The following article was originally published by the NEIU Independent during the author’s tenure as a student journalist. The core content remains identical to the original publication, with minor adjustments made strictly to resolve typographical and continuity errors. The original article can be found here.

Chicago — The Independent recently attended the Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo (C2E2), which took place from March 27 to 29. C2E2 describes itself as “the biggest geek party in the Midwest” because of the large variety of sights: from comics to anime, fans of multiple genres and series can show their love. Similar to last year, when the Independent covered the event, the convention took place at McCormick Place over three days. Vendors selling merchandise to visitors on the show floor, and a variety of panels took place in the meeting rooms along the concourse. Undeniably, a lot of activity sprawls the three-day convention.

Aileen Kung, Supervisor of Operations at Equus Workforce Solutions and a cosplayer from Milwaukee, dressed as Violet Evergarden. “I really see conventions as a space for people to pursue their interests openly and freely, and I think that’s important for everyone,” Kung said. “I don’t have to cosplay only pretty things either. Like, it’s all about art and showing your interpretation of that to the world.”

Adam Nusrallah, producer and head of creative development at Cyanide and Happiness, as well as C2E2 Exhibitor and panel facilitator, gave the Independent a follow-up interview this year. As part of a popular webcomic, Nusrallah is no stranger to improvisation. “Sometimes we just go into panels with no idea in mind just to kind of see what we could wing,” he said.

Sometimes, coming up with ideas on the fly isn’t the hardest part. Instead, the challenges are a lack of confidence, nervousness or fear. “Just get comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable,” Nusrallah said in regards to gaining confidence.

“...everybody should pick up a pencil and a piece of paper and just get to doing art…,” Nusrallah said.

“I still sometimes get nervous before a panel,” Nusrallah admitted. “My whole thing has always been: I want to get to know other people that are also creators creating cool stuff because I’m excited for what they’re making and I want to connect with them and I want to learn from them.” His desire to connect and learn from others is stronger than his fear.

The Independent also followed up with Rick Heinz, Chicago-based author of “The Seventh Age” series and Founder of Storytellers Forge Studio, whom the Independent previously interviewed at ACen last year. When asked what type of books NEIU students should focus on reading to get their creative juices flowing, Heinz responded, “Just read. It doesn’t matter what you read, as long as you’re reading.”

Margarita “Maggie” Hernandez, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System Administrator at Midwestern University and C2E2 veteran since 2013, began attending C2E2 by bringing her little brother to the expo year after year. “When my brother was growing up and having this goal to be a writer, I would take him to these panels and then afterwards we’d go down to the show floor and get a book signed, and he would ask the authors questions about: what inspired them or what advice do they have for writers? And they would always be so kind to talk to him, even him being a kid,” Hernandez said.

“...C2E2 could be a great place to network or just to maybe find a mentor,” Hernandez said.

Last year, Nusrallah talked about drawing and animation programs like Toon Boom, Adobe Flash, Autodesk Maya and Procreate. This year, Nusrallah added another program, Adobe Animate, describing it as an OG program.

Nusrallah encouraged creation by saying, “I think that everybody should pick up a pencil and a piece of paper and just get to doing art or just get to drawing and get to creating and learn that way because no matter what the tools are in the future, if you don’t know the foundation, it doesn’t matter what tools you get.”

Heinz is one of many art and writing directors looking to discover talent at C2E2. However, breaking into the industry takes networking and preparation.

“...if you do 500 words a day, it’s a small time commitment, and over the course of a year, you will end up with a freaking book,” Heinz said.

“If you’re a writer who is interested in comics, but you don’t know how to draw, you can maybe find someone in the Artist Alley,” Hernandez added regarding the value of the convention floor. “It’s just really good to network and make connections because people are really passionate here about what they do, whether being an artist or being a writer.”

Heinz cautioned those looking to break into the industry: “Your ability to do Artist Alley or go to conventions does require some level of monetary investment. Always have original work behind your table because we can’t hire you as a studio if all you have is fan art.”

Heinz shared recommendations for NEIU students looking to get discovered and hired. “Every convention I go to now, I actually walk around Artist Alley as an art director or a writing director and I’m actually looking for [someone] who has original art that is of a style that might fit a project that we’re working on,” Heinz said.

Heinz’s suggestion to students looking for writing advice was simple: “500 words a day. Just sit on down [for] 15 minutes, [or] 30 minutes every day, write 500 words towards your book. Usually what will end up happening is we’ll write way more, but if you do 500 words a day, it’s a small time commitment, and over the course of a year, you will end up with a freaking book.”

If a student has a book or artwork ready to showcase, Heinz emphasized the need to network within the community of that particular genre. “A smaller literary science fiction convention or even just a smaller anime show that might only be a two-day one, that is a far better convention [than C2E2] to actually get more one-on-one time,” Heinz said, specifically mentioning WindyCon as an excellent example for networking.

“...don’t be afraid to be a part of that and take advantage of it,” Kung said.

When asked for tips about how students can juggle classes, jobs and creative projects while remaining highly consistent, Nusrallah elaborated on finding balance. “Consistency really means consistently putting in the time and doing the work, but also respecting your body, your mind and your health to not burn yourself out.”

“I struggle with that all the time,” Nusrallah admitted. “I’m currently balancing multiple shows, balancing the conventions [and] balancing family. So, I think the key is to find the time to take care of yourself, so that you don’t run into burnout.”

Nusrallah’s parting advice for NEIU students was: “So just put yourself out there, even if it’s just talking to a new friend.”

Hernandez encouraged students interested in art or creative writing to pursue their careers by visiting conventions. “I would just say if you are a current college student who is interested in those types of a career path—that is a writer or artist—[then] C2E2 could be a great place to network or just to maybe find a mentor.”

C2E2, ACen, Fan Expo and WindyCon are just four places in the Chicagoland Area where fans of nerd culture can unite. Regarding that atmosphere, Kung noted, “I feel like there aren’t many spaces nowadays where you go somewhere and everybody is just genuinely ecstatic to be there. And so don’t be afraid to be a part of that and take advantage of it.”