Sarah Hollis of Master Plot Comics, not only is she a big dreamer with some excellent goals aimed at great changes. But she's also a mother of three great children and a teacher to boot! This lady aims to reach children and various age groups across the world and she doesn't intend to let anything stop her! Now, let's take a look at a few of her thoughts!
Interview by: Rob Wrecks
1. Hello there and welcome to the Mind Meld! As someone folks might not have heard of before, could you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Sarah Hollis, and I am a mother of three wonderful children. My day job consists of being a preschool teacher, but I write independent comic scripts professionally as well. I am also an editor at Master Plot Comics.
2. How tough would you say it is in balancing all of that?
It's definitely a challenge, but I feel like any working mom who is going to school goes through way more than I do. My kids are pretty self sufficient because they know I'm usually busy, but we always have one or two days a week where we get together and spend time together as a family. I also have an incredibly support husband who is deeply involved in just about the same things as I am, so we play off of each other a lot. It's very nice. I was raised that hard work is the key to a happy life, and I really feel that one day I will look back and say that I filled my life with good things.
3. That does definitely sound like something to look forward too one day! What got you into wanting to write comics?
It was actually pretty strange how I got into comics. Growing up, I wasn't really allowed to read them, but I always wanted to. I had three Spider-Man comics that I had purchased at a second hand store while out with my next door neighbor and his mom, and I kept them hidden under my bed. They eventually were found, and I was given the standard lecture kids get for hiding cigarettes or alcohol. It all seemed very silly to me, but I reluctantly put my passions aside. After I met my husband, he got me back into them as he had been a lifelong advocate for comics and all things "nerd culture." He had an idea for a comic, but it would still be almost four and a half years before we sat down and started writing it. He knew that I was a writer, and that reading was one of my favorite things to do. He introduced me to the show Californiacation, which is about a down and out author, and it sparked me to want to write something new. I asked if he still wanted to make that comic he had told me about when we met, and we decided to go ahead and put it together.
4. You've recently launched a Kickstarter, what can you tell us about that?
My new Kickstarter is not actually for a comic at all. When I was young, I had an idea for a children's novel, and decided that now was a great time to pursue and put it on paper. I then asked Whitney Cook, the amazing colorist known for Galaxys for Hire, to do the illustrations for it. Her characters are so cute, and I just knew her art would be perfect for the idea. Basically, the book is about a little orphan girl finding out that she is a witch, and that this new cat on her doorstep is going to be her teacher.
5. Will Fuzzy Tricks and Broomsticks be one novel only? Or will it potentially expand into a series of novels?
As of right now, Fuzzy Tricks can be expanded into a series, but I want to see how well the first book comes across before I start more books.
My name is Sarah Hollis, and I am a mother of three wonderful children. My day job consists of being a preschool teacher, but I write independent comic scripts professionally as well. I am also an editor at Master Plot Comics.
2. How tough would you say it is in balancing all of that?
It's definitely a challenge, but I feel like any working mom who is going to school goes through way more than I do. My kids are pretty self sufficient because they know I'm usually busy, but we always have one or two days a week where we get together and spend time together as a family. I also have an incredibly support husband who is deeply involved in just about the same things as I am, so we play off of each other a lot. It's very nice. I was raised that hard work is the key to a happy life, and I really feel that one day I will look back and say that I filled my life with good things.
3. That does definitely sound like something to look forward too one day! What got you into wanting to write comics?
It was actually pretty strange how I got into comics. Growing up, I wasn't really allowed to read them, but I always wanted to. I had three Spider-Man comics that I had purchased at a second hand store while out with my next door neighbor and his mom, and I kept them hidden under my bed. They eventually were found, and I was given the standard lecture kids get for hiding cigarettes or alcohol. It all seemed very silly to me, but I reluctantly put my passions aside. After I met my husband, he got me back into them as he had been a lifelong advocate for comics and all things "nerd culture." He had an idea for a comic, but it would still be almost four and a half years before we sat down and started writing it. He knew that I was a writer, and that reading was one of my favorite things to do. He introduced me to the show Californiacation, which is about a down and out author, and it sparked me to want to write something new. I asked if he still wanted to make that comic he had told me about when we met, and we decided to go ahead and put it together.
