Psychic Boy Samuel by Beau Breems | Interview & Giveaway
12:00 AM
Doodles, doodles everywhere congratulates author and artist Beau Breems on the release of his graphic novel, Psychic Boy Samuel!
Let us welcome him on the blog for an exclusive interview with DDE today. Read on.
Let us welcome him on the blog for an exclusive interview with DDE today. Read on.
1. What inspired you to write Psychic Boy Samuel?
Well, I've been drawing since I was very young, and all throughout school I was constantly creating characters and stories. In 1999, I discovered a character in a video game that had psychic powers, and really enjoyed his play style and unique, psychokinetic moves. It inspired me to create a character like that of my own, and I decided to place him in a Medieval Fantasy setting, a genre I was very into at the time thanks to an anime called 'The Slayers'. Both were big influences on me.
I eventually filled up three sketchbooks full of stories about Samuel and his friends, and had a complete adventure by the end of high school. My friends were very enthusiastic about them, and I was proud to have finished an entire story. I realized later however that the quality of art in the stories, though good at the time, were not up to what I felt to be publishing quality. So a few years later I set out to recreate Samuel from the ground up with the intention of publishing it, and after years of hard work I've finally finished the first volume. I'm very proud!
2. Can you tell us what kind of research and planning went behind Psychic Boy Samuel?
Y'know, since Samuel is fantasy based, I didn't really have to do much in the way of research. I looked up Medieval architecture and technology from time to time to make sure I'm not too far outside of reality, but for the most part, I've had a lot of freedom creating the world of Varien.
3. What are some of the biggest challenges or learning experiences you faced throughout the writing, illustrating and publishing process.
I think what was hardest about making Samuel was doing the job of what would have been a team of people in a traditional graphic novel or manga production. The drawing, the inking, the computer editing, the page layout… all of that being juggled between shifts at my day job. It was a lot of ten to twelve hour days, but it was worth it in the end. I've learned a lot, and hopefully the next volume won't take as long to complete.
4. Would you like to share a few tips on being an awesome illustrator and writer?
At some point, you just have to force yourself to go. To do it. Whether it's writing or drawing, if you want to complete your story, your masterpiece, whatever, you've got to sit down, put in the time, and do it. It is really hard at times, and I fail at it constantly. But if you keep going, set some time aside each day, and put your nose to the grindstone, you can accomplish your dream.
5. What is your favorite artistic medium to work with? Favorite materials? Software?
I just love drawing with good old fashioned paper and pencil. I literally bought big sheets of paper and mechanical pencils from a drug store and did the majority of the drawings in Samuel that way. I ink over the line-art using micron ink pens, and then scan them into Photoshop for touch-ups and corrections. I like to use InDesign to layout the book for press and do the speech bubbles.
6. Would you like to share some of your artistic work with the readers here?
Sure! You can see some of the work I've done at my Deviant Art page.
7. Do you get creative blocks or burnouts? How do you get out of those when you do?
When it comes to blocks or burnouts, I really have to force myself to continue marching forward. I remind myself that the book can't finish itself, and that I'm the only one who can do it. I keep moving forward, one drawing at a time, one line of dialogue at a time. It can be a slog through the mud at times, but I keep going. Eventually I look back at what I've done, and get excited by seeing more and more of a finished product. That inspires me to keep going!
8. What do you do when you are not writing or drawing?
I like to play video games to relax. Games give me a lot of inspiration, take me to other worlds where I meet unique and vibrant characters, and have epic adventures. I learn a lot from them, and have fun at the same time!
9. What's next?
I'm currently working on the second volume of Samuel, and trying to figure out this whole marketing thing!
10. Lastly, any special thoughts for our readers?
Only you can create that story that's in your head. It wont spring into being if you don't create it. No one can read it if you don't write it. If there's something you've just got to share with people, set aside some time, sit down, and make it happen!
Psychic Boy Samuel
by Beau Breems
Publisher: Lulu.com (Independent)
Published on: June 10, 2015
Page count: 254
Genre: Fantasy, Graphic novel
Published on: June 10, 2015
Page count: 254
Genre: Fantasy, Graphic novel
In a world of swords and sorcery lies the verdant land of Varien, home to a young boy named Samuel who is about to discover he has an extraordinary gift - the power of Psychokinesis! (Y'know, the ability to move things with his mind and stuff.) However, Samuel's new found abilities will soon be put to the test as he is swept into an adventure to save his homeland from an evil army known as the Cobras!
But don't worry, he's not alone; With a colorful group of friends that include dragons, werewolves, magical girls, and crazy chickens, he'll have more help than he can handle!
Buy the book
About the author
...Okay, maybe he's not. He IS however a graduate of Dunwoody College of Technology in Graphics and Printing Technologies, and is the author and illustrator of several best-selling publications, including 'HisStory' (2005), 'The Promise' (2006), 'Urban Book of Hope' (2008), and 'Amazing Answers' (2012), all available from Burning Bush Creation.
He currently resides with his family in Brooklyn Park, MN, and plays a lot of video games. You can see more of his art by checking out his DeviantArt page.
Giveaway
Go HERE and enter through the rafflecopter form to win!
0 comments