2020 Archives - Author K. Williams

Alex & Bear’s Happy Halloween

October 2, 2020 By Captain Maiel

There’s more to the ZoDuck cartoons than just Zo, even if she’d like you to believe otherwise. Our little spitfire sure is an attention getter, but her friends are no small deal, either. Last Halloween, the rest of the cast paraded across a fence into your hearts (an homage to a Disney cartoon). Of course the follow up this year couldn’t be less. But what to put on paper?

The idea hit me as I watched Supernatural (2005), even though what you’re about to see bears no resemblance to the show. I also had the X-Files on my mind at the time. I’m not sure if this goes with my Halloween costume/decorating theme this year (Scooby-Doo). However, I feel that it came out pretty great for a quick drawing of three-cell strip.

I hope you like Halloween tomfoolery, Aliens, and good little Bears…

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Zo Duck collage with web address and author name, K. Williams, The Blue Honor Blog — Shop Zo Duck at Cafe Press

Galadrizo

September 4, 2020 By Captain Maiel

By now you certainly should have guessed that I am a Lord of the Rings/Hobbit/Silmarillion (etc. etc. etc.) fan, well before Galadrizo. I know that other drawing (featuring Alex, Bear and Zo) wasn’t the greatest. It was about getting an idea down on paper as not to forget it in the passage of time. Hopefully, I will be able to revisit that piece and do some justice to the idea. When you’re rushed…

Regardless, this month, Zo dresses as one of her favorite heroes from the books. It really suits her: a terrible, powerful queen. All shall love her and despair. Zo would love that position in your life. Hopefully our favorite plushie-duck wouldn’t be too ruthless with a crown? I mean, look at how benign she looks here!

Okay. Okay. I know. Give the duck a little power, she’s going to be the duck of your nightmares. This doesn’t negate the fact that she’s so cute, tho. Right? Right.

I selected that moment from LOTR where Frodo meets the queen in the garden alone. The scene was chilling to read, despite growing up thinking that elves were beneficent. In the end, our lady survives the draw of the ring’s power and reassures us, if maybe only for a moment, that she is good. And, that is true of our duck, too! Zo does have a temper. She is self-centered most of the time. You have to admit, when it comes down to it, she loves lady and her friends, and would do just about anything for them. I think that’s why this particular character is such a good idea for her, unlike being drawn as Gandalf. It shows Zo’s nuance.

(I also included the phial of Galadriel and her silver pitcher for those who love the details.)

galadrizo, zo duck cartoon, zo is dressed as galadriel from lord of the rings, pencil drawing. — Galadrizo

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Jockey Zo

August 7, 2020 By Captain Maiel

It’s the August Place to be! Those words echo through my history. Saratoga is, after all, a horse-racing, summer resort. My young life revolved around a lot of that culture. My grandmothers all have ties. One of my favorite photographs that I took is a portrait of a family friend, who worked at the Saratoga race course (exercising the horses). I miss him a lot since his passing. It’s tough to let go of the regulars in your life.

When I think of jockeys, I often think of this man. I thought it would be nice to draw Miss Zo in the silks, no horses allowed.

Disclaimer: Now, I don’t support the races any longer, but I do love history, and I do love cultural iconography. There’s nothing more iconic than a jockey. They’re considered celebrities in their own right, and make a good living off the events. I just wish, and I am sure they feel this too, that the horses were treated better than they are. I won’t get into it any further, because this can cause a lot of arguments from enthusiasts. As someone close to the inside, I already know the truths of the paddock, and I’m not going to entertain anyway at any level in an argument about the horses. I have taken photos at the meets and continue to sell them in my gallery, but no proceeds go to the track or NYRA.

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The Blue Honor Vlog #52

July 17, 2020 By Captain Maiel

Welcome back for another installment of The Blue Honor Vlog. Subscribe to my channel on YouTube. As a subscriber, you’ll get episodes of Shagbottom Theater, updates from the blog, and watch the process of making book trailers. And! You’ll be first in line to see it all. Once a video is ready, it’s uploaded, and you don’t have to wait for it to come out on the blog or even in the newsletter. Let’s get started!

Get ready! This episode is a reading from the final book of The Trailokya Trilogy series: The Lucent Rise. When I taped this vlog it was early Spring, and wasn’t sure if the book would be out yet. Be warned, there are spoilers ahead for those who haven’t caught up. (Hurry up!)

I’m super excited to bring this to you at last. I’ve been sitting on it for years! When I wrote the trilogy, I completed them together, leaving the editing that would occur for each when the time of publication came around. That would allow me to correct errors and make additions I felt were still necessary to the story. It’s a smart move, because the errors we find in our work can take a minute to realize. Letting it set aside for a time helps.

I’m happy to report, however, I didn’t find any errors. That’s not to say that readers won’t find things they can’t negotiate for their own reasons, but that’s ok because they are allowed their opinions. Without another hesitation, let’s check out the reading…

Other Episodes From 2020:

Blue Honor Vlog Archive

(Scroll below the december video for the links to the episodes for the year).

Prior to January 2018
Episodes from 2018
Episodes from 2019

Zo Gone Fishin’

July 3, 2020 By Captain Maiel

This idea popped into my head mid winter. That was rough–not that I get to go fishing. The thought of sitting on a lake edge taking in a warm July day made me long for the summer. I remember sitting on a small paddle boat with a friend fishing sunnies. The day was so relaxing. Just a nice memory.

Anyone want to take me fishing? *sigh*

Well, I guess this little drawing will have to do in the meantime.