Today we’re joined by Gadriel. Gadriel is a phenomenal and versatile author who writes a bit of everything. While he mostly writes fanfiction, Gadriel also writes a fair amount of micro-stories and poetry. He’s clearly a dedicated and talented writer, as you’ll soon read. My thanks to him for taking the time to participate in this interview.
WORK
Please, tell us about your art.
Well, I write. More often than not I write fanfics, but I write original micro-stories and poetry too. In the future I’d love to publish a book with all my micro-stories and poems.
What inspires you?
What inspires me the most is Death and the mystery that surrounds it. Besides that, almost anything can inspire me: from a person or conversation to a landscape. Inspiration can come from the most unexpected thing.
What got you interested in your field? Have you always wanted to be an artist?
I’ve been writing since I learnt to. Family, friends, and teachers used to tell me that they liked my stories, so I kept writing.
Yes, I’ve always wanted to be an artist as it’s a creative way to express myself and my emotions (which I have a hard time expressing) without feeling judged.
Do you have any kind of special or unique signature, symbol, or feature you include in your work that you’d be willing to reveal?
I like to play with the unexpected. Plot twists everywhere!
What advice would you give young aspiring artists?
Practice, practice, practice! No one starts being the best at what they do. Us artists are in constant evolution and are always improving our art. However, that can only be achieved through constant practice.
If at first you don’t receive many feedback, don’t be disappointed, it’s all part of the process. The more art you create, the further it will get and the more people can enjoy it.
ASEXUALITY
Where on the spectrum do you identify?
I identify as a homoromantic asexual. My position towards sex can vary, but most of the time I’m sex-repulsed.
Have you encountered any kind of ace prejudice or ignorance in your field? If so, how do you handle it?
Not many people know that it is possible for us asexuals to write smut/erotica because they see us as these prudish, innocent beings. I don’t write that kind of stuff because I like to concentrate on the emotional part but I know a bunch of asexuals that do write smut/erotica and enjoy it as much as any other person.
I handle this misinformation by educating myself and others on asexuality.
What’s the most common misconception about asexuality that you’ve encountered?
That we can’t fall in love. I understand where this comes from, as for many people sex and love go hand in hand. However here is where the split attraction model comes in. If an asexual is also aromantic then they won’t feel romantic love, but if that’s not the case, we fall in love like everyone else.
What advice would you give to any asexual individuals out there who might be struggling with their orientation?
Don’t rush it. Let yourself explore and experiment without prejudices. Don’t be afraid to try on different labels. Maybe some will fit and others will not, but just like gender, sexuality can be fluid. As long as you’re careful while experimenting, nothing’s wrong.
Don’t let people’s comments and opinions prevent you from being yourself.
You are loved and valid.
Finally, where can people find out more about your work?
I have some fanfics uploaded in AO3 under the pseudonym ‘Cubi’ and also I fill prompts and write imagines, headcanons and reader inserts here in Tumblr as at acouplewords.
Thank you, Gadriel, for participating in this interview and this project. It’s very much appreciated.
Asexual Artists 