Sam Dogra's Blog, page 3
February 7, 2021
The 14 Days of Blessing Day 7: Meet the Characters- Melissa
The prizes up for grabs include:
A free ebook of The Binding (one to give away each day), the first book
A free paperback of Binding (one to give away)- international shipping available
One of seven original art prints (seven to give away, choice of any major character, the fox Nahbet or
the dove Rusephine)
You can choose one of the above character cards, or one of the two prints below- these will not be watermarked
A free ebook of The Parting (five to give away)
And, if you participate in at least 10 of the 14 days, you could win one of five ebook box sets of The Binding, the Parting and the Blessing!
Sounds great, right? But what do you have to do to be eligible? All you need to do is:
-make sure you like my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/maddoctorartist/)
-follow me on twitter @maddoctorartist (https://twitter.com/MadDoctorArtist)
-share my Facebook page
-leave a gold 💛 and purple 💜 heart emoji comment on each daily post (either here on the blog itself or the facebook post)
And that's it! Winners will be picked by random number generation and must be contactable via email. Each daily winner will get a free ebook of The Binding, plus one of whichever of the other prizes above catch your fancy (except for the box-set).
Please share with anyone who loves reading young adult fantasy fiction, and best of luck!
So, without further ado...
Meet the Characters- Melissa
Melissa is a secondary character in the third book of the Goddess Saga, The Blessing. Rather than list her likes and dislikes, however, I thought it would be more interesting to interview her, so enjoy!
What position does your character sleep in?
Melissa: Any. In bed, on my desk, curled up in the corner of the library...I've no real preference.
Does your character have any noteworthy features? Freckles? Dimples? A scar somewhere unusual? etc.
Melissa: I have a mole on my left hand. No scars.
Does your character have an accent? What does it sound like?
Melissa: An ACCENT? How dare you! I speak proper Azarian.
Do they have any verbal tics? Do they have trouble pronouncing certain words or getting their thoughts across clearly?
Melissa: I study ancient history, I can pronounce anything. And everyone knows what I'm thinking. I tend to think aloud a lot.
What are their chief tension areas?
Melissa: My left wrist, usually because I'm writing a lot of essays. If someone could invent something that would record my speech that would be the best thing ever.
How does your character perceive themselves? Positive? Negative? Neutral?
Melissa: I'm pretty positive! I think? Am I? Oh no...
Are they a quick thinker or do they need time to sort through their thoughts?
Melissa: Lightning fast! So fast usually my mouth can't keep up.
Describe a dream they’ve had or a night they couldn’t sleep and what they did to preoccupy their time.
Melissa: I dream plenty! Usually of me being the dashing heroine in some amazing adventure, discovering ancient relics and outsmarting traps and those who'd try to get there before me. Except of course I'm really not that adventurous in real life.
If they had a choice, would they prefer a subway or a bus for public transportation?
Melissa: The Begaran steam tram is a bit overrated. The engineers need to work on it.
What do they think of creation? Do they believe in evolution or do they believe in God? What is their religion like?
Melissa: Well I don't believe that the Goddess was responsible for creation. I reckon she came later, based off the deeds of a real person. I mean you just have to read the legends to see. She doesn't have that archetypal presence like older deities did, like the Celestial Creatures for example, and there are certain details about her that are just too specific. Of course many argue the opposite, that these are personal touches added by artists and poets over time, but it seems pretty consistent for that, as these things have been present for at least 800 years, possibly longer. She's also way too humanized in our lore. I wish we hadn't lost so much from the Age of Darkness's flood, then we might've been able to find out who she really was...*ramble*
Describe 5 unusual characteristics your character has.
Melissa: I study ancient history, which has tended to be male dominated, but this does thankfully seem to be changing. I can speak and read Esturian fluently, even though I have no ties to Esturia through my family or otherwise. My reading speed is very good, I can get through about twelve books a day on a good day. I've never learnt to sew. And I'm one of the few who can eat entire baskets of jerbaberries without getting sick.
Have they ever been so overwhelmed they had to stop and take a break from something?
Melissa: Nah, I get distracted not overwhelmed. There's just so much to learn!
Are they a team player or do they prefer to be solo?
Melissa: Depends what the project is. I was on a team working on researching the Holy Runes, but my work got...misused, so I'll be more wary in future.
Can they multi-task or must they focus on one subject at a time?
Melissa: Multitask! I get so bored, I usually have five or six things going on at once. Right now I have two academic papers on the go and I also help tutor the first years in Ancient History at Begara.
What are their best school subjects? What are their worst? List five of each.
Melissa: I'm great at history (duh), languages, and geography. I wouldn't say I was 'bad', but I don't have a lot of interest for the arts, mathematics or philosophy. I prefer practical subjects.
Is your character an introvert or an extrovert? How do they handle big crowds of people?
Melissa: I'd say extrovert. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and I do like large gatherings.
Are they a leader, do they prefer to follow, or would they rather just stay on the sidelines altogether?
Melissa: I lead! I'm going to replace Lord Balthanders as the best ancient history buff in Azaria, I just know it!
If your character was suddenly challenged, would they rather run away or stay and fight?
Melissa: Run. Run very very fast. I hate violence.
If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would that person be and why?
Melissa: Ew, no! No one deserves that.
Your character has been granted 3 wishes; what would they wish for and why?
Melissa: Oooh...well I've love to go back in time and see what Azaria was like before the Age of Darkness! I'd also want a way to write down our entire world history, and for this to kept immaculate so anyone could learn anything from any time period. Knowledge should be free to everyone!
Does your character trust people right off the bat or does it take them some time to warm up to someone?
Melissa: I can be a bit too trusting at times. Has gotten me in trouble before.
Do they prefer romance or affection? What is the quickest way to your character’s heart?
Melissa: Is there a difference? I like anyone who shows me how much they care, and I'd do the same.
Does your character have any enemies? If so, who and why?
Melissa: Uh...well those annoying Vanguard don't like me. I have no idea why. And there was Lord Voxwood's son who I studied with for a time, he didn't like me one bit.
Do they have any weird bedroom habits? Any unusual kinks?
Melissa: ...what's this mean?
Ryan: Um...well...*embarrassed laugh*
How does your character prepare for bed? Do they sleep at all or can they stay awake for days on end without trouble?
Melissa: I have a normal sleep routine? I lie on the bed and that's it. In fact it doesn't have to be a bed. I've often fallen asleep in the library.
If your character had one thing to say to their parents before they died, what would it be?
Melissa: My parents are already...well, as good as...can I skip this one?
Are they afraid of death? Do they have any regrets?
Melissa: Yes. Terrified. My one regret is that my parents can't ever see how I'm doing now, and for what I did to my brother.
