Roger Anthony as “Eloci”
Used with permission by Jaime Buckley and JaimeBuckley.com
I have been looking for the right personality for ”Eloci“: the eldest brother of the Imbirisül (im-bee-ree-SOOL, translated from the Evolu as ‘speakers of the I AM’). Seven humans respected throughout each world in the WANTED:HERO universe.
As you know, this story has been crafted and collected over nearly two decades, with characters being modeled after the personalities of people I have met and been blessed to know. Famous people and not-so-famous people from around the world, who have made a significant impact in the lives of others and in society. This has always been important to me–to give my characters true life…and now that WANTED:HERO is being put into novel form, that desire is greater than ever. I simply want to have the right heart in the characters of the story and to give honor to those who I admire for their own character traits.
One of the key characters of The WANTED:HERO Chronicles is “Eloci”. A unique character (along with his six brothers) given the gift of life until his mission is complete, protected from hunger, disease, pain and a unique connection with the Ithari herself. Eloci is the wise, loving being who has mastered himself…and in developing perfect integrity–he has the confidence and friendship of the very elements of life.
I could not have chosen a better person to represent Eloci than my dear friend and mentor, Australian Born, Roger Anthony. A dear, inspiring man, whom I am so blessed to call my ‘little brother’. He has been a dynamic part of my life and has blessed my family through his Crocodiles principles and his unwavering love and support.
In talking with Roger and spending a great deal of time with him, the look and feel of Eloci came out, and at one point in our meetings we all stopped and laughed hysterically when I passed around the quick sketch of Eloci. It was one I had done while watching Roger give his presentation and I slid it across the table to him. His eyes popped open wide and he threw his head back, and I was worried for a moment, until the deep belly laugh burst across the room. Roger was beside himself with glee and tears of laughter when I described the WH character I felt he embodied, and I’m happy to say he inspired me on how to solidify the rest of Eloci (Thanks Rog).
As an international speaker and trainer of more than 30,000 people over his career, I have watched and been able to partake of a great deal of Roger’s wisdom. To see the magic in this man’s mind, one has only to travel to his creation: crocpond.com
God Bless you Roger, just for being you.
Read MoreSilhouette: Michael Jerome Johnson
Deep in the Black-coal Ocean, moving with the current is a floating city of Seafoam. Navigating the city and its intricate defenses are the bronze skinned ‘Duron’, or ‘Sea Riders’.
A hearty, loud people who raid all movements of non-humans upon the sea. Respected by the ‘Kutulu’, the Duron live upon a floating island–one which sustains life, provides food, shelter and a constant hiding place from their enemies.
It is said that over 2000 years ago, the great water spirit came to a pirate named Istan-Cal, with a message that his seed would harness one of the keys to saving humanity. Istan-Cal was told a star would fall from the sky–a gift for his seed. A star made of metal which would float upon the waves of the sea he loved.
The water spirit commanded Istan-Cal to take the star and shape two swords from the remains–straight bladed swords with two holes at the base of each hilt. He was instructed to use seafoam as the coolant, not oil or water, in forging the blades–which would bring the metal properties to the surface.
These blades were to be passed down from father to son, each trained and sealed with a covenant to aid blood for blood, when the time came for the water spirits prophecy to be fulfilled.
In return for this act–and his vow to raise a people upon the sea, the great water spirit provided a haven, with a promise:
No enemy would set foot upon this floating miracle–so long as the covenant was kept.
Silhouette is the last of the Istan-Cal line, given his name after the black, deep water viper which twists, evades and bites its victims. Blessed by a Seafoam prophet that he would “deliver death to evil”, Silhouette has dedicated his life to the study of the sword and finding the band of brothers known as the ‘Nethinim’. Paths eventually crossed, and Silhouette proved himself a great man of honor, saving the lives of the Nethinim ‘Bear’ and ‘Tundra’.
Silhouette rides with the Nethinim to this day.
Silhouette was inspired by the noble personality of Michael Jerome Johnson, a brilliant fight director and actor.
Renaissance Man – Teacher/Actor/Director/Fight Director/Writer
Read MoreWH Considered for Animation
In Feb. 2009 at the main offices of Jubilee Worldwide in Provo, Utah–Wanted:Hero Studios was approached by an undisclosed animation studio, seeking for movie rights. This came about, due to the cooperative and collaborative efforts of executives from OPF (Other People First.com).
At first the interest was in several characters from the storyline, wherein WHS produced drafts of 6 original shorts (the 2 minute films placed before a feature movie). The studio was delighted, and has continued negotiations with WHS–seeking not only the rights to the shorts, but considering the primary characters as the center of a feature full-length animated movie.
