The Artist In Me: Multiple Mediums of Awesome

I'm Just Spitballing Here...

2009-06-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

I know I just left another wonderful rant about something you might not care about anyways, the original intent of that last post was supposed to lead into how the e-mailing and the friend's story helped to motivate me to write again. Guess I got pretty carried away, huh?

I was also very much motivated last Saturday at the family reunion in Angola, Indiana, where a family member shared an interesting book for her part in the Talent Show. It's called The Shack, and the premise was interesting enough for me to ask for one of the extra copies she had with her. Either way, having the book there with me to look at here and there helped inspire me enough to work on a little diddy of a story involving practically every main and favorite character of mine. I can't say this one will EVER be published of course, but hell, it's fun enough I'd like to go somewhere with it.

As for other story news:

The Dyn-O-Mite comic is on extreme hold-mode, for whatever reason...
The Sakai Trilogy is still someplace that I can't seem to grasp hold of it long enough to continue a decent amount of writing for it
since my friend mentioned earlier is also a good fan fiction nut, I seem to have realized how badly I left my Oblivion fan fiction sometime last summer. I probably need to start it up again...

That's pretty much the biggest concerns for me at the moment. Gotta say there's a lot on my hands here...Actually, there always is...

-Kelifer

Ps. I'm also considering doing some real money-involved commission work, considering that my mom does have a PayPal account set up and I have been getting some requests from people. If anyone's interested in commissioning me for...anything, check me out here (please regard the fact that I will be changing the rules here soon enough so that I will be charging drawings in the very near future):

MardukIvanKalium's Rules for Trading
MardukIvanKalium's Current Status on Requests

E-Mail Makes Me Feel Corporately Important

2009-06-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize how much fun it is to actually send and receive e-mails! Sure, I get about a thousand a month from those pesky college admissions offices (not that I'm really complaining), and eventually I find a funny message here and there from friends and family, but honestly I feel so much more important receiving e-mails than I do anyother form of communication! It's almost like I'm a real adult on an internet adventure: you send off a message to someone whom you have no idea if they'll even get it soon or not, but when you get a reply back it's like you don't feel so alone in the world anymore! On Facebook, it's like vultures praying off eachother's own happenings to alleviate themselves of their own boring existences, constantly on the ready to see if someone has updated their status to simply reply "LOL" or some other generic greeting.

I think what seperates e-mails from the typical sites like Facebook and Myspace is that we have a chance to write like we feel and not what we want to be distributed across the internet into other people's browsers. On those networking sites, you feel obligated to write something funny because everyone else did but instead of pouring out your heart and your feelings you shorthand yourself and quite literally your vocabulary until it's almost nonsense and abbreviations. In e-mailing, you're given a beautiful body to scribble your mind's musings and ponder and reflect upon your day and that of your recipient. You are also given the chance to share information between each other in attachments and images that otherwise would clutter your notes and ramblings in Facebook and Myspace, and even quite possibly confuse the other millions of people who are bothered by the incessant "back and forth" movement of the message itself.

Almost an hour ago, I worked up a detailed review of my friend's premier chapter to her new novel she's currently working on. However, it took me nearly half-an-hour just to write down what I thought about it all, and in the same time I was able to manage the essay into a formatted work of my emotions perfectly described, without the abbreviations and the ramblings and the fear of what others would think. It was a personaly and deeply-thought narrative between me and my friend only, rather than everyone reading in on the conversation, and everyone being involved with what I had to say to her alone, and everyone this, and everyone that. For all I was concerned, my friend and I were the only two in the whole world that matter at that moment and the information we shared was that of a friendship and an effective business matter.

You see, to me the internet has become so bent on being fast and easy and quick and cheap, but nobody really benefits from that. There's no...passion, or love in those messages, just a quick send and reply to get a point across to someone else in their friend box. Messaging by computer is a romance of information and storytelling for friends and family to share their days and to get multiple points across without losing the integrity of those messages.

Certainly instant messaging and our favorite networking sites allow for us to display our inner feelings and thoughts and hobbies and other such things quickly and for all to see...but what does that mean for us as individuals? What does that do to our ability to become more acquainted with another on a seriously personal level?

E-mailing allows for us to be more personaly with our recipient and make them feel as though the message they receive is just for them and sincerly important. Everyone can access a person's profile in the ever more public domain of Facebook and Myspace, but only so many people are granted access to their own personal address to which we can travel down toward understanding our friend across the other line. Only through this electronic mailing system can one person send a gift that only they are capable of. You don't send a message to everyone on a list because you will be rewarded, but to a few select people with which you know their address better than anyone elses, to share an experience you know they will personally and mutually enjoy.

The internet that we see today isn't necessarily one of advancement, but rather a detraction of the values our more mature adults once shared and that of an impatience in today's generation. For that I say, take a break from this fast paced...bull honkey. Sit down, and send a message to someone long lost in your address book and tell them how your day was, or ask for advice...or just thank them for simply being there to receive your letter and wish them the best of luck in whatever it is they're doing that day.

I bet you more often than not that you'll feel much better doing so.

-Kelifer

Cause I'm--TNT! I'm Dynamite!

2009-03-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

I'll keep it brief, but I started a new comic recently, a little more than a month ago. It's called Dyn-O-Mite, which is a reflection of how much I love architecture and construction work. It's pretty far into Chapter One as far as the roughs go, but otherwise I've only officially finished 2 full pages and some chapter pages in between.

For more information, I'll leave you a link to my personal art profile at DeviantART.com and the Official Dyn-O-Mite journal I have posted there, too.

MardukIvanKalium at DeviantART.com

Official Dyn-O-Mite Journal

My Composition Notebook Pulled a David Copperfield

2009-02-04T13:54:00.000-08:00

I really think this is how it happened. For the longest time I've been looking for these notepad pages that I wrote for a side chapter way back over Christmas Break, but for the life of me I couldn't find them. I really thought I'd lost them for good. Well, I wanted to put the story I was writing in to an official composition notebook so they'd be in an actual "book" and would also be much harder to lose (how ironic). Last week, I managed to find an unused notebook to use for this.

Well, yesterday, while beginning to re-write the chapter in my new notebook, I realized there was a pretty big space in the middle of it. When I flipped to the center of the notebook, my three pages were there! I don't even remember at ALL that I'd might have put them there, so I think my notebook pulled a David Copperfield and "magically" made them reappear.

I may have to consult this notebook more often...

That was kind of my funny story for the past two days. As for the chapter, I've become pretty motivated to start writing it, and I've actually finished two lengthy pages (on one of those giant yellow pad things). I had to stop writing though, because if I got too far, it'd almost seem pointless to re-write it in the composition notebook. I like to mainly right in those kind of notebooks because I actually like crossing stuff out and writing useful comments here and there. Makes it more nostalgic, and looks like I actually put effort into it.

I may try writing again tonight. I'm kind of torn between studying for my programming test tomorrow in study hall (granted we don't have ANOTHER two hour delay), or going through some of my Home Show findings and depressing myself because I don't work in an Architecture firm yet, or even a Home Depot. If anything, I can try to motivate myself with thoughts of finishing something to show A when we got to Winterfest later this month.

