Author: Anni Z

Running uphill towards pizza

A paved trail curves through dense green summer trees.

Training for the Pioneer Pride 5K, painting tiny watercolors, dreaming up LitRPG chaos, and migrating ten years of blog posts. Anyway, onward.

Blogging as a Way of Thinking

Anni sitting beside a laptop showing the Realmscapes homepage.

Rereading old blog posts has reminded me that blogging has never just been “content” for me. It’s a way of thinking, noticing, and catching small birds of thought when they land.

Nature Journal Practice: Bugs

Watercolor nature journal spread featuring labeled insects and plants, including a bloody-nosed beetle, cinnabar caterpillar, cinnabar moth, dock bugs, skipper butterfly, rose chafer, and wildflowers.

A watercolor nature journal study of insects, wildflowers, and small overlooked creatures from The Nature Journaling Circle.

A Bridge Back to the Painting Table

an artist's table with a finished watercolor work and palette

Hello friends,I wrote briefly in my last post about being in a creative slump, and to be honest, I don’t want to talk about that very much right now. What matters is that I feel like I’m coming out of it, and that recovery is partly due to committing to an online monthly nature journaling […]

February, and signs of motion

Open book and notebook on a desk, with handwritten notes and a hand writing with a red pen, documenting research and reflections for an altered book project.

January turned out to be a month of listening instead of publishing. As February begins, I’m noticing signs of motion returning—outside, in the studio, and in my own attention.

The Future I Stopped Pretending Not to Want

Woman drawing at a desk in a home studio, with a faint, ghosted image of her younger self in the background.

I thought that, when I retired, stepping away from goals and schedules would bring peace. Instead, I discovered restlessness, distraction, and a loss of meaning. This week I reflect on how I found my way back in 2025—not to obligation, but to making, learning, and respecting my real nature.

The Pub Crawl

Eggnog in a white coffee cup sits on a wooden table

It’s Christmas Eve and 25 men walk into a bar. What could possibly go wrong?

December in the laundry room

A black-and-white illustration of a woman standing in a laundry room, holding up a zine with a thoughtful expression as if examining a shirt. A laundry basket in front of her is filled with zines, short stories, and creative papers. Behind her, more artwork and small illustrations hang from a clothesline above a washing machine and dryer.

I’m in the creative laundry room this month, holding up projects like shirts and asking which ones still fit.

The Illustrators Who Raised Me

A soft-focus photo of a library reading area, with an empty wooden chair in the foreground and shelves of colorful picture books blurred in the background.

These past weeks of gratitude led me back to the illustrators whose pages first opened worlds for me. This post is a small thank-you to the hands that helped form my creative life.

Inside my winter sticker sketchbook

Collage of four hand-drawn winter animal illustrations—bear with a bass, rabbit with a banjo, fox with a fiddle, and a Blue Ridge lettering design—surrounded by colored pencils and sketchbook tools.

A quiet return to drawing this week, working on winter animals and bluegrass charm in a behind-the-scenes peek at how this year’s sticker collection begins.

When a Story Tries to Turn Into Cinderella

Hands holding a small round mirror with a blurred face reflected inside, against a soft neutral background with warm light.

A short reflection on how a simple magical-hairdresser story tried to turn into Cinderella, and what it taught me about tropes, honest endings, and staying inside a character’s heart.

Return to the studio: dust, light and the first day back

A purple paint-splattered apron rests on a messy worktable beside pencils, a sketchbook, and paper scraps — the quiet evidence of my return to the studio after a long pause.

After weeks in hospital halls, I finally made it back down the basement stairs to my studio. The dust, the light, even the quiet felt like home. Between the hum of the printer and thoughts of a real meal again, I’m learning how healing can sound like paper shuffling and smell like dinner on the stove.

Notes from the table: what I learned at Johnson City Zine Fest 9

Studio Second Street zine display at Johnson City Zine Fest, set against white brick wall.

