SUPERPOWER: ENERGY MANIPULATION

An ability that I have often seen in various works of science fiction is the ability to manipulate energy.  With this power, the user would be able to control, absorb, or transform all forms of energy.  Sometimes a user would use this power to fire beams of energy that could obliterate its target or create shapes and constructs out of the energy in question.  Other times, they could utilize energy to augment their physical capabilities such as strength, sped, or durability.  Also, there are some cases in which an individual is made of living energy instead of flesh, blood, or bone.  I believe that anyone who wields this ability would have the potential to manipulate forms of energy that have yet to be discovered by science.  In the first short story of the spin-off I am working on will revolve around a character who acquires this power in the immediate aftermath of volume three.  The catalysts in which they receive this gift will be both traumatic and awe-inspiring.

WRITING UPDATE: SPIN-OFF VOLUME ONE

With the third volume undergoing publication and WonderCon around the corner, I have decided to make a slight alteration of my originally planned writing schedule.  In the fourth volume, five new characters will appear and they will play significant roles in the forthcoming battle.  To get everyone ready for volume four and give them a proper introduction to these characters, I have decided to take a break from volume four and focus on the first of my spin-off volumes, which will revolve on the origins and backstories of these five new characters.  Apart from portraying the characters’ origins and powers, this series of short stories will demonstrate how they were affected by the immediate aftermath of the events in volume three.  I have begun this spin-off with the first character whose powers will revolve around both energy and quantum physics.  After writing the first few pages, I am instantly hooked into writing this new project.  I will keep you updated on any further developments.

CHARACTER CREATION: CYBER SHADOW

I based Cyber Shadow on several bullies who tormented me throughout middle and high school to give myself an emotional release and find a healthy way to get revenge.  Before he takes on the name Cyber Shadow, the character’s name was Brick Baxter, who is a psychopathic sadist who routinely targeted the main character, Patrick Donovan.  However, a couple days after Patrick gained his powers from the Genesis Spell, Brick attacked Patrick and Patrick accidentally used his powers to burn Brick alive.  Shortly afterwards, Brick’s remains were salvaged and he was turned into a cyborg called Cyber Shadow.

Because of the potential glitches and defects that could come from being a cyborg, I thought of an ideal way for Brick to be a formidable supervillain and completely miserable at the same time.  To begin with, the technology that is keeping Brick’s organic components alive is highly experimental and inadvertently exacerbates Brick’s already insane, sadistic urges.  Most of his senses are either diluted or gone, leaving him with only sight and hearing, which are still somewhat diminished.  His metal limbs are extremely heavy and difficult to move, which causes serious strain to his traumatized brain.  His robotic head is a poor fit for his brain, which causes him endless headaches.  And his synthetic organs cause him a constant state of nausea, but he cannot vomit because he has no esophagus or mouth.  Overall, Cyber Shadow’s existence as a cyborg is living damnation.  Still, despite the limitless misery he suffers, I made sure that Cyber Shadow was equipped with advanced weaponry to go along with his insatiable bloodlust and hunger for vengeance.  Currently, Cyber Shadow’s ultimate fate is a mystery, but a hint will be revealed in the upcoming third volume.

PUBLICATION UPDATE: COVER ILLUSTRATION

I have exciting news regarding the publication process.  My publisher has assigned an illustrator to me and they received a detailed description of what the cover illustration will look like.  The illustration will feature the main villain of the entire series, Vogan as well as an object of immense power that serves a pivotal role in the third volume.  In addition, I sent the illustrator concept art from which they would draw inspiration along with the description.  I look forward to seeing the first draft of the cover illustration and I will post it as soon as I receive it.  I will keep you updated on any further developments.

PUBLICATION UPDATE: PRODUCTION TEAM

I received an email from my publisher saying that my production team has been assembled.  Now the real work will soon begin.

PUBLISHING UPDATE: MANUSCRIPT

I received a very pleasant message from my publisher today regarding my third volume’s manuscript.  They said the following: “You have a terrific writing style. You have obviously done a significant amount planning and preparation in crafting your work. Your prose is nicely written with details that capture the reader. Right from the start your plot was very engaging. You do a nice job of slowly making your way through the story with details and a certain voice that allows your reader to really interact with the characters (who are all round and very nicely developed). Characterization is one of the most important elements of a successful fiction story. I always love it when I leave a story feeling like I know the characters. This is true for your novel. You have crafted another quality piece of writing.”  I am pleased that they enjoyed my next volume and look forward to the final product of the publishing process.

WRITING UPDATE: FUTURE WORKS 4

My mind has been very active lately ever since my third volume began publication, particularly when it comes to planning future works.  To begin with, I have planned my fifth volume out and even though Vogan will seem like a classic megalomaniac villain, in the end, he will be morally ambiguous.  Ultimately, his intentions are good, but the price he is willing to pay is too high.  I won’t explain what his plan will be or if he succeeds, but what I can say is that the depth of these revelations will be vast and elaborate.  Secondly, in one of my spin-off stories that I will write after my main five volumes are complete, I thought of the origins of one of the main characters as well as the abilities of one of the supervillains they will face.  Finally, I even thought of what happened when the Young Guardians were abducted by a shadowy organization in the first book.  The full truth of the Young Guardians’ abduction will be revealed in the fifth volume as well and it will be a twist you will not expect.  I will keep you updated on any further developments.

ANIME REVIEW: DEADMAN WONDERLAND

I recently discovered an anime that I was previously unaware of called Deadman Wonderland.  When I started both the anime and manga, I immediately noticed similarities to The Shawshank Redemption, Death Race, and Elfen Lied.  It is similar to The Shawshank Redemption because it revolves around a person who was sent to prison for a crime they did not commit.  I could even hear the opening theme for The Shawshank Redemption playing in my head when the main character, Ganta Igarashi, first arrived at the prison.  I even considered the female lead Shiro to be Ganta’s personal Morgan Freeman.  The similarities of Death Race I noticed were that the prisoners of Deadman Wonderland had to play sick games that could potentially kill them.  As for Elfen Lied, one of the characters was similar to Lucy in Elfen Lied in that she suffers from multiple personality disorder with one personality that is innocent and pure while the other one is bloodthirsty and sadistic.  Overall, I enjoyed this anime despite its dark and graphic themes and would recommend it to anyone who is seeking a good prison story that possesses a twist you will not expect.

WONDERCON BOOK SIGNING UPDATE

My schedule has become very busy ever since I received confirmation for my WonderCon booth.  The development that I am most eager for is that a local school has heard about my signing and some of their students are interested in making concept art for my characters.  So we made a deal that the best artwork will be put on display at my booth at WonderCon.  I am eager to see how these kids will envision my characters.  Wish me luck!

WRITING UPDATE: POSSIBLE SEQUEL SERIES

I had an interesting idea that I have been playing with until just a few hours ago.  I was thinking of writing a sequel series to my main five volumes.  It will focus the Young Guardians and the next generation of heroes more than two hundred years into the future.  Since the Young Guardians are physically immortal, their minds and world views would change in ways they do not expect.  I was thinking of exploring how their immortality will evolve as they take on the role of mentors as they are forced to train new heroes.  Based on what I have planned for volume five, this futuristic world will not be like the stereotypical high-tech society you would find in countless works of fiction.  It will be high-tech nonetheless, but at the same time, it will be exotic in a way you will not expect.  I am eager to begin this future project after I finish my main five volumes and look forward to what else is over the horizon.