Author Letter 1

Title: Creating Lunar Virus
  When I first started writing the story, Uni was originally a unicorn. I wanted the story to be about her being pushed into this grand adventure that she doesn't want to go on with friends that she constantly tries to get away from, but eventually warms up to. At the time, I was diagnosed with juvinile Type 1 diabetes and feeling quite unhappy and bitter about the realities I was dealt (honestly not the most proud about this time of my life but in retrospect it's the most beautiful). During the pandemic, was definitely a time for self-reflection and healing for me and I wanted to reassess what I valued most which was my family, my health, and my art. I had to honestly sit down with myself and ask "Why are you counting yourself out when you're still alive!" and "What is truly stopping yourself from doing what you love?"...the answer was me. As soon as I rekindled my love for storytelling and looked back at my script, I was like "Oof! Who the heck wrote this garbage!". Dispite how much the old story sucked I couldn't help but laugh at it. Seeing how far I came was a breath of fresh air and gave me more motivation to spruce up the story. As I began to change, Uni began to change.

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Author Letter 2

Title: Ignoring Distractions
  Creating art nowadays I have to remind myself that it's a marathon and not a sprint...well...actually it's more like a jog, a nice peaceful jog where one morning you stop and pet the cat and the next you realize you need to change your route. I came to realize that as an Artist you really have to take your time and plan your journey carefully, especially when there's so many distractions and things trying to take away time from my art. Though I can't say that I'm a guru at keeping focused, I wanted to create a list of tools others can use if they really want to hunker down and get stuff done!

  • Track you goals!
    I know this one is kind of obvious but keep track of your goals everywhere! Post them on sticky note all around your room, put them on your calendar, on your phone. Tracking your goals also means checking up of those goals and maybe adjusting them as you go.
  • Easily Distracted? Use pomodoro timers!
    Using pomodoro timers can really add some spice to your work routine. Pomodoro timers section off small amounts of time to do smaller tasks. Breaking off tasks into smaller chunks allows you to win in smaller doses! Not every task needs to be a big one. I always have to tell myself that I'm not WonderWoman, I'm a wonderful (alive) woman. I can't do everthing in one day and there is still time to complete my projects. Recognizing the small wins is just as important, any progress is still progress!
  • Just sitting there? Do some art!
    One day I was listening to music on the city bus and the road had closed so the bus had to take an extra long detour. At that moment, I took a breath and said to myself "I can't be bothered with the things I can't control...BUT I can control this art! BOOYAH!" and I drew all the way home! When time forces us to a halt, sit back, throw on some lofi and draw (responsibly of course! If your at the wheel just listen to the lofi)
  • Social Media is a tool
    I know this is a bit of a controversial take but social media is a tool...for me to use and not the other way around. As much as I do enjoy reacting and watching what goes on which Instagram, Youtube, "X", etc. It is draining and the equivalent of being at a social gathering that I don't want to go to. I enjoy posting my artwork and interacting with other artists, but that's honestly where it stops for me. Being able to remind myself that it's a tool when I see someone write something inflammatory or when something depressing is happening, I turn all of my socials off and do not engage. I find it very frustrating seeing many young artist get shutdown due to social media, because they make it the only way to get validation. Post and log off. Your art is still beautiful with or without social media. Keep making your craft.

Uni Letter 1

Mama is finally back home but she's asleep again. I was hoping I could ask her about what she saw on her adventure. Daisy is a bit upset since Mama promised to make pandacakes...hopefully Kiran is able to make her some this time. Lately, I've been worried about Mama. Last time she was only gone for 2 days, but this time she was gone for a week. I wish we could help Mama. Maybe I'll sneak a peak at the map Mama takes with her so I can learn about which routes she takes.

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Uni Letter 2

It's been three weeks...Mama hasn't come back yet. We had to calm down Daisy this morning. Kiran is super antsy too. I know he's just worried but did he really have to snap at Daisy!? Getting angry doesn't solve anything...but even I'm starting to get bothered by this. Mama never takes this long, I just pray to the stars that she's okay. Kiran says that tonight will be the start of the wintermoon so the snow is gonna come down even more. Please be safe Mama!


 

Kiran Letter 1

It's been three weeks since Mama left to find supplies and we only have two days worth of food left. I've been saving our leftovers since lastweek to maximize the amount we have left. I don't know what we're gonna do when we run out but I'm willing to sneak out and forage if need be. Daisy has been a real pain in my side, this morning she kept crying about Mama forgetting about us and I told her that she's stupid to believe Mama forgot about her family...maybe I was a little too harsh. I think I should leave to comforting to Uni.

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Kiran Letter 2

Mama finally came back but she passed out as soon as she knocked on the door! Luckily, me and Uni were able to get her on the bench but Daisy kept running around and crying. Uni could barely catch her and calm her down. I noticed the amount of food Mama brought back was barely enough for a day. It must have taken her a while to find something...Theres gotta be something I can do to help her out. If Mama keeps this up, she's gonna burn out like a star.


 

The following letters were recovered but are unreadable. We are currently looking for anyone who is able to decypher some messages we have recovered from the infected. Below is a key help decode the following messages. Good Luck!


 
Key
[A = Z] [B = Y] [C = X] [D = W] [E = V] [F = U] [G = T] [H = S] [I = R] [J = Q] [K = P] [L = O] [M = N] [N = M] [O = L] [P = K] [Q = J] [R = I] [S = H] [T = G] [U = F] [V = E] [W = D] [X = C] [Y = B] [Z = A]

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??? Letter 1

r dlpv gl hnlpv xslprmt gsv hpb zmw gsv gldm ivwfxvw gl xrmwvih. hsv’h tlmv—gllp gsv xsrow zmw wrhzkkvzivw rmgl gsv uoznvh hsv hgzigvw. r zodzbh pmvd hlnvgsrmt dzh dilmt drgs svi. gsviv dzh z ilg yvmvzgs svi hnrov, z hszwld rm svi hgvkh. uiln gsv nlnvmg hsv ziirevw, hsv dlinvw svi dzb yvgdvvm nv zmw zfgsli, dsrhkvirmt klrhlm, gfimrmt srn ztzrmhg nv. r mvevi gifhgvw svi. r hslfow szev vcklhvw svi dsvm r urihg svziw gsv dsrhkvih—z xirnrmzo rm wrhtfrhv. yfg zfgsli... sv dlfow’ev hszggvivw. zmw mld? mld gsviv’h mlgsrmt ovug gl yivzp. dv zoo yfimvw—slnvh, svzigh, ylwrvh—zhsvh hdzooldvw yb gsv uriv hsv org. yfg r hfierevw. r xziib gsv uoznv mld, zmw r droo hvv gszg qfhgrxv rh wlmv. hsv droo zmhdvi uli dszg hsv’h gzpvm.

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??? Letter 2

nb wvzivhg vhgvi… r slow blf, prizm, zmw orggov wzrhb xolhv rm vevib svzigyvzg. dsvivevi blf ziv, r kizb blf’iv hzuv zmw gltvgsvi. r wlm’g pmld ru uzgv droo vevi ovg nv hvv blf ztzrm—yfg ru rg wlvh, r slkv rg’h mlg orpv gsrh. mlg zh dszg r’ev yvxlnv. hgroo, kovzhv ivnvnyvi fh mlg rm hliild, yfg zh dv dviv—yzgsvw rm hfmortsg, ozftsgvi vxslrmt gsilfts gsv urvowh, lfi erooztv ufoo lu oruv. r xziib gszg dzings drgs nv zodzbh. zmw r olev blf, zoo lu blf, nliv gszm dliwh xlfow vevi slow.