The Community

Lately, it's been so blazing hot where I live that it's been hard to do much of anything, and we can't afford air conditioning. So I've spent the last few weeks in a haze of heat, not sure if I'm awake or if I even want to be awake. All I can say is that I now know why California is called the Golden State, and it's not because it's a gold mine or because everyone's rich. That title is literal. Most of the countryside literally is gold, especially in the summer.

Advertisement images usually shown for California

 

 And these are literal photos taken in California. This is just one side of this state that some people are never really aware of. *Sigh.*

Reality for California residents not fortunate enough to live directly on some beach

Anyway, enough ranting about the heat for now, I guess. Lately, I've been watching anime and listening to music while doing art associated with my new series, DA Shadow phantom. Today, I was watching Ouran High School Host Club again with my sister. It's one I've seen more than once, but every time, I'm struck by the sense of community the viewers get from the interactions between the characters. There is that overall feeling that everyone belongs, a rarity in real life, but nonetheless something that everyone needs to feel once in a while.

Ouran High School Host Club with the show's key characters:

Haruhi is in the front, and is actually a girl, Hunny is the little boy to her right, Tamake is the tall blonde on the other side of her, and redheaded twins are Hikaru and Kaoru, the dark-haired guy with the glasses is Kyoya, and the guy with dark spiky hair with the solemn expression is Mori

 

Ouran High School Host Club: Meet the Characters

 

One thing I've discovered in my own writing adventure is that, sometimes, creating a sense of community is very important in the creation of just about any story. Even if it isn't as bright and shining as the one in Ouran High School Host Club, it's the other characters interacting with the main character or characters that give the readers a real sense of who's who. In other words, the characters become real people living in a real world. Even if the sense of community I show is a dark, fearful, or even creepy one, the readers are drawn into the world I've created.

Trinity Blood: Father Abel, Priest and Cruznik

 

This character has two major sides, and each one has a vastly different personality. The only way this personality change can be noticed, however, is through his interaction with the other characters, both friends and villains. With friends, Father Abel is a totally bubbly, sanguine character that is obsessed with food. Sometimes, he can even seem a bit silly. Once there's a violent vampire to hunt down, however, his personality does a nearly complete 180. He's suddenly all business and even a bit scary, as he is a vampire that feeds on other vampires himself. His personality in that state reverts to a more Choleric demeanor, one that is all action and has no more time for fun or frivolities.

 

But without those interactions, as small and inconsequential as they sometimes seem, these odd characteristics of Father Abel would be impossible to get across to the readers, and he wouldn't seem to be a real person.

 

A funny moment with Father Abel,

just an example of his sanguine personality

 

One way that I've found to write believable character interactions is to spend time observing the conversations of random strangers. Be subtle about it of course, so people don't think you're stalking them. You'd be surprised what you can learn about people in general by how they interact, and the more knowledge you have, the better your story will be. You don't want to end up with just talking heads. Another way to liven up character interactions, or just to practice your skills, that is actually kind of fun is through collaboration with another writer friend.

For instance, if you each have characters you are working on developing, try putting them in a scene together, determine a situation of some sort, and just go back and forth. Become your character and try to imagine how he or she would react to certain things said or done by the other person's character. My friend and I have done this often, either via chat or Google doc, when we were both on at the same time. Below is an example chat session between me and my best friend where we assumed the roles of our prize main characters engaged in a conversation. On the side, (or in parentheses) is our own interaction in setting the story straight or otherwise (you can skip down to the next image if you don't want to read all the chat stuff, by the way):

5:49 PM Beth: At the sound of Dalan's laughter Daelach's attention was drawn to his companion. His slivery blue gaze met Dalan's amber eyes and Daelach could not stop the look of hurt that flashed through his eyes. His body language shifted to one of mild hurt and even a hint of sorrow when he thought that his apprentice was laughing at him. Then a moment later he sighed as he pushed his feelings aside. At least Dalan was laughing again. That was the important thing.

5:51 PM (your turn)

 me: (back)

  (kay, I gotta read what you wrote)

5:53 PM Beth: (it seems to be taking you a while to process this :) )

5:54 PM me: (sorry, I also have to go back and read why Dalan is laughing in the first place)

 Beth: (why was he laughing?)