4. You've recently launched a Kickstarter, what can you tell us about that?
My new Kickstarter is not actually for a comic at all. When I was young, I had an idea for a children's novel, and decided that now was a great time to pursue and put it on paper. I then asked Whitney Cook, the amazing colorist known for Galaxys for Hire, to do the illustrations for it. Her characters are so cute, and I just knew her art would be perfect for the idea. Basically, the book is about a little orphan girl finding out that she is a witch, and that this new cat on her doorstep is going to be her teacher.
5. Will Fuzzy Tricks and Broomsticks be one novel only? Or will it potentially expand into a series of novels?
As of right now, Fuzzy Tricks can be expanded into a series, but I want to see how well the first book comes across before I start more books.
6. You mention that the young lady of your novel will be taught by a cat. What led to you using the idea of a cat as a mentor?
I grew up with several cats in my home, and always had an attachment to the animal. They are clever, and there's something about them that appeals to little girls all over the world. With that being said, each witch has their own familiar, and not all of the familiars are even domestic animals. It depends on the witch.
7. That actually makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. What made you decide to go the novel route with the story rather then turning it into a comic?
I had begun the story a while ago as a young adult novel, and wanted to bring it more into the children's genre. I thought about possibly going the comic route, but I thought that it would be a better stand only book as oppressed to a short run series. I may end up turning it into a comic at a later time after I receive the initial reviews of the book.
8. Sounds like something to look forward too for sure! In the event that the Kickstarter doesn't make its goal, what will you do next to see your novel make it in front of many young eyes?
If my Kickstarter doesn't get funded, I will continue to push forward, and produce the book myself, though it make take a bit more time than if the Kickstarter does get funded.
9. Heck yeah! You mentioned earlier that you had something of an interesting childhood where Comics were concerned. What do your parents think of them now a days? Especially with you writing them?
My mom is actually pretty proud of my career choices. I was very surprised, and I wanted to wait before I told her about it. She feels like I'm tearing down walls and paving the way for other women. I like that mentality, but I also feel like so many other women have come before me to pave the way for me in the industry. She realized that my niche was in comics, and even though that wasn't what she wanted, she understands that that's where I want to be.
10. Now that's pretty great of her! Speaking of yourself and other women in the comics industry. What's the experience been like for you personally since starting to write comics alongside your husband?
It's been great. I have had a great experience, and met a lot of great people. There have been some times when I felt like people didn't necessarily respect me as a creator and writer, but there are always going to be people who don't, and if I let that affect me, then I'm putting my gender first and not my career. And that's not a way to succeed.
11. No it certainly isn't! As a fellow Oklahoman and someone who writes comics, how alive would you say the comic book culture is here in Oklahoma from your perspective?
I would say that Oklahoma and Kansas are starting to develop their own little indie culture, much like Michigan's. You can go into pretty much any comic shop and find a "local comics" section. It's great! But we still seem to have the concept that comics are for men and I think it's time to start getting into more modern times. I walked into a gas station today, and met a fellow comic creator who worked there, whereas a few short years ago, it was so hard to find anyone interested in comics, even amongst "nerds" and "geeks." I think the new comic culture overall has affected this, but it's still pretty awesome. Btw, I totally did not know you were from Oklahoma, that's epic.
I grew up with several cats in my home, and always had an attachment to the animal. They are clever, and there's something about them that appeals to little girls all over the world. With that being said, each witch has their own familiar, and not all of the familiars are even domestic animals. It depends on the witch.
7. That actually makes a lot of sense now that I think about it. What made you decide to go the novel route with the story rather then turning it into a comic?
I had begun the story a while ago as a young adult novel, and wanted to bring it more into the children's genre. I thought about possibly going the comic route, but I thought that it would be a better stand only book as oppressed to a short run series. I may end up turning it into a comic at a later time after I receive the initial reviews of the book.
8. Sounds like something to look forward too for sure! In the event that the Kickstarter doesn't make its goal, what will you do next to see your novel make it in front of many young eyes?
If my Kickstarter doesn't get funded, I will continue to push forward, and produce the book myself, though it make take a bit more time than if the Kickstarter does get funded.
9. Heck yeah! You mentioned earlier that you had something of an interesting childhood where Comics were concerned. What do your parents think of them now a days? Especially with you writing them?
