Ask Victoria Part 5

So for the fifth round of "Ask Victoria" I had my fans ask whatever they wanted on my Facebook fan page (www.facebook.com/VictoriaCosplay). The original plan was whoever asked the best question would get to interview me for my Blog but there was such a huge response and so many great questions, I decided to pick the ten best for this article.
My apologies that I could not get everyones questions in. There were far too many and some of them were questions I have all ready answered in other interviews across the web. Thanks again to my fans. Read on and enjoy!

Emily Ruth asks: What has the process been like going from a low-key cosplayer to the Queen of Cosplay? Your great greatest challenge and hardships that you had to overcome as each new con approached? How as those challenges shaped you as a person and where can you see yourself growing from there?

Victoria: I never thought I would receive any kind of title in the cosplay world especially being named the Queen of Cosplay. Its a bit mind boggling. I was just a shy little nerd girl who wanted to give cosplay a try and really enjoyed it so I continued with no specific goal in mind other than to have fun and pay tribute to my favorite characters. In the beginning I actually dealt with a lot of racism with my first cosplay (Aerith from Final Fantasy VII) and I would consider that the biggest hardship. I also have individuals whom I refer to as my "sheep" who literally would shop at the same local stores I would or apply to the same shows or websites, contact people I have worked with, imitate my modeling photos, even cosplay the same characters that I do. Sometimes they are former friends, sometimes they are plain ole stalkers.  But these women arent considered hardships in the least, they are just people I laugh at when our paths cross. I think any obstacle in life helps you become who you are and I have faced everything from being in a wheel chair, to murder in my family, divorce, abusive relationships and even alcoholism. I always found the light however thanks to my family, friends and God. I do not exaggerate when I say I have very thick skin. I have even taken up the practice of meditation and feel I am constantly evolving.

Russell asks: How has cosplaying changed your life? Pros and Cons of cosplaying for you?

Victoria: Gosh, its changed in so many ways. First and foremost, its crazy that I dont have to worry about a ticket anymore. Im getting invited to these shows or am granted access because of my work and the name Ive made for myself and thats incredible. My first trip to the San Diego Comic Con was in 2010 and I had people come up to me who knew who I was. It wasnt just fans either; I met a Fox San Diego camera man and he said he followed my work online. I couldnt believe I was all the way across the country and people knew who I was and it really showed that all my networking has really paid off. I would say the annoying thing about being an internet celebrity is the idioticy I have to deal with; people who just act stupid. But thats easily taken care of with the click of the "block" button. Sometimes I will spit their stupidity right back at them, other times I dont bother and just block them.

David asks: What is your opinion of the latest Superman costume from Superman: The Man of Steel?

Victoria:  I actually really like it! Its different from any Superman costume weve seen onscreen. I think it was time to step away from the traditional outfit (just a bit) and give us something new. Its not too different though so its still safe. I also think its sexy. Ive been in love with Superman since I was a little girl and am very much looking forward to this film.

WeAre NerdCaliber asks: What was the last thing you read that made a huge impact in your life or thinking? Why?

Victoria: I dont know if this counts but I have a Dream Interpretation book that I use to decipher dreams and visions I have while I meditate. I record everything down in a journal and its amazing once you decode the hidden meanings behind dreams and visions.

 Brian asks: I sort of know the answers to any question that could be asked but I feel like one question in particular would have an interesting answer and I wonder if its changed over time: How do you go about "retiring" a cosplay? I know youve had quite a few that have been shelved for good (Aerith for example), but I would like to hear in your own words what goes through your head when you decided that a cosplay has run its course ...

Victoria: If I feel like I have done all I can creatively for a character whether it be costume upgrades or photography wise, I will retire it. With Aerith I was very satisfied with the pictures that were taken (http://cosplaygirl.webs.com/aerithfinalfantasyvii.htm) and had no desire to cosplay her variant dresses. I also dont attend many video game shows so I had no where to really wear the outfit to.

Dave asks: Do you regret cutting your hair?

