Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Starrie Sky. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Starrie, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew I wanted to pursue writing when I was in first grade and won an award for “Best Poem” in my class. I really enjoyed writing, and being able to create a world with words.

I was always writing and drawing as a child, plays, movie scripts, stories…everything! I had huge binders filled with all of my work. Every time I finished a new play, I would drag all of my friends into acting out the parts, and we would perform them to whoever would watch, usually our younger brothers and sisters, they had no choice haha!

When I was in middle school, I wrote and directed a play for my acting class to perform in a competition with other acting schools in the area. I had such a great time with the whole project, and we actually won!

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?

As I mentioned earlier, I was involved in acting. Living in Los Angeles, I joined SAG/AFTRA and spent most of my time bouncing around all the different studio lots, working all different kinds of jobs on set. From stunt work, to stand-in work, acting, photo doubling, commercials, modeling…I literally did it all!

Summer in LA, was typically “hiatus” for actors/crew. We would have about 2 1/2-3 months off before starting back around the end of Aug.

Flashback to my kiddo days, I had written and drew a series, that was always my favorite to work on. I had created all of these wacky characters, and the planet they lived on. It was a silly, lighthearted, adventure series, with a zany villain, and three best friends, and LOTS of colors! I always dreamed of it becoming an actual book series.

One summer hiatus, I was off and with way too much time on my hands. I thought, I’m going to write and draw my old kids book series. I was at the gym, (where I get most of my thinking done) and wrote a little beat sheet on my iPhone note pad. When I got home, I opened up my laptop, and started pounding away.

After that, I hit up Blick for some art supplies. I stocked up on colored pencils and drawing pads…Then I drew the characters I had created from my childhood. It was so fun drawing them again, like being reunited with old friends.

When I finished my series, I shopped it around to a few publishers. That was frustrating, and time consuming. No one seemed to really “get my series”.

It wasn’t until I was randomly at one of those rooftop hotel lounges in Hollywood hanging out with my friend, minding my my own business, that I got into conversation with a publisher that focused on small niche authors, who wrote unusual content. We talked and laughed about my series for, it seemed hours. This person actually understood my series and could really envision it. It was all so surreal.

We teamed up, and my book series has been in the best hands from that point on.

What sets my series apart from most authors, is that I hand draw all of the artwork in my books, including the covers, using colored pencils. I love the old school graininess of the images.

People always ask me why I don’t draw on an app, or software. The truth is, I just really love the feeling of holding the actual pencil, and being able to determine the tone of the shade depending on how hard or soft I press. I love the feel of the paper, and being able to use an eraser. It’s pretty relaxing.

I have such an amazing time writing and illustrating my Adventures in Cutie Patootie Land series, it is tough to say which book I am the most proud of, because each one holds such a special designated place in my soul.

Book one, The Pizza Party, is so darling, and a favorite amongst my readers. Book two, The Enchanted Lipstick, is an original story line from my writings back when I was a kid, so that one is extra special to me. The Dreamy Berry Cookie contest, number three in my series, is also very loved by my readers, and number four, The Cutie Campout, that one, is just plain FUN!

Although, my series is a kid series (ages 10 and up), I do mix a lot of current events and pop culture references into my story plots and artwork, so there is a lot of adult humor in my books, as well. I often find myself laughing as I write them, ha!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of writing and drawing my series, for me, is being able to create a world that my readers can slip inside and lose themselves, lose track of time, and have a little escape from the typical day to day, and have some good, clean fun.

What is also very rewarding, is the incredible feedback I get from my readers, and being able to connect with them on social media.

Instagram has been an amazing platform for me to do this. The ability to interact and engage with my readers from all over the world, is absolutely incredible!

I love responding to those DM’s and comments from kids and adults asking about my journey and inspirations, and how to begin their own writing adventures. It’s so great discussing the different characters and the series with my readers on Instagram, so much fun! They give such amazing feedback and really share their love for the series.

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

I really want the series to continue to flourish. I would love to be that Goosebumps type of kid series, that just keeps growing.

I am constantly writing and drawing new characters and beat sheets (outlines). I have about 6 new book ideas in my head at the moment!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.starriesky.com/
• Instagram: @StarrieSkyBooks
• Twitter: @StarrieSkyBooks
• Other: TikTok: @StarrieSkyBooks

Image Credits
@ashleytruly @isabellahardin