Hugo Negron's Blog, page 4
August 11, 2022
Barnes and Noble book signing for Forging of a Knight!
I can't wait! Coming back to Barnes and Noble at their new Algonquin location (that's Algonquin Commons, 1802 S. Randall in Algonquin, IL) from their previous West Dundee digs. Saturday 9/24/22 at 1:00pm. Stop by to visit, say hi, share some fantasy talk, purchase a signed copy or 10 (I'm not greedy!) from the Forging of a Knight book series, and grab some fun freebies to those that purchase a copy as well! Verily, it cannot be missed!
https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/eve...
https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/eve...
April 26, 2022
Interview with cartoonist/artist Ryan Francis!
As I have mentioned in the past, gaming/fantasy/sci-fi conventions are amazing things - not just for the fantastic cosplayers, the thrilling games, and all the wonderfully creative fans and attendees that you can commiserate, kibitz, and otherwise converse, babble, and banter with, but also for that shared love and passion over the game, comic, movie, cartoon, book or (insert interest here) of your choice.
I always try to pull in a fellow creative table boother to interview/showcase here, and I struck gold again at the recent College of DuPage’s CodCon gaming convention with cartoonist and artist Ryan “Mastafran” Francis!
Hi Ryan - thanks again for taking the time to be interviewed! Let’s begin with telling us a little bit more about who Ryan Francis is.
When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
RF: When I was in grade school, the biggest thing that convinced me that I can make my own comics is reading the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey. The Captain Underpants books introduced me to the idea of creating your own comics and animation yourself! His Flip-O-Rama Sequences are the start of my interest in animation!
How did you develop the ideas for your stories?
RF: Many of my ideas began with me drawing a cool character. Others start as one big gag or point that I want to talk about. The rest of the writing is figuring out how to build up to that gag or explain the point I’m trying to make.
Which projects were the most fun to develop? Which were the most challenging?
RF: The Pizza Man is my most challenging project. I needed to write and draw a set of panels in a certain theme every day in June. The comic was an Art Streak challenge called Journey June (https://www.journeyjune.com/).
What are your plans long-term for your writing? Do you have additional/different works in mind?
RF: I want to make a universe of my characters in as many mediums and works as I can learn. Currently, I’m working on a video game and that’s a new challenge art and storywise. If it’s successful, it can spin off to more games or other media. Even if it’s not, I can still go back to comics.
As an author, I share the challenge of getting the word out on my books. What have you had to do to win broader exposure and branding for your works?
RF: I spent ten years after college not doing much with my art. I was waiting for affirmation by some publisher or editor to tell me I’m a “real artist.” Going out to conventions, selling or not, helps to get your name and face out to people. I also recommend going to events tangential to your creative work. Events like art festivals, local galleries, college events, town community events, and more! It’s good to see the local things around your neighborhood as a resident!
This question will start off sounding like an old joke – a person walks into a bar (or convention or bookstore) and bumps into Ryan Francis – what would be your elevator pitch to showcase your work?
RF: “Hi Ryan, I’m [Your Name here]!I love/follow your work on [Cool project Ryan worked on or is working on] I’m a [Your career here] and I was wondering if you want to see my artwork and talk if that’s okay with you!” You can replace my name with any other artist you admire, and I guarantee you’ll get a response! Do remember to listen to their answers with intent, and you can’t go wrong with talking to artists in general!
As an author, it’s sometimes difficult to finally say a product is finished, no matter how many times you review or edit. Is there anything you would go back and change in your completed works? Where there ideas you had in mind and then decided NOT to include?
RF: Shirley’s Day comes to mind as a comic that I realize I can shorten. At first, the story was nine pages and I reduce it to seven pages. I didn’t need to make a comic panel for every movement like an animation storyboard. But the story is still too drawn out for a simple gag, and the middle doesn’t add enough to make things interesting.
I have a 9 year old son, and structuring time around him can be challenging! I’ve lost count of the times he nearly pressed the delete button on something I was working on…how do you find time to carve out your ideas?
RF: I have a SketchWallet (https://www.sketchwallet.com/) that I use to doodle art ideas. I also use the blank pages to jot down notes for writing and general note-taking. I don't need to have lined paper to write if I'm typing it in the future. Likewise, I also use Google Docs on my phone to write in my drafts, which can save and sync to my desktop to continue.
Do you have a certain method you use when you write – i.e., a certain room, music, mood, etc., to help get you in the right writing frame of mind?
RF: My local library has been a great space for me to work on things more than being at home for me. Since I’m in a public quiet space, I'm accountable to be working and not messing around. With all the books around, I can take a break and browse books that might be interesting to check out or flip through.
What are you reading right now?
RF: Currently, I’m reading Tuki by Jeff Smith! I’ve followed Jeff Smith since Bone and I enjoyed RASL as well, so I’m excited to see what he’s working on next!
Where can people go to find out more about Ryan Francis?
RF: You can find me on my website, mastafran.com or follow me on Twitter and Instagram at mastafran!
Thanks Ryan, for sharing some of your time!
