This week, Stephanie Little (GeekGirlCon’s Marketing Assistant) had the pleasure of interviewing Katie Cook. Cook is the creator of
Gronk, a webcomic about an adorable, cat-loving monster who lives with a young woman named Dale. Playful, cute, and funny,
Gronk is a webcomic for geeks of all ages. Cook took the time to share some fun stories and factoids and her adventures creating this well-loved webcomic.
Katie Cook
SL: Do you consider yourself a geek? If so, what started you on the road to geekdom?
KC: I’m a total geek! And I was raised by a woman who put up a Star Trek-themed Christmas tree every year… I was doomed to nerdom from the start.
SL: What are you currently geeking out about?
KC: I just watched the entire first season of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. It is SO silly and well done. I’m totally in love with it. I want all the toys, shirts, and I totally believe the world needs more ponies.
…also that Star Wars thing. That’s still a thing, right?
SL: When did you decide to create a webcomic?
KC: I’ve wanted to work on my comic with my own characters for a while. And I like the freedom that comes with a webcomic. I’m my own editor; I don’t have anyone telling me I can’t say “holy crap” in my all-ages creation.
SL: How did you create the character of Gronk?
KC: Gronk started out as a doodle back in 2000-ish. She’s evolved from there! (I have her little “from sketch to character” backstory in the new, printed edition Gronk book!)
SL: Are there other webcomics you want to create in the future?
KC: I’m pretty happy just drawing Gronk! I have a LOT planned for her.
SL: What keeps you motivated to continue creating this comic?
KC: I like having some “me” drawing time each week. Drawing and writing Gronk gives me a chance to express myself in a way I can’t with my more commercial projects.
SL: Has the art or story line been influenced by anything in particular?
KC: Oddly enough, the relationship between Gronk and Dale is heavily influenced by the interactions between my husband and I (odd, eh?).
SL: Do you find that you have been well received in a male-dominated industry?
KC: Yes! Men love cute things too.
Gronk
SL: Can you describe the process it takes to make one webcomic?
KC: I have a few notebooks full of jokes and strip ideas. Once I decide what to draw, I just sit on the couch with the TV on after my kiddo has gone to bed and draw! I draw with mechanical pencils and micron pens on smooth bristol board… I draw the comics 9″x9″.
SL: When did you notice the amount of readers and fans growing?
KC: Every once in a while, I do a strip that really touches a number of people… then they re-post it like crazy on Twitter, Tumblr, and Facebook. I always get new readers that way!
SL: Gronk turned one in April. Have you enjoyed creating the comic so far?
KC: Of course! I love the characters that I’ve created, and I can’t wait to do more with them.
SL: How long do you want to continue creating Gronk or webcomics in general?
KC: I can see myself drawing Gronk and her adventures for a while. I’ll keep publishing a collection each year though. That way, people can have a physical copy of the comic for their bathrooms.
SL: What do you do to get passed a block in creativity?
KC: I go focus on something else for a while, then come back to what has me stumped later after my frustration with it has gone down.
SL: What do you enjoy about attending conventions as a webcomic creator?
KC: I love meeting people… I love talking to people about nerdy things… and I love going out and buying new comics from folks! Conventions are a great place to pick up new books from amazing indie creators
SL: Were you surprised at the amount of fan art you started receiving?
KC: YES. I LOVE getting fanart! It’s always amazing to see someone dedicate time to something you created.
The Characters of Gronk
SL: Dale’s shirt always has an interesting message. Do you ever get stumped?
KC: No… mostly because I’ll turn to my husband and say “hey… what should her shirt say this week?”
SL: Has being a new mom influenced Gronk?
KC: Not yet… I’m sure when [my daughter’s] more active and interesting, her antics will make their way into a comic or two!
GeekGirlCon looks forward to more comics with Gronk. For more fun with Katie, check out her website and follow her on Twitter.