  (I was a bit confused by that)

 me: (that's what we get for breaking off in the middle)

5:55 PM (hold on)

5:56 PM Beth: (It would be easier for me to tell if you sorted events into a more logical order XD)

5:57 PM me: (I know, that'll have to wait)

6:00 PM Noticing the expression on his mentor's face, as briefly as it had surfaced, Dalan swallowed any more laughter that wanted to come out. But what should I tell him? he wondered. That I was laughing at his last outburst? It had startled him, but was not the triggering factor. "I wasn't laughing at you," Dalan assured the tall man at last. "I can't explain it. Haven't you ever simply felt like laughing before, even if there is no good reason?"

  He shrugged. "I dunno, it just seems to take the pressure off."

  (brb)

6:02 PM (back)

  "A lot's happened."

 Beth: There was a gentle look in Daelach's eyes as he smiled at his young friend. "I can understand that urge quite well, actually. I'm sorry I was being touchy." He sighed again. "I just can't seem to win," he muttered more to himself than to Dalan.

6:04 PM me: Dalan decided not to comment on that last statement. If he commented on every odd thing Daelach said, Dalan was sure he would never stop talking while he was around the guy.

6:05 PM Beth: (bwahhaha. This is soooo true!)

 me: (hehehe)

 Beth: (Daelach is a huge oddball XD)

  (whose turn is it?)

6:06 PM me: (and the elf side is quite chatty)

  (um, it could go either way)

6:07 PM Beth: (the elf is only supper chatty with people he has a deep connection with. If there is a close bond with someone he finds it remarkably hard to keep his mouth shut and hide information about himself)

6:08 PM me: (being part sanguine will do that to you)

 Beth: (the dragon knows how to keep his mouth shut...usually)

 me: ('usually' is the key word)

 

So, in stories, as well as in real life, community is very important. In my story, DA Shadow Phantom, I give every character a back story, no matter how minor, even if I never show it to the readers. That way, the characters all have motive when interacting with the main character, making my main character seem all that much more real, his own motives clearer as the plot develops. If Dalan didn't have realistic encounters with even seemingly random people, he would seem to the readers to be cut off from any world, let alone the one I've created for him, just like the figure above on the far right, the one that is standing on a puzzle piece disconnected from the others.

If the illusion is shattered, the readers won't stay in the story. If, on the other hand, the other characters form the pathway to understanding the main character, like the figure above, the story will flow more smoothly. Here is one example of a character interaction that seems random that is actually important. Dalan, my main character, is a shapeshifter running around his home city of Athallia protecting people too weak to protect themselves. One day, he comes across an elderly bag lady being mistreated by a day patrol, whose task it is to keep the streets clear. He defends her.

The interaction is brief and seems inconsequential, but it actually serves two purposes. One, it reveals more of his character, that he really does have a soft heart for those suffering needlessly despite his own problems. Two, as thanks for Dalan's help, the bag lady puts a charm on a pendant Dalan has that his sister gave him. Later on, that pendant helps Dalan on his journey to find out his true purpose.

Dalan's Pendant, batwings protruding from three interlocked triangles,

all circumscribed inside of a hollow ring

On a closing note, DA Shadow Phantom, Volume 1: Transformation is now for sale in multiple ebook formats here:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/334369

Everything is finally in order!

I've also submitted it to the Amazon Kindle Bookstore as well, so it should be up there for Kindle within the next twelve hours.


Happy reading!

For more artwork and story-related stuff, or if you just want to get in touch with me and see what I'm up to, visit me at these websites:
Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.hubbard.50

Facebook DA Shadow Phantom: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DA-Shadow-Phantom/125944890946328?notif_t=page_new_likes
Facebook North Country Series: https://www.facebook.com/NorthCountrySeries?fref=ts

Deviant Art profile: http://nykol-haebrd.deviantart.com/
Tumblr profile: http://nyko-shad.tumblr.com/

What Makes a Hero and What Makes a Villain?

