Emily Suess
Author. Certified Zentangle Teacher. Brain cancer haver.
My Zentangle Art
Drawing is a beautiful distraction. See my doodle art and learn how to draw Zentangles with me.
My Memoir
Who You Gonna Believe is a webserial memoir better than reality TV. I’m spilling tea for free!
My Blog
Writing, Zentangling, chemo, insurance, moving, politics, and disability—I blog about it all.
Who You Gonna Believe
WYGB started as a monthly webserial supported by Patrons. Basically, I’ve seen some stuff and I’m telling you all about it—marriage to and divorce from a lying asshole, finding real love, discovering confidence in the face of medical gaslighting, and being diagnosed with brain cancer.
About My Channel
Draw with Me on YouTube
After a brain cancer diagnosis, brain surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, I needed a new hobby to help me relax, avoid existential angst, and flex what was left of my creative muscle. That’s when I found Zentangling. It’s been a while since I published my last Zentangle video, but as a newly minted CZT, more are on the way! Stay tuned, and subscribe to my channel on YouTube if you want to be notified when I post new content there.
Videos
Subscribers
patterns
needy cats
POPULAR
Visitor Favorites

Inktober 2020 Zentangle Tutorials
Another Inktober has come and gone, but you can complete my unofficial prompt list at any time and at any pace you like.

100 Things About Me
Many, many years ago the “100 Things About Me” post was was an absolute must for bloggers. I’ve updated mine in case it, like bell bottoms, makes a comeback.

Tangled Talk Video Index
A complete index of my Tangled Talk videos, with detail pages that include human-generated transcripts and a list of the supplies I’ve used in the video.

One Zentangle a Day Video Index
A complete index of my One Zentangle a Day videos, listing the Zentangle patterns covered for each day.
Zentangle Playlists
One Zentangle a Day
Following the Book
My videos aren’t a replacement for Beckah Krahula’s wonderful book, but they do give you a preview of its contents and a place to start. This is how I started Zentangling.
9 Easy Zentangle Patterns
Ongoing Series
In this video series I’m curating easy-to-draw Zentangle pattern sets. The first three pattern sets include organics and botanicals, lines and orbs, and hearts. All drawn on Zentangle Bijou tiles.
Tangled Talk
let’s hang out
Tangled Talk episodes are a tutorial-vlog hybrid where I fill you in on what’s happening with me while I Zentangle. WARNING: Personal opinions included.
INTERVIEWS
On Living with Chronic Illness
Figuring Out the Future When Illness is Your New Normal (Podcast)
Before anyone knew what was really wrong with me, when doctors had misdiagnosed me with fibromyalgia, I did an interview for WHYY’s The Pulse podcast. In hindsight, I’ve come to loathe the phrase “new normal.”
Brain Cancer Diaries: Jumping Cancer Hurdles with Emily Suess (Video)
No End in Sight: Episode 72 - Emily (Podcast)
Bankruptcy the Norm for American Cancer Patients (Article)
In an interview with Hub News contributor Laurie Garlington, I discuss my experiences with health and disability insurance in the United States as the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) considers changes to its publicly funded model.
No Patient Left Behind (Article)
I was interviewed by Jeffrey Billman for a feature on No Patient Left Behind. We discussed how the healthcare system in the United States added an extra layer of financial trauma—even though I was insured—on top of the day-to-day challenges of living a life with brain cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zentangle?
Are you a Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT)?
Yes! I became a CZT on September 19, 2022. I’m a huge fan of Zentangle who likes to share what I’ve learned and connect with other tanglers.