This week YA Author Victoria Ying took over our Twitter as a part of our weekly Thursday Twitter Takeover. Victoria Ying is the author of Hungry Ghost. (See YEM’s write up of Victoria Ying here.) See highlights from the takeover below.
Hey there! My name is Victoria Ying and I’m an author and illustrator. My newest graphic novel Hungry Ghost tackles the challenges of being Asian American and having an eating disorder. I’m taking over the YE twitter for the next two hours! Let’s talk! #YAauthortakeover pic.twitter.com/Jd2TmPHCKx
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
I always knew I was a creative person, but I didn’t think it could be a career until I was in middle school and discovered Manga. When did you first catch a glimpse of your dream life? (art by Rumiko Takahasi) #YAauthortakeover pic.twitter.com/iLtFF4FD0T
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
People ask me when I started drawing, but the real question is when do you stop? All kids know how to pick up a crayon and draw, but something happens when you don’t think you’re good enough and you put the tools of creation down. What keeps you motivated? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/ryozK086Uk
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
For me, I want to see something be real. I have an image in my mind and it feels like a ghost. The only way to bring it into the real world is to put the pen to paper and draw it out of myself. #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/T784gqfWli
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
17) I actually never had a crush on a guy until I was in my late twenties, even though I had boyfriends all through high school! My first celebrity crush was on Dan Stevens from Downton Abbey. Season 2 Dan was 🔥. Who was your first celebrity crush? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/JaqaQfvN6R
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
A lot of people know me for my animation work. I worked on movies such as Tangled, Wreck it Ralph, Big Hero 6, and Moana. My favorite is Tangled because you never forget the magic of your first production! Which of these is your favorite? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/9RsS99dhGM
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
When I started at Disney, there were rumors that they were going to shut down in favor of Pixar. With the unexpected hit from Tangled, everything changed. You don’t know all of the things that will happen in your life, but there will also be amazing surprises. #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/7cwhcyhGMg
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
After college, I fell off of reading for pleasure. It took me a long time before I could return to fiction, but when I did, I rediscovered my passion for writing. What’s the book that inspires you to write? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/5poOAJmBE9
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
Community is so important when you’re an author. It can be such a solitary experience that finding others who are working on the same types of projects as you can feel like an oasis. Community is give and take, support others and they will support you! #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/0pXHVybYbs
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
Sometimes if I’m feeling uninspired, I’ll do a study from life. I can take away the worry of creating a new world and just focus on the one in front of me. It’s my way of meditating. Do any of you have a meditation practice? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/TPmdqxpCsv
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
Getting grounded after a failure can be hard. My first book series “City of Secrets” was written as a prose novel. I queried it all over to no response but with a little pivot and a tweak, I adapted it into a graphic novel! How can you pivot after failure? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/N0aHPF1djL
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
Color is one of the most fascinating aspects of art. Every color in an image is defined by its relationship to the colors around it, like how characters in a book are all about their relationships! #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/rh6ouJv1oc
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
I didn’t think that I was a writer. I thought I was an artist and never the twain shall meet! Boy, was I wrong! Graphic novels have been the perfect bridge for me to tell my stories and do my art. Are there two hobbies you have that are compatible? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/Ap37rFB4uZ
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
My favorite books are ones that I can get lost in. That can mean fantasies, memoirs, or anything in-between! What are some of your favorite genres? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/cyygPagqSy
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
The book that inspired me to write my own stories was VE Schwab’s “A Darker Shade of Magic” That book series was so vivid in my imagination, it inspired me to return to writing. What book is like that for you? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/9iyG722ZlH
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
When I’m reading, I always see the words as images. It feels like I’m watching a film. What movies remind you the most of books, or vice versa? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/eLBcrUaCwN
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
In my book Hungry Ghost, the friendship between Val and Jordan is very important even though they hurt each other. Admitting that we were wrong is the first step. Have you ever had to apologize to a friend? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/AVF0X7YglP
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
I never thought my own childhood was interesting until I decided to pay attention to it. I find that true about most things. What are you paying attention to right now? #YAAuthorTakeover
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
Remember to have people you trust who you can show your work to. They have to be gentle enough so that you don’t quit, but also honest enough to guide you and tell you if you’re on the right track. Do you have someone like that in your life? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/0x9oGGNDBO
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
Rest is undervalued in our society, but to make good art, you must have a well rested body and mind. Graphic novels can be marathons, so remember to take breaks and stretch! What are some of your favorite ways to move your body? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/LhEbdAlANz
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
Remember to recharge your creative well. Sometimes when we’re feeling blah about our work, it’s because we’re not taking in enough creative energy. Go to a museum, go to a zoo, read a new book! All of that will prevent your well from running dry! #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/lS1jdMZUEW
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
How do you tackle a big project like a graphic novel? Start small! Write a short comic before you take on something that’s hundreds of pages! What ideas do you have for short comics or zines? #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/MvGZVZr4GH
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
And that’s it from me! I had a blast hanging out with everyone here on YE! If you want to follow me, my twitter is @victoriaying. Hope to see you all around! My book Hungry Ghost drops on April 25! #YAAuthorTakeover pic.twitter.com/g9gvnyOmaP
— all about firsts (@YoungEntmag) April 14, 2023