Recently, I was watching an anime called Vampire Knight with one of my sisters (of which I have two). It’s an interesting and deeply moving story, if not slightly creepy. Two major things are going on in this story. First, there are those in the story that are trying to make it possible for humans and vampires to coexist. Second, the main character, Yuki, has her own battle to fight. Her friend, Zero, is slowly reverting into an E-level vampire after having been bitten by a Pureblood. What he is turning into is a lower class, one that eventually loses all humanity and craves only blood.

Vampire Knight Wallpaper: from the left - Zero, Yuki, Kaname

 

Despite all common sense, she refuses to leave him, even if that means giving her own blood to pacify him. In many ways, this story brings up in my mind the question: What makes a hero or a savior? Is Yuki truly being a savior to Zero, or is she only prolonging his suffering? This is the question that can fairly be asked throughout this story. Two more animes that broach that very question on a much grander scale are Code Geass and Death Note.

Both stories deal with main characters who are granted power over people, both in a sense dealing with the very issue of life and death. There are those people who are trying to live out their lives peacefully, and those who think nothing of taking life from others. But who decides who deserves to live and who deserves to die? Can someone who takes it upon himself to make that kind of decision concerning other people truly be called a hero? Or does he have the makings of a tyrannical villain?

Code Geass: from left - Suzaku, Lelouch/Zero, C2
Is this the birth of a villain or of a nation's savior?

Death Note: Light and L - ensnared in the coils of justice

This can be a tricky question, as most realistic villains in stories do not harbor the life dream of being evil. In fact, many believe they are actually doing the right thing. What ends up being the turning point for them from hero to villain was that in the great cause they had in mind, they fail to consider the people they are affecting, the individuals they are hurting. Their cause has become greater, so they lose their hearts.

Lelouch and Suzaku of the Rvolution

 

Another thing to consider also is that, just because a person is the main character, that doesn’t make him a hero. As far as I saw it in Code Geass and Death Note, one of those characters was redeemed at the end for his actions against people for the sake of his cause; the other was not.

 

Crossovers Wallpaper - Left and right: Lelouch Lamperouge from Code Geass

and Kira Yamato from Death Note; Middle: a major character from Durarara

This question of villain or hero is a major one for any storyteller. In the story I am currently working on, DA Shadow Phantom, a major question that makes up the plot early on in the series is whether or not Dalan is the hero type character. He’s definitely not a villain at that point, but most of his actions are brought on by the urge to protect himself and his identity at first.

 

Later on, he gets the urge to protect others. That is one quality of a hero, but not the only one. A lot of heroes have compassion for other people, even their enemies, despite their cause, if they have one. Some heroes will throw themselves into harm’s way to protect people they may not even know. Dalan does those things, though he has some serious doubts about whether or not he’s the one the people around him need to be protected from.

DA Shadow Phantom: Dalan and the bat wing pendant,

a symbol of his identity as the Shadow Phantom

 

This is a question I’ll have to continue to broach as I continue writing this story. In the meantime, I’ve finally finished the book cover for Volume 1 of DA Shadow Phantom. It will be going up for sale as an ebook within the next couple of days, just as soon as I can finish editing and registering it online. I’ll post a notice as soon as it’s up for everyone to enjoy it.

 

DA Shadow Phantom, Volume 1: Transformation

This is the written version of the story, though I am designing characters for a graphic novel.

I have no clue when that will truly get underway, but I'll let everyone know.

 

Happy reading!

For more artwork and story-related stuff, or if you just want to get in touch with me and see what I'm up to, visit me at these websites:
Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.hubbard.50

Facebook DA Shadow Phantom: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DA-Shadow-Phantom/125944890946328?notif_t=page_new_likes
Facebook North Country Series: https://www.facebook.com/NorthCountrySeries?fref=ts

Deviant Art profile: http://nykol-haebrd.deviantart.com/
Tumblr profile: http://nyko-shad.tumblr.com/

A Long Journey

Just recently, I've purchased and listened to a song sung by Susan Enan, entitled "Bring on the Wonder." It starts:

I can't see the stars anymore living here
Let's go to the hills where the outlines are clear

Then it goes into the chorus:

 Bring on the wonder
Bring on the song
I pushed you down deep in my soul for too long

This is a slower song in terms of beat and rhythm, with a guitar as the main instrument. The feeling I get from this song is one long journey, not necessarily a physical journey, but one that is internal. It could be for one person, possibly for more, or even for a couple, depending on how you interpret it. Ever since first hearing it on YouTube, it has served as a sort of theme always present in my head whenever I work on the DA Shadow Phantom series. Thus, this song has been a great inspiration.