-Kelifer

Wow

2008-11-27T17:31:00.000-08:00

God I'm such a whore for my Internet messages!

Taking a break from updating my Myspace page...expecting something interesting to show up, I remembered with satisfaction that the only thing left to do now while I wait for the batteries to recharge (for my Wii's remote sensor thingie which when fully functional again, I can once again pown Legend of Zelda) is writing more of my story. How is this good news? Cause last night, I actually ACTUALLY wrote down an interesting scene between two characters. Why? I don't know. It actually started with Gizen's story, then somehow remembering a frightfully mad scene in the second book of my Trilogy, I just randomly started thinking up dialogue and exposition for it.

I'm rather proud of it. Mostly because Ben, a very important character within the series, makes a smart ass comment to the other character featured, and the whole situation is just perfect because of it. Who says a writer can't incorporate her own little witticisms in her story, eh? Heck, the funny ramblings and ingenious dialogue/quips are really things I'd be "smart" enough to say if the chance arrived. It's all so awesome putting my own humor into my story.

Well, now that you all have had to listen to my own inflated ego spurt random nonsense about my genius all over this web page, perhaps it's time to put this random excerpt to the test, shall we?

[Book Two, ending scene from chapter something or another]

"Listen, Rimujin. You must understand that any business that goes on here..."

Ben threw up his hands. "Yes, I got it. What happens here stays here. Gizen himself told me. But what I don't get is why it's such a big fuss. It's more like a personal matter rather than business, isn't it?"

Yuri nodded slowly. "That is true. I'm glad to see that you are on the same page as we are."

"Me, too," Ben replied weakly.

They stood silently for a moment.

"Well?" Ben asked.

" 'Well' what, Rimujin?"

"Are you going to explain what just happened back there?"

Yuri shook his head. "No, I do not have the right to."

The answer was all to obvious, Ben thought. "Of course not," he said, rather annoyed.

Folding his arms, Yuri said firmly, "It is not my right because it is, indeed, Lord Kalium's personal affair. If you are to are so inclined to be informed on the matter, he will gladly give you all the details. Until then, you are to act as though nothing ever occured here, tonight. Clear?"

Forget what happened? It would be easier said than done. But Ben figured it'd be even harder to get Yuri off of his back unless he agreed.

"Rimujin?"

"It's clear," Ben said.

"What happened tonight?" Yuri asked seriously.

"You didn't see it? The circus was in town."

Yuri glared dangerously.

Mentally scoring another win on behalf of himself, Ben quickly added, "But aside from that, I don't remember seeing a thing; I brushed my teeth, relieved myself, went to bed." Then, adding emphasis, he concluded in mock frustration, "I still can't see why you barged in here to ask me that. What am I? Public enemy number one?"

Yuri grunted, perhaps trying to see past Ben's acting. He eyed him cautiously, then closed his eyes and nodded. "Fine. Get some sleep, Rimujin," he said tiredly. He turned on his heel and headed down the end of the hall.

Ben shut his door, sighing heavily. I guess we'll see about that...

[end]

If there was an image of my emotion after that, I'd gladly show it, but I don't have one that perfectly defines the epicness of it all.

[laughs]

-Kelifer

Depression Much?

2008-11-26T14:47:00.000-08:00

I realized there aren't many good photographs of me, pretty much anywhere. There are a lot of photographs of me, just not many good ones. It's kind of disheartening. I think it's the braces...and the stupid dimples my face makes when I smile at all...

The other sad stuff I have going on is that I meant to start typing up my second chapter in Gizen's story, considering I have it all written out and for the most part finished. But, this damned internet freaking distracted me (yes, I'm blaming the internet with no guilt whatsoever). Worst of all, I don't even have my best friend to discuss it with. Heck, I don't remember the last time I really talked to her...I feel so lonely...

Other unfinished business seems to include my amigurumi work. I started a doll for Ryu, but I only got as far as the head, and then I needed more supplies, which are currently at my mom's. I then started a new doll, which I'm hoping to make a little series of, but I don't have absolutely everything to finish him. And again, I want to do certain things with his body, but I don't think I can, cause I don't know if I have the right techniques for it, but I don't want to start it, get half way through, and realize I screwed it all up. It's so time-consuming...ughhh...

These are times when I'm glad I'm on vacation. All this stress wouldn't help me if I had school work to tag along with it. But it's still hard. I don't know what I'm supposed to do next, especially with all these things in front of me...

-Kelifer

Trilogy Characters and More

2008-11-19T14:42:00.001-08:00

Been a while, eh?

Yeah, I know I don't ever post anything practically anymore, but here I am, so be happy.

I've recently gone back to drawing, of course it's always predestined for me to return to my first love, no matter how much he breaks my heart...time, and time again.

This time, I ventured out and did some ACTUAL drawings of some of my story characters (with Gizen and a few others as exceptions, of course). These particular few, however, are vital at this stage because they mark the beginning of my ability to overcome some of the fears that have plagued me all of my drawing life. Most notable of these fears is my will to draw characters that I otherwise would cringe to do so, mainly because I worry that I will not give them the ultimate respect they deserve from me, the artist and creator.

But, after this wonderful breakthrough, I feel more free than ever in my drawing! I often think of Hiroyuki Takei and some of the drawings he's done for Shaman King; believe me, there are some really rare moments where his characters are stranger than ever, but he drew them nonetheless! With that in mind, I feel confident as an artist again.

The main concern, now, that seems to be growing, is how well I've actually adapted to his style. I checked through some old volumes yesterday, and I realized how much I need to touch up on my muscles and clothing. But those are technical matters; the best step was overcoming the haunting fear of drawing characters from the most epic of all my stories, and finally "putting a face to a name", if you will.

If thought some issues or mistakes persist in each of these drawings, they're are the best of my abilities at this point, the pinnacles of my talent thus far.

-Kelifer

PS:

I also realized that I haven't put of my drawings of the Dakah'Ra (new character, about a month old, maybe?) Unfortunately, my excitement over him is kind of flushed, and there isn't really a lot of space left in this entry, so here are some links to my DeviantART account (and I realize there are a bazillion other cool drawings I probably should post here, too...) :

Gizen Kalium_Rules With an Iron Fist
Dakah'Ra
Dakah'Ra_Cursed Hunter
Dakah'Ra_Perched Above
Dakah'Ra_Power Fist
Heroh
Kodan
Slain
Priestess_Her Beads
Priestess_Quick Fix
The German
Super Human

Doon Hosogai: Technically a blue-pen sketch I did last week at the library, which is what has sparked this imagination fiesta...

I can't say he's perfect, especially that face of his, but it was a great start.

Doon Hosogai: Now here's the real deal! Originally the main antagonist of my entire saga, he served to be the biggest bad ass in the three-book prequel to my Trilogy. As the son of a tyrant madman, Doon was abandoned in the deserts of his people, left to die. However, he miraculously--or rather, easily--survived, managing to amass his own army to take over his father's throne.

