Drew is such a burst of rainbow prisms! She is the most welcoming, funny, and giving person I know, her personality shining in all she does. I admire her immensely. She always takes care of us, be it with random little gifts, giving dresses, cooking great meals for us, a sweet hug, considerate advice, and her amazing zest for life when we hang out. Drew is a blast to be around, so brave, and beautiful inside and out. I am glad I can geek out with her and we can support each other in all we do. Read her interview here and you’ll love her as much as I do.
#1. What are your three favorite memories of us? “My first would be the first time I did DnD with you and you were helping through it all- and we were laughing like crazy! Second would be our sleepover we had at my house when we all were watching Fruits basket! And third when I came to your book signing at Aesops! I was so proud of you for following your dreams!”
#2. How did music change your life? “What moment made you decide you wanted to spend your life with music? My earliest memories of music is of my parents singing “You Are My Sunshine” every night before I fell asleep to me. My Gma Jane taught me to play a little on the piano, and also we would sing the song “ Sing Sing a Song”. I have multiple aunts and uncles who are band/choir teachers so music was just kind of natural for me go into. I love every minute of it too 😉 “
#3. What three anime made you become an Otaku (unbeknownst to you or not?)
*InuYasha
*Claymore
*Coppelion
#4. You are such an inspiration to me with how you handle your autoimmune diseases. What do you do to try to handle it and what advice would you give others going through similar situations?
“Make a decision to not let that be what defines you. I am Drew, I am not my sickness. So this may be a bad day, but it is just one day, and tomorrow is a new day. I try really hard to not let the pain and issues I have control my life, but it can get overwhelming. My friends (like you!) and family are an awesome support system, and that makes all the difference too!”
#5. Select five manga series you like that reflects your feelings overall.
Lately my top 5 I’ve been reading and re-reading are:
*Blackbird
*Yagi The Bookstore Goat
*Gakuen Alice
*Claymore
*The God and his Flightless Messenger
#6. You are such a beauty icon to me! Describe your D and D characters and describe the makeover you’d give them like you do at your weekend job!
“Right now, I have 3 characters I’m playing in 3 different games.
*Evie Nightshade, half-elf celestial warlock, who is a priestess in training for Nyx. I think if I was to give her a makeover I would use a lot of iridescent shimmer for her eyes and highlights on her cheeks. Maybe some opalescent glitter. Since she’s got dark grey skin. Going for a more mysterious ethereal look.
*Skye Twinklebeak, a Half Owlin/human Ranger, probably uses some light peach colors to compliment her big blue eyes, and a natural lip. Hers would be more of a natural look.
*Lyrika Songweaver, Tiefling Bard, since she has red skin and black horns, and black-eyed, I would probably accent with shimmering gold. Do a cat eye liner, a black lipstick as well. Decorate her horns with some gold wire and trinkets. Hers would be on the more flirty side!”
#7. What has been your favorite celebrity interaction so far and why?
Doug Jones– he was so sweet and he gives the best hugs! He took time to talk to me and was very attentive. Just a wonderful experience!
#8. Your cooking is amazing! What would you cook your anime crushes for breakfast, snack, lunch, and dinner as they all stay with you all day?
My main crushes are Hisoka from Hunter X Hunter, Alucard from Castlevania, and Hak from Yona of the Dawn.
I feel like a breakfast I’d like eggs and bacon and maybe some strawberry crepes?
For lunch, I guess maybe Hawaiian burgers with a fresh spring salad and homemade Caesar dressing.
I feel like for dinner all three would be interested in Meat of some kind… so maybe I’d make them my Italian chicken with my oven-roasted Asparagus and Parmesan garlic potatoes! For dessert if so like my peach crumble with vanilla ice cream!
#9. Tell us about your trip to Japan.
I spent 1 week in Tokyo, then went to Kyoto, then Takayama Hida, then Osaka, Nara, Nikko, and back to Tokyo for my last week. I saw as many historical World Heritage sites as I could! My friend Takaaki helped me plan it and met with me for dinner multiple times. He also drove me to Nikko and we spent the day exploring. One of my favorite memories is meeting his grandmother who was 96 and she just kept hugging me and telling me her heart was happy to meet me. One of my other favorite parts of the trip was going up into the Tokyo Skytree at night. It was breathtaking to see Tokyo lit up! The hardest part was navigating the trains/subway/buses to get around! But overall going by myself for a month was an amazing experience!
#10. I love your light: your kindness, your boldness, your quirky expressions! Our friendship is a treasure to Me. What does it mean to you?
You are a person that is like bottled sunshine! You have a huge heart and your love, support and friendship is such a comfort. Especially right now when my life is a bit of a mess! —
Questions for Me:
- What is your favorite memory with me?- “I always love spending time with you! 🙂 Our Otaku Meetings, D and D, meals, trips, all of it. You have this fun energy. I think nerding out and discussing education in the presence of the amazing Kent Williams was so grand!”
- If you could pick any anime/manga for me to live in- what would you choose for me and why?- “Hmm…I would say Hunter X Hunter, so you can be by your man, 😉 , but there is combat and adventure. Plus there are magical-like elements, which I know you like using spells.”
- If you were to base a character off me in your books- what series would you put me in and why?!- “Oooh! I love this idea! I would put you in an upcoming Greek mythology book series I want to write in 2-3 years. You would be a fantastic muse for your sense of fashion, love, and talent in music, energy, and love of magic/mythology. I think we should make this happen!”
- If you were to describe me with just three characters from TV/Movie/Anime/Manga who would they be and why did you pick them?!- “I would say Ms. Frizzle from Magic School Bus since you have incredible energy, colorful fashion, a thirst for life, and bold, epic expressions! Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service for your kind heart, magic, determination, and love of animals. And Hedwig from Harry Potter for your love of owls and you being a loyal, good worker and best friend.”
- Looking towards the future what is something you’d want us to do or experience together?- “More Dungeons & Dragons. More hanging. More conventions. I think Japan would be amazing. You know so many cool places and are not afraid of adventure. As long as I’m not outside too much, I say let’s do it!”
About Drew:
Drew Hartenberger is an elementary music teacher who loves to write and read. She lives with her three dogs: Brea, Bumi, and Kai, and her cat: Nyx. She loves to be outdoors, and often finds herself lost in nature. She enjoys watching anime, reading, and spending time with her family and friends.