Cover for the Album in which "Bring on the Wonder" is included

The second verse especially seems to go well with my main character, though I myself relate to it as well.

I fell through the cracks at the end of our street
Let's go to the beach, get the sand through our feet

To me, this seems to be an escape of sorts, or a desperate desire for escape. I know I have felt this many times, and my main character Dalan feels this quite a bit as well throughout the course of the story. Then the chorus.



Storytelling and art are more about the journey for me than the actual end result. While some journeys in real life can be painful ones that people don't want to recall or even have gone through at all, stories sometimes show how journeys, both beautiful and painful, can build character. They can be learned from if they aren't shoved down so deep that the people carrying those memories become bitter, afraid the bad things that happened in the past will come up and get loose in their lives again.

So far, my journey as an author through the DA Shadow Phantom series has been an intense one. If you don't mind some very slight spoilers to DA Shadow Phantom, I'll lay out the first part of the story here, since this story is what is currently consuming most of my time. I am currently alternating between writing the story and creating the art for it, including cover images and character design.

The story starts with Dalan, the main character, in summer school. He seems to be a stand-offish kind of guy right off the bat, not really involved with school or with any friends except for his best friend from childhood, Matt Spencer. Heather Dennison, a girl in his class, has known him since middle school, but he hasn't talked to her much. The first time the readers meet her, her kitten, Chester, has stowed away in her bag to school.

DA Shadow Phantom Comic - Chapter One: Mark of Evil, pg 1

Here, the readers learn that Dalan is afraid of cats, which is a very odd quirk as far as most people are concerned. After being attacked by the stowaway kitten, he jumps out of the classroom window and runs home. There, the reader discovers a mysterious mark on Dalan's back shaped like a pair of bat wings that seems to be the reason as to why Dalan is so stand-offish, why he does not easily trust people.

This is Dalan's introduction as presented at the beginning of the story, before Chapter One:

I walk around with a curse, so I hide it.

I hide myself from everyone else in the outside world,

hoping they won't see through my thin facade.

 A turn around sketch of Dalan in his transformed state

Dalan's so-called curse is that his uncontrolled emotions trigger a transformation. He begins to turn into a blue-furred creature with superhuman strength and fangs and claws, and he can't control it, so he doesn't trust himself around people. He doesn't want anyone even to see the tattoo on his back, the mark of his curse, lest they should guess the truth. The intro goes on to say:

I may hide from the world...but really,
all I want is to be able to look up into the sky at night,
cluttered dirty orange as it is with city lights,
and know that I'm not alone,
that I'm not just a face in the crowd...
or a faceless figure forever in the shadows.

Thus, Dalan's desire is laid out. He wants to be normal, to be able to live life as a normal teenager and have fun with his friends, if he had them. Eventually, Heather notices how strange he acts and tries to follow him when he escapes from school to go into the city, attempting to find out just what it is she can sense is going on with him. At some point, Dalan takes to patrolling the streets at night, protecting innocent people from criminals. He does this as an attempt to pacify the creature he can feel inside of him, struggling to get loose.

 DA Shadow Phantom Book One cover image - in progress

The image above is my progress so far in creating the cover image.  On the left is the image I have done so far without text. I have the foreground figure done, along with the preliminary shading. It is a digital artwork, so I am working in layers in Photoshop. The city in the background is still just line art right now and unfinished. The image on the right is an experiment putting the image and text together.

I'll try to finish up the cover image in the next couple of days, then Volume One of DA Shadow Phantom will be up on Amazon for sale. It's an ongoing story, so there's plenty of fun to be had with it, both for me and for my readers, I hope.


Happy reading!


