Keira Gillett Author

Fierce Middle Grade Fantasy Reads

Zaria Fierce

Timeline for Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest

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Have you read Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest? Are you wondering if the quest really was completed in five days? I promise it was! But it’s okay, you can double check. Below is my planning for the book and how the events fell into place. Enjoy!

Note: Without times listed, Google Calendar would show events alphabetically. Therefore, the times listed are approximate and do not necessarily reflect actual timing in the book. Listed times are meant to clarify the order of events only.

Warning: Due to the nature of the calendar please expect some spoilers. Do not read ahead if you want to be surprised by what happens in the book.

Let me know what you think.

An Interview with Eoghan Kerrigan the Illustrator of Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest – Part 3

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This is part three of three of an interview series with Eoghan Kerrigan, the illustrator of Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest. See the previous parts here and here.

Keira Gillett: If you could visit one place in the book where would you like to go and see in person?

Eoghan Kerrigan: The underground troll town. It was very vivid in my mind while I was reading that part and it would be cool to explore the markets and palace and see how the trolls live.

king kafirr

Keira: I feel the same way. I would love to try to barter and trade with them. Was there any particular challenge in illustrating Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest?

Eoghan: The biggest challenge is the same challenge I face when drawing something for anyone. Am I good enough? Will they like it? I’m my own worst critic.

Keira: You are great! Your artwork is wonderful and you are amazingly talented. (I’ll be on your cheerleading team. Grin.) Do you do other types of drawing outside of book illustration? What’s been your favorite project to date?

Eoghan: My style generally stays the same, but I’ve drawn illustrations for various independent roleplaying and miniatures games. If I had to choose a favourite it would be for a game known as Maze Scale. The characters were very fun to draw and I was personally satisfied with the results.

olaf

Keira: Satisfaction with your work. That’s always important. What is your dream art project?

Eoghan: I think it would be the same as most artists, one where I get to decide on everything!

Keira: That’s why I chose to self-publish, because I wanted to be in charge of all creative aspects of the book. What other art projects are you working on now?

Eoghan: Currently I’m working on commissions and my own stuff which I will hopefully publish as a sketch or art book.

Keira: I would love to own that. Thank you so much for sharing your talents with us.

Available in E-book | Print | Audio Book formats.

See if you’re eligible to get a free copy of the audio book here.

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Eoghan Kerrigan IllustratorIllustrator Bio: Eoghan Kerrigan is an illustrator from Kildare, Ireland who draws primarily fantasy characters and creatures. He studied illustration in Ballyfermot College of Further Education and has produced work for various independent projects. He has two cats and a soft spot for trolls.

Website: http://eoghankerrigan.blogspot.ie/

Social Media: Twitter (eoghankerrigan), Facebook (eoghankart)

An Interview with Michele Carpenter the Narrator of Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest – Part 2

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This is part two of three of an interview series with Michele Carpenter, the narrator of Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest. See the previous part here.

Keira: Last time we spoke, I asked you what you looked for in a story when you auditioned to be the narrator. This time I want to know why you were drawn to narrate Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest specifically. Care to share?

Michele: It was actually my husband who found Zaria for me. He was browsing through the calls for auditions and sent me the link. He knew it was right up my alley. I read over it and fell in love with the book description. Recording books for kids and teens is my favorite! And epic adventure fantasy is the best!

Keira Gillett: Tell your husband thank you for me! It’s funny, because I saw your narrator profile and almost sent you an e-mail to ask you to audition for me, but chickened out. One Mind! As the author I have had the pleasure of listening to the audio book several times, I really want to know, how do you create character voices and how do you remember them and not mix them up? I’ve read books to my younger sisters in the past and would just wing it.

Michele Carpenter: As I read through a book (in my head), each character begins to develop his or her own voice – often influenced by movie or book characters I already know. Getting a good visual in my mind by associating characters with actors or other characters I’ve seen before, is priceless. When I adopt one and imitate it with my own voice, it becomes something entirely different and new again. You probably wouldn’t guess that I’m actually imitating David Bowie, Hagrid, Jem from the Holograms, or Keanu Reeves, lol!

Keira: I think I heard shades of what you’re talking about with one or two of the voices, and you’re right, they become new again in your voice. You have a way of making characters feel like good friends you’re catching up with over lunch. Do you have a favorite character to act in the story? If you do, which character and why?

Michele: I loved being the trolls, though I think their voices sound better in my head than they did coming out. Also I loved reading for Zaria, because the idea of a shy girl finding her confidence is a great story and I really liked that aspect.