In the years of traveling, he created his army, made the beautiful Dharma his wife, and ravaged the lands in search of the greatest warrior, Daniel Sakai, the most revered warrior in the continent. However, upon finding his father, weak and old in his kingdom, Doon asked him where to find Daniel so that he may make himself the greatest warrior ever known. His father, Cyrus, informed mockingly that he had killed Daniel not too long before Doon was even born, twenty years ago. Angered, Doon kills his father, taking his rightful seat as the king of his people. But despite being the only living warrior capable of unknown destruction, he continued to unleash his power across the deserts and the fertile fields of their crippled, rival nation...unsatisfied, waiting for a worthy combatant to emerge...

Doon: I had this awesome idea in mind to have smoke billowing off of him like he'd just been attacked. As you can see, it's in pen, so I didn't really have room for saving my mistakes...

Oh well.

Dharma Hosogai: Doon's powerful and beautiful wife. Along his campaign through the deserts, Doon arrived in a town burning with the hate and the madness of thieves. Although his own people, Doon refused to have his kingdom in such disarray, allowing his men to sweep through the settlement to disengage the menace. Inside of the fiery infernos, Doon found Dharma passed out on the ground, partially wounded. He rescued her (with a strange kindness, I'm sure you're all wondering), and eventually she recovered fully as he and his army traveled. Of course, within time she and Doon grew fond of each other, and he made her his queen.

Dharma is the only woman, if not the only living creature, in Doon's mind who deserves to understand the confines of it. She is by no means a tactician, but she guides Doon with motherly advice in any decision he may make. But although she deeply loves him, his mind always seems set on other things, particularly is goals for conquest and defeating Daniel Sakai...

Cyrus Hosogai: Doon's father, and the previous king of the deserts. He's long-going madness created a monster within his mind, inspiring him to conquer any lands surrounding his own. When he realized that his armies could take the rival nation of his own, he immediatey sent both kingdoms into a hellish war that lasted decades. In the final years of the war, he was faced with his rival, Daniel Sakai, whom he later tricked his brother, Ramsey Sakai, into betraying him. But despite conquering and ravaging the once proud warrior nation, Cyrus fell ill and suffered for the remainder of his life until the return of his enraged son, Doon.

[NOTE]: This is truly one of my favorite drawings. I really enjoyed drawing the face, which was a HUGE first for me style-wise, and then the posture is just...well, it's just purely epic. As for his character...he's one of my top least favorites, just cause he's a bastard and all...

Cyrus: I was hanging out at a friend's house last week during a half day, and so inspired by the awesomeness of Cryus' kick ass drawing above, I thought I'd try his face from a different view. Overall, it turned out alright (body wise), but it still seems weird and "stressed"...

Beast No. 1: I have an extreme tendency to draw random creatures and beasts, cause when you do that, there's really nothing to hold you back from drawing them; you have a whole range of features and designs (granted there's a difference between originality and fan art, mind you all). Making creatures are just plain fun for me.

Beast No. 2: This is one of my newest favorites. I particularly like him just cause of his entire head, his torso, and just the way he's standing. I don't normally EVER do sideways drawings like this one, so it's really neat.

Gorilla Beast: I was at this kind of "club" you could say called The Moose if anyone knows what I'm talking about, and while drunken morons were singing karaoke, I drew this bad boy. I don't really like him (it's the face) and I forgot to finish his hand (oopsie), but he's still...okay.

Monkey Beast: Probably the worst of my creatures (at least design wise). I didn't really do a great job trying to make him look good, but I actually have a second drawing that I like better and is inked in more.

Woe is to Me and My Fictional Fantasies...

2008-09-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

I'm hungry...

Anyways, I've been so "depressed" as of late. I haven't drawn ANYTHING for a good two weeks, which is an eternity in the world of Morganne. Worst of all, while I've been trying to use this valuable free time to write my story, I can't think of what to write. When I do, it comes out like crap, I'm second guessing myself, creating decent stuff but realizing it's nothing of what I need...ughhhhh. I have no idea of what to do.

One of my habits to get me motivated is reading other stories, just to kick start my writing gears again. I recently got a book called Beyond the Barriers, thinking it was a good prison fiction (I like books written about prison stories and stuff because it's hard to leave out gritty and in-depth detail, which although it can be hard to read, it makes me a little stronger and more comfortable with what I write should I be tempted to get "down and dirty" into the gore of my own writing). However, although it's truly an awesome and inspiring book, no doubt, this inspiration has nothing to do with my writing. Instead, I soon realized that the book is based on the author's true story of going to prison but finding true faith in God and finally being paroled. All of it is an awesome story, but it wasn't exactly what I was looking for. So, now I have nothing to get me motivated.

[No offense, but I'm going to rant here. I don't know why it is, but my first impression of Christian-based novels isn't always a good one. Granted reading Morris' (the author) book really helped me feel happy about believing in God, but I don't know. Stories like that bug me a lot...]

Anyways...

I could ask friends to write their stories and give me what they have, but my best friend and favorite author of them all lives hundreds of miles away (and still hasn't replied my e-mail...hahahaha); my other good friend, Syb, hasn't yet produced to me anything of her story (although she raves about it and has shown me some interesting character info); and my other friend I recently realized doesn't write her own original stuff, which is annoying (if you're thinking that fan fiction is just as bad, well, the thing is is that I actually HAVE my own stories, fan fiction writing is just a hobby; this girl does NOTHING but fan fiction, which shows she practically has no imagination. Maybe I'm jumping off the deep end a little too much, but it does bother me, so bite my butt, it's my opinion).

[shakes butt around tauntingly]

Anyways, I'm so lost. The good thing is that I have the weekend to maybe get something done, but what with everything else like school work going on, I don't know when I'll have time, patience, or a steady focus to work on it.

Maybe I'll go for a walk today...

-Kelifer

Great News and Some Art to Boot!

2008-09-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

Hahaha...it seems once again I've failed to give any support to this blog! Shame on me. [Laughs]

Anywho, I've recently been doing A LOT of work updating art to my DeviantART.com account, MardukIvanKalium, so if you want more info or insight into what I've been up to lately, check that out when you get the chance.

For a while, I've been drawing NONSTOP, at least once school started. I may have mentioned somewhere that I was doing really bad in the art department (lack of ideas, struggle with my style, self-esteem suicide, etc...). Well, once again, I've managed to hit that slump. But with death comes new life (I'm making this too dramatic, aren't I?) and that life is my writing. Today I started (FINALLY!!!) the third chapter in Kalium, that story I've raved about in frequent posts on this blog, yet never gave you squat about? Yeah, well after actually DRAWING Gizen Kalium, my hope has been renewed in his life story. So, I'm finally getting to that one right now...

The fan fiction? Well, I ALMOST finished the first chapter, but again, drawing took the reigns and I was forced to quit that. I was motivated for a long time after reading The Green Mile by Stephen King, which if you haven't read it, or even seen the movie, you're kind of missing out. Granted, the book could have been "toned down" (F-word and other obscenities run quite amuck in that book), but the story altogether is AMAZING. I'm really super cereal about that. But again on Son of Sithis, it's going to be a lonnnnnnnnnnnnngggggggggggg time before I probably ever finish it (or even a chapter for that matter).

That's pretty much it. If I could count all the drawings I've done since my last update, I'd be hard pressed for an accurate estimate, but in perspective, it' about a whole sketchbook's worth of good stuff (70 minus a few crappy sketches and maybe 10 pages of blank space yet to be filled...that's quite a bit, really!).

