The Next Big Thing (An Author's Blog Tour)

One of my close friends suggested that I do an author's blog tour as a way to promote the Angelic Guardians series. I've never done one before, but, hey, if it means a bit of shameless promotion, then I'm all for it! So, here we go.


What is the working title of your book?
Angelic Guardians: The Gathering

Where did the idea come from for the book?
Initially, I was practicing my manga drawing skills while I was in my sophomore year at Ball State University, and I decided to draw characters based on several people I knew (myself included) in a setting out of a magical girls franchise like Sailor Moon. Then, I thought about writing a story about them; I just never came up with a solid idea until I began my Religious Studies minor. By the end of my junior year, I knew what I wanted to do and which direction I wanted my book to go.

What genre does your book fall under?
Obviously fantasy/urban fantasy. There are a slew of religious themes, and the entire series is pro-Revelation, but because of the language, drugs, and sex that will be evident in later books, I wouldn't consider The Gathering and the installments to come as Christian. And while there is romance and drama, it's really more along the lines of fantasy.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Rizu Hikarino (Liz Light)/Tamashii - Emma Watson
Gaburieru (Gabriel) - Hugo Weaving
Myoujou (Lucifer) - Alan Rickman
Kasushiusu (Cassius) - Jason Isaacs

As for Beronika Hoshino (Veronica Starr)/Medetai, Megu Hino (Meg Blaze)/Iinaka, Jeison Ankokuno (Jason Dark)/Shi, Deibiddo Fushimawashino (David Bard)/Inochi, and Robu Tsuchino (Rob Stone), I would rather have fresh new faces in the acting world to play these characters. I just need a strong actress to portray Rizu/Tamashii in order to get the critics' attention.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
The great battle between angels and demons is approaching, and the King of Heaven has chosen the world's biggest asocial loser to lead his holy army.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I would rather be represented by an agency, but if I must invest in self-publishing, then I will.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
Honestly, I'd say about three years, getting started and all. Maybe less than that.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
I would say Harry Potter, but there are no wizards present in the series. Actually, the entire series is like the cousin to Sailor Moon because of its magical girl/boy plotline, but it's more geared toward adults. But I have given a nod to both Dante's Inferno and Milton's Paradise Lost, which are two of my favorite classics to read.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?
You can say that God told me to write The Gathering or perhaps the Devil himself (although I can't imagine why he would encourage me to do that when we all know how the series is going to end if you have read the book of Revelation... other than it might offend the church despite of its message). But, really, I wanted to do something anime and manga-like, and since I don't draw professionally, why not write and have someone draw it for me in time?

What else about your book might pique the readers’ interest?
Did I forget to mention that not only will The Gathering reflect on religion, but it sheds light on the mission of secret societies (the Illuminati, being one) and how they will later contribute to the rise of the Antichrist. So, if you're big into conspiracy theories or if you're wondering where our governments are taking us, this series is for you.

Classic Rizu and Beronika Bantering Scene from "Angelic Guardians: The Memory" (Chapter 1)

(for those who aren't familiar with their mortal names, Rizu Hikarino is Tamashii and Beronika Hoshino is Medetai. This is Beronika's first appearance in The Memory.)

            “Okay, spill the beans,” demanded Beronika Hoshino later that afternoon at the food court. “Is she anything like me?”

            “Nowhere close,” replied Rizu, taking a bite out of her sushi snack pack. “I’m telling you, B, she is the strangest person I have ever met on this campus!”

            “You mean there’s actually somebody who’s stranger than you?”

            “Real funny,” grumbled Rizu. “No, seriously, she doesn’t even look like a university student! She’s completely old-fashioned, and she dresses like my mama!”

            “You looked through her closet when she wasn’t paying attention, didn’t you?”

            “Maybe.”

            “Well, just because she isn’t into the latest fashion trend doesn’t make her strange,” said Beronika. “I mean look at you! You wear shirts that are either based on your childhood or a band you’re obsessed with! It’s like you haven’t even grown up like everyone else!”

            “I can’t help it!” cried Rizu. “I just don’t care what other girls are wearing!”

            “Is it because those girls remind you so much of the ones who picked on you in high school?”

            Rizu cringed to herself. Beronika’s jab had opened up old wounds and flooded her mind with painful memories of Raian and Jeshi. “I guess so,” she muttered.

            “Alright. So, she dresses differently than us. Big deal! She still doesn’t seem strange to me.”

            “What about girls who have a big collection of Star Wars and Star Trek books and hundreds of manga titles in their library? And I mean bigger than Robu’s!” asked Rizu.

            “I know girls who are into manga and sci-fi.”

