Author Archive: Robert Worstell
Another over-prolific author, editor, publisher, artist - working to get back to the artist part and not so much on everything else. So blogging my 30-day character challenge would be a sensible approach (perhaps combining it with the NaNoWriMo is too much?)
#29 – Slick Jones
Could be a trickster, could be a villain. “Slick” Jones is known for more than his hair style – his way of doing business might be questionable as well…
#28 – Chumalong
Obviously a good ol’ boy sidekick. Love those sideburns. Just as he likes his fast cars, burgers, and fries.
#27 – Sargeant Major
An ally, Sargent Major is a good guy to have around in a tussle. Brave, courageous, morally upright. Foibles are naivety and blind faith – also an asset.
#26 – Big Red
Of course this is an ally – Big Red from his luxuriant (but thinning) red hair. A genial giant.
#25 – Auntie Jem
Auntie Jem is possibly an ally, but really is a threshold guardian. She keeps a person from entering the “grown-up” world too early, and tells you that there is no return once you’ve taken that juncture. As well, she gives certain tests to ensure you’re ready. Of course, there is all that good cooking she dishes out meanwhile – but is that a test to see if you will just stay around her place instead of going out into the world and making your way?!?
#24 – Mysterious Neighbor
The mysterious neighbor is a shadow. Technically, he’s a relative of someone one of your parents or aunt/uncle went to school with, but that’s where any semblance or similitude ends. He lives just down the road and you’ll see him driving by from time to time, looking you over without smiling or waving. If he ever stops to talk, the conversation is creepy. Does he represent the worst in people, or simply the emotions we don’t want to face?
#23 – Happy Patriot
The happy patriot is a herald/harbinger. His job is to alert you to government problems (Revenue’rs and Regulators) as well as interfering situations which can take you off your adventure’s path.
#22 – West Coast Agent
The West Coast Agent is both a Mentor and Herald/Harbinger. He is the conduit to the “big” west coast publishers and media outlets who can give you fame and income – for a price. Just give up part of your soul for the commerciality of it all. He tells you what is happening out on the left coast, which can bring internal conflicts to face and overcome. You always have a new decision to make after a conversation with this guy.
#21 – Science Teacher
The science teacher is a threshold guardian. He’s the objectively analytical person who is trying to “bring you down to earth” and show you the “practical” and “pragmatic” ways to handle the physical universe. If you reject his teachings, you may be labeled a “hopeless idealist”, doomed to financial failure. On the other hand, his tests show you how agreement with the physical universe can trap you in that scene, unable to reach your spiritual goals – your choice.
#20 – Miss Rosie, School Counselor
Yes, Miss Rosie is the school counselor you always wanted. She’s a mentor, but also a shapeshifter. Her approach may be too warm at times, but she can “palm off” your advances as easily. The point is to get the lessons she offers without falling for the suggestive veneer.
#19 – Coach
The Coach is a Trickster/Fool. Of course, he’s the PE teacher as well, but loves to crack bad jokes and make you run laps. Realize that he’s also handing out lessons…
#18 – Duude
This dude (du-ude!) is a trickster. Of course, he spouts alternative visions/versions for this universe (conspiracy theories, etc.) – but he’s also seeming to not allow you to get too serious about what is going on with life. Everything has alternate meanings (like, they’re after you, man…)
*17 – Hep Cat Bro
Hep Cat Bro is a guy who’s on top of all the latest stuff at school – and it’s a herald/harbinger of things that are going on and about to take place. Of course he works at staying cool and up woith everything that’s “happening”.
#16 – Judge Toddy
A mentor and a herald/harbinger. Key player in the local “Good Ole’ Boys” network, he’ll tell you (maybe) how to get something done easier through one of his friends – or how it used to be done before it got all “improved”. Take his advice or not. Your choice.
#15 – Miss Starr
Miss Starr is a shapeshifter and has a lot to teach about needing approval, and vacillation. Learn well.
#14 – Sis
Sis wants to be everyone’s sister. She’s a bit androgynous, for sure, but doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to be loved. It’s another Threshold Guardian, one of familial influence and approval needs.
#13 – Chip
Chip is another ally, a mentor, and herald. Might even be a threshold guardian, but more likely is just there at the time changes happen. He’s also a member of the “Good Ole’ Boys” network, and can get you stuff via that.