Well, hope to get some stuff posted (story-wise, at least). I'll provide a link later to my fan fiction if I ever update that, but for now, as samplers, you can see some of the work I've been doing! For your information, I'm not one to EVER do fan art of other characters (the style would be great and awesome, but "what's the point, it's not my character" would settle in my mind); however, after being requested (yes, you read that right!) to do some fan art of other people's original characters with more popular ones, I got into a groove, namely with Tao Ren of Shaman King as you can see.

The rest are TOTALLY 100% mine, thank you!

-Kelifer

Look, it's Gizen Kalium!!! (Granted, he doesn't actually wear clothes like this...) [laughs]

+Final Step: Gizen Kalium [link]
+Chibi Gizen [link]

Something really neat I thought up the other day.

(some other creatures/people I've designed recently)
+Percy [link]
+Water Spirit [link]
+Earth Spirit [link]
+Android [link]
+Sickle-Death Syndrome (sketch) [link]

This is actually my Myspace picture, but it's really Tao Ren! Isn't that awesome?!

+Original on DeviantART.com [link]
+Another Tao Ren fan art [link]
+The Indestructable Team Ren [link]

An original character named Zubo! He's one of my absolute favorites! He might actually star in yet another new story I've developed based on the priniciples of this theme we talked about in English a couple of weeks ago...

+Zubo_UPGRADE [link]
+Zubo_Powerhouse [link]
+In These Hands [link]

This is actually another fan art I did of a character named Brago. He's from the anime Zatch Bell! which used to air on CartoonNetwork every Saturday night, but it might have ended a few years ago (I missed A TON of episodes). He was one of two of my favorite characters.

+Brago_Reis Spell [link]

An original character that goes only by Eldest Dungeon Brother. Of course, he has a younger one, but I won't post him here.

+Younger Dungeon Brother [link]

~MY RECENT ART TRADES/GIFTS~
+Me and NoodlesTheName [link]
+Hao and Megumai [link]
+Ren and Nass [link]
+Nass and Luon [link]

Been a Long Time

2008-08-13T17:41:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted something on this lonely blog!!! What with my new WordPress blog, I guess I've lost track of this one! [laughs]

Either way, I'm starting to write fan fiction. No big deal for those who have read The Here and Now and stay updated with it. But for those who don't, I'm working on a series for the game Oblivion for Xbox360 as just an outlet for my writing. Thinking about it, I really want to work on some of my own stories...huh. But for now, I'm just going to stay dedicated to my fan fiction until I can get everything else in order.

So that's all I need to refresh.

-Kelifer

On a Mission to be Commissioned

2008-07-06T16:54:00.000-07:00

I got a commission yesterday afternoon!!!

There is this guy on DeviantART who recently added my Monty Python pick into his favorites, but until yesterday I didn't really care too much about it or him (although it was the first bit of activity for me since two months ago...). Anyway, he just left me a message and explained that he's from Argentina, South America and he has an online comic he does on his own website completely for free. Well, because he liked my artwork enough, he asked me to draw a cover for him for his story "Dinami" (the entire comic is in Spanish, so I have no clue what ANY of it means [laughs])! I was/am so excited!!! He said he wouldn't be able to pay me (it's his comic and he doesn't get paid, either), but it's his hobby asking other artists to draw covers for him.

So, yesterday, although I should be working on writing Raven (I finished Chapter 3, by the way), I drew my version of his character, Dinami!

It took me almost around 7 hours to draw, enhance on the computer, and then coloring in the Painting program; it was around 1:30 A.M. before I finally went to bed! Anyways, there's lot of blank space at the top because the logo for the comic will go there, but the character (I suppose, I'm not too sure [laughs]), is Dinami, a key-on-a-string weilding, shark-riding boy with a huge cast of other strange characters (who unfortunately I'll have to do pictures of as well because they're so funny).

I don't know what the shark's name is [laughs].

Dinami Website:
http://www.dinami.com.ar/

[SPOILER]

Oh, by the way, because I stayed up so late last night, I caught the very final episode of DeathNote. I can't believe the Light dies!!!! And not only that, but by Ryuk himself!!! He got all freaky at the end, but I never thought I'd see Light go down that way. It was very...perturbing. Oh well.

[END SPOILER]

-Kelifer

Recently Artistic

2008-07-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

Although I did finish more of Chapter 3 for Raven, I've been doing more artwork lately (however, thanks to A and writing Chapter 3 more, I might starting writing some of my stories again...that is, as soon as I finish my summer school homework...).

I kept saying that I'd have most of my stories done by the time I graduated, yet here I feel like I have nothing to show for them. I got two years left to make something happen, and this year is going to be the busiest of all four, I bet....

Anyways, like I said, I've been drawing A LOT. Best of all, I've created new characters, or monsters really, which I've decided to designate as "minions". For those who obviously don't know, I have demons in my main story (which I use a special word I'm not giving up), but until recently, that was about it. Now, I've come up with an even cooler addition to these demons known as "minions" (which are technically demons or spirits summoned through sorcery to do the bidding of their master). However, due to the already thick plot and congestion of characters, I can't use these new creatures in my story at all (perhaps another plot could hold these bad boys). So, for now, they are merely the fruits of my artistic "genius" *laughs*.

Also, I've done a lot of work drawing "chibis" (superdeformed people), along with some character profile pictures, two portraits of me and A, and one funny bunch of seekers for the Holy Grail. I really have been busy.

Anyways, here they are!

Minions

Bavoravik: my absolute FAVORITE of all the minions!!!! (and all of these pictures) I was trying to redraw Wretched (this was the first attempt before the version below), but when I started on his face/mask, I thought I'd create something...new. And low and behold, Bavoravik was born!!! Unfortunately, it's all entirely pen, so I couldn't erase some of the problems I think he has, but he's awesome enough to have flaws and still be perfect. I absolutey love him!!!

Bavoravik, version two. This was cool because I liked how I drew his hands and arms (they're very Hiroyuki Takei-style).

Bavoravik, version three. The very awesome and powerful Bavoravik, at your service.

Koroktu: it was me, Ashley, Laura and Ashley's sister (who for the life of me I can't remeber her name!), all hanging out in the Teen Zone in our Library, and while the three of them were fighting with 11 year olds, I decided to draw something weird and try to experiment (Ashley's doing for inspiring me to show off my talent). I love this guy; he's very tribal feeling, so it's neat.

Ashley, Miriam, and Ivan: Laura just recently introduced me to a new friend she's made in summer school named Ashley (she's a junior like me, though). She's also pretty artistic, but prefers shoujo, which is fine. I tried drawing a quick characture of her, but then I decided to spice it up with some design of my own, hence the creation of Miriam (top), and little Iva (bottom). Ashley isn't a minion by the way.

Wretced: A big remake of an old character. Albeit some small flaws, he's perfect, and I was estatic how he came out altogether.

Zreki: This is a very new character, and something I've never thought of attempting before. Unfortunately, he resemles Rasputin from Hellboy a little too much, but he's completely my idea.

Zreki, version two.

Narco: the first drawing to be redrawn after months of leaving it as a sketch. His name comes from him being a necromancer, also hence the bone armaments. He looks much better completed in pen.