BUT…my FAVORITE character to read for was definitely Hector. I enjoyed making him robust and bigger than life. He seemed so sure of himself, knowledgeable and jolly, all the time. Definitely a cool guy and great prince.

Keira: You got Zaria exactly. When you read for her, she came across so sweet. Olaf came out sounding phenomenal too. When I first heard you narrate him, I did a gleeful dance in the car. (You can hear Zaria and Olaf in the audio book sample below.) I also adored your Hector. He was perfect. You really got to know my characters and gave them such life and love. So those characters were your favorite characters to act, are there any other character voices that you enjoyed?

Michele: The bad tempered, brownie, Master Brown. He wasn’t very likable, but I thought his voice was hilarious.

Keira: Oh yes, when I heard him he made me laugh. The voice reminded me of the surly munchkin greeter at the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz motion picture. Last question for today, we talked voices, but what was your favorite scene to record in the book and why?

Michele: The scene where the kids are entering the beautiful Álfheim city was a lot of fun. The descriptions were exciting, and beautiful, and I got to read for a lot of various characters, new and old.

Keira: That is a fun scene. The children are nearing the end of their quest too which amps up emotions. Thanks so much for chatting with me about producing the audio book of Zaria Fierce and the Secret of Gloomwood Forest. I’m so blessed to have worked with you on this project.

Don’t you agree that Michele is super talented? Thanks for joining us today!

Available in E-book | Print | Audio Book formats.

See if you’re eligible to get a free copy of the audio book here.

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Michele CarpenterNarrator Bio: Michele Carpenter is an artist at heart, with a passion for acting. She and her husband (also a voice actor) often work on projects together and help one another through the journey. Together, they have three kids. Michele’s children love to hear her read stories and beg her to edit her narrations in the same room with them so they can listen too. It’s partially for this reason that Michele has come to feel a personal responsibility to only record books that aren’t inappropriate for children or young adults–at their respective age levels and according to the maturity levels of the books they’re able to read. “We never know how long we have on this earth and I’d rather leave behind a legacy of books that I’m not ashamed to have my friends, family and even future grandchildren, listen to forever.”

Website: http://www.michele-carpenter.com/

Social Media: Twitter (michelecvoice), Facebook (michelecarpentervoice), YouTube (micheleyoutube)

Character Casting Aleks and Geirr

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I’m the goofy author who wrote the whole entire book and then said – oh wait who could play these characters in a movie? Previous blog posts on character casting have included: the Fierce Family, the Non-Humans, and the Storstrand Family. Today’s grouping include Aleks and Geirr and a couple of relatives.

Robbie Kay as Aleks Mickelsen:

Aleks is a Changeling, which makes him fey. I love Robbie’s cute face, there’s also something quite beautiful and otherworldly about it. Imagine Robbie with brown eyes and slightly pointy ears and it’d be a perfect match.

Aleks Mickelsen

Kenneth Elvebakk as Samuel Mickelsen:

I like Kenneth for Aleks’ dad because there’s a hint of familial resemblance, so you can see why Samuel Mickelsen would think Aleks is his son, and not suspect a changeling.

Mr Mickelsen

Helen Mirren as Grams/Ava Mickelsen:

I love Helen Mirren and I think as a grandmother she would be both co-conspirator and parental authority. Like Aleks, Grams is a changeling. She gives Aleks a special device known as a stargazer that allows the child to stop time.

Helen Mirren

Donis Leonard Jr. as Gierr Engelstad:

Geirr (pronounced Guy-air) is the preppy and sometimes pessimistic friend. He’s kind, smart, and loyal. Donis is the perfect blend of geeky and cute that fits my vision of Geirr.

Donis Leonard Jr. as Gierr Engelstad

I have serious respect for casting directors at the end of all this. It’s a lot harder to work backwards. It’s pretty tough to find a perfect fit for someone else’s vision. (It’s also kind of hard too when it’s your vision!)

So there you have it! What do you think?

Second Draft of Zaria Fierce Book 2 Done

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Who’s ready for the second book in the Zaria Fierce Trilogy? I am!!! Tonight I completed the second draft of Zaria Fierce and the Enchanted Drakeland Sword.  Here are the new totals:

Second Draft: 42,936 words

Total writing time in draft: 3 days 21 hours 52 minutes

The next draft I will focus on all the nitty-gritty details and ensure that nothing is missed.

Have you read the first book? If you haven’t you should! It’s a “fantastic read with likable characters and an engaging story line.”