Noel Stone, Reveal #3

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Ann Videan

Don’t you love the textures created for these illustrations of Noel by John Taylor?

Reveal #3: Noel Stone is 20-years old, stands 6’7″ tall, flies without wings, sports a bright aura, and hums constantly.

This image just gives you a glimpse of Noel’s aura, which factors into both Noble and Dark Fae emotions throughout my Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress. If you stood next to this musically gifted teacher, you might hear him humming.

You’ll meet Noel, the hero, in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in my young-adult, fantasy-adventure series, due out in late 2013.

Watch for more clues in the coming days to reveal Noel’s whole character image — plus, image reveals of his Dark Fae brother Mikk Stone. Also watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Back to Reveal #2 To Reveal #4

Noel Stone, Reveal #2

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Ann Videan

Another peek at Noel, thanks to graphic artist John Taylor.

Reveal #2. Noel worked as a sheep shearer while he watched over Lark in the human realm.

This image reveals a hint of the earthy aspect of Noel Stone, the hero in my Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress. His Dark Fae upbringing included a serious musical background, and he might have been talented enough to become the realm’s “Maestro.” But he abandoned his roots to join the Noble Fae and train Lark instead.

His story unfolds, starting in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in my young-adult, fantasy-adventure series, due out in late 2013.

Watch for more clues in the coming days to reveal Noel’s whole character image — plus, image reveals of Noel’s brother Mikk Stone. Also watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Back to Reveal #1 To Reveal #3

Noel Stone, Reveal #1

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Ann Videan

First glimpse of Noel (pronounced "knoll) as interpreted by my young artist friend John Taylor.

First glimpse of Noel Stone as interpreted by my young artist friend John Taylor.

Reveal #1: Noel comes from a Dark Fae family, but chose to leave them behind to teach music to Lark (Delfaerune’s musical prodigy and potential savior).

I characterize Noel (pronounced “knoll”) as the hero in my Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress. He is introduced in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the young-adult, fantasy-adventure trilogy, due out in late 2013.

Watch for more clues in the coming days to reveal Noel’s whole character image — plus, image reveals of his menacing Dark Fae brother Mikk. Also, watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

To Reveal #2

Lark Tūrehu, Final Reveal (#5)

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Ann Videan

Delfaerune Rhapsody series’
full character profile of heroine
Lark Tūrehu.

And, here she is…
Thank you, John Taylor.

Age: 18

Stature: 6’5′

Race: Noble Fae, a tall, wingless, magical people sometimes called the “Goodies” by their unscrupulous Dark Fae “cousins.”

Residence:
Lark lives on a plane parallel to Queenstown, New Zealand, in the fae land of Delfaerune. There, in Queens’tyn, the animals talk, extinct and mythical creatures thrive, and sentient foliage lends magical glamour to the Noble Fae.

Family:
Daughter of Benji and Sara Clanden, and sister to Gaea Clanden (human realm).
Daughter of Magistrate of Glamour (magic) Knyt Tūrehu and Magistra of Music Fern Tūrehu, and sister to B’rook Tūrehu (Delfaerune)

Job:
A college student, and music teacher (human realm)
The “Maestra” (magical music leader of the fae realm)

Strengths:
Musical prodigy.
Unprecedented magical Earth connection.

Flaw: Doubts her ability to retrieve and master three ancient instruments to keep balance between the human and faerie realms, and to save her worlds.

Quirk: “Surgically attached” to her iPod

Animal “familiar:” Akiiki, a kiwi bird

Love interest: Noel (pronounced “knoll”) Stone, a former Dark Fae turned sheepherder and music teacher.

………………………………………………….

Lark Tūrehu is the young Noble Fae heroine in the Delfaerune Rhapsody series—my young-adult, fantasy-adventure trilogy-in-progress. Lark’s story begins in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the series, due out in late 2013.

Watch in the coming days for more character reveals. You’ll learn about the Dark Fae brothers: Noel, and the evil Mikk Stone. Also watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Back to Reveal #4 To Noel Stone Reveal #1

Lark Tūrehu, Reveal #4

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Ann Videan

A unique fae, sporting her human look, as illustrated by John Taylor.

My unique fae leader, sporting her human look,
as illustrated by John Taylor.

Reveal #4: Eighteen-year-old Lark stands 6’5″ feet tall, flies without wings, and is one of only two Noble Fae in Delfaerune with silver-white hair.