For more artwork and story-related stuff, or if you just want to get in touch with me and see what I'm up to, visit me at these websites:

Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.hubbard.50

Facebook DA Shadow Phantom: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DA-Shadow-Phantom/125944890946328?notif_t=page_new_likes
Facebook North Country Series: https://www.facebook.com/NorthCountrySeries?fref=ts

Deviant Art profile: http://nykol-haebrd.deviantart.com/
Tumblr profile: http://nyko-shad.tumblr.com/

The Art of Storytelling

It's been awhile, but I've gotten back into reading the fantasy book series I'd started awhile ago: The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan. I'm on what is officially called Book Two: The Great Hunt, though the first 'book' is actually broken up into two novel-sized sections. Thus, I consider it to be book three. Anyway, this series has a very detailed writing style. Sometimes it is a little hard to get into, but other times I'm completely captivated. I can't get out of it.

Second book in The Wheel of Time series, dealing with the hunt of the Horn of Valere,

which will awaken dead heroes to fight for whoever sounds it.

This author truly has succeeded in making fantasy seem like real life. The emotional journey I described above that the reader goes through in a story is the mark of any good writer, I've noticed, no matter what their style.

Rand Al'Thor - I have seen many pictures of Rand, the main character in the books I've read of Wheel of Time Series so far, but this one amused me the most. I think he just might make a great anime character ^_^ This amazing artwork is by hevial@deviantart.com

A depiction of Matrim Cauthon by a different artist, Ri-m@deviantart.com

This depiction suits Mat perfectly, in my opinion.

As a writer, whether it's fiction or non-fiction that you write, it is your job to create a world where you can make your readers laugh or cry with you, not because they are supposed to, but because it seems like the most natural thing in the world for them to do. If you can accomplish this all without breaking the illusion you've created of your world, then you are a truly good writer.

Some advice I read once about writing likened the art of writing to a tour in a glass-bottomed boat, both for the writer and for the reader. I don't remember the author of the book I was reading at the time, but what he said stuck with me. Just imagine you are riding in a glass-bottomed boat in the ocean, and you see all these colorful fish around you. Soon, it seems as if the glass is not there at all, nor are the people in the boat with you. It is just you and these amazing fish.

Then imagine if the person beside you dropped something, let's say a pair of sunglasses, directly into your field of vision. Just for a moment, you are jerked from your illusion. Even if it was just for a moment, the illusion was still broken, and it might take you a while to get back into it. It's nothing that serious, but as a writer, you should never do that to your readers. If you've created an illusion that you let your readers get into, don't do anything that could jerk them out of it. Once you jerk them out, you might never get them back.

As Enrique Jardiel Poncela, a Spanish playwright and novelist, once said, "When something can be read without effort, great effort has gone into its writing." One way I've found that a writer can jerk readers out of the illusion he or she worked so hard to create is by explaining too much instead of telling the story. I know it's a huge temptation to suddenly spill all of that glorious, dark, horrendous back story I've worked so hard to create, or perhaps I've created an entirely different world, language, and culture. It's great that so much work went into creating it, but I've learned two rules when it comes to storytelling that allows my readers can interact with the story itself.

1.) Show, don't tell. Usually, if something is worth mentioning, it's worth showing the effects and/or specifics of it rather than telling all the rules. The readers will pick up what's important on their own if you give them the appropriate clues.
2.) There is an appropriate time and place to reveal information. Whatever you want to reveal, just make sure that the information helps to build the plot.

 

In a nutshell, if you want your readers to enjoy the hard work you've put into crafting your story and/or fantasy world, don't let on that it was hard work. Simply let it flow into the story.

For instance, in my series, DA Shadow Phantom, many of my characters have interesting backstories, including Dalan, the main character. Most of these backstories never see the light of day, but they are there. The point of having backstories that the readers never get to learn is that they help you, as the writer, write even secondary minor characters more convincingly. Everyone has motive, something that drives them to act the way they do. The readers don't always have to know what that motive is, but if it's there, they'll sense it between the lines, so to speak, and the illusion will remain in place. Even my main character's back story I divvy out in bits and pieces, and only if it helps to build the plot and the illusion I've created of reality in this story.

DA Shadow Phantom: Dalan

Sometimes, a little bit is all that is needed to create a convincing illusion

of a world beyond the 'window'.

As for what I've been up to as far as writing and art, I have primarily been working on my series, DA Shadow Phantom. I am nearly done with the first story arch. There are only about three more chapters to go. I have yet to put up the first book for sale, but I will as soon as I finish the book cover image, which I have been working fervently on. Thus, it should be ready soon.

