The Sandcastle People

Melody Dover is not happy about moving. In fact, as soon she reaches her new home on the beach, she runs way. But when she finds an amazing sandcastle, she soon finds herself traveling much further than she intended.

Accidentally shrunk down to a much smaller size by an apprentice wizard, Melody meets people who sail around the world building castles that only last a day. Excited about the possibilities of seeing the world, Melody joins them, but soon finds herself wishing for home. But where exactly is home?

Today I’m happy to have author B. Well stop by and talk about her latest book, The Sandcastle People.


1. Greetings, can you tell us a little bit about your history and how your work has evolved up to this point?

I grew up on the Jersey Shore, and even as a child I used to dictate stories to my dad and draw the accompanying pictures. Once I could actually write, I won a couple of awards for poetry - nothing major, just enough to make me want to become a writer. In college I majored in English, and even studied abroad with a program affiliated with University College, Oxford. My professors were all excellent in different ways, and helped me find my own strengths and weaknesses. Afterward I did some freelance writing for a local newspaper and began to work in a school, which motivated me to try writing a children’s novel.

2. What genre, or genres, do you write?

In general I write literary fiction. The Sandcastle People was my first children’s novel. I would love to write historical fiction as well.

3.  What is your latest book called and what is it about?

The Sandcastle People is about a girl named Melody who runs away from her new home. She soon finds herself in a beautiful sandcastle built by a miniature group of people who travel around the world in a ship, building castles only when they want to stop for a day. At first Melody is so excited and wants to travel with them, but gradually she begins to grow homesick. Unfortunately, she no longer knows where exactly home is.

4. What makes your book unique?

I think the way the Sandcastle People actually live is very unique. They share everything and really depend on each other, like one big family. They are also open-minded and very appreciative of the beauty in nature. Melody learns a lot from them, and I think young readers can, too.

5. Where can we buy your books?

My book is available at Solstice Horizons and on Amazon.

6. What can we expect from you in the future?

I just completed a novel that modernizes the story of Hamlet and retells it from Ophelia’s point of view. I am also working on a sequel to The Sandcastle People, although it’s still in the initial stages.  

7. Among your own books, have you a favorite book?  Favorite hero or heroine?

I’m a fan of Brizo. I like that she’s fearless and very welcoming.

8. Do you plot ahead of time, or do you let the plot emerge as you write?

Generally, I have the main plot figured out, but subplots or little twists come up when I’m writing. It’s very exciting when that happens, and the story literally comes to life.

9. Who are some of your favorite authors to read? Favorite books?

It’s difficult to name them all. My favorite novel is Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. Some of my favorite writers are Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, and Tom Stoppard. As far as children’s novels, I’m a big fan of the Harry Potter series, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and the works of Frances Hodgson Burnett.

10. What would be your ultimate goal as a writer?

One of the reasons I love Victor Hugo and Charles Dickens so much is because they initiated social changes. I would love to be able to write something that has a really positive impact on society, or at least help someone in some small way.

Biography

B. Well grew up along the Jersey Shore, and her summers helped inspire this story. Although she has lived in several places around the world, she currently lives in Freehold, NJ with her husband. She works as an instructional aide for reading students at both the elementary and college level.

Links

Website: http://bridgetwell.weebly.com/  

Blog: http://bewell24.wordpress.com/

The Sandcastle People

Melody Dover is not happy about moving. In fact, as soon she reaches her new home on the beach, she runs way. But when she finds an amazing sandcastle, she soon finds herself traveling much further than she intended.

Accidentally shrunk down to a much smaller size by an apprentice wizard, Melody meets people who sail around the world building castles that only last a day. Excited about the possibilities of seeing the world, Melody joins them, but soon finds herself wishing for home. But where exactly is home?

Today I’m happy to have artist Isac Galvão stop by and talk about his work


1. Greetings, can you tell us a little bit about your history and how your work has evolved up to this point?
 
Well, I guess I had a kind of erratic path to doing storyboards. I tried to have what some people called a “decent profession” here (Brazil) at the time I was about to enter college, when I almost became a lawyer. But drawing and painting were always a part of my life.

2. How long have you been an artist and how did you get started?


I was drawing since I can remember. My mother always encouraged me and my brother to keep painting and drawing. I guess we are all artists. What changes is the way we express our inner world, our fears and passions.

3. How would you best describe your artistic style? How has your style changed over the years?

I guess the best word for my “style,” if I have one, is…eerie. Doing illustration for advertising, I don’t do very much eerie stuff, but I think it is a good word. Or “unpleasant”.