My mom is actually pretty proud of my career choices. I was very surprised, and I wanted to wait before I told her about it. She feels like I'm tearing down walls and paving the way for other women. I like that mentality, but I also feel like so many other women have come before me to pave the way for me in the industry. She realized that my niche was in comics, and even though that wasn't what she wanted, she understands that that's where I want to be.
10. Now that's pretty great of her! Speaking of yourself and other women in the comics industry. What's the experience been like for you personally since starting to write comics alongside your husband?
It's been great. I have had a great experience, and met a lot of great people. There have been some times when I felt like people didn't necessarily respect me as a creator and writer, but there are always going to be people who don't, and if I let that affect me, then I'm putting my gender first and not my career. And that's not a way to succeed.
11. No it certainly isn't! As a fellow Oklahoman and someone who writes comics, how alive would you say the comic book culture is here in Oklahoma from your perspective?
I would say that Oklahoma and Kansas are starting to develop their own little indie culture, much like Michigan's. You can go into pretty much any comic shop and find a "local comics" section. It's great! But we still seem to have the concept that comics are for men and I think it's time to start getting into more modern times. I walked into a gas station today, and met a fellow comic creator who worked there, whereas a few short years ago, it was so hard to find anyone interested in comics, even amongst "nerds" and "geeks." I think the new comic culture overall has affected this, but it's still pretty awesome. Btw, I totally did not know you were from Oklahoma, that's epic.
12. Lol, yeah I'm in Muskogee actually and the closest thing I have to a comic shop is Hastings. I think the rise of the super hero movies has been a large part in why the Comic culture scene is changing like it is and folks are finding its more acceptable. And comics definitely aren't just for men either. You mentioned earlier about you and your husband creating a comic together. What was that experience like? And for those interested, where could they find it?
Creating a coming was completely a new experience. It's hard work, because there's more than just words that have to be put together. I didn't know how many people it took to make a comic until we started researching. It was a lot of fun, though. Issue #1 is up for pre-order on the Master Plot Comics website, masterplotcomics.com.
13. When it comes to print vs. digital, what's your thoughts on it?
As far as print vs. digital, I prefer print comics. Just like a good book, there's a certain smell and feel that digital comics just can't compare to.
14. As the writer of Fuzzy Tricks, is there a message to be found within its pages for the kids who do read it?
Fuzzy Tricks and Broomsticks is littered with little messages. From listen to your heart to respect your elders, there are a lot of messages for children to pick up on.
15. Some wonderful messages for sure! If you had the opportunity to work on any project with whoever you wanted too. What would the project be? And who with?
If I could work with anyone from history, I would write a play with Shakespeare. But seeing as he's not around, I think my next choice would be Fiona Staples. I love her art, and I would love to see my writing come to life with her interpretations of it.
16. What advice would you give to those looking to get involved or are just starting out in the industry?
I would definitely say that my first piece of advice is to find someone who wants to help new creators. Generally, old timers want to keep newbies out of industry, but there are still plenty who want to help. Don't take no for an answer, and absolutely do not give up just because someone who has been around for a while says to do so. The most successful people want to help others succeed as well, you just have to look hard to find someone who is willing to help.
17. Old timers want to keep out newbies?
Definitely. There is a lot of hate piled on new creators when they first start networking.
Wow, thats just horrible. You'd think they would be more welcoming.
I know! We were told to give up a lot until we found a good group up in Michigan who is all about the indie scene.
Wow, that really isn't cool. But I am really happy to see that you guys didn't listen to them. As those people don't sound like the kind of people I want to work with. There's a guy out in Africa who had a similar experience but he didn't listen either thankfully.
18. What do you think could be done about the harmful mentality older creators have towards newer creators? And hey nothing wrong with that!
I think a lot of the problem is the way people view indie comics. For example, even "indie publishers" will only publish you if you've been published before, which makes it so hard to break into the industry. It gives the people who made it the mentality that they are the only ones good enough to get in, when reality, they just had the right connections. It's not impossible, just difficult, and the older creators think that since they made it, they are special. That's why we started Master Plot. To help amazing new creators get into the industry and bring the change that readers are craving. We aren't seeing others do it, so we become creators ourselves to see what we want to see in comics. It's simply not fair to block out people simply because they are new. That's a bully mentality, and the geek culture is tired of being bullied.