Does your character get restless when things are too quiet or do they favour solitude and silence? Why?
Melissa: I can get restless, yes. There's always so much to think about in new ways. I like to keep busy.
Finally; if your character was forced to eat one thing for the rest of their life, what would they choose and why?
Melissa: Jerbaberries. They're sooo addictive.
Click here to purchase from Amazon
Click here to purchase from Smashwords
February 6, 2021
The 14 Days of Blessing Day 6: Meet the Characters- Navinka
The prizes up for grabs include:
A free ebook of The Binding (one to give away each day), the first book
A free paperback of Binding (one to give away)- international shipping available
One of seven original art prints (seven to give away, choice of any major character, the fox Nahbet or
the dove Rusephine)
You can choose one of the above character cards, or one of the two prints below- these will not be watermarked
A free ebook of The Parting (five to give away)
And, if you participate in at least 10 of the 14 days, you could win one of five ebook box sets of The Binding, the Parting and the Blessing!
Sounds great, right? But what do you have to do to be eligible? All you need to do is:
-make sure you like my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/maddoctorartist/)
-follow me on twitter @maddoctorartist (https://twitter.com/MadDoctorArtist)
-share my Facebook page
-leave a gold 💛 and purple 💜 heart emoji comment on each daily post (either here on the blog itself or the facebook post)
And that's it! Winners will be picked by random number generation and must be contactable via email. Each daily winner will get a free ebook of The Binding, plus one of whichever of the other prizes above catch your fancy (except for the box-set).
Please share with anyone who loves reading young adult fantasy fiction, and best of luck!
So, without further ado...
Meet the Characters- Navinka
Navinka is another secondary character of the Goddess Saga. Rather than list her likes and dislikes, however, I thought it would be more interesting to interview her, so enjoy!
What position does your character sleep in?
Navinka: Back mostly. Even in sleep there are certain decorum one must follow.
Does your character have any noteworthy features? Freckles? Dimples? A scar somewhere unusual? etc.
Navinka: I have a mole on my cheek, but otherwise no major distinguishing physical features. I am true to my Southern heritage.
Does your character have an accent? What does it sound like?
Navinka: I can speak with many different accents when required, but I have none otherwise.
Do they have any verbal tics? Do they have trouble pronouncing certain words or getting their thoughts across clearly?
Navinka: I have no problems, although I can make it seem like I have if the situation calls for it.
What are their chief tension areas?
Navinka: Usually my forehead.
How does your character perceive themselves? Positive? Negative? Neutral?
Navinka: I do not degrade myself nor raise myself on a pedestal, so neutral.
Are they a quick thinker or do they need time to sort through their thoughts?
Navinka: I have been told I am incredibly sharp.
Does your character dream or are their nights filled with an empty blackness?
Navinka: I have no issue with sleep, and I do not recall dreams.
If they had a choice, would they prefer a subway or a bus for public transportation?
Navinka: Neither, I would have my own private means of transport.
What do they think of creation? Do they believe in evolution or do they believe in God? What is their religion like?
Navinka: I am not especially religious but I follow the Svendmar traditions as I must, such as completing the Holy Road pilgrimage.
Describe 5 unusual characteristics your character has.
Navinka: I have quite an ear for music and can play several instruments, including the pipe organ in Dragonvale Cathedral. I am the youngest of my family who contributes to the King's Court. I am not fond of seafood, which makes me something of a black sheep in the Svendmar clan. I sleep much better with my hair braided rather than unbraided. And I have a certain soft spot for dogs.
Have they ever been so overwhelmed they had to stop and take a break from something?
Navinka: Nothing has fazed me to that point so far.
Are they a team player or do they prefer to be solo?
Navinka: I feel being able to work independently is very important. It is not good to be overly reliant on others who may let you down when the time calls for it.
Can they multi-task or must they focus on one subject at a time?
Navinka: I can take on many tasks at once. Again, necessary for one of my status.
What are their best school subjects? What are their worst? List five of each.
Navinka: My strongest subjects were Philosophy, Economics, Music, Literature and Astronomy. My weakest were the Natural Sciences, History (outside of my own family's impact), and the other Arts such as Drama, although that was more to do with the incompetence of my teacher who denied my talents and constantly belittled me.
Is your character an introvert or an extrovert? How do they handle big crowds of people?
Navinka: I would fall under introvert by your definition, but I am at ease in any situation.
Are they a leader, do they prefer to follow, or would they rather just stay on the sidelines altogether?
Navinka: I have headed several affairs for my family and have close ties with the King's court, so that should answer that.
If your character was suddenly challenged, would they rather run away or stay and fight?
Navinka: I would weigh my advantages and decide according to my likelihood of success.
If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would that person be and why?
Navinka: It would be rather unbecoming of me to say.
Your character has been granted 3 wishes; what would they wish for and why?
Navinka: I would wish for peace and stability throughout the kingdom, for ways of protecting this that do not have to resort to violence, and for the health and happiness of my family.
Does your character trust people right off the bat or does it take them some time to warm up to someone?
Navinka: I do not trust anyone at face value. You cannot as one of my status.
Do they prefer romance or affection? What is the quickest way to your character’s heart?
Navinka: I feel affection is more genuine. Competence goes a long way to attracting my attention.
Does your character have any enemies? If so, who and why?
Navinka: Many, many enemies. As heir to a noble House it is only natural.
Do they have any weird bedroom habits? Any unusual kinks?
Navinka: There is a reason I have rope hooks on the four corners of my bed.
How does your character prepare for bed? Do they sleep at all or can they stay awake for days on end without trouble?
Navinka: Nothing special. I have a routine for cleansing my face, and on occassion I do wear a facial mask, too.
If your character had one thing to say to their parents before they died, what would it be?
Navinka: That I am proud to be their daughter and will carry on their legacy as best I can.
Are they afraid of death? Do they have any regrets?
Navinka: Considering my lineage I have been trained not to fear anything, even death. Regrets? None worth mentioning.
Does your character get restless when things are too quiet or do they favour solitude and silence? Why?
Navinka: Many under-appreciate the benefits of stillness and quiet. I am not one of them.
Finally; if your character was forced to eat one thing for the rest of their life, what would they choose and why?
Navinka: I do rather like roast wild boar with all the trimmings.
Click here to purchase from Amazon
Click here to purchase from Smashwords
February 5, 2021
The 14 Days of Blessing Day 5: Meet the Characters- Adam
Welcome to day 5 of the 14 days of Blessing! What's this, you ask? Well, for two weeks I will be running daily blog posts introducing you to the world of Azaria- the characters, the setting, the locations, and more, in the run up to the release of the third book in the series, The Blessing! And for each day you participate, you can win a prize!