However, I do have my first fantasy book, North Country, Book One: The Riders of Redrog done, along with the cover image. It is now up for sale on Amazon Kindle. Check it out: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DIGO504#_


Happy Reading!


For more artwork and story-related stuff, or if you just want to get in touch with me and see what I'm up to, visit me at these websites:

Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.hubbard.50

Facebook DA Shadow Phantom: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DA-Shadow-Phantom/125944890946328?notif_t=page_new_likes
Facebook North Country Series: https://www.facebook.com/NorthCountrySeries?fref=ts

Deviant Art profile: http://nykol-haebrd.deviantart.com/
Tumblr profile: http://nyko-shad.tumblr.com/

Stop Worrying and Get Creative!

Yesterday, I attended a webinar hosted by Daniel Hall about how to get your book out there. He said that the first important thing to realize is that you do indeed have meaningful subject matter to impart to your readers and that it doesn't have to take months or years to write it either. I found this to be very interesting.

The title here speaks for itself :)

 

It was actually pretty helpful. Part of the presentation was on how to set up a Word document (both Doc. and Docx.) on Amazon as a Kindle. I took print screens of the slideshow to help with my note taking, so my first book, North Country, should soon be up on Amazon as well, as it is already up on Smashwords.com. So far on Smashwords, I've sold 3 ebook copies and have had a handful of page views and downloads.

 

Another of my recent endeavors is that, after a bit of cajoling from my brother, I played Dungeons and Dragons for the first time with him. The type of character I chose to be is a Halfling (race) Rogue (class). I'm basically a short little character with thief skills that is supposed to be quick on his feet and have a decent amount of street smarts. Being an artist, I couldn't help drawing my character out as a visible aid. He was quite fun to design.

Ike Palin, the character I designed for D & D and colored with colored pencils.

I think he turned out quite well. So does my brother and his fiancé,

because they can't stop saying how cute they think he is.

So far, D & D is a pretty fun game. It's based primarily on imagination and storytelling. Since I'm a writer, it seems to suit me just fine and is giving me a little more confidence telling my part of the story aloud to a group, which I've never been that good at before.

Speaking of storytelling, I've recently been working on adding my first fantasy book, North Country, Book One: The Riders of Redrog to Amazon's Kindle. It's now in my bookshelf on Amazon in review, but it should be up for sale in 24 hrs. The name it's under is Nicole Hubbard, as I'm the author. North Country is an epic fantasy adventure that starts out with Liz, a young girl who wants to be a warrior, and Raefon, a young dragon from the nearby walled haven.

 This is a drawing of Liz I did in markers.

 

This is a sculpture of Raefon I did in super sculpey and painted. That took months, between school and a part time job. There were plenty of frustrations, but I enjoyed the process overall. I want to do another project of this type if I can get the materials.

Here is a short synopsis of the first book:

Liz is a young girl who wants nothing more than to be a warrior like her father. Raefon is the dragon version of the ugly duckling. What does such an odd pair have in common? An ancient bond that has connected them since before their birth. As a girl, however, Liz has no chance of becoming a rider of the great dragons. Raefon’s differences make it impossible for him to get a rider. Can these two destined companions meet before their powerful bond drives them insane? Can they ever be free from the scrutiny of those around them, free to pursue a greater destiny?

Another book that I am working on getting up for sale as an ebook is the first volume of DA Shadow Phantom, a fantasy series I have been working on for a little while now. The main character there is a fourteen-year-old boy called Dalan, who has a curse. Whenever his emotions build up, either due to stress or physical exercise, something stirs inside of him, something not human that is clamoring to get to the surface. Despite his efforts, he can't control it. Is he doomed to live his life alone so he won't inadvertently hurt those he cares for? Or can one of those loved ones learn to accept him as he is and help him on his journey to accepting himself?

Dalan Raymer, a digital image I did of him in his usual getup. The symbol behind his head has a lot of significance in the story, as the readers will find out a little bit further in.

I am currently formatting Volume 1 and creating the cover image for it. I have the first story arch almost all the way written now, but I am releasing it a little at a time. Anyway, once I am done with the formatting and cover image, I will put DA Shadow Phantom, Volume 1: Transformation, I will put it up on Smashwords and Amazon as well.