4. What is your creative process like?



It used to be, because now it's been a long time since I was drawing. I used to listen to classical music. Mostly Beethoven, then some images came, as flashes, then I started to draw. Sometimes I dreamt something, woke up, sketched the idea somewhere and went back to sleep.
 I also used that Da Vinci technique of looking at tree bark or other irregular surfaces and seeing some images in them.

5. What tools do you use for your work? What is your favorite medium?


I am a black and white guy. At least in this sense. I like drawing more than painting.
 So, pen and ink, or pencil.

6. Do you prefer traditional media or digital media?


I prefer to do the base in traditional media. Painting is much easier using a computer, especially if you are under the tight deadlines of advertising illustrations and storyboards.

7. What is the most challenging/best part about working with pen and ink?


I guess it is the light and composition.

8. Where do you go for inspiration? What are some of your favorite artists?



There are too many artists past and present. It is hard to name just one. But I guess that Moebius, the French comic artist deceased in 2012, is the one that made me think more about the ways of expression, or what I want to “say” and how. From my childhood, I remember being very impressed by Hieronymus Bosch. I guess I was about 5 when I saw The Garden of Earthly Delights.

9. Is there a particular time of day when you work best?


Early in the morning or late at night. I don’t cope very well with noise. 
Of course, if I have to go to an Agency (advertising) or to a Studio (animation) I have to draw anyway. But if I can choose, it is in a silent place or one with low music.

10. What is your ultimate goal when you create your artwork?


No goal, I guess. I just try to have fun.

11. Where can we find out more about you and your work?


Well, as I mentioned before, I am in a period of “reflection” or something like that, so I am not drawing very much for myself. Old things can be found on my website or at Flickr, www.isacgalvao.com or http://www.flickr.com/photos/isacgalvao/


Biography:

Born in Brazil, Isac Galvão worked and lived almost half of his life in Europe, the last 14 years in Barcelona, Spain, and previously in Germany, France and England.

Links:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/isacgalvao/


www.isacgalvao.com

Neuralian Chronicles: The Siede

In the beginning all men were gods, Neuralytes… naturally enlightened beings.  That was until Pandora gave birth to humanity and the one entity all have looked to in their bleakest hours, Hope.  For centuries Hope served as a beacon through its chosen vessels to keep the balance.  Now there is a new vessel and the Jinn—dark counterparts of the Neuralytes—have plans for it.  Yet other forces would keep him from ever drawing his first breath. 

Anthony Griggs, a hapless dreamer, finds himself bound to the unborn child.  Through the abyss of dreams, they are connected.  Every time Anthony closes his eyes worlds collide merging closer into his reality.  Through his blood he is charged with the protection of the child from any invasive threats.  But his sacrifice could bear a great cost.  Can Anthony come to grips with his destiny to see Hope thrive?  Or will it be undone by the void of darkness to leave mankind in a wake of chaos?

Today I’m happy to have author Brandon J. Hall stop by and talk about his latest book, Inception (Neuralian Chronicles: The Siede)


1. Greetings, can you tell us a little bit about your history and how your work has evolved up to this point?

Hello, I’m sorry I was running a bit behind.  Um, yes, I was just thinking the other day how fascinating this journey has been.  Actually, I’d just posted a blog on my site showing the stark contrast of how this story began back in 1997 and how it turned into the lore I had always imagined it to be.  It was almost a script.  So much has happened between then and now.  Life happened (laughs).  The story was always more mature in my mind than I’d written it to start when I was in high school.  I was always more concerned with my peers than my vision then.  I had vision in abundance.

I’d always been an artist.  From the age of eight I was writing and scribbling little things here and there but I wanted to draw comics.  Everything began that way I suppose.  I’d sketch something and then draft a story behind it.  But the goal was always to merge the two, story and illustration.  It was a gift early on.  I was designing school logos and mascots or was basically a part of anything that had to do with art during my elementary and high school years.  I thought that was where my road was going to lead me, some career involving design or architecture.  But the burning desire to tell stories was always more prevalent.
 