The prizes up for grabs include:
A free ebook of The Binding (one to give away each day), the first book
A free paperback of The Binding (one to give away)- international shipping available
One of seven original art prints (seven to give away, choice of any major character, the fox Nahbet or
the dove Rusephine)
You can choose one of the above character cards, or one of the two prints below- these will not be watermarked
A free ebook of The Parting (five to give away)
And, if you participate in at least 10 of the 14 days, you could win one of five ebook box sets of The Binding, the Parting and the Blessing!
Sounds great, right? But what do you have to do to be eligible? All you need to do is:
-make sure you like my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/maddoctorartist/)
-follow me on twitter @maddoctorartist (https://twitter.com/MadDoctorArtist)
-share my Facebook page
-leave a gold 💛 and purple 💜 heart emoji comment on each daily post (either here on the blog itself or the facebook post)
And that's it! Winners will be picked by random number generation and must be contactable via email. Each daily winner will get a free ebook of The Binding, plus one of whichever of the other prizes above catch your fancy (except for the box-set).
Please share with anyone who loves reading young adult fantasy fiction, and best of luck!
So, without further ado...
Meet the Characters- Adam
Adam is a prominent secondary character in the Goddess Saga, Eliza's childhood best friend. Rather than list his likes and dislikes, however, I thought it would be more interesting to interview him, so enjoy!
What position does your character sleep in?
Adam: Back mostly. Those garrison bunks aren't very comfortable.
Does your character have any noteworthy features? Freckles? Dimples? A scar somewhere unusual? etc.
Adam: Few scars here and there from various childhood accidents. I've also got a mole on my chest.
Does your character have an accent? What does it sound like?
Adam: I'm pretty Northern, but I can also speak Esturian so I have a bit of that accent as well.
Do they have any verbal tics? Do they have trouble pronouncing certain words or getting their thoughts across clearly?
Adam: I don't think so. I find it hard to read really academic stuff though.
What are their chief tension areas?
Adam: My shoulders, probably because I do a lot of weapons training. My right one especially as that's my sword arm.
How does your character perceive themselves? Positive? Negative? Neutral?
Adam: I'm pretty positive! I mean I'm doing the job I love, I'm in pretty good health, there's no war or conflict going on. I don't have much to not be thankful about.
Are they a quick thinker or do they need time to sort through their thoughts?
Adam: I'm a pretty quick thinker. I can usually wind Eliza up within a few minutes.
Describe a dream they’ve had or a night they couldn’t sleep and what they did to preoccupy their time.
Adam: Never been one to dream, really. If I do I never remember. I like my sleep so no, never had any restless nights.
If they had a choice, would they prefer a subway or a bus for public transportation?
Adam: Don't have those here, but the idea of a train sounds nice. I liked the tram in Begara.
What do they think of creation? Do they believe in evolution or do they believe in God? What is their religion like?
Adam: My grandmother was quite religious, and tried to instill it in everyone, but since she passed away we've become quite relaxed about it. I'd like to believe the Goddess though watches out for us and I do take some comfort in that when things get too heavy.
Describe 5 unusual characteristics your character has.
Adam: Hmm...well, as I said, I can speak Esturian, which is a dying language. I'm actually ambidextrous with most weapons, though I do prefer my right hand for a sword. I've got heterochromia, too, which runs in my family. I can't read music, but I can remember a tune and replay it if I've heard it enough times. And I do pray to the Goddess every night before I go to sleep.
Have they ever been so overwhelmed they had to stop and take a break from something?
Adam: That one time when I was with Eliza and we saw that Binding ceremony. It just...really got to me.
Are they a team player or do they prefer to be solo?
Adam: I like being in a team, more fun!
Can they multi-task or must they focus on one subject at a time?
Adam: I tend to do things one at a time, otherwise I just get lost.
What are their best school subjects? What are their worst? List five of each.
Adam: Oh, um...well I was good at Geography, that was about it. That was why I preferred a career in the Guardsmen. I'm more practical than theoretical.
Is your character an introvert or an extrovert? How do they handle big crowds of people?
Adam: Extrovert. I enjoy big gatherings and meeting people. I especially loved the Midsummer Festival last year.
Are they a leader, do they prefer to follow, or would they rather just stay on the sidelines altogether?
Adam: I hope to become a Captain someday so I'm trying to emulate the leaders I respect the most.
If your character was suddenly challenged, would they rather run away or stay and fight?
Adam: Fight. It's not my nature to run away. However I'm not one for losing battles either, so I'll run if I have to.
If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would that person be and why?
Adam: For a time it was the person Eliza got Bound to, I was so angry. But when I met and got to know Ryan better, I realised he wasn't so bad. Took me a while to admit it, though.
Your character has been granted 3 wishes; what would they wish for and why?
Adam: Ooh, well...I'd wish to always have the best food to eat, to always have a roof over my head and that my friends and those I love are always happy.
Does your character trust people right off the bat or does it take them some time to warm up to someone?
Adam: I think I'm a pretty decent judge of character, so I trust when I feel I can.
Ryan: ...really...
Adam: Okay apart from you.
Do they prefer romance or affection? What is the quickest way to your character’s heart?
Adam: I enjoy romance- sometimes it's nice to be made to feel special with grand gestures!
Does your character have any enemies? If so, who and why?
Adam: Not personal enemies, but as a Guardsman I'll have plenty who hate me for my role.
Do they have any weird bedroom habits? Any unusual kinks?
Adam: The bigger the bed, the better.
How does your character prepare for bed? Do they sleep at all or can they stay awake for days on end without trouble?
Adam: Not much. Usually just a quick wash, a prayer to the Goddess and that's it. I need my beauty sleep so don't make me stay up too long.
If your character had one thing to say to their parents before they died, what would it be?
Adam: That I thank them for everything they did for me and that they rest in peace.
Are they afraid of death? Do they have any regrets?
Adam: I wouldn't say I'm afraid of death, I've seen enough of it, but I'd rather not go before my time. My only regrets are not telling Eliza how I felt until it was too late.
Does your character get restless when things are too quiet or do they favour solitude and silence? Why?
Adam: I do get restless when it's too quiet. I like to keep busy. I get bored easily.
Finally; if your character was forced to eat one thing for the rest of their life, what would they choose and why?
Adam: Goddess you're cruel...uh...everything?
Click here to purchase from Amazon
Click here to purchase from Smashwords
February 4, 2021
The 14 Days of Blessing Day 4: Meet the Characters- Ryan
The prizes up for grabs include:
A free ebook of The Binding (one to give away each day), the first book
A free paperback of The Binding (one to give away)- international shipping available
One of seven original art prints (seven to give away, choice of any major character, the fox Nahbet or
the dove Rusephine)
You can choose one of the above character cards, or one of the two prints below- these will not be watermarked
A free ebook of The Parting (five to give away)
And, if you participate in at least 10 of the 14 days, you could win one of five ebook box sets of The Binding, the Parting and the Blessing!
