My Next Big Thing
The Next Big Thing is a global blog tour, started in Australia, to showcase authors and illustrators and their current work. I was hit up by my partner in crime Wilson Williams, Jr to be a part of this blog tour. I decided to post about the kids comic I’m working on. Then after the question and answers below I’ll pass it along to Rachael Neterer, who will continue the tour on June 6th.
1) What is the working title of your next book?
Chasing Stars
2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
I’ve been working on this idea for years and it’s had a lot of different variations so its hard to say.
3) In what genre does your book fall?
Kids Comic
4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
That’s really hard to say. I don’t really keep up on actors that much. This story would probably be animated if I had my way. So for voice actors I would pick anyone that worked on Avatar the last Airbender cartoon series (Not the bad movie).
5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
An ancient evil has awakened, and only one man knows how to stop it—but he’s disappeared, leaving clues scattered across the stars for his son, Skyler, to find. With friends in tow, Skyler must embark on a galactic scavenger hunt, armed only with courage and his father’s inventions, to unlock the secrets of the universe—and his family’s past.
I cheated, two sentences.
6) Who is publishing your book?
At this point it will probably end up being self published but I’m sending out proposals to publishers to see if there’s any interest.
7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Since the book has been in my head for a long time I would have to say that it took me a while. I’m not writing it like you normally would. I’m doing it more like a storyboard. Drawing each panel really roughly and adding in text as I go.
8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
It’s not in the same genre but if the book series 39 clues was a sci-fi adventure.
9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My father inspired this project. When he passed away a few years ago, I knew I wanted to create something that I could leave behind. Which is why it’s taken me so long. I want it to be something we both can be proud of.
10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
At its heart it’s an adventure story but I’m trying to work in a lot of scientific facts and information. I found myself doing a lot of research on constellations and facts about stars.
Norm
Growing up on the shores of Maui, Hawaii, Norm has always loved drawing. Since leaving the islands’ beautiful beaches and landing in Oregon, he went to college and received a degree in graphic design as well as an additional degree in digital prepress technology. After graduating, he worked for an interactive media firm in Corvallis, Oregon. While there, he was the company’s lead illustrator/designer and was responsible for creating illustrations, animations, and interactive products like video games. Now living in Beaverton, Oregon, Norm worked as an in-house illustrator for 10 years at a large education company in downtown Portland, Oregon. While at this position, he was the creative mind behind nationally marketed campaigns, numerous brand identities, toy and product designs, children’s books, as well as Web and interactive designs for the company’s design team. After leaving this position to raise his son, he now spends countless hours perfecting his craft as a freelance illustrator. He has worked with companies like Highlights Magazine, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Reading A to Z, Kaiser Permanente, KinderCare, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI). He has created projects such as marketing illustrations, children’s books, coloring and activity books, video games, and educational products for these companies and others. Norm’s ability to draw has given him the chance to do the thing he truly loves: Create.
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