Hello Klaroliners! I had the chance to interview the Best Graphic Maker from 2016 Klaroline awards: Helen, aka klarolinessecondbreakfast (coolest url ever)! Here are her answers:
KM: Congratulations on your award for Best Graphic Maker! How does it feel and what does it mean to you?
Helen: It feels wonderful! Honestly there are so many amazing graphic makers in the fandom and I didn’t expect to be nominated at all, so it really means the world that people enjoyed my graphics enough to vote for me.
KM: For those who don’t know you, can you describe yourself and as a klaroliner?
Helen: I work as a musician at a church, so I’ve always been a bit of a music/theatre nerd. I was raised on Harry Potter, LOTR, and Narnia, so the jump to the vampire genre wasn’t that difficult!
I started watching TVD mid-season 4 and officially joined the Tumblr fandom after 4×23 aired. And once I saw how awesome the KC fandom is I got more involved and taught myself how to make graphics, and here we are! I also write fic a little, too.
KM: How do you get inspired to make graphics?
Helen: It depends, but mostly it’s from literary quotes I see on Tumblr or songs. And fanfiction! I make fanfic covers on a fairly regular basis so fics definitely inspire me too, especially if I’m doing an AU graphic.
KM: And what about Klaroline inspires you to make graphics? (that’s a super complicated question I am evil)
Helen: I think the idea of them as equals really inspires me, like here’s this ridiculously strong 1000 year old vampire who is completely thrown off his game by a newbie vampire and allows her to make her own decisions instead of bending her to his will. I absolutely love their push-and-pull dynamic. (Also Candice and Joseph are super hot so that helps!)
KM: What’s your favorite kind of graphics? Manips? Quotes?
Helen: Manips! I love seeing KC in all different AU situations, because there’s just so many possibilities for the two of them! It reminds me that we are not limited to the horrors of canon and we can make our own canon just fine.
KM: What do you think about Klaroline fandom’s creativity? Does it inspire you to make more graphics?
Helen: I think we as a fandom have a staggering amount of talent, and it’s really helped me stay on the KC train and not be discouraged about our ship not happening on screen. I love that there are always new people coming into the fandom and adding their creativity and voices as well!
KM: What can we expect from you in the future?
Helen: Well apparently AU week is coming up in October, so I’m planning on making some graphics for that event (hopefully)!
KM: And finally, anything more to say?
Helen: I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone in the fandom for making my experience here so great. I am honestly floored by how awesome every fellow KCer I’ve come across is, and it’s a privilege to be shipping with y’all!
Check her edits HERE!