What Would You Be?
by Nicholas Choi
by Nicholas Choi
empowering women, families, and youth-at-risk through improved literacy, increased positive media, and tools for living.
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When asked for her opinion about Nicholas Choi’s future, Julia Ting joked: “He should become a stand-up comedian… He would fill the world with great puns.”
Curious myself, I came to Nicholas Choi to pose to him the question: what would he become if he were not limited by money or ability? If he were to work as a comedian, he may contribute to the world’s quality of life by adding his humor, but I felt he had a greater plan in mind: president, CEO, athlete. When asked however, Nicholas Choi gave a surprising response: he claimed that if he was guaranteed success, he would become a comic artist.
Ignoring the how, I zeroed in on why he would make such a choice. Nicholas began his answer by describing his background with comics: “When I was a kid, I really looked up to the main characters of comic books… I didn’t have many guys in my life, so the guys in comic books were sort of like my role models.” After some research, what I found confirmed what he said. Nicholas’ parents were divorced when he was three. From that time, he lived with his mother, and six other aunts in a small house in Oakland. From morning to night, his life was dominated by the presence of strong females.
Of course, strong females make just as good role models as strong males; however I can understand why Nicholas felt there was a gap. And, though it’s slightly unorthodox, I can accept that he used comic characters to fill that void.
From there, Nicholas went on to talk about what he expected to be able to accomplish as a comic book artist: “Since the guys in comic books were such great role models to me, I want to be able to reciprocate for other kids and provide role models for them as well.” That clicked with me. Having received so much from comic books as a kid, Nicholas looked to give back that back to others.
After hearing all this about comics, I had to ask one last question: “Is there any specific audience you’d like to reach out to with your books?” I expected to hear young boys, but Nicholas caught me off guard. “I want my books to be written for young adults, some time around college,” he said, “I feel like that’s the time were people are looking for guides now that parents are gone, and I think comics would be able to reach them so much more effectively than any other media.” I was somewhat doubtful – is there really anything that can guide a college student? – but he seemed to believe so. And, when I looked in his eyes, I could see that if he were allowed to become a comic artist, how successful he may be.
Nicholas Choi is a dedicated sleeper and eater who enjoys sketching wildlife, and holds a view of the world strongly influenced by Greco-Roman Culture. He is a member of Club Be the Star You Are!®
Curious myself, I came to Nicholas Choi to pose to him the question: what would he become if he were not limited by money or ability? If he were to work as a comedian, he may contribute to the world’s quality of life by adding his humor, but I felt he had a greater plan in mind: president, CEO, athlete. When asked however, Nicholas Choi gave a surprising response: he claimed that if he was guaranteed success, he would become a comic artist.
Ignoring the how, I zeroed in on why he would make such a choice. Nicholas began his answer by describing his background with comics: “When I was a kid, I really looked up to the main characters of comic books… I didn’t have many guys in my life, so the guys in comic books were sort of like my role models.” After some research, what I found confirmed what he said. Nicholas’ parents were divorced when he was three. From that time, he lived with his mother, and six other aunts in a small house in Oakland. From morning to night, his life was dominated by the presence of strong females.
Of course, strong females make just as good role models as strong males; however I can understand why Nicholas felt there was a gap. And, though it’s slightly unorthodox, I can accept that he used comic characters to fill that void.
From there, Nicholas went on to talk about what he expected to be able to accomplish as a comic book artist: “Since the guys in comic books were such great role models to me, I want to be able to reciprocate for other kids and provide role models for them as well.” That clicked with me. Having received so much from comic books as a kid, Nicholas looked to give back that back to others.
After hearing all this about comics, I had to ask one last question: “Is there any specific audience you’d like to reach out to with your books?” I expected to hear young boys, but Nicholas caught me off guard. “I want my books to be written for young adults, some time around college,” he said, “I feel like that’s the time were people are looking for guides now that parents are gone, and I think comics would be able to reach them so much more effectively than any other media.” I was somewhat doubtful – is there really anything that can guide a college student? – but he seemed to believe so. And, when I looked in his eyes, I could see that if he were allowed to become a comic artist, how successful he may be.
Nicholas Choi is a dedicated sleeper and eater who enjoys sketching wildlife, and holds a view of the world strongly influenced by Greco-Roman Culture. He is a member of Club Be the Star You Are!®
All works are owned and copyright and/or trademark protected by Be the Star You Are!® 501c3 charity and/or the artists. All rights reserved.
