Quiet Girl in a Noisy World
by Debbie Tung
Photo: courtesy of the artist |
Dear Debbie, Thank you for sharing with us your story. How and why did you decide to start your online presence with your blog, comics, and social media interactions? I started my Tumblr blog in 2014 as a creative outlet for my comics and artwork. I received a lot of support and messages from followers in the first year so I decided to expand my social media presence from there. What’s the most rewarding part of your communications in virtual reality? |
Having readers tell me that they can relate to my work on a personal level is probably one of the best feelings in the world.
How do you get yourself pumped to deal with a number of unavoidable daily activities that may be draining in nature?
I sort of mentally prepare myself for everything that could happen. I plan when I can take breaks in between activities and it helps me get through the day.
Who are the people that help you feel energized to continue your work?
My dad is my biggest supporter. He’s always believed in my work since I was a kid. My husband Jason who is featured in a lot of my journal comics also inspires me to keep going.
It sounds like you’re an avid reader. We certainly hope you check out HocTok on a daily basis. What other books and publications do you have in your reading list?
I’m currently reading ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood. I want to read more books by Maya Angelou and a few classics such as ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’ by Thomas Hardy. Besides that, I’ve been recommended ‘We Were the Lucky Ones’ by Georgia Hunter and ‘Oranges are Not the Only Fruit’ by Jeanette Winterson.
How do you get yourself pumped to deal with a number of unavoidable daily activities that may be draining in nature?
I sort of mentally prepare myself for everything that could happen. I plan when I can take breaks in between activities and it helps me get through the day.
Who are the people that help you feel energized to continue your work?
My dad is my biggest supporter. He’s always believed in my work since I was a kid. My husband Jason who is featured in a lot of my journal comics also inspires me to keep going.
It sounds like you’re an avid reader. We certainly hope you check out HocTok on a daily basis. What other books and publications do you have in your reading list?
I’m currently reading ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood. I want to read more books by Maya Angelou and a few classics such as ‘Far From the Madding Crowd’ by Thomas Hardy. Besides that, I’ve been recommended ‘We Were the Lucky Ones’ by Georgia Hunter and ‘Oranges are Not the Only Fruit’ by Jeanette Winterson.
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Can you share with us some of the most exhausting and some of the most exciting thoughts you’ve been having lately?
I’m usually exhausted after a day out surrounded by people and I come home only to end up processing everything that’s happened in my head. I’m most excited when I have hours of alone time to look forward to. It’s a chance for me to work on ideas and get totally absorbed into a world of my own.
Where do you go to relax, recharge, and enjoy a feast of offerings for all senses?
Home has always been my refuge. It’s the only place I can be completely myself. I also enjoy going for runs alone early in the morning when everything is quiet. It gives me a chance to get away from my desk and clear my mind.
Who are the artists whose work you enjoy and get inspired by?
Again there are too many to list down but I particularly love anything by Sarah Glidden, Guy Delisle, Lucy Knisley and Riad Sattouf.
What are the biggest achievements that have made you proud so far this year?
It would be completing my first book, which is due to come out later this year from Andrews McMeel. I’ve always wanted to be a writer and artist so this is quite literally the best of both worlds for me and a dream come true.
'Quiet Girl in a Noisy World' is coming out on November 7, 2017. Can you tell us a bit more about all the work that you put into it? What are your expectations for the book?
Quiet Girl in a Noisy World is a collection of comics presented in a narrative style. The story encompasses my time in graduate school, getting married and finally landing my first job. It documents moments in life when I was struggling with my quiet personality and eventually learning about my introversion and how to embrace it.
I hope the book will show other fellow introverts that they are not alone and there is nothing about them that needs to be fixed. On the contrary, introversion is something that makes us unique and wonderful. Many of us go through moments of self-doubt and anxiety, but when we learn to accept and work with our quiet ways, that’s when we will find our voice.
I’m usually exhausted after a day out surrounded by people and I come home only to end up processing everything that’s happened in my head. I’m most excited when I have hours of alone time to look forward to. It’s a chance for me to work on ideas and get totally absorbed into a world of my own.
Where do you go to relax, recharge, and enjoy a feast of offerings for all senses?
Home has always been my refuge. It’s the only place I can be completely myself. I also enjoy going for runs alone early in the morning when everything is quiet. It gives me a chance to get away from my desk and clear my mind.
Who are the artists whose work you enjoy and get inspired by?
Again there are too many to list down but I particularly love anything by Sarah Glidden, Guy Delisle, Lucy Knisley and Riad Sattouf.
What are the biggest achievements that have made you proud so far this year?
It would be completing my first book, which is due to come out later this year from Andrews McMeel. I’ve always wanted to be a writer and artist so this is quite literally the best of both worlds for me and a dream come true.
'Quiet Girl in a Noisy World' is coming out on November 7, 2017. Can you tell us a bit more about all the work that you put into it? What are your expectations for the book?
Quiet Girl in a Noisy World is a collection of comics presented in a narrative style. The story encompasses my time in graduate school, getting married and finally landing my first job. It documents moments in life when I was struggling with my quiet personality and eventually learning about my introversion and how to embrace it.
I hope the book will show other fellow introverts that they are not alone and there is nothing about them that needs to be fixed. On the contrary, introversion is something that makes us unique and wonderful. Many of us go through moments of self-doubt and anxiety, but when we learn to accept and work with our quiet ways, that’s when we will find our voice.