I’d been looking forward to the Johnson City Zine Fest since June, when I first heard about it and sent in my application in July. It became the bright pin on my calendar all through summer—a goal that kept me printing, folding, trimming, and imagining how my stories might look out in the world instead […]

When a zine isn’t a zine…

Whimsical watercolor illustration of a zine and a chapbook personified as friendly characters sitting beneath a tree, holding hands while autumn leaves fall around them.

I recently discovered that some of my beloved “zines” aren’t zines at all—they’re chapbooks! What began as mild embarrassment turned into a delightful realization: I’ve accidentally been running a small press. In exploring the tangled history between zines and chapbooks, I found that their difference isn’t about rules—it’s about intent, and the shared joy of making stories personal again.

From No Imagination to Endless Ideas

A small notepad and pen rest on a bedside table beside a glasses case and lamp, waiting to capture ideas that come before sleep or upon waking.

Ten years ago, I thought I had no imagination. Now I keep pens in every room just to keep up with the ideas. Somewhere along the way, my creativity grew three sizes—like the Grinch’s heart—and started glowing like a jar of fireflies.

September at the threshold

Golden September leaves glowing in the sunlight at the edge of autumn.

September is a threshold month; still hot and humid, yet shadows stretch longer and the leaves begin to turn. I’ve been feeling its melancholy this year: mourning missed summers, grieving family losses, and noticing how time races on. Yet in that same melancholy, I’ve found fuel for reflection, writing, and creating.

Tails Will Tell

Cartoon illustration of a wizard watching a king eat at a table, with a fox tail hidden beneath the king’s robe.

A magical short story where a wizard’s careless spell, a fox curse, and a king’s greed reveal the folly of passing misfortune on.

Realmscapes at one year: forging a creative path

A spread of handmade zines fanned out on a wooden table, with scissors, a pink pen, and a bone folder beside them.

A year into Realmscapes, I’ve discovered that the Free Fictional Frontier isn’t just a home for old short stories—it’s become the Dispatch for my zines. Fifteen booklets later, I’m realizing that what began as an experiment has turned into the creative path I’d been searching for all along.

Every Fall Begins Like a Story

Hand holding a sketchbook of zine illustrations with pencils on a patio table, while a small white dog rests on a chair nearby.

September brings stories, mishaps, and new beginnings—lost zines, moody computers, and plans for a bard’s wagon at Zine Fest.

A First Look at the Woodland Watchers

Digital illustration of an owl perched on a gnarled tree branch, with a large full moon rising behind it. The drawing shows dark, textured bark and simple line work outlining the owl.

This week brought hospital waiting rooms, cooler autumn days, and progress on my Woodland Watchers zine. One illustration is finished, a second is underway, and the owl beneath the Hunter’s Moon has already whispered his story into the night.

Making Waves

Making Waves explores life’s stages through six illustrated messages—pleas, regrets, and acceptance—drawing inspiration from Zen’s empty boat parable and the idea that we are the boats, always moving, always changing. The zine ends with a space for your own message, inviting you to join the journey and pass it along to someone else who might need it.

The myth of the perfect creative space

Artist at a cluttered drafting table, sketchbook open with simple line drawings, smiling slightly at the camera in a casual creative workspace.

This week’s zine didn’t make the deadline, but real life did. While catching my breath, I found myself pondering the YouTube myth of the perfect studio—and why creativity thrives in messy, real-life corners instead.

When Coffee and Computers Conspire

Laptop on a desk with a colorful abstract face design on the screen, next to a Norwegian Sky cruise souvenir coffee mug and a black wire organizer filled with papers.

Half‑caff mornings mean more time for journaling, art, and apparently talking to my laptop when it stages a dramatic shutdown. Between cold coffee runs to the microwave and a machine dreaming of retirement in Florida, it’s a wonder I get anything done. But hey, I call it a win. Sort of.