            “Yeah, but are they nerds?”

            “Like the one I’m talking to? Yes,” answered Beronika.

            Rizu glowered at her former roommate and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not a Star Trek fan, and I don’t read Star Wars novels!” she huffed.

            “No, but you do play two Pocket Monsters games on two different consoles, and you have quite a Serā Senshi doll collection at home to boot! I don’t know if there are girls our age who are still into that stuff!”

            “What are you trying to say, B?”

            “I’m saying that you have no right to judge Keitorin like that without examining yourself first,” said Beronika. “When it comes down to the wire, you two are the same but on different sides of the coin. Yeah, you’re both nerds, but you’re a nerd that she’s not and vice versa. What you guys are into reflects your inner selves. So what if you don’t care for sci-fi books? And so what if Keitorin doesn’t like to watch episodes of the Serā Senshi on television? Keitorin doesn’t sound any stranger to me than you are, Rizu.”

            “Well, at least I’m not a hermit anymore!” snorted Rizu.

            “Why? Is she one?”

            “Big time.”

            “I don’t see anything wrong with that,” said Beronika nonchalantly.

            “So, you don’t mind if she sits in on our meetings?” asked Rizu as she arched her right eyebrow.

            Beronika felt her face flush with embarrassment, and she lowered her gaze to her food as she placed her chopsticks on the table. “I didn’t think about that,” she confessed. “I’m so used to having our gatherings in your room last year because I was living with you back then, but everything’s changed now.”

            “I know,” agreed Rizu. “That’s part of the reason why I wanted to have lunch with you today. We need to think of a new place for all of us to meet without being interrupted.”

            “Or having our secret revealed,” added Beronika.

            “That’s our main concern for sure.”

DISCLAIMER: All characters and plots belong to L. D. Smith ©2011.

Live-Action "Angelic Guardians" Movie Wish #1: Emma Watson

I've probably said this before, but if there was one actress that I could sign to play the role of Rizu Hikarino (Tamashii) in a live-action movie adaption of the Angelic Guardians series, I'd pick Emma Watson.

(Left: Rizu Hikarino (Tamashii); right: Emma Watson. Can you say separated at birth?)

Yes, I designed Rizu after Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series but more nerdy, if you will. (Okay, truthfully, I was known as Hermione to some of my college friends because of my bushy and unruly hair like the canon Hermione.) Even though she is too pretty for my taste, I'd rather have Emma take the lead role because of her talent and her celebrity status rather than a newbie.

(Not to mention the fact that Emma is a fellow Aries to Rizu and me. My birthday (and Rizu's) is April 17th. Emma's is April 15th. Of course, who is older? Woot! Go Rams!)

But why Emma Watson? Looks alone, she fits the bill. Brains alone, she fits the bill. (The girl is attending an American university. How many kid actors/actresses these days continue their education past home school?) The biggest plus? Should Emma accept the role (and I get a deal before then), she would get away from the "Hermione Granger" label that could haunt her for the rest of her life. (Not to mention the fact she would be the leading actress of her own movie series.)

The downfall? Several:

1. Emma has already spent nearly 10 years playing the same character in a movie series since she was a tween. I would rather have the first six books (Angelic Guardians: The Gathering-Angelic Guardians: The Revelations) in movie format than all 15, given the ages of the characters in remainder of the series. Still, six movies (two of which are split in half due to different plots in the same arc) is just as bad as eight movies based on seven books. The odds of her going for something as time and energy consuming as those Harry Potter movies were for her don't look good. Plus, she has mentioned that she would like to move onto something different. My translation: not another series of movies based on a famous novel saga.

2. Emma is British. Rizu is Japanese but would speak with an American accent if there was an anime adaption dubbed for English (naturally). Not only would Emma have to learn the Japanese language, she'd have to learn how to speak it correctly. (i.e.: "Rizu" is not pronounced as it's spelled. It's really "(Rli-z')" since there is no "l" in the Japanese language and the "u" is generally silent if placed at the end of a word.)

3. Emma would have to learn to appreciate the Japanese culture... that includes sushi and other weird food, though I would guess mochi ice cream would be her favorite dessert. I know it's mine. (Man, does that sound good right now!)

4. Last year, Emma became Winona Ryder on us, and now she's sporting a new do.

So much for the natural bushy Hermione hair.
-Liz-

My Mad Paint and Online Picture Editor Skillz!

This is what I get for being bored past midnight: a blog banner honoring Erin Gentry's original sketches of Tamashii and the gang from Angelic Guardians: The Gathering.

Don't worry, Erica, I'm gonna get hoping on that synopsis revision tomorrow. Sleep will ease my mind.
-Liz-