Tortakhel: another drawing I chose to finish finally. At first, I only had the skull drawn, but then I filled in the spine, tail and wing with pen. This is one of the few drawings to inspire me to practice drawing skeletons and bones.

Abel: last week, I chose to finally finish this one from way back in April (I originally hated the design and how it was coming out). Surprisingly, it looks fine.

Apache: an Indian I was drawing as a joke, but now I'm considering him a minion.

Characters

Uyr Ayimemu: one of my favorite characters from my book, BoT. If you've ever seen that Taco Bell commercial with the song "I'll melt with you", I was originally attempting to draw the guy whom I believe to be Andy Samberg, but instead, when I decided to mess around with this guy, he came out looking more like...well, Ryu *laughs* I totally didn't mean it. So, now he's Ury Ayimemu. I can't explain why I added the bokuto (wooden sword). This is also just a strange version of him (I don't think he'd really dress that way).

A chibi version of Uyr *smiles* It's so cute.

The group of Angels from my book BoT.

Kainyn: this was the first version, so it's not great. Anyways, I liked the more shoujo look, especially his face and hair.

Kainyn, version two (probably the most sinister of the three)

Kainyn, version three

A vampire goon from Raven.

King Arthur and his band of men, searching for the Holy Grail!!!

Characters:

(Bottom from left) Tim the Enchanter, Sir Robin, Patsy, King Arthur, and the Black Knight

(Middle from left) Sir Lancelot, Sir Bevedere, and the Frenchman

(Top from left) Sir Gallahad, and the Knight who says "Ni"

Doodles and Portraits

Sketches of me and some friends *laughs*

Doodles I did of some Raven characters.

A giant doodle I did over my History homework *laughs*

Me: The more I look at this, the more I realized how much I screwed it up. Oh well. I'm still really pleased.

A: This is a portrait of my best friend!!! Although it's not perfect, I'm really happy with it.

How Long Has It Been?

2008-06-15T18:37:00.001-07:00

It has been a while since a last post, hasn't it?

Anyways, seeing as how A has once again one-upped me (for that I say, "touche"...*gives you evil glare* Hahaha), I now feel I need to provide my own display of awesomeness. However, I don't think I'm quite as bold as A, so I'm afraid I can't find it in myself to reveal anything big about my Trilogy. I can, though, give you insider information about some other stuff I'm doing...*evil laugh*

Here is a list of stories I'm "currently" working on:

Raven
The main character is a woman named Raven Sinn Slater, a New York journalist for one of the city's best newspaper providers, The Insider. But, what most people don't realize is that during the night shift when the shadows come alive and the moon harbors light for a darker race, Raven is a "hunter", one of the few that risk their life to hunt and eventually kill the monsters that prey on the weaker, unsuspecting humans (in this particular story, it's vampires, but demons and other weird stuff probably show up, too). Armed with the deadliest of weapons and the most modern of guns, she is a killing machine with unusual capabilities at defeating the fiends of the darkness. However, on a routine hunt issued by her boss, Ray Ratrell, Raven is startled to discover a terrible secret that later leads to a sinister plot that could change the way the vampires run New York, and eventually the world. But it runs deeper than a plot for power; somehow, Raven discovers that she' more than a member in the struggle, but also the key component for what Kainyn is concocting. Trying to unravel the mysteries behind her past and hoping to save her future, Raven goes out on a wild journey along with friends and foes alike before she ends up worse than dead.

[I sort of apologize, the synopsis isn't perfect; I sort of just came up
with it, and I guess the wording is a little weird...Hahaha]

Raven is again, a single woman without much of a social life who's doing all that she can to make end's meet. And of course, juggling her day job and her nighttime hunting doesn't help things out any easier. Her night boss, Ray Ratrell, is the worst boss to ever have and an even bigger cheapscape; but his dealings run deep in the underworld society. And Raven will soon realize
how deep those dealings go the more she digs into the bigger plot.

In brief, Kainyn is the villain, but I won't go into further detail (you'll have to read the book, sillies!). And he is a vampire...or isn't he? Muwhahaha!!!

Anyways, I might post the first chapter sooner or later (it's kind of mature, but I only made it that way for the sake of this story. It's sort of risque and adulterated, but I'll moderate if I have to; trust me, I don't normally right this way on a frequent basis).

Vamp!
[This is sort of a new one that's not even a year old, so bear with me, it's really incomplete].
In short, there's a guy named Dimitri, who has been having frightning dreams of late. He's a young male from a quiet village in Europe staying at an abbey where he has lived all his life, and one day he is taken to another abbey to "discover" his destiny (as foretold by prophecies). This new abbey, the Prokofiev Abbey, however, holds secrets the likes of which he's never seen. It's a haven for vampires, and a home for their greatest secret operatives. But although Dimitri lacks a thirst for blood and the fangs to match, he is the key that will save their race from extinction, and time is short. Looking for answers and the truth of his destiny, Dimitri will embark on the greatest journey of his life with bodyguard, Nikolas, across Europe before time runs out and all of the vampire race blinks out of existence.

Okay, I know this sounds sort of similar to Raven, considering the main character is not only dealing with vampires, but he too is the key to some higher plot. This plot actually had more ground than Raven, but Raven has been around for much longer (although I did sort of half-assed her plot a bit at the last moment).

Anywho (again) if you have any questions about either of these stories, please feel free to contact me about the information (I don't think I could give you any better information that what's been given, granted I sort of came up with these on the spot), but remember that I can't give too much away, so deal with it!

-Kelifer

Book Review #1: Definitely Walking in a Fog...

2008-06-04T11:24:00.000-07:00

I just recently finished Greywalker (by Kat Richardson) about an hour ago, even though I've had this book maybe since my last birthday. That being, for the longest time...I've hated this book. I just could not, absolutely could not get into this damned book! I'd resort to reading pointless tabloids before I picked the ickly thing up and chancing a look through its pages! But then, when vampires actually started to show up, I thought, "Okay, maybe this might get interesting."

Surprisingly, it did. A little bit.

Of course, it really clinched my strings when necromancers were called into the paranormal scene...

To begin, I enjoyed this new concept of what Richardson describes as the "grey", which is considered an invisible, misty and foggy world parallel to our own (where ghosts roam through memories of the past and where even vampires can hide to). You hear things about "alternate dimensions" and the "underworld", typical realms of fantasy, but this was new, so I was first drawn to that. However, as I realized, the story comes from the first-person stubborn view of a private investigator, Harper Blaine, who has just recently been in an accident that leaves her with the ability to not only see the "grey", but enter into it. The downfall to this view of writing, not only is the world in a very limited perspective, but personal opinions and descriptions are less than Shakespearean, and certain distracting thoughts somewhat bloom in the wrong places at the wrong time. Worst of all is some of the cheezy dialogue or the writing describing scenes and people, but once gotten used to, those kind of things are easily overlooked (escpecially when tension and drama begins to heat up).

