The Loop Newspaper - Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide

Tehachapi writer and artist Saida Woolf, 16, has been working on the first five issues of her comic book, "Soulstream" for about five years.

My friend and I recently got interested in online art programs and apps, so Saida's work inspired me. The art and colors of the book are awesome, and the costumes and her art style are cool! I love this book so much and am excited for more!

Saida answered a few of my questions about her book.

Q: Who did you base the main character, Marie Rosales, on?

A: Marie isn't based on a single person, but she takes inspiration from personal experiences I've had, as well as aspects of people I've met over the years.

Q: What gave you the inspiration to write the book?

A: "Soulstream" is the story that I've always wanted to read. When I couldn't find a story with all the elements I wanted, I decided to make my own! It takes a lot of inspiration from both superhero and fantasy stories.

Q: You told The Loop that issue one comes out in January. When will the second be coming out?

A: "Soulstream" is part of the Scout Comics Nonstop! imprint. They release issue one, and then a few months later, the first five issues are collected into a trade paperback. Issue one comes out on January 13 with the trade paperback to follow this summer.

Q: Are there going to be more characters in the story?

A: Yes! There will be a team of superheroes working together to save the Shattered World. I can't wait for issue one and the trade paperback to come out so you can learn all about them!

Q: I do animations and drawings on my iPad and I use FlipaClip and Procreate for it. I was wondering what apps or program you use?

A: It's great that you create digital art, too! I use Procreate on the iPad to do all of my comics. Then, I use Adobe Photoshop to get the text and the colors ready for printing.

Q: How long have you been writing/drawing?

A: I have been writing and drawing my whole life. I really got into digital art in middle school, and I have been working at improving ever since. The best way to improve is to just keep practicing. Making this comic has improved my art a lot. It helps to work on it every day.

Q: Do you want to be a writer or artist when you grow up?

A: That's a great question! I want to be both. I hope that I can be a creator of comics, animations and other media when I grow up, and that lots of people will be able to enjoy the stories that I create.

Issue one will be available at Silver Wolf Comics and Collectibles and MAN BITES DOG Emporium in Bakersfield, and Bases Cards & Comics and Horizon Comics in Lancaster. It will also be available at http://www.scoutcomics.com.