We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Darya Black. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Darya below.

Darya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I always loved stories. When I was three years old, my mother would say, “Darya, tell me a story” and I would spend an hour or two talking nonstop, making up characters who went on endless adventures while Mom washed the dishes and did the cooking. In the cold winters, Mom would wrap me in a blanket, sit me by the stove to keep me warm, and read me a story while I fell asleep. I was enchanted. In those moments, it hardly mattered that we lived in a tiny mountain village that had been hit incredibly hard by an economic crisis, often leaving us without electricity, water, and even basic necessities like food. As long as we had stories, and each other, I never felt poor.

At the age of ten, I opened a book that changed my life: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. The moment I closed the back cover, I knew THIS is what I wanted to do. To write magical stories that would entertain but also inspire. The next day I set out to write my first “novel”, a 28-page (double-sided!) story with all the fantastic twists and turns my 10-year-old brain could craft. I revised it, edited it thrice, submitted it for a writing competition…aaaaaand my story was instantly rejected for being too long. It broke my heart until my English teacher told me, “I read your story and really liked it. If you keep up like this, you will be a writer one day!” Those words stayed with me throughout my adult years as I wrote one manuscript after the next and learned to illustrate my work. They still lift me up as I continue to pursue my goal. It just goes to show how far an act of kindness can go. And how impactful a teacher’s words can be!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My family left our little village in search of a better life and became immigrants. Moving from country to country, I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. Books gave me a place to belong. I found comfort in my favorite stories, drawing hope from fictional heroes. At the same time, I discovered Zen koans, the Chuang Tzu, and fell in love with philosophy as a teenager. This led me to pursue a degree in metaphysics, with a focus on Western mystical traditions. This mystical flavor permeates my artwork and writing today.

Since starting my creative journey, I’ve had my illustrations published in magazines, collaborated with a non-profit organization by writing educational stories for kids, and worked on different creative projects in local TV and radio. However, when I wrote my first serious novel, I was still figuring out how to blend that love of philosophy with my passion for storytelling. I ended up working with a literary agent and pitching to major publishers, but the pandemic put a halt to our projects. This was my time to reflect, to revisit some of my favorite books and steep myself once again in that old wisdom. Thanks to everything I learned from approaching publishers, I started working on a new manuscript that I am planning on pitching. I’ve also started sharing my artwork online and found an incredibly supportive community on instagram, where I continue to grow my following and have had the pleasure of collaborating with amazing, kind, talented artists who inspire me every day.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

How many of us had to pivot during the pandemic? *Raising my hand!* My husband and I had been running a small English language school in Mexico for several years. There I got to share my love of reading with my students and exercise my storytelling muscles by writing engaging stories for kids and adults. When the pandemic hit, several things happened. One: we had to shut down our school. Two: my literary agent closed his business. Three: my family all got sick.

For a while, it felt like we’d never get our groove back. My motivation for writing went out the window. Everything was in a state of limbo, and I had no idea how to move forward with my life. We had zero experience with giving online classes, but we decided to go for it. Changing our entire teaching approach to adapt to online lessons was a challenge, but we’ve since grown our school and attracted students from different parts of the country. I learned that word of mouth is crucial; if you give your best to your students/clients, they will spread the word about you.

Being in lockdown also gave me the opportunity to improve my illustration and writing skills. While we were all recovering from COVID, I focused on drawing, reading, watching online lectures about storytelling, learning from my favorite authors and sharpening those creative skills day by day. Eventually, this led to exciting new ideas that turned into the Middle Grade novel I am currently working on. Motivation comes by doing, as I learned from getting out of that slump. Now, physical and mental health is my priority, and I try to infuse positivity, kindness, and mindfulness into everything I write and draw.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

“We become what we think about” is my touchstone quote. As someone who went from being a happy kid to a very sad teen to an adult struggling with depression for over a decade, I’ve learned there is nothing more important than mental hygiene. Though I’ve defeated my darkest thoughts, cultivating my mindset is a daily thing, and books have been a great help. One book I wish I’d had earlier is “Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience” by Mihaly Csikszentmihaly. Whether you’re in business, retired, pursuing a career, or just looking for some light on the path, this book is life-changing. It shows how to maintain a state of creative flow, overcome inner struggles, and create more happiness in your life.

“Mastery” by Robert Greene is another essential for anyone looking to master their craft. Combining the principles in “Mastery” with the classic “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards, I was able to teach myself how to draw from scratch. For new writers, the “On Writing and Worldbuilding” series by Timothy Hickson is a great introductory guide, and the same author also has an excellent YouTube channel. And for those wanting to delve deeper into myth and storytelling, Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero with a Thousand Faces” is a must-read.

Whatever you are going through or trying to learn, there is help out there. Resources are waiting for you. I don’t believe anyone is 100% “self-made”, as we wouldn’t be where we are without the people who came before us. We also have access to online communities where we can connect with like-minded creatives. Reach out! Ask for help. You don’t have to do this alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.daryablack.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daryablack.art
• Other: https://ko-fi.com/daryablack