Lark Tūrehu, my heroine, and her sister B’rook are the only two fae with the color of hair shown in this image, throughout my Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress. They are the daughters of the Magistrate of Glamour (magic), and the Magistra of Music.

I actually saw a young woman with hair this color at the Phoenix Comicon last month, although I doubt it came naturally. Do you know anyone with locks like this?

My heroine belongs to a race of fae, based on the original mythological fairies who, per The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Elves and Fairies, Chapter 9: “Elf and Fairy Behavior,” are “in Irish folklore…referred to as…opalescent beings…about 14 feet tall!”

Lark’s story unfolds, starting in the Song of the Ocarina, the first book in my young-adult, fantasy-adventure series, due out in late 2013.

Watch for more clues in the coming days to reveal Lark’s whole character image — and, also, image reveals of the books’ Dark Fae brothers: hero Noel and antagonist Mikk Stone. Also watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Back to Reveal #3 To the Final Reveal (#5)

Lark Tūrehu, Reveal #3

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Ann Videan

Lark and her ever-present iPod, as illustrated by John Taylor.

Lark’s ever-present iPod, as illustrated by John Taylor.

Reveal #3: Lark carries an iPod everywhere, and uses songs to shift or complement her mood.

Here is another image of my heroine Lark Tūrehu. It shows her addiction to human music throughout my Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress. The story unfolds around the young Noble Fae, starting in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the young-adult, fantasy-adventure series, due out in late 2013.

I encourage you to suggest your favorite song(s), which Lark may listen to on her iPod in the story. If I select your song to include in the book, I’ll also list your name in my Acknowledgements.

Watch for more clues in the coming days to reveal Lark’s whole character image — also, image reveals of the books’ Dark Fae brothers: hero Noel and antagonist Mikk Stone. Also watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Back to Reveal #2 To Reveal #4

Lark Tūrehu, Reveal #2

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Ann Videan

Second glimpse of Lark, as illustrated by John Taylor

Second glimpse of Lark and her ocarina, as illustrated by John Taylor. THIS IS THE SPECIAL IMAGE to show at Ann’s Nov. 22. 2014, book signing at Capture 12 photo gallery to earn an entry into the drawing for a copy of the book.

Reveal #2: Lark is a musical prodigy, and more connected to the Earth’s magic than any other Noble Fae.

This image reveals the musical aspect of my heroine, Lark Tūrehu, in my Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress. She is the only Noble Fae musical prodigy connected well enough to Mother Earth’s magic to retrieve and master three ancient instruments to save her worlds.

Anyone wondering what is an “ocarina?” It’s a small hollow wind instrument, often made of ceramic or wood, with a mouthpiece and holes for fingering.

Lark’s story unfolds, starting in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the young-adult, fantasy-adventure series, due out in late 2013.

Back to Reveal #1 To Reveal #3

Lark Tūrehu, Reveal #1

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Ann Videan

Glimpse of Lark, illustrated by John Taylor

Glimpse of Lark, as illustrated by John Taylor

Reveal #1: Lark thought she was human, but actually belongs to a leading Noble Fae family.

This image partially reveals one artist’s interpretation of my heroine, Lark Tūrehu, in my Delfaerune Rhapsody series-in-progress.

The story unfolds around Lark, starting in Song of the Ocarina, the first book in the young-adult, fantasy-adventure series, due out in late 2013.

Watch for more clues in the coming days to reveal Lark’s whole character image — also, image reveals of the books’ Dark Fae brothers: hero Noel and antagonist Mikk. Also watch Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

To Reveal #2

Call for songs to add to a character’s iPod in young-adult fiction series

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Ann Videan

My talented young friend John Taylor created this lovely illustration, showing the fae side of my heroine Lark Tūrehu. You can see more of his work at https://www.facebook.com/jktaylor.art.

One of my favorite things about writing the Delfaerune Rhapsody Trilogy is involving you in its creation. I’m asking readers’ input on certain scenes in the books. If you respond to one of my requests and I end up using it, I’ll credit your contribution in my “Acknowledgements” when the book is published. Those not used, I’ll add to the contributors page here on my blog.