Sounds great, right? But what do you have to do to be eligible? All you need to do is:
-make sure you like my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/maddoctorartist/)
-follow me on twitter @maddoctorartist (https://twitter.com/MadDoctorArtist)
-share my Facebook page
-leave a gold 💛 and purple 💜 heart emoji comment on each daily post (either here on the blog itself or the facebook post)
And that's it! Winners will be picked by random number generation and must be contactable via email. Each daily winner will get a free ebook of The Binding, plus one of whichever of the other prizes above catch your fancy (except for the box-set).
Please share with anyone who loves reading young adult fantasy fiction, and best of luck!
So, without further ado...
Meet the Characters- Ryan
Ryan is the secondary main character of the Goddess Saga, and the third book, The Blessing, is from his point of view. Rather than list his likes and dislikes, however, I thought it would be more interesting to interview him, so enjoy!
What position does your character sleep in?
Ryan: Side. Just habit I guess. I used to have a lot of restless nights.
Does your character have any noteworthy features? Freckles? Dimples? A scar somewhere unusual? etc.
Ryan: I've got a small scar on my chin where a dog bit me when I was very young.
Does your character have an accent? What does it sound like?
Ryan: I do have a bit of the Terent twang but it's not very prominent. You'd be able to tell I was from the north though.
Do they have any verbal tics? Do they have trouble pronouncing certain words or getting their thoughts across clearly?
Ryan: No tics, but sometimes it's hard to get people to follow my train of thought. I just...can't express myself the way I want sometimes?
What are their chief tension areas?
Ryan: Mostly my neck, and when I get migraines both my temples feel sore as well.
How does your character perceive themselves? Positive? Negative? Neutral?
Ryan: Maybe more negative than necessary. My self esteem could be better.
Are they a quick thinker or do they need time to sort through their thoughts?
Ryan: I tend to need time to think things through. It's one of the reasons I tended to get run around so easily. by other people And like I said, when I struggle to express myself at times, that doesn't help.
Does your character dream or are their nights filled with an empty blackness?
Ryan: I did dream a lot when I was younger, but that all changed after my mother died. I had a spell of very bad nightmares, and then terrible insomnia. Thankfully things seem to be settling down now.
Describe a dream they’ve had or a night they couldn’t sleep and what they did to preoccupy their time.
Ryan: I'd go riding a lot in the early hours. One night I was lucky enough to see a barn owl hunting. That was pretty amazing.
If they had a choice, would they prefer a subway or a bus for public transportation?
Ryan: We don't really have those in my world. I prefer riding to sitting in a carriage though.
What do they think of creation? Do they believe in evolution or do they believe in God? What is their religion like?
Ryan: I guess I believe in the Goddess like most people. I enjoy the ceremonies associated with her but I'm not particularly spiritual. I did pray for my mother though when she wasn't well.
Describe 5 unusual characteristics your character has.
Ryan: I can't swim very well, which I hope won't haunt me. I have quite the knowledge about flowers. I'm the only member of my family who refused to train in swordcraft. I can bake- I learned how to after my mother's death. And I'm quite a neat freak as well.
Have they ever been so overwhelmed they had to stop and take a break from something?
Ryan: My mental tolerance isn't great so I tend to go out riding or walking if I'm finding it hard to cope. This happened a lot at home.
Are they a team player or do they prefer to be solo?
Ryan: I prefer to be alone, but since I met Eliza I find it easier to relate to others.
Can they multi-task or must they focus on one subject at a time?
Ryan: Usually one thing at a time. As I said, I'm not very good at handling stress, so I try to avoid it.
What are their best school subjects? What are their worst? List five of each.
Ryan: I was best at Ancient History, Geography, the Natural Sciences and Mathmatics. I wasn't very good at Languages, Literature, Philosophy or Art. It put a lot of strain on my relationship with my father, who felt I should excel at everything.
Is your character an introvert or an extrovert? How do they handle big crowds of people?
Ryan: An introvert. I hate crowds and gatherings.
Are they a leader, do they prefer to follow, or would they rather just stay on the sidelines altogether?
Ryan: I'd rather follow. I don't have the confidence to lead.
If your character was suddenly challenged, would they rather run away or stay and fight?
Ryan: I'd run. Most times than not I'd be outmatched. However if someone threatened my friends or ones I love, I'd fight for them.
If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would that person be and why?
Ryan: No-one deserves that harsh a punishment, I wouldn't choose anyone.
Your character has been granted 3 wishes; what would they wish for and why?
Ryan: I'd wish that I could understand other people better, that I was more confident in myself, and that all conflicts in the kingdom would end.
Eliza: I'd say the first two are personal goals not wishes. You don't need wishes to achieve them!
Ryan: Maybe...
Does your character trust people right off the bat or does it take them some time to warm up to someone?
Ryan: I used to be very trusting, but now not as much. I won't turn away someone who asks for help, though.
Do they prefer romance or affection? What is the quickest way to your character’s heart?
Ryan: I like affection, that the person I'm with shows they truly care and value me.
Does your character have any enemies? If so, who and why?
Ryan: I'm bound to, given my heritage.
Do they have any weird bedroom habits? Any unusual kinks?
Ryan: I...hope not?
Eliza: Nope, you're as plain and simple there as you are anywhere else.
Ryan: *blush*
Eliza: And I wouldn't have it anyway else.
28. How does your character prepare for bed? Do they sleep at all or can they stay awake for days on end without trouble?
Ryan: As I said, insomina used to be a terrible problem for me. I wouldn't say it didn't give me trouble; I was constantly tired and depressed.
If your character had one thing to say to their parents before they died, what would it be?
Ryan: To my mother, that I loved her more than anything and I wished she'd felt the same to me. To my father, that despite our differences I will always respect him.
Are they afraid of death? Do they have any regrets?
Ryan: I used to be very blase about death, but now I've found so much value in life I have come to dread it. In terms of regret, only that it took me so long to find someone to confide in, and that I shouldn't have been so forceful about my own feelings.
Does your character get restless when things are too quiet or do they favour solitude and silence? Why?
Ryan: I do get restless in the quiet, hence why I went out riding so much. I don't like being left alone with my thoughts for too long.
Finally; if your character was forced to eat one thing for the rest of their life, what would they choose and why?
Ryan: That steak special I had at Rose's tavern in Bane. Best dish I ever tasted!
