PROFILE
Pen Name / Name: 瓜喵 (Miao)
Your social media profiles (optional): FB: @shadowclamp
Country: Taiwan
Age: 35
Favorite manga: Delicious in Dungeon, Shoulder-a-Coffin Kuro
Favorite movie: Inception, Amélie
Entry title: “Finally, the surprises are all arrived”
Round: SMA21: “The Biggest Surprise”
Award: Excellence Award
“Find your own way to attract the reader’s attention. Make sure to exaggerate the emotions of your characters. You can do it!”
About SMA
How does it feel to receive a SILENT MANGA AUDITION® award?
Unbelievable! I’m actually not a full-time manga creator. Before receiving this award, I didn’t think that my work could compare to that of the professionals who also submit entries. This award is very encouraging for me.
What was the inspiration behind your awarded work?
Although I don’t have experience raising frogs or tadpoles, I have a little fish tank at home. I love animals, and once I even created a manga about a friendship between a bear and a duck. Animals always inspire me.
What challenges did you face while making your manga? How did you overcome them?
It’s difficult to draw frogs’ bodies. I tried different ways to simplify their anatomy, while also making sure they didn’t look too weird in the manga. Also, I wanted the little kids to be cute. Therefore, I had to search for many pictures and illustrations as references. 
READ 瓜喵 (Miao)’s SMA21 ENTRY HERE!
About Your Manga
How and when did you start making manga? What do you wish you knew as a beginner? What advice would you give to someone who wants to start drawing manga?
I started making manga when I was a teenager. I drew manga with a pen, and I mostly drew by stippling at the time. I wish I had practiced more (i.e., by sketching) before starting. Creators spend a lot of time making their works, but it’s also important to communicate with the outside world. Don’t be afraid to share your ideas or your script. Keep an open mind! That’s my advice to creators.
Do you draw your manga digitally or by hand? What are your go-to digital or analogue tools?
I draw digitally with Clip Studio Paint.
What was the first manga you picked up? Is it easy to access manga where you live?
In Taiwan, there used to be some book rental shops (kind of like Blockbuster, but for books) near schools. When I was a teenager, I always ran into the book rental shops and rented a lot of manga after a big test. If I found a good manga, I would buy it. I forget what the first manga I bought was, but it was probably one of Clamp’s works. I was really addicted to Clamp’s stories at the time. Sadly, book rental shops almost completely disappeared after that due to the recession. Now, I’m used to buying manga online or at bookstores. Sometimes, I buy e-books, since I own an iPad now.
Which manga changed your life?
It’s difficult to say which singular manga changed my life. I think manga by Clamp had a big influence on me when I was young. Clamp do not create traditional Shojo manga. Their manga covers different themes, and they switch up their styles, too. What I learned from Clamp was to keep an open mind and to try creating manga with a variety of different themes.
Which manga character do you most identify with? Why?
Kirua in HUNTERxHUNTER. He always puts his best friend Gon first and stays by Gon’s side. When they faced the Cat-woman for the first time, Kirua knocked Gon aside, away from the battlefield, even though he knew Gon would hate him afterward. When he was told that he would only hold his friend back in the future, after hesitating briefly, he decided to leave. He looks like he doesn’t care about anything, but in fact he is sensitive and thoughtful. I really like his personality.
What kind of manga do you want to make next?
I really have no idea. I hope my next manga will touch somebody’s heart. I want to keep improving my work, to make it more delicate and unique. In Taiwan, it’s hard to be a full-time manga creator. The pay is quite low and it’s difficult to attain a good work-life balance. Sometimes, it’s easier to be a fan art creator. However, I like to create original short stories. That’s why I’m still an amateur.
About You
What do you do when you’re not making manga? How do you relax?
I read manga, of course! I also enjoy playing video games.
What industry do you work in (if manga making isn’t your primary job)?
I have worked as a graphic designer at a printing house for 7 years.
Where do you see your manga career in 5 years time?
I want to try thinking up longer stories. I’d also like the opportunity to adapt stories by other authors.
What manga making advice would you give to your younger self if you could?
Brainstorm as much as you can before making your manga. Write down every single idea you have at each moment of the day.
What advice would you give to people entering the SILENT MANGA AUDITION®?
I have learned a lot from the award-winning SMA works. The creators are very talented. Without dialogue, the way you present a scene in your manga is very important. Find your own way to attract the reader’s attention. Make sure to exaggerate the emotions of your characters. You can do it!
Thank you, 瓜喵(Miao)! We’re eagerly awaiting your next manga masterpiece!
The deadline to join SMA22 is February 2nd. Enter for a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan! 
HELLO SMA21 AWARD WINNER, 瓜喵(Miao)! was first posted on 10月 29, 2024 at 10:22 am.
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