Here are two areas for which I already need input:

1. A song to add to the heroine Lark’s iPod. I need a song of hope, but with a beat my character can walk to in a not-too-hurried rhythm. Give me a suggestion to fit into this excerpt:

“The entrance to the main path rewarded visitors to the garden with a stunning overview of the grounds. The mirror-like pond at the focal point, today reflected the fluffy clouds and blue sky. Several pebbly paths leading off into various sections of the garden broke between the flowerbeds and willow trees hugging the edge of the water.
“Nobody wandered the garden in plain sight, so Lark took a moment to plug in to her iPod. “SONG NAME” by SO-AND-SO spoke to her hopeful mood this morning. She allowed the music to set her rhythm, and walked around the pond and up a couple of the paths, expecting to run into B’rook at any turn.”

Thanks to those who already suggested songs on my Facebook post. If you want to add something new, please comment and makes sure to provide:

Full song name
Who performed/composed it
Description or even a few adjectives about the song, describing why it will work in this scene
Your name, or how you’d like to be identified in the blog or book
Your geographic location

(Just so you know, I may use your contact info provided via the comment to communicate with you about the book, but will not publicize it, or use it for any other reason.)

2. A recipe for my vegetarian fae to enjoy during a banquet. Please post your recipe comment to this request in my existing blog entry on this topic.

I will ask for your additional suggestions when needed as I’m writing, so stay tuned.

– Ann

Write on!
Ann Narcisian Videan
Write • Edit • Self-publish • Word-of-mouth

Reader contributions to the DelFaerune Rhapsody young-adult fiction series

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Ann Videan

You all make me happier than anything, even more than my tea addiction. (Photo by my tea-sharing friend Andrea Beaulieu.)

You all make me happy… happier even than my tea habit! (Photo by my tea-sharing friend Andrea Beaulieu.)

Huge thanks to my creative, supportive potential readers who contributed the following ideas to include in my DelFaerune Rhapsody novel series (in-progress). I could not do this without you!

– Ann

Critique partners

Dotti Enderle
Lisa Hood
Sheila Larkin
Angela Myron
Paul Narcisian
Karen Nunes
Sonya Weiss

Beta readers

Chelle Davis
Jennifer Hartz
Sara Rebennack

Maori and New Zealand words, pronunciation, and culture

Daphne McKenzie, my new Maori friend in Australia
Maori Dictionary
Maori Language Pronunciation

World-building consultant

Cutter Videan
• Various Delfaerune, Fae, and plot ideas discussed over numerous Pei Wei lunches

Vegetarian recipes for the Noble Fae banquet scene

Joanne De Biasi
• Stuffed squash blossoms

Syd Hoffman
• Quinoa salad with organic peas and corn
• Spinach salad with onion, strawberries and balsamic vinegar

Barbra Kebba Buckley
• Rice-stuffed grape leaves
• Nutmeat paté en croute
• Corn squash with piñon-nut stuffing

Songs for the heroine Lark’s iPod

Barbra Simon Anderson
• “Mummers Dance” by Loreena McKennitt

Deb Bader
• “I’m on my Way” by The Proclaimers
• “Get on Your Feet” by Gloria Estefan
• “Jessica” by the Allman Brothers

Veronica Barrera
• “Song of the Lonely Mountain” by Neil Finn (The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey)

David Campbell
• “Happily Ever After,” or “All About Us” by He is We

Eduardo Cervino
• “Rumba Azul” by Armando Oréfiche–The Lecuona Boys

Joanne De Biasi
• “Love on Top” by Beyonce

Karen Mueller Bryson
• “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves

Cynde Cerf-Dehmer
• “Sunsets” by Powderfinger

Sandy Anders Crockett
“Protectors of the Earth” by Two Steps from Hell

Mark R.Hunsaker
“Jump in the Line” by Harry Belafonte’s (from his 1961 album “Jump Up Calypso”

Kathy Jones Miranda
“Your Heart is Black as Night” by Melody Gardot

Paul Narcisian
• “Runnin’ With the Devil” by Van Halen

Salih Rashid
• “Song for Mia” by Lizz Wright (folksy, sad)

Cassandra Reeves
• “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles

Marsha Sandoval
• “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles

Marcus Silving
• “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera

Kris Tualla
• “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers

Codi Videan
• “Wake Me Up” by Avicii

Robert Videan
• “Somewhere Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” by Izzie

Fae version of roshambo (rock, paper, scissors)

Cherie Scott
fist with thumb up = tree houses creature
two fingers curved = ‘bunny ears’ creature eats leaf
thumb and forefinger in oval (kinda like holding a guitar pick) = leaf tops tree

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