Click here to purchase from Amazon
Click here to purchase from Smashwords
February 3, 2021
The 14 Days of Blessing Day 3: Meet the Characters- Eliza
The prizes up for grabs include:
A free ebook of The Binding (one to give away each day), the first book
A free paperback of The Binding (one to give away)- international shipping available
One of seven original art prints (seven to give away, choice of any major character, the fox Nahbet or
the dove Rusephine)
You can choose one of the above character cards, or one of the two prints below- these will not be watermarked
A free ebook of The Parting (five to give away)
And, if you participate in at least 10 of the 14 days, you could win one of five ebook box sets of The Binding, the Parting and the Blessing!
Sounds great, right? But what do you have to do to be eligible? All you need to do is:
-make sure you like my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/maddoctorartist/)
-follow me on twitter @maddoctorartist (https://twitter.com/MadDoctorArtist)
-share my Facebook page
-leave a gold 💛 and purple 💜 heart emoji comment on each daily post (either here on the blog itself or the facebook post)
And that's it! Winners will be picked by random number generation and must be contactable via email. Each daily winner will get a free ebook of The Binding, plus one of whichever of the other prizes above catch your fancy (except for the box-set).
Please share with anyone who loves reading young adult fantasy fiction, and best of luck!
So, without further ado...
Meet the Characters- Eliza
Eliza is the main character of the Goddess Saga, and the first two books are from her point of view. Rather than list her likes and dislikes, however, I thought it would be more interesting to interview her, so enjoy!
What position does your character sleep in?
Eliza: On my front. I just like hugging my pillow. Done it since I was little.
Does your character have any noteworthy features? Freckles? Dimples? A scar somewhere unusual? etc.
Eliza: I have dark blue eyes which is pretty unusual for a Northerner, and I have scars on my arm where a baby fox attacked me a few years ago.
Does your character have an accent? What does it sound like?
Eliza: I have the usual Northern accent, nothing special.
Do they have any verbal tics? Do they have trouble pronouncing certain words or getting their thoughts across clearly?
Eliza: I do say 'sheesh' a lot. I think I'm pretty articulate in getting my point across...
Ryan: The word you're looking for is 'blunt'.
Eliza: Eh, it works, doesn't it?
What are their chief tension areas?
Eliza: My temples, usually, and also my stomach. I'm sure I have irritable bowel, which is why my courtship symptom is the same.
How does your character perceive themselves? Positive? Negative? Neutral?
Eliza: I'd like to think neutral.
Adam: Sometimes you're a bit oblivious to your deeper faults.
Eliza: *blush*
Are they a quick thinker or do they need time to sort through their thoughts?
Eliza: I over-think and overanalyse everything. Usually this is a result of too MUCH time on my hands. This does make me a little indecisive...
Adam: A little?
Eliza: Oh shush you.
Describe a dream they’ve had or a night they couldn’t sleep and what they did to preoccupy their time.
Eliza: I...used to dream a lot. They were pretty crazy and didn't make a lot of sense. Recently though I've been having nightmares, but they're more than that I think. Almost like memories? But not my memories...
If they had a choice, would they prefer a subway or a bus for public transportation?
Eliza: We don't have those but the idea of motorized transport sounds divine. Would make prospects of studying in the bigger cities so much easier.
What do they think of creation? Do they believe in evolution or do they believe in God? What is their religion like?
Eliza: I guess I follow the Goddess religion like everyone else, but I don't have a spiritual bone in my body. Which is ironic.
Describe 5 unusual characteristics your character has.
Eliza: I have a mild obsession with scarves. No idea when that started. I absolutely can't stand the taste of alcohol and will never go near it. I can interpret and use a iasometer, which is a special medical device used to monitor a patient. I also know how to take it apart and repair it. I am quite self conscious about my legs and I always wear something that will cover them up. And I'm rubbish at climbing.
Have they ever been so overwhelmed they had to stop and take a break from something?
Eliza: When I almost badly hurt someone I cared about...
Are they a team player or do they prefer to be solo?
Eliza: I can be either. You have to be when your father's a healer!
Can they multi-task or must they focus on one subject at a time?
Eliza: I can multi-task, my parents taught me well. If I do focus on one thing though I tend to overdo it, so if I have more distractions I'm less likely to do that.
What are their best school subjects? What are their worst? List five of each.
Eliza: I'm really good at the Natural and Health related Sciences and Art. Totally rubbish at History, Languages and Mathmatics. Mostly because I find those subjects kinda boring.
Is your character an introvert or an extrovert? How do they handle big crowds of people?
Eliza: Introvert. I don't mind crowds per se, but I'm a lot more comfortable with people I know.
Are they a leader, do they prefer to follow, or would they rather just stay on the sidelines altogether?
Eliza: I think I'm capable of leading in the right circumstances, otherwise I'll do as I'm told. I'd need way more life experience.
If your character was suddenly challenged, would they rather run away or stay and fight?
Eliza: Run. I'm not trained to fight.
If your character was allowed to murder one person without any consequences, who would that person be and why?
Eliza: I'd have said Lord Ozier a long time ago, but I've come to peace with that now, so I don't have anyone else in mind.
Your character has been granted 3 wishes; what would they wish for and why?
Eliza: I'd wish for Bindings to be ended so people could make their own choices. I'd also wish for the Unbound to return to normal, and for an easier way to distribute knowledge other than centres for learning. So instead of having to go to University, if I could train as a healer in my own home I'd be the happiest girl alive.
Does your character trust people right off the bat or does it take them some time to warm up to someone?
Eliza: Since my sister left I find it hard to trust people. It takes me a long time to lower my defences.
Do they prefer romance or affection? What is the quickest way to your character’s heart?
Eliza: I'm a big follower of 'show don't tell'. I don't like ostentacious flowers or gifts, I'd much prefer a hug or kiss.
Does your character have any enemies? If so, who and why?
Eliza: As a quiet girl from a small village, not really. That could change in future, though.
Do they have any weird bedroom habits? Any unusual kinks?
Eliza: ...no. None whatsoever.
Ryan: You do like having extra pillows.
Eliza: SSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH.
How does your character prepare for bed? Do they sleep at all or can they stay awake for days on end without trouble?
Eliza: I usually brush my hair, wash my face, and cuddle up with my toy horse Teddy. Sometimes I read as well. Sleep is important to me.
If your character had one thing to say to their parents before they died, what would it be?
Eliza: That I love them both and I hope I did them proud, and that I was sorry for any pain I caused them.
Are they afraid of death? Do they have any regrets?
Eliza: I'm very scared of death. My regrets are holding onto my grudge for Lord Ozier for so long, and for being too afraid to trust my heart.
Does your character get restless when things are too quiet or do they favour solitude and silence? Why?
