Bree Paulson is a SoCal writer and illustrator who loves spooky monsters, fashion history, and all things autumnal. After graduating from the Laguna College of Art and Design with a BFA in animation, she freelanced on a few independent animation and illustration projects before tuning her focus toward comics. She started her webcomic, Patrik the Vampire, in 2013 and self-publishes its printed volumes. Her first middle grade graphic novel, Garlic and the Vampire, received a starred review from The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, which called it “folkloric…a d  own comforter of a graphic novel. ” Garlic’s adventures continue in Garlic and the Witch. 

I had the chance to interview Bree, which you can read below.

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

Certainly. I am writer and artist making graphic novels. I was born and raised in Southern California and studied animation at Laguna College of Art and Design. Because I love all things spooky and autumnal, I am drawn to folklore and darker fantasy.

What can you tell us about your latest graphic novel, The Firelight Apprentice? What was the inspiration for the book?

The overall story of The Firelight Apprentice is inspired by a dream I had all the way back in high school. It was so vivid and stuck with me for over a decade. I had the dream at a time when I was catching up on the Studio Ghibli films I hadn’t seen as a child. I think a lot of readers can pick up on the inspiration I took from Howl’s Moving Castle. 

The Firelight Apprentice is said to have some LGBTQ+ characters. Could you tell us a little about them?

Of course! Of the two main characters, the older sister, Ada, is aroace. Even though romance is not crucial to the story, this was a detail I wanted to include to give myself some rep. Among the side characters, Fio and Julian are husbands who raise a kid and run a general store together, and “The Great Elba” is a disabled, transmasc veteran magician.

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

I love the nuance and worldbuilding you can impart quickly with environments and character design. In all my work, I create montages where I really want the art to carry the narrative. This gives the work a nice atmospheric vibe that I feel some readers really appreciate.

What inspired you to write your previous graphic novels, Garlic and the Vampire and Garlic and the Witch?

I have a fascination with paper goods from 1880s to 1910s, ranging from postcards to antique ads.  There used to be trading cards that came with seed packets, featuring anthropomorphic plant characters that I found charming, and a little creepy. I started to draw my own versions, and one of these became Garlic. Combined with my minor obsession with vampires and folklore-driven fantasy, the story snowballed from there.

How would you describe your creative process?

I usually start with an outline, which I use as my basis for a script. While I am writing, I pool research and reference materials to use as I begin to design the characters and figure out the world. Then it’s time for the art itself, going from sketching to inking and coloring, and figuring out all the lettering along the way.

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

I really love the research stage while writing and designing. Research can spark inspiration, especially if I am stuck on something. Sketching is definitely the most exhausting stage because some pages require a lot of mental energy to show what is happening on a page in the best way. Inking is always a fun part where I can just zone out and listen to audiobooks, since all the mental gymnastics of sketching done.

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

I already mentioned Studio Ghibli and antique paper goods, which are big influences on me. There are a handful of early 20th century illustrators that inspire me artistically, the including Heinrich Kley and Charles Dana Gibson. Those who follow me on social media will know that I am became a big FromSoftware fan after picking up Bloodborne early in the pandemic. Bloodborne reminded me who I am, and getting into FromSoftware’s game catalog jumpstarted my creativity. I know the influence is not apparent in my current work, but it is definitely going to play a role in what I create from here on out.

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

Besides becoming a bit of gamer these past few years, I love to sew and am currently getting back into knitting and crochet. I have a few dresses and a couple of sweaters I have made for myself over the years, but I still have so much fabric and yarn for future projects. I also have two cats: Creature and Mina.

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)?

 “What music do you listen to while working/does it affect the work”? I usually make a playlist to help me narrow in on the vibes of a project. For Garlic and the Vampire and Garlic and the Witch, I listened to a lot of Joe Hisaishi. For Firelight, my playlist had tracks from M83’s “DSVII” and Joep Being’s “Henosis”.

What advice might you have to give for aspiring comic creators/graphic novelists out there?

You really have to have patience. Patience with the process, with all the work, but most importantly, with yourself. Trying to rush while stressing over the quality of your work in every panel is a one-way ticket to burn out and injury. Making comics is hard work, and is even harder on your body. So I always stress doing what you can, and taking breaks to ensure mental and physical wellness.

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

I’m currently working on a YA adaptation of Dracula, told from Mina’s point of view, that is as faithful to the original book as I am comfortable being. It’s a very daunting project given how many times the original text has been retold and reimagined, but there = aren’t many adaptations that focus on the girls—especially Mina, who is basically the backbone of the Dracula-hunting crew.

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

Someone You Can Build A Nest by John Wiswell was a book I read this year that had me feeling so seen. I also have to recommend Reimena Yee and all the amazing work they do, given they are the one that inspired me to really get into making graphic novels. Bianca Xunise had their debut Punk Rock Karaoke come out this year, and I was thrilled to go to one of the book tour events in LA. Finally, I’ve been really digging The Summer Hikaru Died by Mokumokuren. It’s becoming one of my favorite ongoing manga series, and I’m excited for the anime adaptation coming out next year.