Kyence answers: Voltron. I was 5 or 6. I had no idea it was anime-based. I just knew it was cool.

HRH: Was there something specific that prompted your interest in anime?

Kyence: The characters looked so detailed, and the plots were mature and intellectual.

HRH: What's your current favorite anime movie/series (or both)?

Kyence: I am into the Slayers series right now.

HRH: What's your all-time favorite anime movie/series (or both)?

Kyence: My all-time favorite anime OVA is Genocyber (Voltron is my favorite TV anime series; having every ep on tape confirms it on my book). My favorite anime movie is Princess Mononoke.

Hunk asks: And who's the Hunk-iest anime guy around / Who's the hottest anime babe around? (And what anime series are they from?)

Kyence: Hottest anime hunk? Oh, my dear Hunk, thou art hot and hunky! However, I seem to have a thing for albinos with white or pale hair, too. Out of these, Dark Schneider from Bastard! is my pick. He’s powerful, maniacal, funny, perverted, and yet kind-hearted in extremely rare occasions... Hottest anime babe? Pirotess, from Record of Lodoss Wars. If I could pick any anime chick to look like, it would be her. I bet my Friday nights would be busier ;)

HRH: Who's your favorite anime hero (and what series are they from)? Why?

Kyence: My favorite anime heroine is Madoka Mano, from the Devil Hunter Yohko series. She’s old, she’s short, she’s Yohko’s grandmother, but she can still kick major butt. Madoka has a big mouth, too, and isn’t afraid to use it. She’s helped Yohko out in a couple of difficult situations. When I’m an old lady, I’d like to be able to uppercut anybody who tries to take MY bingo seat :)

HRH: Who's your favorite anime villain (and what series are they from)? Why?

Kyence: Anime villain? Okay, also my all-time favorite character. I swear I have some odd habit of liking old characters that are egotistic and powerful. Well, since I have a whole website dedicated to his evil tuckus, I guess Zarkon would be my favorite. I honestly didn’t even register him in my brain when I was 5; I dismissed him the time I saw the first run in Toonami. I thought Lotor was the greatest. Then, as I watched the series again, and frequented many websites, Lotor’s Allura quirk got to me. And I started noticing Lotor’s and Zarkon’s dysfunctional relationship more, and how the majority of fanfiction I came across simply had Zarkon being killed off and authors completely siding with Lotor. This intrigued me. Not ONE person liked this guy? Perfect. He’s automatically my favorite villain because NO ONE ELSE likes him. No fan girls or fan boys. No webrings dedicated to Zarkon alone, no siree. No entry in Pocket Bishounen or People magazine. Just a bonafide schmuck, pardon the word, to the web-savvy masses. So, I watched more, and started to get a real kick out of him. Sure, he’s old, but he was able to defeat young and virile Lotor with ONE swing in a sword duel. No hopping, no jumping, just enh, and he won. He could’ve ginsued his son into oblivion anytime he wanted, apparently. Plus his scepter was a remote for his ship. And he dressed like a woman and still managed to scare the crap out of people. Even the bouffant of North Korea’s nutty dictator can’t top that! But, he gives his boy the benefit of the doubt and ultimately gets screwed for it. For a badly dubbed series about a giant robot, the amount of attention WEP gave these two convinced me that Zarkon, this hated character in all his obscurity, needed at least ONE fan.

HRH: Is there any one anime that really made an impact on you? Which anime, and what was the impact?

Kyence: Graveyard of the Fireflies was very powerful. I was blubbering like a baby at the end of it. It was so sad, and its simple tale of war and lost innocence was never brought to me in the animated medium in such a potent way before.

HRH: Do you collect anime stuff? (Like videos, DVD's, toys books, etc.) What kinds of things and from which anime(s)?

Kyence: I only collect DVD’s and cassettes. I have New Cutey Honey, Genocyber, Devil Hunter Yohko, Slayers, Ranma 1/2, Mermaid Flesh series, Urusei Yatsura, some Trigun, and Pet Shop of Horrors. Not much, but I tend to borrow a lot. I’m a miser *evil grin*

HRH: Is writing/drawing a hobby for you, or is it something that you would like to pursue (or are pursuing) professionally?

