Q&A: Writer Paula Sevenbergen Discusses Teaming Up with Artist Claudia Balboni for Vital Comic Book Series FLOW

"A story of menstruation, manipulation, and long-simmering guilt" that is "perfect for fans of The Craft, Ginger Snaps, and Yellowjackets," all five issues of writer Paula Sevenbergen's Flow are being collected as a graphic novel by Mad Cave Studios, and ahead of the trade paperback's March 10th release, we caught up with Paula in a new Q&A feature to discuss the origin of this vital story, balancing dual timelines, being inspired by Stephen King's Carrie, and working with artist Claudia Balboni to bring Flow to life.

Below, you can read our full Q&A with Paula Sevenbergen, and we also have a look at the trade paperback's cover art and preview pages! To learn more about Flow and other must-read releases, visit: https://madcavestudios.com/

I've read that Flow was inspired by politicians wanting to ban sex ed and basics about biology in schools. How did your frustration over that lead to the idea behind Flow? 

Paula Sevenbergen: The thought of kids not being taught basic facts about their bodies appalled me, and a young girl getting her first period without knowing what it was would be terrified. (It can be jarring enough when you DO know what it is!) That was the impetus.

Can you talk about developing Dara Lund as the story's main character? Why was she the character you wanted at the center of this story? 

Paula Sevenbergen: Dara’s naïveté makes her a prime target for bullying by other campers in the story. But her wide-eyed innocence isn’t the only important element—she also has a pure heart and a rare compassion (that other characters in the story lack).

What was your experience collaborating with Claudia Balboni on this project? How did the story and characters evolve from your initial vision when teaming up with Claudia?

Paula Sevenbergen: Claudia brought both beauty and menace to every scene, and it was exciting to receive pages from her. It’s always interesting to see how the artist interprets what’s described on the script page, and often it’s better than the writer imagined it. I’ve never met Claudia in person, but I hope to one day!

This story has a dual timeline setup. Can you talk about balancing both stories? Did you find it challenging? 

Paula Sevenbergen: It’s challenging in that you don’t want to lose the narrative thread in each timeline, and you have to be choosy about what elements you do share. There was more in each timeline I would’ve liked to explore, honestly. But I did enjoy the challenge.

What are some of the horror movies, shows, and stories that inspired you and helped shape the direction of Flow? 

Paula Sevenbergen: Carrie by Stephen King was a big inspiration, of course. I saw the movie at age seven (no wonder I’m warped!) and it made a huge impression on me. I read the novel in middle school and liked it even more. Watching Yellowjackets inspired the dual timeline. 

Can you give our readers a tease of what they can expect over the course of the first volume? 

Paula Sevenbergen: As we watch the tormenting of Dara—as well as the tragic story of her mother—unfold in the past, we also see Moe, Alister, and Conley in the present (the bullies, now grown) experiencing strange, unpleasant events that echo what they did to Dara. Their goal is to find her and get answers—which, by the end, they do get, though they’re not exactly the answers they expected.

At the same time, we see how these choices from their youth are shaping their adult relationships. Our narrator, Moe, just went along with the bullying (Conley was the ringleader), and her passivity sort of leeches into a romantic relationship with a professor. 

Is a second volume already in the works? Is there anything you can share about what's next? 

Paula Sevenbergen: This volume wraps up the story of Flow, and I’m currently working on another series idea. But... now you’ve planted a seed!

Flow Trade Paperback: Three adolescents at camp convince a naïve girl they can cure her “curse” (really her first period) if she does everything they say–only to be cursed themselves 10 years later.

When blood began to run down Dara Lund’s legs at Nature Camp, she thought she was dying. Homeschooled by a protective dad after her mom’s mysterious death, Dara wasn’t told the facts of life. “It’s the Curse,” her bunkmates said, not revealing it was her period. “But we can lift it…if you do everything we say.” So began their week of torment, making naive Dara do torturous tasks for their amusement. But now, 10 years later, as they embark on their careers, the three tormentors find themselves cursed—so they reunite to track down the likely source: a vengeful Dara. And they’ll pursue her to the bloody end.

Author: Paula Sevenbergen
Illustrated by Claudia Balboni
Colorist: Fabi Marques
Letterer: Jodie Troutman