I decided after having some of my artwork and poetry featured in school magazines that I was going to try to write a complete story for once.  Was even going to self-publish it before subsidiary publishing had become a big thing.  By senior year I’d completed the book and had a contract for it but something told me that it wasn’t ready, it wasn’t the story I wanted to tell.  Somehow it got shuffled to the side.  I’d gone to college.  Met my then wife.  I’d dabble here and there to the point I’d written a full trilogy but the vision wasn’t coming together.  We had a child and shortly thereafter had gotten divorced.  Subsequently my focus shifted and my passion turned in a different direction.  Through that pain I’d written my first feature novel, Reflection—The Chronicles of a Man Scorned.  I figured I’d use that as a way into the publishing world to at least get my name out there.  It was playing with my daughter one night that the inspiration hit me again.  I pulled up the old pages and basically threw it all out.  I started fresh to create the mythology I’d always been seeing.  Reinvigorated, I began to create an entire universe for the Neuralian Chronicles.  The way it was designed the possibilities are endless as to where the stories can ultimately lead under that banner.  They’d be spun to take all of lore and mythology and make it unique to only the way I could describe it.  The series, The Siede, under Neuralian Chronicles would be the culmination of everything before I finally go and take different liberties with stories outside of those characters I have come to love to focus on more singular themes.  I’ve even designed faerie tales that take place in the realm I’d created.
 
I’m seeing things so differently now.  I’m seeing movies.  I’m seeing television.  I’m seeing comics and cartoons.  I’m seeing every endless possibility for this world.  I may eventually venture into other genres again, but right now, this is where I’m comfortable.  So, uh… yeah, I hope that answered the question.
  
2. What genre, or genres, do you write?

Right now I believe I’m firmly nestled into the fantasy/paranormal/sci-fi genres but my beginnings are with poetry.  My first novel, that I spoke of earlier, was billed as a drama.  However, I’d like to push myself into other genres in the future… mystery, thriller, I even have a somewhat paranormal/fantasy/romance trilogy that I’m toying with from time to time.  We’ll see where it goes though.

3.  What is your latest book called and what is it about?

It has been dubbed, Inception (Neuralian Chronicles: The Siede) though the title conceived was, Neuralian Chronicles: The Siede VOL. I: Inception.
 
Not to go into any long history or detail of its origins.  In short, the story begins with a young man, Anthony Griggs who finds that he is bound to an unborn child.  After surviving a childhood laced with abuse and neglect he had learned to retreat into his mind to escape the realities of life.  What he doesn’t realize is that he’s a Neural with the ability to Drift, a form of astral projection, in his dreams.  One night he learns just how dangerous his dream world really is when he saves a coma patient from his impending fate.  That person is the link between Anthony and a long existent bond between their bloodlines.  

Dark forces begin to invade the mind of an unborn child and he must risk everything to ensure the baby’s survival for he is the vessel of Hope and the world’s quiet savior or its ultimate undoing.  He encounters entities good and bad that will have their way with this child.  With his engagement to his fiancée, Audrey, he must decide if he’ll risk everything to ensure the birth of this child or live the life he’d always aspired to have. 

4. What makes your book unique?

For one, the series was intended to be a trilogy.  Because the first two volumes were so long my agent suggested that I break the books up into parts.  The only other noted series I know that was expanded in that way was The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  Instead of a trilogy now I’ve got a series of six.  It made room for some arrangements that I hadn’t seen done before.  For the first time (to my knowledge) the supposed main character is actually a supporting character and the supporting character takes lead through the first book.  It gives the character, Anthony, a sort of prequel-esq feel in that the audience gets to care for him.  
What truly makes the story unique is that it dares to be bold enough to tackle themes of religion, faith, and science in a seamless fashion that only seems to be touched in other works but not really explored.  It’s ambition in that it creates its own mythology that hopefully can stand in the ranks of LOTR or Game of Thrones that can be long standing and embedded into the minds of followers to come.  It doesn’t try to be anything else.  The Siede is a complete work of fantasy unto itself that challenges the myths we have already come to know and retell and creates one thread for mankind’s existence.  I think above anything else it will catch audiences off guard yet compel readers to embrace it.
 
5. Where can we buy your books?

Given its untimely early release, it is only available in Kindle format right now.  It’s available now on amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/Inception-Neuralian-Chronicles-The-Siede-ebook/dp/B00HHIHNZI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388078590&sr=8-1&keywords=Inception:+The+Siede

My previous work, Reflections—The Chronicles of a Man Scorned is also available on amazon.