I always try to pull in a fellow creative table boother to interview/showcase here, and I struck gold again at the recent College of DuPage’s CodCon gaming convention with cartoonist and artist Ryan “Mastafran” Francis!
Hi Ryan - thanks again for taking the time to be interviewed! Let’s begin with telling us a little bit more about who Ryan Francis is.
When did you know that you wanted to be a writer?
RF: When I was in grade school, the biggest thing that convinced me that I can make my own comics is reading the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey. The Captain Underpants books introduced me to the idea of creating your own comics and animation yourself! His Flip-O-Rama Sequences are the start of my interest in animation!
How did you develop the ideas for your stories?
RF: Many of my ideas began with me drawing a cool character. Others start as one big gag or point that I want to talk about. The rest of the writing is figuring out how to build up to that gag or explain the point I’m trying to make.
Which projects were the most fun to develop? Which were the most challenging?
RF: The Pizza Man is my most challenging project. I needed to write and draw a set of panels in a certain theme every day in June. The comic was an Art Streak challenge called Journey June (https://www.journeyjune.com/).
What are your plans long-term for your writing? Do you have additional/different works in mind?
RF: I want to make a universe of my characters in as many mediums and works as I can learn. Currently, I’m working on a video game and that’s a new challenge art and storywise. If it’s successful, it can spin off to more games or other media. Even if it’s not, I can still go back to comics.
As an author, I share the challenge of getting the word out on my books. What have you had to do to win broader exposure and branding for your works?
RF: I spent ten years after college not doing much with my art. I was waiting for affirmation by some publisher or editor to tell me I’m a “real artist.” Going out to conventions, selling or not, helps to get your name and face out to people. I also recommend going to events tangential to your creative work. Events like art festivals, local galleries, college events, town community events, and more! It’s good to see the local things around your neighborhood as a resident!
This question will start off sounding like an old joke – a person walks into a bar (or convention or bookstore) and bumps into Ryan Francis – what would be your elevator pitch to showcase your work?
RF: “Hi Ryan, I’m [Your Name here]!I love/follow your work on [Cool project Ryan worked on or is working on] I’m a [Your career here] and I was wondering if you want to see my artwork and talk if that’s okay with you!” You can replace my name with any other artist you admire, and I guarantee you’ll get a response! Do remember to listen to their answers with intent, and you can’t go wrong with talking to artists in general!
As an author, it’s sometimes difficult to finally say a product is finished, no matter how many times you review or edit. Is there anything you would go back and change in your completed works? Where there ideas you had in mind and then decided NOT to include?
RF: Shirley’s Day comes to mind as a comic that I realize I can shorten. At first, the story was nine pages and I reduce it to seven pages. I didn’t need to make a comic panel for every movement like an animation storyboard. But the story is still too drawn out for a simple gag, and the middle doesn’t add enough to make things interesting.
I have a 9 year old son, and structuring time around him can be challenging! I’ve lost count of the times he nearly pressed the delete button on something I was working on…how do you find time to carve out your ideas?
RF: I have a SketchWallet (https://www.sketchwallet.com/) that I use to doodle art ideas. I also use the blank pages to jot down notes for writing and general note-taking. I don't need to have lined paper to write if I'm typing it in the future. Likewise, I also use Google Docs on my phone to write in my drafts, which can save and sync to my desktop to continue.
Do you have a certain method you use when you write – i.e., a certain room, music, mood, etc., to help get you in the right writing frame of mind?
RF: My local library has been a great space for me to work on things more than being at home for me. Since I’m in a public quiet space, I'm accountable to be working and not messing around. With all the books around, I can take a break and browse books that might be interesting to check out or flip through.
What are you reading right now?
RF: Currently, I’m reading Tuki by Jeff Smith! I’ve followed Jeff Smith since Bone and I enjoyed RASL as well, so I’m excited to see what he’s working on next!
Where can people go to find out more about Ryan Francis?
RF: You can find me on my website, mastafran.com or follow me on Twitter and Instagram at mastafran!
Thanks Ryan, for sharing some of your time!
April 11, 2022
CodCon - what a rush!
CodCon XXV has dropped the mike for another year...
After a two-year Covid hiatus, College of DuPage's CodCon completed today, and it's always sad to say goodbye (until next year 4/14-4/16 2023, that is!!). Amazing vendors, amazing College of DuPage volunteers, and of course, the amazing head mage/honcho himself of CodCon, Dr. James Allen.
Role playing games, maid cafe and masquerade, a LARP gauntlet, appearances by the awesome 501st Legion as well as Dan the Bard, video games, and more - despite the delay, CodCon was an absolute success!
Check out some fun pics from the event over at my Forging of a Knight website:
https://www.forgingofaknight.com/blog
After a two-year Covid hiatus, College of DuPage's CodCon completed today, and it's always sad to say goodbye (until next year 4/14-4/16 2023, that is!!). Amazing vendors, amazing College of DuPage volunteers, and of course, the amazing head mage/honcho himself of CodCon, Dr. James Allen.
