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

Molly, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The urge to be artistic started when I learned to walk. Some of my earliest memories include sliding into the first day of preschool wearing tap shoes, acting as the Little Red Hen in the spring play, and having art pieces selected for the yearly art show. Whenever there was an opportunity to act, play an instrument, sing, or submit a creative project, I was on it. I competed in local and state forensics from a young age, and submitted my illustrations and short stories to regional anthology collections. While I didn’t always succeed, I was lucky to have earned first place prizes and publications in those collections.

That early creative and entrepreneurial spirit stayed on through middle and high school. In middle school, I submitted a short story called “The Lost Little Hamster” which was eventually printed and bound along with my illustrations. While it didn’t make me a millionaire, I was very proud of my book. I took up the trumpet in fifth grade, taught myself rudimentary piano, and bought my first guitar when I was 16. I took extra art classes when allowed, performed in the local improv troupe and in the musicals, and earned accolades for my art pieces. Always performing, singing, making art, and writing.

College was not a negotiation; it was always understood I would be going to college, so I applied to both art schools and universities. I considered graphic design or art education, but those pathways weren’t necessarily described as “lucrative” to me. Where I’m from, money was (almost) always favored over passion. In the end, I settled on a communications degree. Luckily, I have had a great career in that field, but I’ve never let go of my ambition to create professionally.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Over the years, I never stopped writing, drawing, painting, and singing. While working full time, I still created for myself, trying on different blogs and experimenting. I’m certainly not the only person who’s put aside personal aspirations for work and the rest. Then, I went through an incredible life change that altered my perspective on time. I’m grateful I realized early enough that there’s more to my life than answering emails. I come from a long line of creative and artistic people; each of them setting down their instruments, paintbrushes, and voices for a full-time paycheck. I can officially say “been there, done that,” and now I can try it my way.

I recently launched my creative project, The Gaslight Edition: a vibrant space dedicated to sharing short stories, novel ideas, and poetry. Readers are invited to immerse themselves in a world of fantasy and coming-of-age tales, carefully crafted for young adults, young women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and anyone captivated by the magic of storytelling. My aim is to reach a wide audience and eventually publish my short stories in a collection.

The Gaslight Edition also includes essays, photography, and artwork. I look forward to contributing new work to the site weekly at www.thegaslightedition.com.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Support from a young age is the most important, and sometimes rarest gift, a person can be given to grow into who they want to be. I believe that kind of acceptance and space can change the trajectory of a person’s life. Encouraging children and young people to lean into their passions and talents, while giving them in-roads to opportunities, builds their own self-acceptance. While I have received encouragement as well, artistic pursuits in life are often met with skepticism and criticism depending on the kind of community you have. Most importantly: don’t tell your children their dreams won’t turn a profit. If I could go back, I’d work harder towards my dreams and maybe care less about the bottom line. More people should be allowed to be artists.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Putting stories in hands, sharing my perspective with the world, while being able to support myself fully with my writing is the ultimate goal. My partner and I are both creators, and the greatest dream is to live as financially viable, full-time artists. In a world where you can work your entire life and still lose everything, I would rather take a chance on myself now than make it to the end and wonder, “what if?”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thegaslightedition.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegaslighteditionofficial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegaslightedition/

Image Credits

All my own digital photography.