Saturday, September 21, 2013

Thursday, September 19, 2013

The Little People From Start To Finish Part 1


Every time I create something, whether it is a piece of art, photography, video production, sculpture, or writing, there is always something new and different. Even though there are always familiar elements, there are always changes and differences.
When I was first considering writing another novel, I had a few vague ideas, but nothing solid. Oddly enough, the inspiration for The Little People came one morning after I awoke. I’d had a dream that night that would become the basis for the story. In this dream, most of the characters were what most would consider “mainstream” fantasy personas such as giants, dragons, fairies and elves.
Since many of these types of stories have already been done, many time, I started thinking of ways to change it to be different. While listening to my wife discuss her Native American heritage with her parents, the thought occurred to me, why not use Native American myths and legends and apply them to the overall theme that had occurred in my dream.
From there I began doing research. One of the places I started was with a Native American book my wife’s parents owned that has stories in it. One story in particular was about a mythical little people. From there I went on to find Native American mythical creatures that were similar to the other characters that were in my dream. I also researched how Native American stories were structured and written as well as names and terms.
Once I had all of my characters in place and had a solid outline, I began writing. Since I already had a basic story, I just began filling in the details.
As I was writing, I continued to do research as the need arose. A major difference in this story compared to the first novel I had written, was the fact that I tried to use actual events and places that I knew about, had experienced, or was familiar with.
One example of this is the trailer on a river in the mountains mentioned in the story. When I was a child, my grandparents took me on trips to a trailer they had that was on the Spring River in Hardy, Arkansas. Another example is that a friend of mine that worked at Riceland in Jonesboro, Arkansas was kind enough to give me a tour of their facility. I used many elements from what I saw during the tour in events that take place in the story.
I had also remembered a teacher once telling me that a good way to flesh out a story is to use things that you already know about. So I began incorporating elements from places, people and events that I had personally experienced in my life.


More in Part II

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

The Little People Fantasy Adventure Novel

My newest novel is now available online in multiple formats.

After moving to a new town due to his mother being ill, a young boy named Adam discovers the last tribe of magical Little People called Nuh-na-yie, living in the forest behind his new home.
When Europeans began migrating to the Americas the Nuh-na-yie started losing their magic so they decided to leave our world. Before they could magically cross over to their new home they were attacked by Uktena, an ancient evil winged serpent. Uktena led his people, the Nunnehi or dark Little People to try and capture the Nuh-na-yie and take from them the key of crossing. During the battle some of the Nuh-na-yie and their animal spirit friends were cut off from the rest of their people and were trapped in our world along with Uktena and his minions. During the confusion of the battle the key of crossing was lost.

Through his Native American heritage Adam discovers he has the magic key which has been with his family for generations.

With the help of his little sister Abi and their neighbor Mr. Josh, Adam tries to protect his family, help his new friends defeat Uktena and find the place of crossing so the Nuh-na-yie can rejoin their people.
Based on Native American myths and legends, the Little People is a story of adventure, magic, friendship, family, and self-discovery.

You can find details here: michaelpaulhoward.com
New Designs

Just added some new art to my web site. At the top is a cover design for my friend Wil Sadler's new book. http://www.michaelpaulhoward.com/Other_Art.html
Hello and welcome!

This is my first entry. Hope to have interesting things to share.

Michael