Creating a coming was completely a new experience. It's hard work, because there's more than just words that have to be put together. I didn't know how many people it took to make a comic until we started researching. It was a lot of fun, though. Issue #1 is up for pre-order on the Master Plot Comics website, masterplotcomics.com.
13. When it comes to print vs. digital, what's your thoughts on it?
As far as print vs. digital, I prefer print comics. Just like a good book, there's a certain smell and feel that digital comics just can't compare to.
14. As the writer of Fuzzy Tricks, is there a message to be found within its pages for the kids who do read it?
Fuzzy Tricks and Broomsticks is littered with little messages. From listen to your heart to respect your elders, there are a lot of messages for children to pick up on.
15. Some wonderful messages for sure! If you had the opportunity to work on any project with whoever you wanted too. What would the project be? And who with?
If I could work with anyone from history, I would write a play with Shakespeare. But seeing as he's not around, I think my next choice would be Fiona Staples. I love her art, and I would love to see my writing come to life with her interpretations of it.
16. What advice would you give to those looking to get involved or are just starting out in the industry?
I would definitely say that my first piece of advice is to find someone who wants to help new creators. Generally, old timers want to keep newbies out of industry, but there are still plenty who want to help. Don't take no for an answer, and absolutely do not give up just because someone who has been around for a while says to do so. The most successful people want to help others succeed as well, you just have to look hard to find someone who is willing to help.
17. Old timers want to keep out newbies?
Definitely. There is a lot of hate piled on new creators when they first start networking.
Wow, thats just horrible. You'd think they would be more welcoming.
I know! We were told to give up a lot until we found a good group up in Michigan who is all about the indie scene.
Wow, that really isn't cool. But I am really happy to see that you guys didn't listen to them. As those people don't sound like the kind of people I want to work with. There's a guy out in Africa who had a similar experience but he didn't listen either thankfully.
18. What do you think could be done about the harmful mentality older creators have towards newer creators? And hey nothing wrong with that!
I think a lot of the problem is the way people view indie comics. For example, even "indie publishers" will only publish you if you've been published before, which makes it so hard to break into the industry. It gives the people who made it the mentality that they are the only ones good enough to get in, when reality, they just had the right connections. It's not impossible, just difficult, and the older creators think that since they made it, they are special. That's why we started Master Plot. To help amazing new creators get into the industry and bring the change that readers are craving. We aren't seeing others do it, so we become creators ourselves to see what we want to see in comics. It's simply not fair to block out people simply because they are new. That's a bully mentality, and the geek culture is tired of being bullied.
Amen! And hopefully with time that will change for the better. As without new people and change, you'll only stagnate.
Absolutely correct. That's why DC is dying. Because they aren't doing what the readers have been asking them to do for years. Marvel is only selling because of the movies, but DC can't keep up with them. It's painful to watch our heroes slowly die, but even avid readers are saying that they can't support DC if DC won't listen.
Hence why they shoved more Batman down our throats with BvS and apparently the Suicide Squad movie. If you have to have him in that then clearly you have no faith in what you're doing. And readers/fans are only willing to put up with so much before they say enough is enough.
Yes. If Batman is your selling point, then what is the rest of the universe for? I love Green Arrow, but what they've done to him in the past few books and seasons is silly. But when your readers and fans say, "THIS WOULD BE AWESOME," and you basically laugh in their face...it's insulting. So, they do it themselves. Everyone has dreamed of working at Marvel and DC, of creating new stories for those characters we grew up loving, and it's bad business not to respect your fans as creators.
Equally bad business to have no respect for the creators working for you as well. I believe some would say that Dan Didio (at least on DC anyway) is the main problem.
I agree. There's just so much wrong with the way they are doing things.
Agreed! As it is, I'd rather read 52 #1's from a variety of Indy titles then I would 52 books from DC.
Yes! Independent books are so much more valuable to the comics industry now. That's why Image is so big, but Image will rarely publish new creators, either. Most of their "new creators" have been around for five or six years, self publishing things you've never heard of.
You think they would be interested in helping out the new little guy since they walked out on the big two way back in the day.