Victoria: Not at all! It has to be cut after I put my hair through hell one week. I went from dark to highlights to back to dark. It got fried so I cut only two inches off. As you can see in the Alice picture above, its not too short. It looks shorter though when I wear it curly.

Humphrey asks: With all the hype of the new 52 how do you feel about the new costume designs. Do you see yourself cosplaying any of them in the near future. If so which would be the first. Ohh yeah will you marry me.

Victoria: Im digging the designs so far although I am still getting use to Supermans collar. I may try Wonder Womans new outfit but I have no love for Supergirls new uniform. I think  its horrendous. As for marrying you, if Im still single in five years lets do it!

Michael asks: You have been featured lately on several big cosplay websites, and even most recently on EW.com. Do you hope to become a model outside of the cosplay world, and if so, what would you model?

Victoria: Ive been doing three things like a mad woman; teaching, cosplaying and modeling. I feel I am ready to be more active in the modeling world so cosplay may be pushed to the side for a little bit now that I am in negotiations with a modeling agency. Ive actually held off on signing with an agency because teaching and cosplaying came first but even with doing that, Ive proved I can make it into national publications. As for what would I model, that would depend on what assignments I would get but I am open for pretty much anything.

Mind Trickdmedia asks: Best Pick up line when youre dressed as Slave Leia?

 

Victoria: I love it when females ask me to marry them at conventions or when they say "I love you Princess Leia!". Conventions are suppose to be fun and with all the online Slave Leia bashing going on, its always nice to meet a confident, strong, female fan who appreciates Leia.

Phil asks: Thoughts on being the subject of so much fan art? I could probably have an entire art related conversation.

Victoria: Its awesome! I appreciate everyones efforts and for incorporating me into their art! Ive seen some incredible work and try to post as much as I can on my website: http://cosplaygirl.webs.com/fanart.htm

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Earn Money By Answering Questions

Answering questions may not seem to be an obvious way to make money online, but it can be. You may be familiar with Yahoo Answers where you can pose a question and invite others to answer you. Its a bit like that, but if you are the person who supplies the answers, you will get paid. 

Unlike Yahoo Answers, the sites that answer questions and pays those who supply the answers screen their experts a lot more closely. Anyone can supply an answer to any question on Yahoo Answers, but only those approved to do so will find themselves answering questions for pay. 

Some of the sites that pay you to answer questions are general and cover most subjects. Some of them are more specific and target a particular niche only. There are a growing number of these kinds of sites and some pay quite well too. 

However, it is quite intensive work as you will have to be present at your computer and online waiting in real time for people to pose a question that you are qualified to answer. You may also have to do some initial research to come up with the answer. While you are likely to know most things in your chosen field of expertise, you cannot reasonably be expected to have everything right at your fingertips every time. 

One popular question and answer site is Just Answer . They have over 100 categories with experts to answer questions in every one and more. For example, while researching their site they claimed they had 159 experts on hand, ready and waiting for questions to be posed to them. This number will likely vary at different times, but this is an indication of their popularity. 

The experts on these sites are often subject to a feedback system. This means that customers rate them according to how well their questions were answered. A feedback rating of 100%, for example, would mean that the expert concerned would have fully satisfied every customer with the answers they provided. In this way customers can choose the expert they feel is most likely to provide the best answer.

To earn money answering questions you will have to undergo an expert screening process. You will be expected to be an expert in your chosen field, and you will be tested on this. You may also be scrutinized by customers as well as by other experts as this is the real test of your skill. 

If your knowledge is in a subject that is taught at college or even in school, then you may be interested in Student Questions . This site is geared towards students who need the answers to questions concerning their homework. There are certain ethical questions in this regard, but you will have to answer those for yourself. 

If your expertise is in small business, then Small Biz Advice could be ideal for you. This is a site where people pay to receive business advice and answers to their perplexing business questions. 

One site that is slightly different from most of the others is ChaCha . They accept questions from people using cell phones. This means that people may ask questions that are area specific, such as, "Where is the nearest gas station?" They would of course have to also provide their geographical location and you would then have to provide them with an accurate answer.

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