Sarah Mai is an illustrator and writer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has a degree in English Literature from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities where she developed a passion for graphic novels. She is the illustrator of The Cool Code and The Cool Code 2.0 The Switch Glitch. Her debut authored YA graphic novel FRESHMAN YEAR with Little, Brown/Ottaviano, was released in February.

I had the opportunity to interview Sarah, which you can read below.

First of all, welcome back to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself?

Hello Geeks OUT! I’m Sarah, author and illustrator of the graphic novel Freshman Year. I am based in Minneapolis where I take walks around lakes and point at dogs wearing boots. This is my first authored book and I am super excited to finally be sharing it!

What can you tell us about your book, Freshman Year? What was the inspiration for this project?

This book is based off of my journals and drawings from my first year at college. I started writing a twelve-page comic called “Fish Out of Water” in a graphic novel class the first semester of sophomore year. It was a reflection on some of the feelings I had about the transition out of high school and moving to a new city. This eventually turned into the graphic novel over the past six-ish years.

As a writer, what drew you to the art of storytelling, specifically graphic novels/comics?

As a kid I was a big reader and had always wanted to be an illustrator. When I found out there was a medium where you could do both, it blew my mind. Of course, I read things like Calvin and Hobbes, but that jump to long form graphic novels really captured my attention. In high school I thought I might get into animation, but by college I realized comics were where I felt most at home. There’s always something that draws me back to books!

How would you describe your creative process?

I like to put as much down onto paper as I possibly can and then chip away from there. I keep notes in my phone, in sketchbooks, in notebooks, on flashcards, post-its… whatever is most convenient is where I write it down. Then I compile everything into a big document, print it out, cut it up, and arrange it into a structure. Everything after that is just discipline and getting myself to finish what I started.

Growing up, were there any stories in which you felt touched by/ or reflected in? Are there any like that now?

I was really touched by books like Bridge to Terabithia growing up— I loved stories that weren’t afraid to explore emotionally hard topics. It doesn’t take much for me to feel a story deeply, I teared up watching Robots the other week. However, a couple great ones in the past few months would be Roaming by Mariko Tamaki, Button Pusher by Tyler Page, and In Limbo by Deb JJ Lee.

As a writer, who or what would you say are some of your greatest artistic and creative influences and/or sources of inspiration in general?

I could name one hundred things right now! For this project I was feeling particularly inspired by the show PEN15 (I know) written by Maya Erskine, Anna Konkle, and Gabe Liedman. I am really drawn that combination of humor and reflection. Same with Freaks and Geeks and the movie Ladybird. There is some DNA from Ghost World by Daniel Clowes and other 90s comics in there too. It was a lot of film and television at the time. Books wise, Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki are always there, Jen Wang, Gene Luen Yang, Alison Bechdel… Other than that, I love portraiture, medieval art, and folk art.

What are some of your favorite elements of writing/illustrating? What do you consider some of the most frustrating and/or difficult? 

I love the routine and visible progress of writing and illustrating something. It also gives you a way to connect with other people in a way that feels a little magical. The most frustrating thing is creating within the limits of time and physical capability. You can only draw for so many hours before your neck and wrist begin to retaliate.

Aside from your work, what are some things you would want others to know about you?

I have a lot of interests outside of books! I’m working in the furniture world right now and am loving it. And I love Haribo Twin Snakes.

What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet but that you wish you were asked (as well as the answer to that question)?

Q: Any special songs you would you recommend listening to while reading this book?

A: Why, yes! I’m glad you asked! You must listen to Nightswimming by R.E.M. at least once while reading this book.

What advice might you have to give for aspiring graphic novelists?

Just make comics, and make lots of comics. And try to keep your thoughts written down somewhere!

Are there any other projects you are working on and at liberty to speak about?

I am finishing a painting that has been sitting in my workspace for well over a year.

Finally, what books/authors would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT? 

I’m always going to recommend two novels: The Idiot and Either/Or by Elif Batuman, also semi-autobiographical college themed books. I’ve also been enjoying the comics of Caroline Cash lately!