Role playing games, maid cafe and masquerade, a LARP gauntlet, appearances by the awesome 501st Legion as well as Dan the Bard, video games, and more - despite the delay, CodCon was an absolute success!
Check out some fun pics from the event over at my Forging of a Knight website:
https://www.forgingofaknight.com/blog
March 22, 2022
Forging of a Knight on NetGalley!
Forging of a Knight Book Five, Knighthood's End, is on NetGalley!
NetGalley is an awesome platform for influential readers to discover and comment on books!
If you are a member and love fantasy, may I humbly recommend you take a gander - you won't be disappointed (and Urgsh will thank you to boot!)!
https://www.netgalley.com/widget/4018...
NetGalley is an awesome platform for influential readers to discover and comment on books!
If you are a member and love fantasy, may I humbly recommend you take a gander - you won't be disappointed (and Urgsh will thank you to boot!)!
https://www.netgalley.com/widget/4018...
March 10, 2022
CODCON is Back!
The "Fish" returns - College of DuPage's CodCon XXV: "Re- Roll", Glen Ellyn, IL April 8-10, 2022!
Cosplay, gaming, video games, artists, authors .... by Urgsh, did I say, "authors"?! Yep - I'll be there as well!
Come join the fun (and stop by the Forging of a Knight booth to say hi!)!
https://www.codcon.com/?fbclid=IwAR0M...
Cosplay, gaming, video games, artists, authors .... by Urgsh, did I say, "authors"?! Yep - I'll be there as well!
Come join the fun (and stop by the Forging of a Knight booth to say hi!)!
https://www.codcon.com/?fbclid=IwAR0M...
January 18, 2022
PeoriaCon is back and better than ever!
PeoriaCon returns - and this time it's been expanded to two days!
Saturday, March 5th-Sunday March 6th, 2022 at the Expo Gardens, 1601 W Northmoor Road, Peoria IL! Forging of a Knight will be there - will you?! https://www.peoriacon.com
Saturday, March 5th-Sunday March 6th, 2022 at the Expo Gardens, 1601 W Northmoor Road, Peoria IL! Forging of a Knight will be there - will you?! https://www.peoriacon.com
December 17, 2021
MANY MANY THANKS - AND GOODIES TO SHARE!!
Here we are again! Merry Yuletide to all knights and their families (and even to some of you orcnes) out there!
This is a time for giving thanks, and for extending love and blessings, especially with the continuing plague of Covid that surrounds us. I am always humbled by the interest of readers new and old, and I must extend a huge virtual THANK YOU as Forging of a Knight had yet another banner year, outpacing last year's efforts, and setting the stage for an amazing 2022!
So how else for me to say thank you for your support than to celebrate with some fun goodies? Now, old Santa would probably require some cookies and milk for his efforts (we won't delve into what Krampus would appreciate), but for me, I'm craving something different.
Go to https://forgingofaknight.com/ click on the Blog page, and see what I've got in store for you!
This is a time for giving thanks, and for extending love and blessings, especially with the continuing plague of Covid that surrounds us. I am always humbled by the interest of readers new and old, and I must extend a huge virtual THANK YOU as Forging of a Knight had yet another banner year, outpacing last year's efforts, and setting the stage for an amazing 2022!
So how else for me to say thank you for your support than to celebrate with some fun goodies? Now, old Santa would probably require some cookies and milk for his efforts (we won't delve into what Krampus would appreciate), but for me, I'm craving something different.
Go to https://forgingofaknight.com/ click on the Blog page, and see what I've got in store for you!
December 8, 2021
Holiday Fun coming up!
Thanks to all the knights following Forging of a Knight! Look for some fun freebies and cool contests coming up soon, by Urgsh!
October 3, 2021
10/23 Author Fair at the Schaumburg Library!
Check out pics from PeoriaCon on my https://forgingofaknight.com page, and get ready for the LOCAL AUTHOR FAIR 10/23 at the Schaumburg Central Library!!
Central Library
130 South Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
Saturday, Oct. 23 • 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Central Library
Teens, Kids, All Ages, Adults
Masks must be worn at all times during this in-person exhibit.
Stop in to meet local authors specializing in Children's, Teen, and Adult Fiction and Nonfiction! Purchase signed copies and find out what it takes to be a published author.
Forging of a Knight will be there - stop by for a boo-tiful time!!
https://www.schaumburglibrary.org/
Central Library
130 South Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
Saturday, Oct. 23 • 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Central Library
Teens, Kids, All Ages, Adults
Masks must be worn at all times during this in-person exhibit.
Stop in to meet local authors specializing in Children's, Teen, and Adult Fiction and Nonfiction! Purchase signed copies and find out what it takes to be a published author.
Forging of a Knight will be there - stop by for a boo-tiful time!!
https://www.schaumburglibrary.org/
September 30, 2021
Peoria Con this Saturday!
Dont miss it!!
https://peoriacon.com
Gaming, cosplay, art, and more! Come check out the awesome event...and stop by my booth to say hello!!
https://peoriacon.com
Gaming, cosplay, art, and more! Come check out the awesome event...and stop by my booth to say hello!!