In the process of all of my endeavors, I am learning a lot and having a lot of fun. For a writer and/or artist, that is what really counts. If you don't have fun doing what you do, why do you do it? I guess that's my thought for the day. I've been reading through a book on how to stop worrying by Dale Carnegie, and it's got some great insights on what stress and worry, and being generally unhappy can do to your health. It's quite true. You feel better physically if you're happy.

Happy reading!


For more artwork and story-related stuff, or if you just want to get in touch with me and see what I'm up to, visit me at these websites:

Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.hubbard.50

Facebook DA Shadow Phantom: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DA-Shadow-Phantom/125944890946328?notif_t=page_new_likes
Facebook North Country Series: https://www.facebook.com/NorthCountrySeries?fref=ts

Deviant Art profile: http://nykol-haebrd.deviantart.com/
Tumblr profile: http://nyko-shad.tumblr.com/

An Introduction to an Artist-Writer

Hi everyone! I'm Nicole Hubbard, an author and artist.

I have been doing both since I was very young, my first memories of drawing being when I was four. Since I was reading by that age as well, my story-writing adventures started soon after. I have always loved adventure and fantasy stories, such as The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien and the Redwall by Brian Jacques. More recently, I've also gotten into manga and anime. So far, I think my favorites in that world have to be Fullmetal Alchemist and Code Geass.

 Fullmetal Alchemist - Edward Elric with a really cheeky grin XD. Ed is a really fun character. In Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood, I also like Lin a lot too. He's the kind of character that is hard not to like, and he knows how to get his way, usually.

 

Code Geass - Lelouch Lamperouge, probably after just having used his Geass on someone. In my opinion, he is a fascinating character with a quick, strategic brain that keeps me trying to figure out what he's planning.

Anyway, I write fantasy myself, and I love doing art, as I said. I have a lot of training in fine art: people, dragons, animals, and mythical creatures mostly, though I have done scenery when I have to.

My original drawing of Raefon, the main dragon character in my book series, North Country. I actually had to draw him on several large sheets of paper, as the drawing just kept getting bigger and bigger. This took me 3 months to complete, and I had to scan it in pieces and clean it up a bit.

Lately, I've been getting into digital art more, as well as doing my own cartoons, illustrations, and book designs for my stories. So my style has really expanded a lot since I first started out.

This is an image I've done recently from my story, DA Shadow Phantom, though it will come later in the story. For now, I'll just say that the character here is the main character, Dalan Aiden Raymer, and that glowing tattoo-looking mark on his back is a visual sign of his special abilities and even what he is in the first place. He thinks he has a curse but will hopefully learn differently.

A detailed close-up of the glowing mark on Dalan's back, the symbol of what he thinks to begin with is his curse. This is an example of the digital art I have been playing with. I do a lot of it in Photoshop by hand, though occasionally I will also use source textures that I add into the backgrounds where appropriate.

 

I'm just starting to get ebooks out to where more viewers can enjoy them. Two projects I am currently working on include North Country: The Riders of Redrog, and another series I've been calling DA Shadow Phantom. Both of them are fantasy stories, and I might later turn DA Shadow Phantom into a comic or graphic novel. I've already been designing the characters.

North Country, Book One: The Riders of Redrog - This is the front cover I designed when I put the book up for sale as an ebook on Smashwords.com. To read a free sample or purchase the book, click here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/325431.

 

You can download a free sample in any of the ebook formats listed at the bottom of the page.

I am still working on the front cover of DA Shadow Phantom, Book One. Once that's done, as well as the proper formatting for ebook conversion, I will put that up as well.

Happy reading!


For more artwork and story-related stuff, or if you just want to get in touch with me and see what I'm up to, visit me at these websites:

Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/nicole.hubbard.50

Facebook DA Shadow Phantom: https://www.facebook.com/pages/DA-Shadow-Phantom/125944890946328?notif_t=page_new_likes
Facebook North Country Series: https://www.facebook.com/NorthCountrySeries?fref=ts

Deviant Art profile: http://nykol-haebrd.deviantart.com/
Tumblr profile: http://nyko-shad.tumblr.com/