All details are under wraps until negotiations are completed and contracts signed (if and when). Once that occurs (again…IF and WHEN), this hyper little Gnome will give you all the juicy details possible.
So for those of you who love this eComic…say your prayers and cross your fingers.
Side Note: The cleaning crew at JWW found Jaime Buckley passed out on his studio floor from sheer shock.
Read MoreThe Economy & Hackers
I wanted to take a few minutes and update those who have read WANTED:HERO (eComic), those who have sent letters, emails and called me (when I HAD a phone) to ask why there has been such a delay in bringing out more content (and the novels). It has been wonderful to have so much encouragement, kindness and support through these incredibly hard times. However, most of you are not aware of what I’m talking about, and so I feel to let you in on the conflicts which have postponed my progress (temporarily).
The economy has affected just about every aspect of my life and difficult decisions have been made. In several instances, decisions were made for myself and my family. Earlier this year, I lost all of my businesses and in turn, all of my income. This was exacerbated by being sued for jobs I did ‘too well’. Long story, won’t go into it–but you can find out more at Jaimebuckley.com and lemonadestandinabox.com. To make a long story short, my friends, I have had the professional life I known, taken out of my hands…and am now free to write full time.
Gotta put it in the positive.
The challenges? No phone, no hot water, no internet (we can thank Uncle Bob for allowing me to work from his home), no car and soon to be no home…with 10 kids at home.We have food, electricity and water. I have taken odd jobs when available, but life is slow going.
Trust me when I say I am actually laughing right now. I feel so much relief of presure and pain and freedom, not having to run the ‘rat race’. Yes, this is difficult. No, I don’t know what I will do or what the future holds. However, I will work with what I have and give of what I have.
Now, the next challenge I had to face was losing 2 years of work due to hackers. It was my surprise to my readers to have an online encyclopedia for Wanted Hero. Hackers reprogrammed the links and navigational buttons to direct kids to ‘unsavory’ sites. Yes, we all know what that means and I couldn’t allow that to happen through my site…so I had to delete the work, by my own hand. I just didn’t have the knowledge or resources to reprogram the created site.
Writing a novel, a good one, is not as simple, nor as easy as I had anticipated. However, it has been a great joy to work on something that I love and that I can share with others. So to all those who have been so kind, thank you. To those who didn’t know why I have done so little online, it’s because life attacked me and got the better of me for a time.
The first novel is still being added to, as more people ask questions which force revealing information out of the story in backgrounds and history of various planets. This has been nothing but a blessing to the work as a whole and those who read Wanted Hero: Prelude to a Hero will find the depth of information far more stimulating than the comic ever could.
The Website:
You will notice changes being slowly made over time on wantedhero.com. This is due to the desire for a new feeling and the focus on novels, rather than the eComics, though both will be promoted and created. The site will revolve around the novels, and reorganization was required.
If anyone has suggestions which might help in the creation of a more dynamic site, it would be appreciated.
Read MoreJaime talks with David Farland (aka David Wolverton)
In moving forward into the writing realm, I have to say I have been unsure at moments. I’ve always been a cartoonist. I always created comic books, or even games. I never actually entertained in print alone.
But I was wrong. Hundreds of articles for professionals across the country and around the world should at least start to qualify me as being a writer…shouldn’t it?
Now, a dear friend of mine, Roger Anthony told me he wanted to introduce me to one of his dear friends–David Wolverton…also known as David Farland: a brilliant writer, teacher and holder of a Guinness Record for the largest book signing, back in 1999.
Well I spent some time on the phone with him this morning, and he very graciously talked with me about the writing industry, what I might do for my own project and encouraged me. If you have not had the opportunity to meet genuine, kind and supportive people out there in your own fields–they do exist. David is one of them, and I appreciated his time. When I got off the phone, I (of course) signed up for his daily tips for writers (which I do recommend to you, BTW) at www.runelords.com.
The first tip I read? Courage.
Fear cripples you.
So, to help overcome your worries about criticism, memorize this little saying: “Any idiot or ass can criticize my work–and many of them will.” That’s because it is far easier to throw stones than to build a castle.
These tidbits of information and guidance helped me make the best decision yet of my career: to step it up. To set the promotion aside, set the gadgets aside, the worry aside—and just do what I love to do: entertain and educate.
The trials I have faced (and continue to experience) are nothing short of blessings from Heaven, and have taught me the value of simple kindness. So, for those of you who write to entertain, I strongly suggest you go to David’s site and take advantage of his wisdom, experience and willingness to share these priceless chips of gold with you. It will, flat out, improve your writing within days.
-Jaime
Read MoreMy Latest Book
