rocks and will help us out. 

• What is your favorite spicy food (don’t forget a shot of pickle juice with it?)

I love making jalapenos filled with cream cheese wrapped in bacon.  Spicy pickles are amazing.  Also, anything I can put hot sauce on as well.  I just love spicy foods.  

• Based on his personality, if Leo had superpowers, what would they be? 

Leo’s personality is affectionate and he loves to eat.   Not sure if there is a superpower for that.  I guess I would have to say he would enjoy being able to be with me always.  Like he can appear wherever I am to get some cuddles.  

• How did you discover anime and manga and what does it mean to you?

The first thing I can think of is watching “Yugioh,” “Beyblade,” “Digimon,” and sitting with Amber watching “Inuyasha” and falling in love with that and growing and learning more about what this is.  Amber had these Shonen Jump books that had manga in them and that’s how my love of manga came.  Anime and manga mean the world to me because that’s how a lot of my friends became my friends or how I met new people to talk to about it.  I love the atmosphere it brings especially going to conventions and expressing yourself or being able to dress like your favorite character and see all the people who love it.  

• Which celebrity has been your best experience so far and why?

So I have two experiences: Doug Jones because he enjoyed talking with his fans and allowed each one of us to talk with him about what we loved about him.   He allowed us to shake his hands and gave us a hug.  This experience was truly amazing and meeting him will forever be in my heart.   The second one has to be James Marston, even though I only got to meet him during a photo opp. I did get to say hi to him and asked him if I could stand next to him and asked if I could give him a hug and he said yes.  (This goes back to the vampire question.  The first actor I met played a vampire that I adore so much.)

• What are your cosplay and props dreams/goals for the next two years? 

This upcoming year (2024,) I hope to have my Yu-Gi-oh Atem cosplay done.  I would like to update my Deku cosplay. My prop goals are endless, too many to say but, I would like to try to make Diane’s weapon from Seven Deadly Sins.  Some random cosplay I would like to do is Swan Princess and Thumbelina.  I haven’t thought about beyond that but I hope to continue to grow and make more cosplays and props.  

• Our friendship means a lot to me. Your bubbly personality, infectious laugh, and the way you care for others. What does our friendship mean to you? 

Our friendship means the world to me because of how we can connect with each other when it comes to our love of anime.  I love how much you care for all of us in the Otaku Group and want to help us all out when we are in need, upset, or even when we are sick.  You are truly an amazing person and a dear friend.  You care for all of us so deeply and want us all to be happy.  You put all your love and care into any gifts you give and your personality shines so bright.  

Questions I have for you 

1. Where is your dream vacation?- No question: JAPAN! <3 The culture, the manners, its beauty, how they blend their proud heritage while paving the way to the future. I would love to go for 3-4 weeks at the least or teach there for a year. ^_^
2. Who’s your dream dinner guest, can be an actor, anime character, voice actor and what are you cooking for them?- Well, I feel bad for these guests, but I am a horrid cook, lol! I probably would make my soy sauce and brown sugar salmon or baked cheese and garlic chicken breasts with mac and cheese. I make good omelets and tamago (sweet eggs) too and Japanese-style French toast. As for guests…There are too many. This may sound lame, but I think I would like to dine with my characters I made from my book series, just to see how they really would react to the real world (and each other, lol!)
3. Which celebrity has been your best experience so far and why?- I have so many. Two lists worth: Anime Voice Actors AND Top 10 Celebrity Interactions!
4. In one year’s time, what do you want in your life that you don’t have now?- Be more stable in my health, happiness, and money. Destress. Have my name and writing spread out there more and make more creative connections and dreams come true. Keep doing my best in life, with my loved ones, students, and all I encounter.

1. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten, and when has it come in handy?- I have been given a lot of great advice in my life, especially from my parents. But, I think the best comes from my grandma. She is the best person I know. ^_^ She always told me it takes no money to have good manners and always tell people you love them; you will never know what tomorrow may bring.
2. How many more books do you want to publish? Do you have any new ideas for future books/series?- Oh gosh! Number wise? I have 120+ ideas. LOL! In the next ten years, I hope to finish “Spirit Vision,” at least three. The final in “The Hunter and The Bringer.” Then I have a new trilogy I want to write (modern Greek mythology-based,) a historical fiction stand-alone, and want to do a few fractured fairy tales. I also want to get my series and main, longer short stories into audiobooks! ^-^ I hope people will be interested.
3. You have met a lot of actors and voice actors but who haven’t you met that you would love to meet?- I have an anime voice actor list of that too?! LOL! =D THE LIST IS HERE! I do want to meet all the Power Rangers from the original first series too, some Disney actors, Rick Riodian, and some actors/musicians.