You Might Be a Hornblower If…

Young man with curly hair and mustache stands in front of a stone tavern, wearing a brown coat, wide-brimmed hat, and red scarf—evoking a historical fantasy rogue.

I don’t usually make fan zines—but then Mat Cauthon raised the Horn. This one’s for the reluctant heroes, the gamblers, and the ones who turn back.

The secret power of mini-projects

A hand holding a small illustrated zine titled “How to Catch a Story” in front of a larger unfinished oil pastel portrait of a male paladin in armor.

Sometimes the secret to finishing creative work isn’t more time or more discipline — it’s thinking smaller. Here’s why mini projects have helped me finish more in two months than I did in the last two years.

Barking at monsters

Anni holds up her mini zine titled “Barkyard Security: Unleashed & Unqualified” while smiling. Two small, curly-haired dogs rest in the background.

Dogs bark at rabbits. I bark at Elementor. A funny look at creative chaos, Barkyard Security, and how overreaction might just be our default setting.

The Return of the Studio

Close-up of hand holding a round sticker that says ‘There’s no wrong way to roast a tale,’ above a milk glass chicken dish filled with illustrated stickers

Studio Second Street is back — and this time, it belongs. A story about creative integration, purpose, and how one milk glass chicken still holds magic.

How to make a zine habit: four in and still rolling

Open sketchbook showing grayscale illustrations of a cat in various relaxed or disinterested poses, including watching a circus train and ignoring dramatic news.

Online zine-making seems to have gotten easier after only four issues, maybe because I’ve streamlined the process (or at least stopped reinventing the wheel each time). The idea and draft It starts with the idea. Some weeks it comes fast, other times I spend a couple of hours thinking it through. The easiest ideas show […]

Sometimes It’s Just a Good Week (and That’s Enough)

Artist smiling while holding up a watercolor flower painting and a landscape sketch in a cozy, art-filled studio

A quiet week of porch-sitting, birdsong, and unexpected studio satisfaction. Zines are blooming, pastels are cooperating, and the dust layer has been vanquished (with a dish rag from the 1980s, no less). Sometimes, it’s good to pause and celebrate the small, quiet victories.

June Studio Dispatch

A smiling artist in a light shirt and blue tee paints a glowing firefly jar illustration in a sketchbook, seated at a desk with a paintbrush and a ceramic mug nearby.

A June update from the Realmscapes studio: a new zine, a new Realm, and a glimpse behind the scenes as sticker kits and tiny books come to life.

The Birth of a Zine Habit

Collage-style image featuring illustrated pages from a black-and-white zine titled Why Did We Let It Get Like This?, with large teal text overlay reading “My First Zine!”

A behind-the-scenes look at creating my first illustrated Substack zine — why I made it, what I learned, and why this might be the start of a new creative habit.

Back from Break: Notes from the Sun, Salt, and Story Fog

Sketchbook held open in Plaza de la Virgen de los Reyes, Seville, showing fountain sketch with cathedral in background

After a long-awaited creative break, I’m rethinking how I use Substack and WordPress—and reflecting on how artists can adapt in the age of AI. Less polish, more play. More zines. More voice. A travel sketch and a quiet shift in direction.

Aliki Book 1 – Editing update

A worn, open laptop shows an editing program in progress.

I’m still laughing at the draft of Aliki Martin and the Chocolate Cartel. It turns out a lot of the story was still in my head when I wrote this. I’m connecting the dots now, one edit at a time.

New Masters Academy Drawing Foundations 1: weeks 2–5 progress notes

A STrathmore drawing book, black sketchbook, pencil, kneaded eraser, red acetate and masking tape

In my last post Why I Joined New Masters Academy and chose the Illustration Track, I covered Week 1 of Drawing Foundations 1. This update picks up from there, with progress through Weeks 2–5. While most of the material so far is review, I’ve found that each week holds at least one useful reminder or […]

Interviewing characters for my new series

Two girls sit at a table for a lab experiment

Ever wondered how authors discover their characters? Join me behind the scenes as I use playful AI-powered interviews to bring Core and Nova—two hilarious, heartfelt characters—to life for my new sci-fi series, Realmspire.