Eliza: I don't get restless but my mind ruminates far too much if it's too quiet, so I'd prefer some distraction.
Finally; if your character was forced to eat one thing for the rest of their life, what would they choose and why?
Eliza: My mother's homemade vegetable stock soup. I could live off that!
Click here to purchase from Amazon
Click here to purchase from Smashwords
February 2, 2021
The 14 Days of Blessing Day 2: What is the Binding?
The prizes up for grabs include:
A free ebook of The Binding (one to give away each day), the first book
A free paperback of The Binding (one to give away)- international shipping available
One of seven original art prints (seven to give away, choice of any major character, the fox Nahbet or
the dove Rusephine)
You can choose one of the above character cards, or one of the two prints below- these will not be watermarked
A free ebook of The Parting (five to give away)
And, if you participate in at least 10 of the 14 days, you could win one of five ebook box sets of The Binding, the Parting and the Blessing!
Sounds great, right? But what do you have to do to be eligible? All you need to do is:
-make sure you like my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/maddoctorartist/)
-follow me on twitter @maddoctorartist (https://twitter.com/MadDoctorArtist)
-share my Facebook page
-leave a gold 💛 and purple 💜 heart emoji comment on each daily post (either here on the blog itself or the facebook post)
And that's it! Winners will be picked by random number generation and must be contactable via email. Each daily winner will get a free ebook of The Binding, plus one of whichever of the other prizes above catch your fancy (except for the box-set).
Please share with anyone who loves reading young adult fantasy fiction, and best of luck!
So, without further ado...
What is the Binding?
The Binding is a powerful magic that has ruled over Azaria for many centuries. But rather than try to explain it all myself, I thought it would be better if you heard from an expert...
So allow Eliza, the protagonist of the Goddess Saga, to reveal all! Along with her friends Adam and Ryan...
[transcript of animation]
Eliza: Hi again everyone, it's time for some more exciting Azarian lore!
Eliza: ...well, actually, I was thinking. We've covered some interesting stuff so far, but I guess you guys probably don't know much about the Binding spell, right?
Eliza: So, today's topic is just that. I'll explain what we know about the spell, the basics of how it works, and how society has come to live with this uncontrollable curse.
Adam: It's not really a curse, Eliza. You just call it that.
Eliza: Well it is to me!
Ryan: ...low blow, Eliza.
Eliza: *blush* Look, just stop it already! I don't need you two interrupting, so just stand there and be quiet.
Adam: Yes ma'am.
Ryan: Hmph.
Eliza: ANYWAY...let's start with the basics. The Binding spell is the only known magic to exist in Azaria. Scholars estimate it's been around for just over a thousand years. Nobody knows how it came to be, other than the various myths floating around. The church believes the Goddess created the spell in hopes of seeding harmony into the country, as it was around this time that the great war between Azaria and the old kingdom of Esturia ended.
Eliza: This marked the end of Azaria's Age of Darkness and the beginning of the Age of the Goddess, where the Goddess religion took over from the previous pagan animal deities.
Adam: Hey, wait a minute, where did you learn all this?
Eliza: I'm a protagonist, it comes with the territory.
Ryan: You're also a pretty unreliable narrator...
Eliza: What did I say about interrupting?!
Adam and Ryan: *gulp*
Eliza: Right, where was I...oh yeah. Now this is where it gets a little complicated. We've talked about the Tale of the Binding, which is how most people believe the spell came to be. But it took centuries of research before scholars got to understand how it actually works.
Eliza: From what we know so far, there's no way to predict who the Binding will affect. It doesn't have to run in families, and only around fifteen percent of the population are exposed at any one time. And from working with my father, I know there's a core symptom that everyone who falls under the spell suffers.
Eliza: This is called the 'instigation sign', and it's a short-lived but intense sensation of a crushing pain in the chest. About a week after this, the person will then develop their 'courtship' symptom- their physical warning that they are going to enter their vulnerable period. They experience this again when their courtship ends. For me, it was stomach cramps.
Ryan: And for me it was migraines.
Eliza: Interesting...
Ryan: Actually Eliza, can I take over here? I read a lot of books about the workings of the spell.
Eliza: Well, if you insist...
Ryan: Thanks. Basically, when the spell first appeared, it worked slightly differently. The Binding was supposed to enhance the relationship of known lovers, whereas now it causes compulsions to be formed between strangers. But several conditions have to be met for this to happen.
Ryan: Firstly, the spell itself has two parts. The first, as Eliza mentioned, is 'courtship'. This is when a person enters a period of vulnerability, usually lasting between a few hours or a whole day. If that person then has any shared feeling with another in this time- even something as small as a greeting or something as big as saving a life- they will be Bound to that person.
Ryan: However, if they manage to avoid this and courtship ends, they're spared until the next courtship period. The time between courtships can be anything from a few weeks to a few months apart. This part of the spell tends to start in adolescence, and it will continue lifelong unless they become Bound.
Ryan: There are also lots of smaller rules that govern the formation of a Binding-like the physical distance between people and such- but I won't go into too much detail. Bindings are also are one-off- you can't become Bound again to anyone else.
Ryan: The second part is the Binding itself. Once the connection has formed, it will try to draw the couple together. The one who had been under courtship will feel the brunt of this first, as the spell works more slowly on the other partner. Initially the Binding will stir physical desires through blushes, palpitations and longing.
Eliza: *mutter* And involuntary movements in inappropriate situations...
Ryan: Then it can progress to suggestion of memory and more forceful methods. Since most Binding are planned, it doesn't usually get further than this stage as the couple were already lovers beforehand. Partners in unwanted Binding can still resist, but soon the compulsions become too strong and they can't.
Adam: So what about family, then? Surely they can have an instant of shared feeling with a relative under courtship?
Eliza: They can, and that doesn't stop the spell. Hence why most people either hide away or they can give non-verbal warnings, like wearing a white ribbon. Once someone has felt the instigation and realised they're going to experience courtship, they can then make the family aware.
Eliza: But relatives still have to be extremely careful, because if they try to protect a person under courtship directly, then THEY will become Bound to their family member.
Adam: Yikes, that's not good.
Eliza: So while people might warn their families, they'll tend not to let outsiders know, as sadly there are people out there who will try to force a Binding.
Adam: But it can't all be bad, Eliza. The Binding is meant to create a stable union. So if a couple are really dedicated to each other, entering a Binding is one of the highest honours of commitment. It prevents them ever falling out of love.
Eliza: Hey, who's side are you on here?
Adam: Just trying to give a balanced view.
Eliza: Sure. Anyway, um, what's left...oh, of course. So why can't anyone escape a Binding? The answer is two-fold. The first is the backlash. If one partner tries to murder the other, either directly or indirectly, the magic will kill both partners. Of course this is extremely rare anyway, as the Binding encourages affection, not anger.