Exactly. And they were, for a while, until they surpassed Dark Horse. Now they are basically another Marvel and DC. Even Dark Horse knows that indies are big, because they will open up to indie books every once in a while. But, again, only if you've been around for a bit. It's crazy. Like, we want the people who are in the business already to write new, exciting stuff. And of course, fans just have to accept it or get out. I only buy indie books, myself. Occasionally, I will pick up a TPB from DC (Green Arrow or Constantine), but never any singles. They put too many ads in them. I try to get a new indie book every couple of weeks, though.
Good way to go about it!
It directly affects the creator, and encourages them to keep doing their thing. The best way to influence a generation of comics, in my opinion.
Hopefully that's a mentality that will change as well. I get that a publisher would want you to have at least a few issues of your project under your belt to show your dedication. But wanting you when you've been around awhile? No. And agreed! Look at Dan Nokes for example, that guy is everywhere in his state just by all the cons he goes too. And he's pretty much a self publisher.
Yes. It's amazing. We are lucky enough to have people all across the country and even in Canada at Master Plot. We will be able to distribute new indie creators basically nationwide at conventions, etc. It's amazing to have so many people dedicated to making a change and a wave in indie books. We want to celebrate the new creators. New art styles, New stories, New ideas.
Right on, I really hope the best with that for you guys.
Thanks, Rob. You will be seeing a lot more from us. I guarantee it.
Huge thanks to Sarah for taking part in this! And be sure to head over to the Fuzzy Tricks and Broomsticks Kickstarter and donate today!
Absolutely correct. That's why DC is dying. Because they aren't doing what the readers have been asking them to do for years. Marvel is only selling because of the movies, but DC can't keep up with them. It's painful to watch our heroes slowly die, but even avid readers are saying that they can't support DC if DC won't listen.
Hence why they shoved more Batman down our throats with BvS and apparently the Suicide Squad movie. If you have to have him in that then clearly you have no faith in what you're doing. And readers/fans are only willing to put up with so much before they say enough is enough.
Yes. If Batman is your selling point, then what is the rest of the universe for? I love Green Arrow, but what they've done to him in the past few books and seasons is silly. But when your readers and fans say, "THIS WOULD BE AWESOME," and you basically laugh in their face...it's insulting. So, they do it themselves. Everyone has dreamed of working at Marvel and DC, of creating new stories for those characters we grew up loving, and it's bad business not to respect your fans as creators.
Equally bad business to have no respect for the creators working for you as well. I believe some would say that Dan Didio (at least on DC anyway) is the main problem.
I agree. There's just so much wrong with the way they are doing things.
Agreed! As it is, I'd rather read 52 #1's from a variety of Indy titles then I would 52 books from DC.
Yes! Independent books are so much more valuable to the comics industry now. That's why Image is so big, but Image will rarely publish new creators, either. Most of their "new creators" have been around for five or six years, self publishing things you've never heard of.
You think they would be interested in helping out the new little guy since they walked out on the big two way back in the day.
Exactly. And they were, for a while, until they surpassed Dark Horse. Now they are basically another Marvel and DC. Even Dark Horse knows that indies are big, because they will open up to indie books every once in a while. But, again, only if you've been around for a bit. It's crazy. Like, we want the people who are in the business already to write new, exciting stuff. And of course, fans just have to accept it or get out. I only buy indie books, myself. Occasionally, I will pick up a TPB from DC (Green Arrow or Constantine), but never any singles. They put too many ads in them. I try to get a new indie book every couple of weeks, though.
Good way to go about it!
It directly affects the creator, and encourages them to keep doing their thing. The best way to influence a generation of comics, in my opinion.
Hopefully that's a mentality that will change as well. I get that a publisher would want you to have at least a few issues of your project under your belt to show your dedication. But wanting you when you've been around awhile? No. And agreed! Look at Dan Nokes for example, that guy is everywhere in his state just by all the cons he goes too. And he's pretty much a self publisher.
Yes. It's amazing. We are lucky enough to have people all across the country and even in Canada at Master Plot. We will be able to distribute new indie creators basically nationwide at conventions, etc. It's amazing to have so many people dedicated to making a change and a wave in indie books. We want to celebrate the new creators. New art styles, New stories, New ideas.
Right on, I really hope the best with that for you guys.
Thanks, Rob. You will be seeing a lot more from us. I guarantee it.
Huge thanks to Sarah for taking part in this! And be sure to head over to the Fuzzy Tricks and Broomsticks Kickstarter and donate today!