6. What can we expect from you in the future?

Well, come to think of it, in the near future I’d like to put out the next two chapters of The Siede before deviating from it to try to put something else in the mix.  Before picking back up with the fourth book I actually have a story I’m drafting, "Neuralian Chronicles: The Veil," that goes into supernatural themes in a way I haven’t seen explored before.  It ties into the timeline of the third book of The Siede and creates an entirely new series of its own.  I’m also looking to complete a paranormal crime/thriller entitled, The Debt (working title of course), that follows a con man who recently awoke in the hospital and is frantically trying to discover who he owes that wants him dead.  Bringing his friends into his web of lies and deceit he must figure out how to clear his debt before those closest to him end up dead. 

7. Among your own books, have you a favorite book?  Favorite hero or heroine?

Neuralian Chronicles: The Siede is my labor of love.  The tragic heroes of the story all bare some extension of me.  From the quiet insecurities of Anthony who struggles but is still driven to do the right thing.  To the thoughtfulness and focused determination of Mieko Siede.  Given that Mieko has been with me for a long time I consider his character to be among my most beloved creations.
 
8. Do you plot ahead of time, or do you let the plot emerge as you write?

It really depends on the story.  More to the point, it depends on how the story comes to me.  Of course, The Siede is too important to me.  It is plotted to the finest detail and subject to so many rewrites and edits to satisfy that my vision is being conveyed.  Other stories almost speak to me.  It’s funny, The Siede and writing it has been quite the haunting experience.  I would dream many of the concepts and write it down as soon as I’d wake up.  I’d match much of it to my research and then build around it.  Other inspirations could come from something as simple as watching a person walk down the street trying to figure what is in their heads, what is driving them to their destination.  Or they way a rose lays in the garden.  My mind and the gears spinning in it are constantly turning.
 
9. Who are some of your favorite authors to read? Favorite books?

Tolkien has to be my first.  When I was a child, my sister would fill my head and lap with so many stories.  She’d be reading Shakespeare in school so therefor I had to read it.  I’m seven, eight years old reading Shakespeare with a companion dictionary to understand the language.  One day she gave me, Homer’s The Iliad.  I didn’t understand it but boy was it fascinating.  And then she gave me Lord of the Rings.  I fell in love.  She’d read The Hobbit to me before bed and the next day I’d continue reading the books she’d given me until I finished them.  Later I continued to read Homer and Tolkien but adopted a few authors along the way.  I was drawn to the weirdness of Stephen King.  I loved the style of George R.R. Martin’s writing.  Dean Koontz, Neil Gaiman, and James Patterson to name a few.

10. What would be your ultimate goal as a writer?

My ultimate goal as a writer is to create stories that will create intrigue and stay in the minds of readers for generations.  I want to create a world all my own much like the greats I’d named before that is totally unique.  I want to explore the many medias available that will keep my works in the minds and hearts of followers.  More importantly, I want to inspire the creativity of others who have a voice but don’t know how to be heard.

Biography

Brandon J. Hall was born October 11, 1981.  Very early in his life he’d developed a fondness for literature.  He’s always aspired to share his voice, his vision, through the craft he’d so embraced.  Having his art showcased during his elementary years at the Detroit Institute of Arts and praised throughout middle school he knew that his path was defined for him.  After several publications in the magazine, Afterthoughts, throughout high school for his poetry and art he knew his passion was clear.  After years of exploration and self-discovery he finally published his first novel in the year 2007, Reflections—The Chronicles of a Man Scorned.  With that behind him he strives to place his name among those who have made him love the genre of fantasy by bringing his own unique quality to it.  His series, Neuralian Chronicles—The Siede aims to do just that.

Links

nodnarbllah.wix.com/neuralian-chronicles
www.thebrandonhall2.com

Blog: https://www.facebook.com/thesiede?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrandonJHall

Neuralian Chronicles: The Siede

In the beginning all men were gods, Neuralytes… naturally enlightened beings.  That was until Pandora gave birth to humanity and the one entity all have looked to in their bleakest hours, Hope.  For centuries Hope served as a beacon through its chosen vessels to keep the balance.  Now there is a new vessel and the Jinn—dark counterparts of the Neuralytes—have plans for it.  Yet other forces would keep him from ever drawing his first breath. 

Anthony Griggs, a hapless dreamer, finds himself bound to the unborn child.  Through the abyss of dreams, they are connected.  Every time Anthony closes his eyes worlds collide merging closer into his reality.  Through his blood he is charged with the protection of the child from any invasive threats.  But his sacrifice could bear a great cost.  Can Anthony come to grips with his destiny to see Hope thrive?  Or will it be undone by the void of darkness to leave mankind in a wake of chaos?