Kyence: Both are a hobby for me right now. Being a realist, I doubt drawing will be something I ever do professionally ;) I aim to have two things published someday, scientific and fictional. I still regret passing up an opportunity to publish an essay I wrote in college, but if I keep developing my style, my future works in years to come may indeed be more publisher-worthy. For the closer future, once I revamp my website, I hope to start a webcomic, just for fun.

HRH: Do you have a favorite (published) author? If so, who and what is it that you enjoy about their writing?

Kyence: Ambrose Bierce. I love his short stories. He was a cynic, and rather pessimistic about the human condition. He had fought in the Civil War, and to this day, no one is quite sure when he died: he disappeared into Mexico, never to be seen or heard from again. His stories are often full of some psychological terror and some ironic twist of fate. I like to focus on the psychological in my writing, so it’s sort of my draw to his work. For an author that is still alive, I also read Dean Koontz :)

HRH: Do you have a favorite artist? If so, who and what is it that you enjoy about their artwork?

Kyence: My favorite artist is Erté. I think he was more a fashion designer in the earlier part of the twentieth century, but I have several prints of his work, and even have some Franklin Mint statues based on his work (I often look at them and realize they cost about every penny I made when I worked at Funcoland a couple of years ago). I love things, in general, that have sharp angles. Rounded things irritate me, and quite the reason why I tend to dislike the trends in car designs these days ;) Anyway, his works are 2-D, planar pieces. Coupled with the Art Deco style he used, I find it very aesthetically pleasing. Number Two and Three are Salvador Dali, and H.R. Giger, both for being unconventional and talented at the same time.

HRH: What's your favorite book or series of books?

Kyence: My favorite series of books is The Enchanted World, by Time-Life Books. My mother had gotten them when I was 5 or 6. They are a collection of artwork with tales of mythology from around the world. I used to look at the pictures, and try to learn the words. It was probably my big incentive for learning to read so early :) They are meant for adults, and I read them still to this day. My favorite thing to read is mythology, so what better combination?

HRH: What's your favorite movie?

Kyence: Oooo, this is a toughie. Hmmm... off the top of my head, Cousin Bette and Clerks are a tie. But, if I take a microscope and look REALLY close, Cousin Bette would probably win the title. Only because Jessica Lange is in it (and I love her acting), and it’s a retelling of the story by Honore de Balzac. A fanfilm, if you will, and one of the only times I’ll say I like the movie better than the book. Put it this way: the movie is to the book what the new Voltron Comic is to the series; a new, better spin on an old tale.

HRH: What's your favorite TV show (non-anime/cartoon)?

Kyence: All-time favorite: Married...with Children. Always has been, always will be. The episodes I’ve seen tons of times STILL make me laugh.

HRH: We don't want to pry into anyone's personal/real life, but we'd really love to hear more about you - is there anything you'd like to share with us? We'd love it if you'd tell us a little bit about yourself...

There are lots of things you could tell us about yourself, like...

Are you a student? What are you studying?

What's your profession? (Job title?)

Kyence: Here’s the basics: I’m 23, female, and a brunette. I am a Medical Technologist. I’m also taking computer science courses on the side. Although I haven’t even been with my B.S. in Medical Technology for a year, I definitely want to keep my brain working. I’ll be applying to grad schools soon for Bioinformatics. Once we humans can figure out how the whole genome jigsaw puzzle fits, one less thing for a Supreme Being to do, right? Our way of saying: Thanks, now go on that vacation you’ve been planning, we can take it from here ;)

HRH: Outside of anime what kinds of interests/hobbies do you have?

Kyence: Interests and hobbies I do? I cross-stitch, play video games. I love to bowl: I started at 7 with a 0 average-that’s right, THREE games of nothing but gutter balls-but I never gave it up, and now I have a 180 average.

HRH: We know that you've written fan fics about the series Voltron, are there any other series that you write fics about?

Kyence: I was writing one on Invader ZIM, but it kinda fizzled out. Too much disturbing slash I’ve seen ruined it for me. When I mean disturbing, I mean badly written, and child porn plots.

HRH: Same question as above, as it pertains to fan art.

