Introduction - What is it like being a Cosplayer?

Hi! I'm Chanzlyn (Chance-Lyn). I'm an IT girl that does cosplay when I'm not gaming or doing something artful. As a cosplayer, its exciting, stressful, fun, intense, crazy, fulfilling, passionate, wonderful, awesome, and just too many words describe such am incredible hobby. To me it is a hobby that I just enjoy and absolutely love and something I know I could do forever.

What are your next goals?

I'm currently working on Athena from Borderlands the Pre-Sequel, another Starfire based on some awesome fanart of tsbranch on DeviantArt. I also plan on doing every Nidalee skin ever because I really love her character. I also have a cool Wonder Woman in the works based on a Taylor Fischer fanart and I should be starting an armored cosplay soon (not sure which yet)! I just really love armor! Oh and I hope to get Bloody Mary from The Wolf Among Us done before Halloween, I have a crazy photoshoot in mind for it.

Cosplay Characters

My most recent collection is: Sam Byrne of Gears of War, Nidalee from League of Legends, My personal mashup: Starfire x Slave Leia, and Kida from Atlantis: The Lost Empire.

What does Cosplay mean to you?

It means having a strong creative passion, where you're truly only limited to what you set your imagination to. Where you get to express yourself and channel a character you love or love to hate! It is an unbounded hobby that has so many possibilities. It is something that I could do for the rest of my life!

Who have been your biggest influences/role models/mentors?

There are so many! But my top three have to be Miss Sinister, Its Raining Neon, and Freddie Nova! Bonus: My great friend Grace from Pillar of Dawn Studios is definitely an influence and mentor!

Do you have any advice or suggestions for upcoming Cosplayers?

Don't take it too seriously, you'll forget to have fun! But also, it doesn't have to be expensive to be great or fun. There is absolutely no reason why you should try to start a fundraiser or donation pool when you can barely afford food or rent. I get it, cosplay is addicting but don't let it consume your life if it wasn't funding you to begin with because you'll lose site of what's important.

What is the most negative experience you've dealt with while cosplaying, and how did you handle it?

I honestly haven't had negative experiences probably because it wasn't until recently that I started actively trying to show off my work. I'm really bad at social media-ing. BUT, life is way too short to take negativity on a hobby you love. It's one thing for someone to tell me I'm bad at my job while another thing for someone to tell me I'm bad at cosplay. Like, dude. Please, show me the "rule book" on cosplay because last I looked, there isn't one so I'm going to continue having fun my way!

Any final remarks or shout-outs?

Have fun and thank you for reading! Seriously :D