1. What drives you to create stories?

I have always found it very difficult to express my thoughts and feelings. Even though I am extremely talkative, talking about myself has always been a big challenge. Ever since I was a child, comics have been the only medium through which I have never been afraid to do so. After a creative block lasting more than two years, during which I changed my life completely, I realised that, as well as giving me a voice, manga could also give other people a voice. That’s when my approach to storytelling changed completely. My desire to talk about myself turned into a passion for storytelling, shifting the focus of my narrative completely.

A quick bichromatic sketch made by Barbara with Pentel’s Sign Pens.

4. What tools do you use the most?

Much as I love traditional drawing, the convenience of Clip Studio Paint is undeniable, especially for screen-tones. The graphics tablet has now become an extension of my arm. However, if I had the choice, I would prefer to ink traditionally and add the final details digitally. The feeling of the pen on paper is simply unmatched!

Animated storyboard of Barbara’s first trip to Vietnam

5. What kind of scenes move you the most when you’re drawing?

I love everything related to emotions, especially very romantic or dramatic scenes. Even better if they are both dramatic and romantic at the same time! I can cry with joy! In recent years, I’ve worked hard on how I express the characters’ emotions (from both an acting and a narrative point of view). As a manga artist, there’s no greater joy than when I’m about to draw a scene that will move the reader.

6. Your main sources of inspiration right now:

As I mentioned before, the people I meet are my greatest source of inspiration. Over the last two years of travelling, I have had the opportunity to learn about realities that are very different from my own. The more people I meet, the more I want to share their stories.

I firmly believe that everyone has an incredible story to share, no matter how simple it may seem: you just need to find the right way to tell it. You don’t need to draw on extraordinary sources to write a story; sometimes, you just need to step outside your house and listen.

People need and want to talk about themselves and their experiences, but finding someone who’s really willing to listen is quite hard. I am convinced that some of the most beautiful stories come from those who don’t have an audience but deserve one.

Barbara creating soft atmospheres with Pentel’s Sign Pen Twin red and green brushes

8. What do you want to convey with the story you’re publishing on Chronicles?

As I am not personally involved in writing the screenplay, I will leave the final word to Valerie. However, when she told me Dany’s story, I was deeply struck by the love and enthusiasm with which she spoke about the friendships that developed within the team. I am very lazy and hate any activity involving sport or physical effort, especially in a group. However, Valerie’s enthusiasm about the bond created between teammates really struck me, and I hope we can convey this faithfully in our story so that readers feel they are part of the team.

For me, achieving that would be one of the most important goals.

9. How do you deal with work stress and creative blocks?

I cry (joking… sort of). At the beginning of my career, I struggled with feeling inadequate: I didn’t feel good enough, and this feeling of inadequacy at work affected my sense of self. Over time, I realised that my personal value is not equivalent to my value as an artist, and I learned to accept the bad moments with a little more serenity. Before, when I couldn’t get a drawing right, I would sit at the table for hours, forcing myself to draw and ‘punishing’ myself for not being good enough. I would deprive myself of anything that could make me feel good until the work was finished, such as going out or watching a film. Over time, I realised that this approach didn’t help me improve; in fact, it only made me feel worse. Now, when I realise it’s a particularly ‘bad’ day or a drawing just isn’t coming together, I go out for a walk or a drink with friends. The next day, “incredibly”, everything turns out better than expected. 

10. Describe one of your typical workdays. Do you have any rituals to help you immerse yourself in the creative process? Is there a specific place or type of music that helps you?

My routine varies depending on where I am. When I’m travelling, I usually keep my mornings free to do activities with the associations I work with, focusing on work in the afternoons and evenings. When I’m in Rome, however, I get up early and work until the late afternoon. I always try to set aside some time during the day to relax and recharge, whether I’m at home or away. 

The way I work changes a lot depending on the part of the project I’m working on. When I’m writing the names, for example, I only listen to the Studio Ghibli soundtrack, and I don’t leave my desk until I’ve finished. Not interrupting this phase is sacrosanct for me: it’s as if I’m in a flow that, if broken, destroys all the magic. When I’m drawing and inking, however, I usually listen to podcasts, mainly true crime ones. Finally, when I’m stressed, perhaps because the deadline is approaching, I either listen to Gilmore Girls on repeat, or I play a playlist loudly and sing along. Non-stop, for hours… much to the delight of my neighbours! It’s very annoying for those around me, but it’s a great stress reliever!