Aside from seeing ghosts and the other beings that fall under "paranormal" status, the plot sort of seems typical; a lonely woman with a hard attitude doing dirty work for shady people, all the while juggling her day job and the growing lust for a slightly older auctioneer. Once the paranormal begins to be just normal, you sort of find yourself falling into the suspense to find out what happens next. However, after finishing the book, there's not so much some plot of corruption or something (as I had thought). Everything sort of comes together like a puzzle with half of its own pieces and half of another. Even the ending holds no real conclusion or peace for the reader (such as Wygan's "gift", whatever finally happened to Alice, and of course no epilogue to follow up on our heroine).

Sadly, its the beginning that leaves you sitting there with a purpose to shoot yourself. Even though Harper finds herself searching for missing people and an old organ no one seems to remember, and trying to figure out the powers she has now gained from near death, you still find it hard to keep reading without throwing the book down in frustration. Once past the boring details, though, things heat up, but not by much.

I'll admit: once Harper started to get those odd jobs, I was intrigued; private investigating does often allure me from time to time because of my fascination with detective work. But honestly, it was the paranormal stuff that sealed the deal for me.

On a technical level, I was sort of bored, if not annoyed by Richardson's writing style. Although descriptive enough, I still felt distracted by Harper's first person narrative, which by no means makes things any easier to comprehend her surroundings (other than dish out even more annoying feedback from Harper's stress). So the point of view didn't go over well for me.

Second, I was fairly pleased with her descriptions of characters (even from Harper's cynical standpoint), most specifically the dark and deadly departed gothic characters (and the quirky details about the Adult shop were pretty entertaining as well). However, sometimes I got the feeling that certain things were either over-dramaticized, or on the other hand overly-used. Either way, I was generally content with the characters and such. Some of the details have actually left a lasting impression on me for inspiration.

Lastly, the most irksome moments of the book were in fact the climactic sequences where Harper is fending for her bleak and crazy life. Moments where she is fighting strangers and roiling around the "grey" were so inconsistent, I wanted to throw up thanks to severe motion sickness (luckily, Harper does enough puking for me). In fact, some of the scenes were so jumbled up, I thought I was witnessing the creation of the first literary form of a poorly concocted Power Shake (inconsistent with the mattering state of goo, unpleasantly disatisfying, and taken in by pure block-headed idiots). Although it's easy to sense she's in imminent danger and peril, you wouldn't know if Harper is ever actually winning or losing (until you realize she comes out of it alive), or even entering the "grey" at all! You get so lost, you'd resort to asking Cristopher Columbus for help, and look what good his navigating did us all.

So, as the completely biased person I am, I conclude that while the book is written decently (to the standards of the modern English language, at least), I just cannot find myself to ever suffer this book a second time around unless I need to revisit what "sick" and "nauseated" feels like. The only good things about this book were that I purchased it at Half Priced Books, and that necromancers were involved. End of that.

My rating for Greywalker is a 2.0 out of a 5 simply for:

somewhat decent writing, but annoying fashion

creative plot, albeit boring and typical at times, and

use of paranormal phenomenon (with the often creative inclusion of necromancers, ghosts, vampires and witches)

-Kelifer
=============================================

Greywalker
Kat Richardson
Published by ROC Fantasy 2006

(Blurb on the back cover)

Harper Blaine was slogging along as a small-time PI when a two-bit perp's savage assault left her dead.

For two minutes, to be precise.

When Harper comes to in the hospital, she begins to feel a bit...strange. She sees things that can only be described as weird--shapes emerging from a foggy grey mist, snarling teeth, creatures roaring.

But Harper's not crazy. Her "death" has made her a Greywalker--able to move between our world and the mysterious crossover zone where things that go bump in the night exist. And her new gift (or curse) is about to drag here into that world of vampires and ghosts, magic and witches, necromancers and sinister artifacts...

Whether she likes it or not.

"A creepy and original addition to the urban fantasy
landscape."
--TANYA HUFF, Author of Smoke and Mirrors

"Richardson's characters are multidimensional and engaging, and I enjoyed this book all the way through."
--CHARLAINE HARRIS, New York Times Bestselling Author of Definitely Dead

"Nonstop action with an intriguing premise, a great heroine, and enough paranormal complications to keep you on the edge of your seat."
--CHARLAINE HARRIS

Summer Sketches #1

2008-05-31T13:00:00.000-07:00

Now that I've got so much free time, drawing is coming along a little better. But what I'm working on is somewhat surprising: for a few years now, I've worked on a story known only as Book of Truth. Originally, it was just another outlet to have all of my friends in a story along with some of our favorite characters. However, as things have progressed, it actually has taken a much more important role and story. In the past few years, it's turned into something different, but I'm finding that it's really good.

Anyways, some of the work here is the first handful of sketches for this story since two years ago when I first drew the individual character sheets after eighth grade. They're not great, but they're all different from what I've been recently doing.

Here is some of the work I've done:

Uyr and Jadis (not the same Uyr from our series, but the original from my story, Book of Truth)

Jadis and Ranbo (in the story, Jadis and Ranbo are "trackers", individuals sent out by a higher evil power to search for the "angels"; also, this isn't the same Ranbo from my Trilogy, I just borrowed him over for the sake of the story, and I did the same for Jadis, who is a bodyguard for Gizen in the Trilogy).

Chibi Ranbo

=============================================

Gyangu Series

Another version of "Shade" (which unfortunately makes me look too boyish >.> )
Chibi "Shade" (because I was bored at my brother's Eighth Grade award ceremony)

-Kelifer

Characters...I'm Made Up of Them

2008-05-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

Splendid news: I wrote a page and half more for Book Three of my Trilogy.

YAYNESS!!!!!!!

Ahem. I feel like I might actually start writing for my book. I just hope that I can be surrounded by people this summer, despite the blasphemy in how I need to be distracted to keep from becoming distracted (it's a complicated Morganne Walker-process, meaning there's no real method or reason to it. It just is.)

Strange enough, I feel like I might want to have my grandma around just show off my writing talent. *shrugs*

However, after spending my entire afternoon chilling over at the library today (yay finals for getting out early), I found myself inspired by the good Kayla, so today, I drew a picture of one of my characters that coicidentally (not really that much of a coincidence) appears in the same prologue I'm currently writing for my third book: Ranbo (japanese for "violent" if I'm correct...). This dear man has been with me for quite some time, but just recently he has taken true shape and I've finally come to a solid, conclusive and stable position for him in my story. Before, his purpose was very ambiguous, but now, I pretty know exactly what I want to do with him *smiles*. It's awesome.

Anyways, I did a little sketchy of him, just randomly messing around while Laura, Thad, and Kayla were fooling around in their own perverted ways *laughs*

However, looking at how I've done this sketch, I've realized there are a lot of other works of characters I've done in previous times. Although many of them are more random and have no actually purpose in any of my stories, I still love them, so here they are.

Gyangu Gang Series

Jimmy Proffit - One of my absolute favorite drawings of all time!!!! I had much more fun doing this for our story than I had originally thought, so I'm so happy it came out so well.

Anyways, Jimmy is just an average boy; average life, average girlfriend, average humble style. Until one day, he's simply going for a walk when he sees a shiny object lying in some nearby grass. Curious, he picks up a strange and peculiar silver ring...and then out of nowhere, it begins to transform him...until he is suited up in strange armor with nasties trying to kill him [for apparently no reason at first]! Now, as he is trying to discover this new-found power, Jimmy will face many trials to unlock his true destiny: fighting rivals and demons, finding new friends and alies, and ultimately defeating an evil only his blade, Soul Punisher, can destroy.