#12 – Bubba
Bubba is an ally, a trickster/fool. A member of the “Good Ole’ Boys” network, he is often used as a foil by them. But his heart is pure. Likes to play jokes, but nothing serious or threatening.
#11 – Mssr. Le Stork
A French wannabe, Le Stork is a Herald, as he travels far and reports what he sees. Of course, he’s also telling other people about you and your activities. Pretty above board and impartial to local happenings (unless it has to do with his affectation.)
#10 – Mr. Porkus
Mr. Porkus is a local food expert. An ally, he can tend to be a shadow for glutinous yearnings. Rooted in the sensual, he exists for the delights of eating and tends to become what he eats. To that degree, he’s also a harbinger/herald of people who need affirmation from the physical universe, instead of taking responsibility for their creations.
#09 – Dee Bovie
Yea, big brown eyes to die for. Dee Bovie is an ally and harbinger/herald. This is the mother-instinct as well as the circle of life warning. All things come around. And she’ll let you know how final things are – through her actions as well as commentary. Reflects on dream states and creations.
#08 – Tractor Horribilus
While ostensibly driven and maintained by his owner-operator, Tractor has a life of his own. He’s a herald, and is pretty much one-dimensional, since he exists solely for races and competition. Mostly a herald, he’s also an ally in his limited world. Could be developed along the line of Cars (though their treatment of tractors, notwithstanding).
#07 – Stan the Ram
Stan’s another ally. Of course, he’s into the approval/social scene, but is there for you (as long as he’s treated with good manners). Can be a bit stubborn at times. but mostly just around to help. Loves to eat, just about anything. (No, tin cans are an urban legend.)
#06 – Brutha Bear
Brutha Bear is an ally. Also part of the “Good Ole’ Boy” network, he’s simply an amicable, if gruff, individual who likes helping out. Obviously likes honey in just about everything. Also likes sushi and fresh fruit.
#05 – Batboy
Batboy is a one-dimensional character. Although he may develop into a shapeshifter, he’s ostensibly a herald and appears at athletic/competitive challenges.
#04 – Sis Kitty
Sis Kitty is a changling/shapeshifter. Some undertones here. Not evil, but can tempt you off your adventure-path. Lots of lessons to learn here.
#03 – Catman Due
Another sidekick. A fat cat, obviously. Don’t know about those loafers, but it fits his laid-back attitude. What’s “due”? I dunno, what’s due with you?
#02 – “Redd” Bull
This is a sidekick – likes red shirts and has a foible in the booze. Easy going, just don’t tease him too much…
#01 Madame Cluck
Of course, she’s “sitting on” something she may or may not want to tell you about. It’s a question of whether she’s “hatching” anything of note. Notably there for commentary about ongoings, still a good supporting character to the main plot – like a character actor to add ambiance to the ongoing story. Motherly, matronly – it’s all there.
2011 Challenger: Robert Worstell
Robert C. Worstell
Thanks for this opportunity to show off my artwork. I’ve been doing cartoons and such all my life, but it’s been taking second-fiddle to many different interests, such as “making a living” and “getting through school”, among others. However, I’ve recently been unearthing my old stuff I did in the odd corners of my life and reviewing these to see how I could get these going as a real enterprise – you know, start making money with this stuff and all my various talents.
And it’s encouraging to see how people are doing this, and all the connections which online publication and sales make possible these days. For I started in the days of actual cut-and-paste, having to send submissions by snail-mail and getting no feedback on the rejections. With cartoons and online publishing, I can get them out via my own virtual publishing house, with the whole world wide web to bring new clients to my virtual door. (You can tell I’m a bit excited about breaking into this, can’t you?)
My characters will be based on the caricatures I’ve been doing at County Fairs during recent summers. (Felt-tip pen and crayon-pencils on art paper.) In fact, I found out about 30 Characters from the website of a fellow caricaturist at Columbia College in Missouri (where we’ve shared gigs there for years.)
Final Series Issue - the end?
Here’s a collection of a test run I did last year for a local Facebook celebrity called the Mexico Goat (who annoyed local pet-control officers for several weeks before a literal cowboy caught him with lasso from horseback.)
#30Characters Chatter…