Ryan: But suicide doesn't result in a backlash.
Eliza: Really? How do you know?
Ryan: ...rather not say.
Eliza: Oh, okay...
Eliza: Um, anyway, the second reason Bindings are inescapable is slightly more common, and that's the Parting. So, if the Bound partner and Bindee are further than half a mile apart, Parting will begin. This tends to consist of vivid hallucinations, wracking pains and convulsions. If the partners are reunited within twenty-four hours, this can be reversed. If not, they'll become Unbound. They lose their senses, personality and memories, and turn into empty husks. They can only respond to basic physical urges, nothing else. Those unfortunate enough to have become Unbound are cared for in Unbound Asylums, and so far they remain incurable.
Eliza: Such a wonderful, fairytale magic, eh?
Eliza: There's probably a few other bits and pieces I haven't touched here, but we're still studying the curse, after all. I'll save them for a later date.
Adam: Phew! Can we go eat now? I'm starving!
Eliza: *sigh*
Ryan: He he he...
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February 1, 2021
The 14 Days of Blessing Day 1: Introduction to Azaria
Welcome to first day of the 14 days of Blessing! What's this, you ask? Well, for two weeks starting today, I will be running daily blog posts introducing you to the world of Azaria- the characters, the setting, the locations, and more, in the run up to the release of the third book in the series, The Blessing! And for each day you participate, you can win a prize!
The prizes up for grabs include:
A free ebook of The Binding (one to give away each day), the first book
A free paperback of The Binding (one to give away)- international shipping available
One of seven original art prints (seven to give away, choice of any major character, the fox Nahbet or
the dove Rusephine)
You can choose one of the above character cards, or one of the two prints below- these will not be watermarked
A free ebook of The Parting (five to give away)
And, if you participate in at least 10 of the 14 days, you could win one of five ebook box sets of The Binding, the Parting and the Blessing!
Sounds great, right? But what do you have to do to be eligible? All you need to do is:
-make sure you like my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/maddoctorartist/)
-follow me on twitter @maddoctorartist (https://twitter.com/MadDoctorArtist)
-share my Facebook page
-leave a gold 💛 and purple 💜 heart emoji comment on each daily post (either here on the blog itself or the facebook post)
And that's it! Winners will be picked by random number generation and must be contactable via email. Each daily winner will get a free ebook of The Binding, plus one of whichever of the other prizes above catch your fancy (except for the box-set).
Please share with anyone who loves reading young adult fantasy fiction, and best of luck!
So, without further ado...
What are the Chronicles of Azaria all about?
Azaria is a vast, ancient kingdom, filled with danger, magic and adventure! The land itself holds hundreds of mysteries, unknown until now. Four trilogies chronicle the journey of four heroes; Eliza, Jessie, Jason and Raviel. Separated by time, but joined through destiny, each face desperate challenges that shape both themselves and their world, and the consequences of their choices directly influence those who come after them.
The Chronicles of Azaria is my original fantasy series. Every 'saga' is set in the same world but in a different period of the kindgom's history (like the Edge Chronicles by Chris Riddel and Paul Stewart). The Goddess Saga follows seventeen-year old Eliza Bryant as she faces a magical curse that has hung over Azaria for centuries. This trilogy consists of The Binding, The Parting, and The Blessing. I'll tell you all about them, but first...
What does Azaria look like?
This is a map of the kingdom; you can click on it to see the full size:
Here are some of the regions:
Airwater Gorge
Bane
Begara
Estovan
Galgiza Forest
Lake Breska
Ornixa Mines
TerentThe Goddess Saga
In this era, Azaria has been governed by a magical spell, called the Binding, for almost a thousand years. This magic forces couples into lifelong bonds, and while many have planned and happy Bindings, others fear to be compelled into unwanted relationships.
Like Eliza Bryant, a seventeen-year old healer's daughter. She wants nothing more than to avoid a Binding after it cursed her sister, and for the last two years it’s tried to claim her, too. Having found a perfect hiding spot in the forest near her village, Eliza wants to believe she's got everything under control. Until one night she's discovered by a hungry bear, and then rescued by a mysterious stranger, Ryan. Now Bound to him, Eliza is forced to remain by his side, or risk turning into an Unbound- a lifeless husk with no will of their own. But she also hesitates to break the truth to him, hopeful that despite everything, their must still be a way out...
Want to know whether she succeeds or not? You'll only find out by reading the books!
Click here to purchase from Amazon
Click here to purchase from Smashwords
There's still so much more of Azaria to explore, so why not check out my World Anvil site?
You can find out why the moon changes colour, who are the Order of Amaranth, what is flametar, and what each of the main cities are famous for!
January 16, 2021
The 14 Days of Blessing- participate for your chance to win great prizes!
Welcome to the 14 days of Blessing! What's this, you ask? Well, for the two weeks starting 1st February 2021, I will be running daily blog posts introducing you to the world of Azaria- the characters, the setting, the locations, and more, in the run up to the release of the third book in the series, The Blessing! And for each day you participate, you can win a prize!
The prizes up for grabs include:
A free ebook of The Binding (one to give away each day), the first book
A free paperback of Binding (one to give away)- international shipping available
One of three original art prints (three to give away, choice of Ryan and Eliza, the dove Rusephine, or the fox Nahbet)
A free ebook of The Parting (five to give away)
And, if you participate in at least 10 of the 14 days, you could win one of five ebook box sets of The Binding, the Parting and the Blessing!
Sounds great, right? But what do you have to do to be eligible? All you need to do is:
-make sure you like my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/maddoctorartist/)
-follow me on twitter @maddoctorartist (https://twitter.com/MadDoctorArtist)
-share my Facebook page
-leave a gold 💛 and purple 💜 heart emoji comment on each daily post (either here on the blog itself or the facebook post)
And that's it! Winners will be picked by random number generation and must be contactable via email. Each daily winner will get a free ebook of The Binding, plus one of whichever of the other prizes above catch your fancy (except for the box-set).
Please share with anyone who loves reading young adult fantasy fiction, and best of luck!
The first post starts 1st February, but if you want to get ahead, click here to find out more about the stories...
January 9, 2021
How I've Improved My Drawing Skills- by NOT drawing every day!
So, I'm sure everyone has heard of this common piece of art advice, often told to beginners. And while there is some merit to it, taking it literally is not helpful and can in fact by harmful, as it can reinforce bad habits. This has certainly been my experience, and so I decided to try something else after months of poor progress. Knowing these additional tricks have helped me improve more in a a year that I have in the last five years, so I think it's worth sharing to see if they may help you too.