Okay, technically I just pulled half of that stuff out of my ass, but honestly, that's pretty much how the story will play out. Bear with me though: it won't be super high tech, just us dressing up and acting it out as best as we can (I wish I could animate or draw a comic of it though...).

The second version of Jimmy's outfit. I didn't like it as much, but it's still cool.

Derek Cheek - An orphaned boy who's father's last gift was a pair of shoes capable of letting Derek run at unbelievable speeds (also insigned with "muffins", the poor boy's favorite treat and...sort of motto *laughs*). However, after his father's grave is vandalized and robbed of his most prized possession--a secret item only his father knew about and kept with him beyond his death--Derek goes on a vengeful search, pummeling anyone and anything that gets into his way on his journey to get back at those who robbed his father. Coincidentally, that includes Jimmy, until the two become the best of friends. His best defense is martial arts and hand-to-hand combat, not to mention kicking with his iron-clad shoes.

Somehow, I keep picturing Derek being a version of Horohoro (with his brashness), and Jimmy being more like Yoh. That's just me. *laughs*

A chibi version of myself wearing my awesome jacket and an even more awesom-er facial expression *laughs*. This is basically my character without the disguise (see below).

Morganne Kalium - This was a drawing inspired by a certain household item known as a lamp shade. I put it on and after taking a picture...I became inspired with this character. For our video Gyangu Gang series, this is going to be my character, "Shade". The story is that I hide under a disguise trying to find my "lover", Uyr Ayimemu, as I travel with my best friend, Ako (name kind of pending, but she is totally based off of A *hugs and kisses*). Anyways, later in the series Derek and Jimmy discover who I am (and what I am *laughs*), but for the time being, they only know me as "Shade". One of the funniest plots for the series is that I show up periodically throughout the story during Jimmy and Derek's mis-adventures, and almost all the time their shenanigans get me into trouble...and a lot of pain *laughs*. But always there to keep me going is Ako, forever trying to keep up with my lovestruck obsession with Uyr. When I'm finally found out, Derek of course claims he knew my "identity" all along, but of course Jimmy knows otherwise (mostly because they fight and discuss about my real identity throughout the series up until the "unveiling"). However, when I finally come face to face with them before joining, they instantly think I'm trying to "challenge" them, so they instantly try to fight me right off the bat. Seriously, I think this should be really funny (but it would be better animated, especially since A wouldn't be able to do it with us live...*cries*)

By the way, I seriously have an AWESOME jacket like that *laughs*. It's totally kick ass.

Demons and Such

Triangle Head spares no one...

I was watching Blade II when I started to draw this. *shrugs* I kind of like it.

Miscellaneous

Another random doodle. I suppose he might be a shaman, but he might suit better as a pirate, mainly because he looks like something out of One Piece. I really do like this one.

Another random sketch I finished in Chemistry last week (I think?). Anyways, also not supposed to be a shaman until I decided he could be one and I added the floating sailor spirit up there. Although I hate [with a passion] that old geezer, I love the sailor ghostie up there *laughs*. And doesn't it look like he's wielding a pen?

Todo - Just some really random character. I realize he looks a lot like Horohoro; he was kind of my inspiration one night, I guess...

I was listening to "Ready Set Go!" by Tokio Hotel. Meh.

A Little Un-Customary

2008-05-23T18:39:00.000-07:00

"Coming into Los Angeles...
Bringing in a couple of keys
Don't touch my bags, if you please!
Mr. Customs Man...A-Aaaan!"
Arlo Guthrie

Of course, I always seem to have a way with tying together my title to the rest of my stories....

Anyways, I just previously spent almost a hour downstairs in the chilly basement trying to download more music for my Ipod. The majority of the time, surprisingly was trying to find this awesome song I had heard Arlo Guthrie play at his concert (and now, it wasn't "Coming to Los Angeles", that was an easy one to find). Because I didn't know the song title, I was basically wandering around Limewired downloading whatever I could possibly find under Arlo until I finally found the song by accident. It turns out it was "St. James Infirmary", and of course, it was the exact LAST song I chose to download before giving up. So that was annoying...

Heh, I'm still listening to that song...It's so catchy.

Yeah. Well, not too long before this charade, I just happened to have blank paper and a pen handy, and I managed to draw a quick sketch while waiting for the music to download. It's actually pretty neat, but once again, I have to stress myself out to make sure this phase won't last.

I'm never going to finish my books.

Angel of Bloody Murder

No Luck? Then Have a Puppy...

2008-05-13T18:00:00.000-07:00

I was going through this big black file cabinet that my mom got me about a year ago, trying to find the original "chapter layout" for Gizen's Story. Unfortunately, I didn't find it, so I'm thinking it doesn't even exist (I swear it does, though...) However, I did find a small excerpt from when I had my first idea for the story, so that was fun.

But I also found [in the same notebook] a short intro to a tale that we had to write for in English last year; our teacher always wanted us to have "creative writing" sessions, and I think this was one of them. I remember writing it, and it's actually pretty neat. It's called Rabid Fury (which is a weird title, but pretty cool), so enjoy.

[Rabid Fury

Beast was just the kind of animal his name implied: a beast. Over a hundred pounds with sharp fangs, he terrorized anyone who came near his dog house, or even to the end of the yard. If a kid or the mailman stood close to the dying lawn, he came running out like a bolt of lightning with his teeth showing and eyes wide with rage. He was feared by all in the neighborhood. No one messed with him. However, one late October night, the night before Halloween, one boy decided it was high time someone got the chance and the courage to mess around with old Beast, once and for all.

His name was Johnny, but we called him John. He loved playing pranks on other unsuspecting people whenever he could, and the outcome always gave us a laugh. There wasn't anything John wouldn't do to be funny; put ice down someone's shirt, place tacks on the teacher's chair, or even run into the girl's bathroom screaming, "Snake!"

That's why he first thought of messing with Beast. Not only would he be the pioneer of all pranksters to fool around with the neighborhood monster, but the idea tickled him nearly to death at the thought of what he would do. We thought he was crazy; of course, "crazy" was his middle name.

He planned for weeks, but never told us one word about his scheme. The anticipation nearly tore us apart.]

That's all I wrote, but I think there would be a good story there. Maybe I'll work more on it later and post the finished pieces later. We'll see *wink*.

-Kelifer

Fan Fiction and Writer's Restriction

2008-05-12T13:32:00.000-07:00

I just spent the afternoon viewing over some fan fiction (as recommended by Claudia) for the television show South Park (a favorite of mine); Although her story is very nice, my brain just can't take all the drama D: .... However, I almost feel as though I need to start writing my own fan fiction for some reason.

In honesty, I have been thinking over this fairly great fan fiction/parody of my beloved Shaman King; the only problem is that I've yet to read Volume 11 (which in fact has Ryu on the cover!), so many characters and certain, specific plot elements would ultimately be left out, however, the general idea and conceptions (like the integrating of spirits and a shaman's "over soul") would be present (I have the whole lay out and ideas in mind, but thinking back on it, I'm worried if I want to release those just yet): Who knows? My ideas may be more original and more valuable than one might think...