Kyence: The first fanart I ever did was for Phantasy Star 2. I still have the pictures... Lord, are they bad! Other than Voltron stuff, I have done some Invader ZIM pieces. I am happy to report that there is some top-notch art all over the place that is NOT child porn. It’s almost ironic.

Hunk: What's your favorite snack/drink to have when you're writing/drawing?

Kyence: Coca-Cola. Can’t write without it. Two things can stimulate my muse: Chinese food or Pop-Tarts. Chocolate chip Pop Tarts guarantee at least 1000 words. I can’t eat anything when I draw. I have to watch TV, though.

HRH: What about writing/drawing do you find the most challenging? Why?

Kyence: The most challenging thing about drawing is that I have no formal experience. My last art class was seventh grade, and that was a decade ago. Everything I manage to crank out is self-taught. I have bought some books with reference pages and tips, but there are times when I just let my birds rip my failed attempts to shreds. It’s hard to get what’s in my brain out on the paper. My hands are like “Duh?” while my brain’s churning the inspiration at light speed.

The most challenging thing about writing, in my opinion, is getting someone to read the whole thing! When I finally manage to get someone to read it, they either love it, or don’t know what I’m talking about. You have to know your audience when you write, but at the same time, not “sell out.” Getting people to read your stuff even if they would’ve written it differently without compromising your purpose for the story...achieving that balance is VERY VERY hard.

HRH: What about writing/drawing do you find the most fun? Why?

Kyence: The fun thing is that I’m taking thoughts and images, abstract things in my brain alone, and converting them into tangible things others can see. I can sit back when I’m done, and say, “I made this. I created this. From nothing I made something. Whaddya think?” Every piece of work is a child of the author or artist. And being able to share it with someone is a great fun gift indeed.

HRH: Where do you find your inspiration?

Kyence: A lot of my inspiration comes from things I’ve read, and the people around me. I like to read myths, and try to see how the themes from back then would be represented in our modern world. For funny things, I need not go further than my family. The things we do and say unintentionally often have bystanders in hysterics. More serious themes I glean from things on the news. I try to see the underlying aspects of the human condition that contribute, and work it out in my writing.

HRH: What was it that made you want to write fanfics and/or draw fanart?

Kyence: The first contact I had with the Internet was at the public library. I had recently seen the new V3D, and figured, “hey, I’ll enter Voltron in the search engine and see what I get.” I was happy to see that there were others who had all the Voltron episodes on tape, and that they wrote and drew about it. When watching the eps, I always would get my own particular stories flashing in my head, but I thought I was just being my own odd self. When I saw that the Internet had people displaying theirs for all sorts of series, it didn’t seem odd anymore. Plus, it was a great way to develop my writing technique and style.

HRH: As a writer, who (or what) influences your work? Why?

Kyence: I will say that the styles of Ambrose Bierce and O. Henry influence me a lot. I like to shock the reader with some ironic twist that is plausible in retrospect; I am an avid hater of deus ex machina. I like to always have a psychological element of some sort as well. Science is also a big influence. In certain ways, I abhor the way certain scientists write journal articles. “Not Uncommon?” “Not Unlikely?” These double negatives are too prolific. Don’t even make me go into the brutal mutilation of syntax... they do it to sound smarter than they really are. Conversely, the topics within the journals fascinate me. I have both a scientific and spiritual respect for Mother Nature. Thus, there’s always a biological component addressed somewhere in my writing. Most often, I write not just what the character says, but what they are doing, gesturing as they talk. How they move, what the movements are like, how their breathing may quicken from an anxious thought, or how their pupils contract from the sudden flash of light. Using what I’ve learned about human anatomy, I will often hint or mislead with such descriptions, and see if anyone picks up on it.

HRH: There are so many different writing techniques, maybe you start with an outline, or maybe you just start writing and see where the story goes. Would you tell us a little bit about your writing technique/style?

Kyence: I always start with an outline of some sort. It can be as basic as three things: beginning, middle, and end. It can be extremely complicated, looking like a flow chart, complete with arrows (My Status Quo plot is completely filled on three pages.). This is a general map, to help me stay on track. It also allows me to write out of sequence. Usually, I’ll take one or two lines of the outline, and let my mind flow and develop it. As time goes on, I monitor my progress on the outline papers; if I’m going too slow, I modify it here and there. I also may add something, or change an event for continuity with what has already been written. The only spontaneous thing I do is comedy. That I can’t outline: I either write it when I think of it, or lose it.