One of my first Inktober drawings from 2019
One of my drawings from Birdtober 2020
As you can see there's quite a difference in just one year, but I certainly haven't been drawing daily since 2019, so what made such a big difference?
Well, I will try to share what's worked for me, but of course there is no set-in-stone rule to learn how to draw, and different things work for different people- it also depends on what style you're trying to achieve. However, the following have definitely levelled up the quality of my drawings, which tend to a more realistic slant. Such tips I have gleaned from other art resources online and I am by no means taking credit for them- I will try to link to resources where I can if you want to go more in-depth.
LEARN HOW TO LOOK
Drawing every day sounds like a reasonable type of study- the more you draw, the more familiar you get making lines and strokes, and this builds the muscle memory in your hand as well as co-ordination with your eyes. However, if you're just drawing without any prior knowledge or thought, you'll start to remember the wrong things, and this can be hard to undo!
A red-tailed kite drawing from 2018- see how shaky and uneven the lines are? This is because I was guessing at what I was seeing, rather than understanding what I was looking at!
This red kite I drew at the end of 2020- doesn't it look so much more clean and in proportion? A lot of this comes from having learned to understand what I was seeing!So before diving in, it's best to train your eye first to understand what you are looking at. Some of this will come from the particular subject, so in my case anatomy of birds is important, but this applies to landscape/ figure drawing/ mechanical drawing!
The whole foundation of drawing is built on the idea that you are creating a 3D image on a 2D plane, so you need to know how forms look to give the illusion of 3D. This is accomplished by using 3D building blocks such as cubes, cones, pyramids and spheres to create complex forms.
There are various ways to practice accurate observation- drawing from life, where you can study an actual 3D object with different lighting, and learning how to break structures down into 3D pieces. You can do this via tracing photos, not for simple outlines but trying to break them down into 3D shapes.
Tracing over photos can be very helpful to identify planes, like with this robin (photograph is my own)
My problem was that I would look at a reference and 'free draw'- try to make flat shapes based on assumptions. You can see this very clearly in my first red kite drawing. Then I moved on to measuring, which helped with proportions but still made me have to look at the reference constantly and I was still making errors. What I now do is 'construct'- more on this below.
Tutorials that help with observation:
Istebrak's critique videos
Drawabox.com
Drawing from life (take any simple object at home or a model, get a lamp to cast a light on it and draw it!)
LEARN HOW TO BUILD
Having got a bit more of a foundation as to how forms are structured, you can now construct forms without being too reference reliant. For me, I estimate the length and width of the subject, then use blocky shapes/ planes to fill in the main forms. Everything at this stage is a straight line, no curves, and this really helps identify angles and lengths much more accurately.
A study on 'constructing' an eagle form. This is explained in excellent detail on drawabox.com (the link will take you to Lesson 2 which has a more detailed explanation)It also makes shading much easier, as you can see contours and plan where light and shadow will fall. I find this most difficult to 'see', which makes shading one of my bigger weaknesses, but using 'blocks' simplifies things and lets me judge lighting a lot more accurately. This way a form can be depicted using shadows rather than outlines, which is more realistic.
Tutorials that help with doing this:
John Muir Laws birds
Proko human anatomy
Ethan Becker
LEARN HOW TO REFLECT
The last thing I've found that really helps is knowing how to reflect after each drawing- it's great to go over old drawings and see how much improvement's been made. It also helps to revisit and see what you could have done differently, and it can be fun to redraw old art.
The first bird drawing I did, redrawn- quite an improvement in only 2 years! 
A macaw parrot from Inktober 2019
A macaw parrot from Birdtober 2020- quite a difference to the first attempt!It is also helpful to look at what worked- often when trying new things you can get good results on accident which are then hard to replicate. Identifying what made a drawing better than another can help with this.
A bee hummingbird painting fro May 2020- I found a way to get a nice feather texture, and I replicated this with the next drawing, an American Robin that I drew in December 2020: 
I also found that analysing other art that I enjoy or want to emulate is also a great thing to do. There is no harm in copying a drawing to see how the outcome was achieved (but you should of course never plagerise, and while I would avoid posting at all on social media, making very clear that the work is a study and not your own is super important).
Of course this can be difficult to do on your own, so getting into one of the many art communities can also help with getting feedback!
Resources to help with this:
Proko Draftsmen podcast
Mohammed Agbadi- as well as general tutorials he also breaks down individual artists' styles
CONCLUSION
So, having established these basics, when you draw you'll know what errors to look for. With this awareness, frequency and mileage now become important, as this will reinforce good habits and you'll be much better equipped to spot mistakes.
Have you ever been told to 'draw every day'? Did this work for you, or did you try other approaches? I'd love to know!
January 2, 2021
Announcement: The Blessing (Chronicles of Azaria Book 3) Release Date!
Hello everyone! Apologies for not keeping up with the blog- given the unexpected pandemic, my day job has kept me quite busy!
However, after a seven year hiatus, I am very pleased to announce that the third book of my Chronicles of Azaria series (and the last book of the Goddess Saga trilogy) is finally complete! The ebook and paperback versions will be released on 14th February- the perfect ending to the love story I began writing in 2013.
What took so long? Well, initially it was because of my medical exams/ getting into my speciality training, and my rotations kept me very busy. Then, after fully qualifying as a general practictioner in 2016, I suddenly seemed to have lost all interest in writing. No matter what I tried, I just couldn't make any progress. So I decided to take a break, and I wrote a few fanfictions and focused more on my art and drawing skills.
Thankfully the break seemed to have worked, as I was finally able to finish this book at the end of 2020 and can declare this trilogy complete!
Not familiar with the series? Then let me introduce you: click here to read about the Chronicles of Azaria series, and here to specifically learn about the Goddess Saga story.
So, if this sounds like your kind of book, then you can purchase the first and second books, The Binding and The Parting, here.
Can love choose between death or salvation?
The Binding has been destroyed, and Azaria rocked to its foundations. But Ryan and Eliza's newfound freedom hasn't come without a price. Eliza has been left with devastating nightmares, with Ryan powerless to help her. Yet Eliza's hostile visions may hold the answer, as she dreams of the Blessing- the last fragment of the Goddess's power.
However, the Blessing is more than what it seems, and Eliza isn't the only one tempted by it. The Order of Amaranth are hungry to avenge their fallen leader, while the newly formed Vanguard try desperately to keep the fragile peace. With darker forces closing in, Ryan must fight to tame the power that could be Eliza's final hope, or her final destruction.
You can also read an excerpt of the first three chapters of The Blessing here- brand new and never before released!
You can pre-order the ebook right now by following this link:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RWMR87G
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08RWMR87G