Anyways, seeing the wonderful fan fiction is again prodding me to work harder in my story. So far, I've written up the outlines for Chapters 1 and 2, which hopefully I might start by this evening (however, I've just received word that I'm going on a date with my step-sister and some of her friends, so the story writing will have to be postponed for now).

So, for the time being, I won't be posting almost anything on this blog until any of my chapters can be completed; and on the other hand with my actual Trilogy, I'm debating whether or not to post anything definite until it's either published or popular with the general world, and thus you won't see anything until my name is famous. Sorry.

With that, I bid you adieu. Please be looking forward to upcoming chapters from Gizen's Story (I'm hoping to make it my goal to finish this summer, or at least by next Christmas...I guess. I'm going to work really hard on this one to give Gizen his justice, once and for all!).

-Kelifer.

[Ps: I sort of apologize for the title; I couldn't think of any better thing to put, and I have this tendency to believe that all things that rhyme are ten times more clever than some other heading I could have thought of. Once again, sorry.]

Prologue: Gizen's Story

2008-05-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

They said he was born to do great things. But only the eyes of one woman could see that he would do more than achieve greatness. He would conquer lands, triumph over anyone who challenged him, but most importanly, discover power the likes of which had never been seen before.

And of course, he would suffer.

For centuries after Ruscha's birth, the Kalium family was reknown for the glory of their male heirs. Born strong and invincible, they were the lords and aristocrats that shaped Ruscha's plains against even nature's might, and they were the rulers that held complete reign over their followers. No army could outmatch their will, no individual could outwit their cleverness. But only one man would ever amass such a great power and rule that no other contestant would dare oppose him.

Only one man would live to be Ruscha's only true king.

The news of his glorious birth had long been foretold; every first born child in the Kalium line was male, and thus the sanctifying of his name and many preperations were made -- days, months, even years -- in advance for the new prince's arrival. Garments, ceremonies of anniversaries and celebrations...even the polished gold silverware that he would clash against the table to bring himself the most royal of endless entertainment -- no expense, no treasure would be spared for the Kalium male; never for the their newborn king.

Alas, on the eve of his arrival, the night was eerily silent save for the labored breaths of an exhausted young woman. Yet as her painful wails filled the chamber, her husband's solemn stare silenced the voices of all onlookers, as if daring them to say a single word during such a pivotal ceremony. It was later to be said that as the young woman screamed into the night, a girl -- still wet behind the ears as a maid -- fainted into a heap at the sight of the labor, clearly shocked and overwhelmed.

But as one final, wretched cry of pain rented the night, a wail of new life broke the succeeding silence; the prince had been born unto the world.

Although the maids and servants stared omniously at the crying child, his father beamed with satisfactory pride at his first born son, his first heir to the name and legacy that had ruled Ruscha for centuries. He picked up the crying infant, taking him to his mother; however, as she took his body into her arms, a look of fright and sadness enveloped her face, and she shrieked so suddenly that her husband rushed to her side and inquired, "What is wrong, Sahra?"

For a moment the woman stared into her baby's sapphire eyes, and smiling, she replied shakily, "He is the most beautifully cursed child I have ever seen."

From that night, the child's birth would be the reminder of the Kalium family's power; it would mark the beginning of turmoil and rebellion within Ruscha's domain; it would bring forth the age of greatness for the true king.

It would be the age of Gizen Kalium.

The Cursed Inspiration

2008-05-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

Good news: I drew two quick sketches last night, and yet I've managed to resist the damned temptation to do anymore. I am going to be dedicated to writing from here forth.

I hope.

Actually, I am going to get pretty damn serious about my story. I've waited far too long to do anything for it, and it's going to almost literally die if I do not nourish it like my friend, A, has been doing with hers. In fact, she is one of the biggest reasons I'm motivated to write so much.

In her latest entry, she has supplied us all with a great taste of her work, and here I sit empty-blogged of anything that possibly resembles an excerpt of my book (except for the last blog, where I mention Gizen's suffering, there's a part I paraphrased....) My point is, that as she is giving us all something, I have nothing. I want to have something. And the more I see her work, I get inspired and motivated to write my own to show her that I'm still in this long hard game. It really has become difficult for me to keep up with as of late...

Anyways, I'm going to write something soon. Otherwise, I'm going to die from worthlessness, and we can't have that, now can we?

-Kelifer

He Suffers As Much As I Do

2008-05-08T16:25:00.001-07:00

Recently, as mentioned in my other blog, art is dead, and writing is as glorious as Ryu's smiling face...

*goes into a day-dreaming moment of goodness*

Ahem. As I was blogging before, I'm no longer drawing [for the time being]. I haven't really started anything for my story, but I'm hopeful that some sort of inspiration will pop up sooner or later. Actually, I've decided to work on a favorite idea of mine, a sort of "side-story" to the already overdrawn Trilogy that I've yet to complete anyways. It's known as...well, I'll spare the title (it's mine!), and what I mean by "side-story", it's rather a sequel of sorts. See, first I have the main three books of my Trilogy; so far so good. Then, I've already designed (yet not completed) a prequel for my Trilogy. And lastly, I hope to include a sort of sequel, if not an epilogue in book form. That sort of thing.

Well, kind of sequels to the story, since I plan to publish them later, the books I have in mind actually take place years previously, if not during the same time as my Trilogy. If anyone has read the Redwall series by Brian Jacques, it's sort of like that where many of his books are previous stories that lead up to the actual building of the Redwall Abbey, even though he wrote Redwall first.

And quite frankly, I miss those books D:

Anyways, this particular book I want to get started is about a very special character of mine by name of Gizen (his last name shall remain for the most part anonymous). The best reason I am so dearly fond of this character is...well, his character! He's intelligent, mature (well, he is a grown man), deep, and well-rounded as a human being and as a fine aristocrat.

Not to mention he has a beard and broodful eyes. I seem to have a fetish for such men...

But I digress. However, the best part of this character is...his emotion; his feelings, his desires...I feel like that of any character, he mimics a real person more than them all combined. He is the epitome of a man I'd like to meet, and the greatest inspiration for shaping the rest of my characters. The sadness to him, though, is that I must force him to suffer.

Yes, for the goodness and well-being of my story, I must make Gizen suffer: terribly.

And though...I think it is his sadness I'm drawn to most. A man whose lost nearly everything he loves, and is only left with madness and hatred...he makes my heart actually lunge to help him. It's not that I feel we have a mutual sense of sadness...rather, I can actually feel empathy for his existence as I would for a real human. To me, he is that real.

And thus, I feel it is my sole duty and honor to chronicle his life, his history, and most importantly, his suffering. Who else would be so kind to give him the true devotion that only his creator can provide?

Kaleidoscope Eyes

2008-05-07T14:34:00.000-07:00

Kaleidoscope versions of one of my favorite drawings.

Accomplished by a special program...that I currently don't remember the name of.

[EDIT]

For some reason, these photos won't show right off the bat, so you either need to click on them and they'll open in Internet Explorer (or whatever else you may own), or you can right-click to show the picture. If non-images still display or insue, then you're out of luck. Sorry D: