Michelle Erickson's Blog, page 6

Fan Art by Daekazu commissioned for Chest of Souls

The first picture I commissioned Daekazu to do was of Brenna and Talon in a happier time.  It was also a test - we were looking to upgrade the covers and needed to see if his style was what we had in mind.  This picture let us know he was more than capable, though it is not a book-accurate depiction of either character.  Talon is much taller, Brenna much prettier.

How it was done:  we found pictures of the clothing for both, and he interpreted the pictures of the actor's face we used for Talon and Brenna.  Some people thought Talon was portrayed by Haley Christensen (the guy that played Anaken Skywalker) but it is William Levy - we sent him two pictures (one full-size, one a face-shot) that are already on this blog and this is what he drew inspiration from.

Daekazu aims to satisfy.   I chose his style specifically for this series because he understands how to draw light - he makes things shine and that is the magical/mystical feel I needed.  There is a language barrier (he is Polish).   He writes in broken-english and we found, after the above picture was finished, that making a rough sketch of what we want/expect helps him understand better than a lot of detailed written instructions. Communication is an ongoing process, but he is worth every penny we paid him.

Here is his link on Deviantart: http://daekazu.deviantart.com/ if you would like to see more of his work.  Warning:  not all of his art is child-appropriate. 

When Daekazu did such a great job on the first picture, I made the decision to commission him for all nine of the covers.  This was the first cover - his interpretation of the sketch we sent for Book One.  In one word:  Fantastic. 

How it was done:  We sent him pictures of tigers, the face of the girl we thought best represented a very young Brenna, the nightgown, and my oldest daughter made a sketch of the basic design we were looking for (I can draw, but haven't done so for decades) and, with a few corrections, he made this eye-popping cover.

I can't express how important this was.  In spite of sage advice to not judge a book by its cover, we all do and the public LOVED this cover.  During the 5-day promo, there were over 2200 FREE Amazon downloads, thanks to his enormous talent.

We wait in great anticipation for him to finish the cover for the second book.  We already sent him the sketch and the information he needs.  Hopefully, by the end of the month, we will have it and can show it off here, with his other COS works. 

Helen Mirren as Benz, last Librarian in Sogo

Helen Mirren as Benz, last Librarian in Sogo

Nez (Minister of Religion in Sogo):  "No one uses the library anymore."
Benz:  "That would be your fault."



A younger Benz - a school teacher, intense and dedicated to teaching anyone willing to learn, including those that become members of the Council of 9 - which she eventually considered a waste of time.
The character, sister of Trykonius, another great thinker, lives in the vast Javeyan library, taking care of the ancient tomes of a much earlier time when Sogoians still cared about knowledge. 

After those in power over Sogo no longer consider public education important, she dedicates herself to researching her favorite topic:  The Five Creators.  No one living knows more than she does about what most people consider myths and she becomes the go-to person when people have questions concerning them.

She first appears in the Chest of Souls in Stone Dreams, Book 6 .  She makes an appearance again in Book 8 Storm, and in the final book of the original series, Walking in Lightning.

Currently, it is planned for Benz to have a more important role in the sequels to the original series.

Free for a Limited Time: Award winning Chest of Souls Book One

Free on Amazon for a limited time (5 days beginning 28 Nov 2012-3 Dec 2012)
Format:  E-book download Only
What device?  Using Whispernet on Amazon allows you to download to multiple devices

Now, about the cover:  the artist is Daniel Kordek, you will find him on deviantart under the name Daekazu.

The scene is the prologue of the book.  The main character is Brenna who is glowing with magnificent purpose as she returns from Father of All's Temple in the company of two special white tigers.

This book won a Readers Favorite Award in 2011 and that was without this awesome cover.

So, nothing to lose, a great read to gain.  Go to Amazon and get hooked on amazing characters in unbelievable circumstances and tell your friends so they can be part of the epic adventure known as Chest of Souls.

Fan Art: Brenna and Talon by Laura Hollingsworth

Talon and Brenna walking hand-in-hand near what I think of as a water garden.  Behind them, in the distance, I see mountains so this water garden must be somewhere in Utak, perhaps near Phoenix House.  Since Lord Jaydren, an Earth-Mac, built Phoenix House and his wife, Soline, is a Water-Mac, this water garden would have been the perfect marriage of their talents. 