The books that shaped how I see the world

a young girl sits on a sofa reading a book

Books shape us. If I could If I could sit down with all the younger versions of me, and give her the books that would change her life, all in one worn-out backpack, I would. Because the truth is, each one holds a piece of who I am. Today, I’m sending letters to my younger self with all the reasons why her book choices were good ones.

Can AI replace creators? Not anytime soon.

An elven wizard holding a quill

AI has sparked fears of replacing human creativity, but true artistry stems from personal experience and metaphor—something AI can’t genuinely grasp. While AI is a useful tool for brainstorming and simplifying tasks, it lacks the depth of human perspective, ensuring that writers and artists remain irreplaceable in the creative process.

Behind the Scenes: Writing and Posting My First Novel Draft

A woman leans over her keyboard

Finishing a novel feels like stepping through one door and reaching for the next—equal parts triumph and anticipation. Sharing my draft online pushed me to keep going, even when the words wouldn’t come. Now, with Aliki Martin and the Chocolate Cartel complete, a new adventure is just beyond the door.

Thriving in the backwater of the online creator ecosystem

An underwater transition zone between shore and ocean

Feel like you’re drifting in the backwater of the digital creator ecosystem? You’re not alone. Join me in the backchannel—a space where creativity flows freely, beyond the noise of algorithms. Let’s set our lanterns adrift and see where the current takes us.

The final stretch of Aliki Martin and the Chocolate Cartel

After a lot of writing, rewriting, and balancing key moments across Chapters 11, 12, and 13, I’m happy to say the final act is nearly complete. Chapter 14 is in progress, which means the first full draft of the book is almost finished. That’s a big milestone.

Whispers in the Wind

A woman braving the winter wind is guided—and frustrated—by mysterious voices, each reflecting her inner conflict, as she struggles to make sense of their advice.

Aliki’s Next Mess: Chapter 4 is up!

Aliki thought managing a used spaceship dealership would be straightforward—at least as straightforward as it gets on Earth. In this chapter, she finds out otherwise. With the ever-watchful Mitch digging deeper and the enigmatic Zoron keeping his cards close, Aliki’s ability to stay under the radar is put to the test. Not to mention, just […]

How Storyteller Tools by M. Harold Page makes plotting addictive

Lost in the messy middle of your story? Storyteller Tools by M. Harold Page transforms planning into play. With conflict diagrams and clever QABNs, it’s like story sculpting on steroids. Fair warning: once you start, you might not want to stop plotting. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

The power of observation for artists and writers

On a recent trip to Japan, I left my laptop behind to focus on something different: pure observation. By immersing myself in unfamiliar sights, sounds, and routines, I discovered how these experiences can deepen creative work, enriching the worlds we build with authentic details and fresh inspiration.

Chapter 1 (draft) is completed!

As a plotter, I love creating outlines that start as faint ideas and gradually grow into detailed scenes. However, the real challenge comes when it’s time to fill in the gaps—those transitions between scenes that feel so natural in my head but are trickier to write. Often, it’s the little moments, the way a character […]

Navigating the future of illustration (and my own)

I fell off the illustration bandwagon this week while working on a novel. But I did manage some drawing practice, learning “Weight Drawing,” and had a realization while reading Heller’s The Education of an Illustrator about how AI is just another evolution in the industry, much like photography and digital tools were.

How to layer gouache: my third week with SketchAwesome

This week, I faced my challenges with gouache in the SketchAwesome program, navigating tricky color mixes and layering techniques. Though it’s not my favorite medium, these exercises offered a welcome break from structured practice and helped me find joy in creative exploration, complementing my ongoing Illustration Quest.