HRH: Likewise, many writers just have characters "appear" - some spend months creating their characters. How do you develop characters?

Kyence: It’s a combination of the two for me. There are some characters I have that are YEARS old. Then there are some that just pop out of nowhere and write themselves. I basically listen to music, and daydream. Whatever character pops in my head somehow gets into some sort of situation. If the character persists over time and different genres of music, they get more developed. If I write a story and want to emphasize a certain theme, I see if any characters I already have in my head would fit the theme. And no, they don’t talk to me :) I’m eccentric, not schizophrenic. There is a slight difference.

HRH: As an artist, who (or what) influences your work? Why?

Kyence: Anime, fantasy art, Erté, and biology. The fantasy and biology can work hand in hand to create some very interesting ideas. Anime and Erté have that “sharp” look I happen to like and admire.

HRH: Likewise, there are many ways an artist creates. Would you tell us a little bit about your artistic technique?

Kyence: I really lack formal technique when it comes to drawing :( I basically wing it; I do a primary sketch of lines and shapes, and go from there. I usually have a reference paper of some sort.

HRH: Does your real life, or do your real life experiences, affect your writing/drawing? How?

Kyence: My real life sometimes gets in the way of doing them :) Seriously, it inspires me, one way or another. Some of my best writing was during my lunch break as I fed seagulls and martins leftovers. Surprisingly idyllic, even when a gull swallows a whole French fry or egg roll.

HRH: If you could offer one piece of advice to new fan fic writers and/or fan art artists, what would that advice be?

Kyence: Only one? It would have to be don’t get offended. The only way you improve, one way or another, is if the areas needing improvement are found and worked on. If someone tells you they don’t like something, take it objectively. The next time you write or draw, keep it in mind. Before you know it, you’ll have more trouble finding criticisms than compliments from fellow fans :) And you’ll be better at what you do, and still having fun doing it.

On top of that, the stuff she's contributed has always been entertaining in some way or another. Her work is always worth a look-see.or a look-read.or a look-take-a-quiz.you get the idea.

So, props to Kyence, for she is very cool. And, if not props, then Kudos.

Whoot! Go Kyence! -- Turbo

She also possesses a great sense of humor, please check out her excellent captioned-photo gags; they're all wonderfully unrepentant and beyond redemption.

If you haven't been to Kyence's site, you're missing a lot. For starters, Zarkon is the star here. You'll find Kyence had Big Bad Daddy strapped into the theater seats with the very tolerant host of Reyk's Retro Review to take on everything from Rainbow Brite and Carebears to phenomenal life-altering experiences like... There's Something About Mary. Zarkon, it seems, had been made to sit through too many Jerry Bruckheimer films and snapped. The result is a vengeful thirst for intense decapitation of such films and scenes deemed too out there for minds bent on universal domination.

And if that's not cool enough, she's also got the one and only Robestiary. Maybe there are other sites containing pages on robeasts, but none of them describes their battle stats in loving detail like she does. To take her Personality Quiz, you have to be made of sterner stuff --- at one point, you have to consider evaluating your fondness for white boots --- the result, though you may not take seriously at first, may be something unexpectedly perceptive.

I hope she wouldn't tire of coming up with great stuff like these. I say bookmark her site right now! :) -- Neogorbash

I like all artwork, as I think I mentioned in my other reply to you, I'm not a very good drawer, so I love to admire those who can. -- Karen

I'm also really impressed with the patience taken to make the personality quiz, which I had great fun with. I got halfway through making one of those ages ago and it's still about that far thanks to distraction and selective amnesia. I dunno maybe it's not so hard, maybe I just a moron, but luckily for me there's smart people like Kyence on the net.

Yay, bow down to Kyence and Reyk (and Zarkon of course... I don't wanna end up in the pit of skulls!!!) ;)

Yeah i'm a nut, ...but really Kyence I love your site. Thankyou. -- Kaimiro