Talon and Brenna are blissfully unaware that within twenty-four hours they will be worlds apart. She will be on the other side of time being trained by the Forest Wife. Talon will be a prisoner in the infamous Sogoian Barracks - courtesty of his father's great fist.



This art was rendered by the talented Laura Hollingsworth whose work can be found here:
http://lostie815.deviantart.com/#/d57ftnl

To purchase ebook versions of any of my books, including this Epic story, you can go here:
http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Erickson/e/B0040Q53J8/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Fan Art: Brenna and Talon

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Talon and Brenna walking hand-in-hand near what I think of as a water garden.  Behind them, in the distance, I see mountains so this water garden must be somewhere in Utak, perhaps near Phoenix House.  Since Lord Jaydren, an Earth-Mac, built Phoenix House and his wife, Soline, is a Water-Mac, this water garden would have been the perfect marriage of their talents. 

Talon and Brenna are blissfully unaware that within twenty-four hours they will be worlds apart. She will be on the other side of time being trained by the Forest Wife. Talon will be a prisoner in the infamous Sogoian Barracks - courtesty of his father's great fist.



This art was rendered by the talented Laura Hollingsworth whose work can be found here:
http://lostie815.deviantart.com/#/d57ftnl

To purchase ebook versions of any of my books, including this Epic story, you can go here:
http://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Erickson/e/B0040Q53J8/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Shemar Moore as Nyk Taym

The character Nyk Taym has a great smile, is a runner, and knows the art of Bosheen (a.k.a. having a third lung).  I don't think Shemar has the body of a runner, but looks the part of Nyk who is Talon's first friend.

I had never seen Criminal Minds until I was staying with my mother and she is a fan of the show.  Once I saw Shemar I wondered if he would be able to play Nyk who has a very complicated and heart-rendering part to play in Chest of Souls.

All of Talon's men have the rocking bodies - they have to in order to survive the game known as Cubes and that's after seven brutal years in the Barracks of Sogo.

Yes, Shemar has the body but did he have the heart to play Nyk?  I've seen too many beefcake-bods have nothing to give as an actor (need I say Stallone?) 
In Criminal Minds, Shemar does the male-testosterone thing when he gets torqued and that quality is critical, but when playing Nyk, he would also have to show depth of character.  Few actors that look this good seem to be able to do it very well. 
I watched an episode where his character in Criminal Minds has to confess that he was the victim of a heinous crime in his childhood. That's when I knew that he not only looked the part, he could play the part.
 

William Levy as Talon

My Epic Fantasy, Chest of Souls, has been described as 'Lord of the Rings meets Hunger Games'.  Perhaps it's because my main male-character, Talon, has such a harsh life growing up.  As the series progresses, the cast of main male characters grow from pre-teens to the gladiator-like heroes destined to take part in a nightmare.    
I would like unknowns to play the parts because then the audience won't have a pre-determined idea about performance. I try to find pictures of people that are 'acceptable' physical substitutes - chosen for the sole purpose of giving people the idea of what I imagine them to look like.  William has a nice body and the men that surround Talon, his friends and fellow-prisoners, will have nice bodies - a forced situation thrust upon them because of who they must become.


The picture of William in the water is how I picture Talon at the end of the third book, Aftermath, and into the fourth book, Sacrifice of Souls.  At the time, he is only 16.  Here's the reason it will work:  Talon is seven and a half feet tall before he quits growing.  Most characters mistake Talon for someone older because he is so tall and strong.  Talon carries a big load on those broad shoulders and by the beginning of Sacrifice of Souls (SOS) the load gets bigger, a lot bigger.   

       

Chest of Souls Fan Art by StravenLite

Haddy - the sister we love to hate Loni, the sister we love
Mari, Hi-Sha of Eyes, and the sister completely devoted to protecting her daughter, no matter who pays the price.

Chest of Souls Fan Art

Haddy - the sister we love to hate Loni, the sister we love
Mari, Hi-Sha of Eyes, and the sister completely devoted to protecting her daughter, no matter who pays the price.

Write up in the paper about Pic Jump