Exciting beginnings: my self-taught art journey, week 1

My first week on a self-taught art journey has been filled with unexpected challenges, inspiring discoveries, and a renewed sense of creative freedom. Join me as I explore foundational skills, face new trials, and uncover what it means to truly learn the art of illustration.

The start of a new journey

When I retired, I thought I’d finally dive into art, but despite tutorials and new supplies, I felt stuck. I realized I needed guidance, not just inspiration. So, I’m creating a self-taught course to grow my skills. Follow along as I document my journey and share insights for fellow creatives!

The First Day Fib

This is a story I wrote based on my own experience. Like most stories we told for the radio show, it started out with a bit of truth, but turned into a story about an embarrassing first day of school. SFX School bell buzzing NARRATOR It was the first day of fifth grade at Central […]

Purple Iris Watercolor Study

Watercolor painting of purple irises with layered violet petals, green stems, and yellow details on white paper.

A 9 x 11.5 inch watercolor study of purple irises on cold press Arches watercolor paper, completed in May 2024, focusing on layered washes, delicate petal shapes, and botanical color variation.

The Tick Terminators

A story about a couple of local superheroes, their dog, and a day at the park.

Strong Women

An illustrated image of a woman walking down the street of Jonesborough TN circa 1975

A story to illustrate the strong women in Jonesborough’s history, focusing on Carolyn Moore.

See you next week, Jean!

Two young women and a GI standing outside the Ohio Theater in the 1940s, with other soldiers and moviegoers lining up under the marquee beside bold title text reading “See You Next Week, Jean.”

My Nana told me this story when I asked her why Pop always called her Jean when her name was really Mary.
She was born in 1925 and said she was 16 when she met him, that would have been after February of 1941. They got married February 1942, when he was 20, she was 17. I performed this at Storytown Radio Show in February 2024.

How to make a good art composition: start the right way!

Before making thumbnails, even before making decisions about what you want to include in your drawing, the most important thing a beginner can do to improve a composition is to ensure that the drawing will be made in the same proportion as the reference or view that’s being drawn. A viewcatcher makes this easy.

Pen Portrait Study of a Man

Black-and-white pen portrait of an older bald man with a beard, resting his hand against his mouth, drawn with detailed crosshatching.

An approximately 8 x 10 inch black-and-white pen portrait study on Bristol, drawn from a found reference image in late 2023 and focused on expression, age, shadow, and linework.

Stonehenge Watercolor Study

Watercolor painting of Stonehenge under a pale cloudy sky, with the ancient stone circle standing in a green grassy landscape.

A watercolor painting of Stonehenge based on my own reference photo from a 2023 trip to the British Isles, reflecting on the scale, mystery, and human effort behind the ancient monument.

Christopher

Dark blue 1984 Thunderbird parked in a driveway at night beside bold text reading “Christopher.”

Based on a true story, this script was written for the October 2023 session of Storytown Radio Show. But it was never performed. The writers’ group I was part of (which had no legal training) believed it could be a copyright infringement. Too bad. I personally thought it was one of my best.

Marriage in High Winds

Couple in life jackets bailing water from a jon boat on a stormy mountain lake beside bold text reading “Marriage in High Winds.”

A rough lake, a small boat, and a new marriage. Performed at Storytown Radio Show in August 2023.

Portrait Study: Swashbuckler

Graphite portrait drawing of a man in a white shirt and dark vest holding a sword over his shoulder, presented on a textured parchment-style background.

A pencil portrait study with a touch of swashbuckling drama, drawn from a personal reference photo and revisited from the 2023 studio archive.

A Fish Story

Older man and young boy fishing from a wooden dock at sunset beside bold text reading “A Fish Story.”

There’s more to fishing than the fish. This script was performed for Storytown Radio Show on May 29, 2023.

Very Basic Training

Military trainees in formation at sunrise with a training instructor in the background and bold text reading “Very Basic Training.”

Performed on April 23, 2023 for the Storytown Radio Show. It was an interpretation of my experience at the USAF Boot Camp.

Taking on Inktober

I started the month of October with the goal of completing the Inktober challenge this year. I’m now reporting that I didn’t make it past the first week. By the time I got to Day 5 it was already feeling pointless. On Day 6 I didn’t try very hard, and on Day 7 I was […]

Summer Sheep and Happy Hog

gouache paintings in an Americana primitive style, one showing a sheep in a green summer landscape

Medium: GouacheSize: 10 by 10 inchesNotes: Created for an art show. This was my first real attempt at working in an Americana primitive style, with simplified animal forms, decorative landscapes, bright color, and folk-art-inspired scenery. I wanted these pieces to feel cheerful, rural, and a little storybook-like. The sheep and hog are the main subjects, […]

Autumn Birches

Watercolor painting of white birch trees in front of a vibrant autumn forest with orange, yellow, red, and green foliage.

A June 2022 watercolor birch forest study exploring composition, pattern, and extreme color vibrancy.

Unravelled Wednesday for Jan 20

Do you analyze your dreams? I’ve been reading in “Belonging” that it’s very helpful for figuring out the problems your subconscious is dealing with. The mind can get very creative in dreams, making them seem confusing or disjointed. For example, learned in the book that if you dream you are being chased by a bad […]

The Making of an Artist (Book Review)

I saw The Making of an Artist: Desire, Courage and Commitment by Kristin G. Congdon on Scribd and was immediately intrigued by the title. What does it take to make an artist? Is it really a matter of being born with talent? Or is there something else needed in order to “be an artist”? She […]

Walking Makes You More Creative

Did you know walking makes you more creative? It’s true! Adobe did a study (https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/xlm-a0036577.pdf) with college students, putting them through a bunch of tests to see how walking influenced their creative thinking. Specifically, they looked at “novel” idea creation, meaning ideas that are unusual and/or new, and “unique” idea generation, meaning no one else […]

How Cancer Changed My Art, Part 2

Part Two This is the second half of the story of how cancer changed my art. It’s a somewhat long story, which is why I’ve broken it into two parts: Part One is about what I went through after my diagnoses while this part is about my renewed return to creativity. Prior to my cancer […]

How Cancer Changed My Art, part 1

Part One In June 2021, I was diagnosed with colon cancer. After abdominal surgery and a lengthy hospital stay (I’d also had an intussuscepted section of small intestine that had to be removed), I had four weeks of recovery time prior to starting chemotherapy. During that time, I could barely walk and needed a lot […]

My Zen Journey

The post that records the biggest change that I ever experienced.

Historic Jonesborough Studies

Graphite and ink study of the depot beside the railroad tracks, with surrounding trees, signs, and trackside details.

Medium: Graphite and inkSize: 9.5 by 11 inches eachNotes: Completed September 2021. A series of historic Jonesborough place studies focused on architecture, local character, texture, and atmosphere. This small series of graphite and ink drawings of historic places in Jonesborough, Tennessee was completed in September 2021. I was interested in the character of these buildings […]

Primary Birds

Watercolor painting of three birds on a branch, one red, one blue, and one yellow, arranged as a primary color composition.

A watercolor bird study built from separate reference photos and arranged as a red, yellow, and blue composition.

Before the first oncology appointment

It’s been a week since the incision staples were removed and it still looks really bad. It keeps blistering and leaking yellow fluid. They did not place the port. Somebody dropped the ball with the insurance authorization, so I had to wait until that happened. Then it was a matter of the first available appointment […]

CanPlan Review

Today I had my first post-operative appointment, which was supposed to be for suture removal and port placement. It ended up being just the suture removal. I’m not sure why, but the office wasn’t prepared to put me under anesthesia to place the port. So I have to wait for them to call and reschedule […]