Meet James Wittak

We were lucky to catch up with James Wittak recently and have shared our conversation below.

James, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

Creativity comes from our interpretations of our experiences. All of the pieces that came together to make me, so far, are pools of introspection waiting to be explored. My favorite story of all time is “Magi” by Shinobu Ohtaka. I know it is, because when I read it, I feel clarity unlike I do anywhere else. So to keep creativity thriving, I explore the “whys”. Why do I love when this character speaks? Why do I love the sound this action makes? Once I get closer to understanding why something makes me feel clarity, I can take that interpretation and channel it to a theme to express. Sometimes it’s as simple as loving reptiles. Other times, its writing a character into a scenario that challenges my own ego.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I write & illustrate the graphic novel “No Name Star”. It’s my second series, and is 44 chapters strong, with many more to go. No Name Star channels everything I can fit into it that inspired me to pick up a pen in the first place. It’s optimisitc, and it’s filled with action, powers, and creatures. But most of all, it aims to be filled with introspection. The story is all about direction – where to go when you don’t know the way forward. If you’re a fan of manga, especially shonen, I believe you’d enjoy No Name Star. Volume 4 of the physical release is being printed at this time, and will be available on IndyPlanet!

Additionally, I enjoy animation and wiriting when time allows. I animated my own one-minute animated short for No Name Star as a peek into the world. That animation and more can be found on my youtube channel.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I am forever grateful that my past self had no thoughts of pursuing anything beyond expression. When I started my first story “Silver Lights”, I did it for one reason – it felt exciting. I had almost no thoughts about what I’d do with it or if it could begin a career. I was only concerned with what it meant to make it. So the first quality that truly impacted my journey was obliviousness.

Discipline has been beyond impactful. It comes down to how I answer myself in my head. It can be concerning, really. Im often at war with myself, telling myself that I can do more, or that not meeting the goal I set is unnacceptable. What would my heroes do in this situation? That’s the standard I’d want to chase.

Lastly, I’m glad I made an effort to read other small artist’s stories in my community. Thanks to that, I’ve made connections that turned into life long friends. There are other people out there who are on this road too!

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

The manga series “Magi” by Shinobu Ohtaka changed me. One line in particular (amongst many) stands out to share.
“There’s as many paths as there are people.”
When you look out at a road from a distance and see a car driving by, we can’t comprehend the depth of what we’re seeing. We see a person, going somewhere, for something, and this person has a life as complex and important as our own. The depth of their motivations and history fly by and move on like the car they’re in. And then multiply that by all the people you cross.
All this is to say: your path is your own. Play by the rules or break them. Don’t be scared to be weird, and then keep being weird. Do what you think is cool. Why worry about what that person in the car in the distance will think?

You may just end up helping someone find their direction.

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