From Fan to Creator: How I Turned My Love of Comics into a Career Writing Them

I’ve been an avid Comic Book/ Manga fan since I discovered Sailor Moon and X-Men at 9 years old. From High School through College, I fell more in love with the art form.  I found comfort in  it, and was so deeply inspired by the storytelling that I felt compelled in college to study writing. I went to Comic and Anime Conventions with my friends, eventually becoming a runner and booth worker for artists. I incorporated aspects of my geekdom into my musical persona, and songwriting when I decided to become a solo-artist and release my first song. For 10 years I would use my studied creative writing skill for music, but I was getting to the point where I wondered if I was capable of using it for more literary pursuits.

In late spring of 2021, as Covid restrictions slowly lifted, I had lunch with my good friend and author David Bowles at Nana’s Taqueria in Weslaco, TX. While shooting the breeze and talking about life and what was coming up next with our respective creative endeavors, he approached me with an offer: Would I like to become a Comic Book writer? I shrugged in a non-committal, yes. On top of the shutdown, I was really wrestling with what my music career would look like because I was in the midst of managing extreme chronic pain, due to a car accident. He understood my hesitation and my concerns.He believed I could, but he prefaced that the project he wanted me on was in the beginning stages. So if all things turned out the way he’d hoped, he’d have a job for me in a year…maybe. I say, “Sure, let me know when it happens.”

A year later, after we finished recording an episode for my fledgling podcast “Accordion 2 Me” he asked me if I’m still interested in writing a comic book. I don’t hesitate. I say, “Yes.”

Within a month I’m receiving my first contract from CHISPA Comics, with details on a series  titled, “The Thirteen Origins” and I’m tasked with not only choosing which of the thirteen characters I’ll be writing about, but also tasked with crafting their origin story. Everything is laid out. Storylines are approved. Contracts are signed. Press Releases are sent out. A deadline is set and that is when  the real work begins. I was told where I needed to get my character by the end of the issue, how I got there was up to me. I researched the folklore tied to my character, immigration laws, current events in the region I was writing about and weaved a story that honored the stories that inspired me in my youth.  I along with artist Steph C. whose previous work includes: Disney, Warner Bros. DC comics & Fandom Tabletop; chatted on messenger and went about creating a dreamy and gorgeous immersive world. Alongside us, Charlene Bowles did lettering and honestly my debut comic book is a shining example of what I wanted to see in comics.