Page 60 - Novelist Post – J.D. Barker and more

60 II NOVELIST POST
Stephen Hecker Builds Worlds from Dreams, Ink and Imagination
Stephen Hecker shares the origins of Zebulon, the influence of his artistic background, and the challenges of balancing storytelling, visual art, family life, and immersive fantasy world-building in this compelling interview.
Fantasy Visionary Behind Zebulon Series and Awakened Comics
Stephen Hecker is the kind of storyteller who doesn’t just craft a world—he builds
readers into a mythic reality
as intricate as it is immersive, where folklore meets high fantasy and every detail—from custom languages to complex guild systems—feels lived-in and alive. His work is not only imaginative but foundational, offering the kind of layered sto- rytelling that lingers long after the final page.
much has already been done. Inste- ad, I tapped into my long-standing interest in mythology, religion, and folklore to build something unique. Zebulon isn’t just a world—it’s
work as an artist, business owner, author, and father of seven?
Time is my most valuable resource. My family comes first,
so evenings are for them—playing games, hanging out, and being pre- sent. My business and art life are tightly connected, and I work every day, whether it’s tattooing, graphic design, or teaching. Writing and drawing usually happen late at night, after the kids are asleep. I don’t sleep much—4 to 6 hours is my average—but it’s worth it. Be- ing self-employed takes discipline and excellent time management, but the freedom it brings makes it all worthwhile.
How do you approach developing complex characters like Alamir and Markus?
The Zebulon series, especially The Black Dragon’s Claw, was born from a 2.5-year D&D campa- ign I ran. I built the world, races, languages, and monsters myself, but several characters came from the players in that game. With their permission, I adapted their creations into the novel and filled in the gaps with characters of my own. I build each one with full ba- ckstories, attributes, and personali- ties—then let the story dictate how they act and grow. My personal favorites are Lokelo, Markus, and Rexorel. I treat every character like a real person with their own motives and arc.
What part of writing the Zebulon series has been the most emotionally challenging?
Two parts, really. First, keeping track of every character—how they look, act, and where they are in each scene—is a constant
By Carine O’leary London
a universe. With the Zebulon series, Hecker invites
a connected reality, where all my stories, art, and characters can exist together. The core idea actually came from a recurring dream I’ve had since childhood. It always plays out when I hear “Children [Dream Version]” by Robert Miles. That dream became the foundation of my universe.
What sets Hecker apart isn’t
just the scale of his creativity, but the sincerity behind it. Whether it’s through a tattoo machine, a sketchpad, a comic panel, or a novel’s prose, his vision remains rooted in passion and purpose. The world of Zebulon is more than a setting—it’s a legacy in motion, forged by dreams, shaped by artistic discipline, and fueled by an unwavering desire to connect with others through story.
How does your background in tattoo artistry and graphic design influence your writing or world-building?
It’s less about the specific me- diums of tattooing or design and more about being a lifelong artist. I’ve been creating characters, sto- ries, and cartoons since I was a kid. My strength lies in visualizing and describing characters and settings in vivid detail, which comes natu- rally from my artistic background. Tattooing and design are simply different ways I express that creativity. Whether it’s on skin, canvas, or paper, my imagination drives it all.
What challenges did you face transitioning from visual art to writing novels?
Grammar. No question. It’s been my biggest hurdle since school.
I struggled with the difference between casual conversation and formal writing, and that made me believe I couldn’t be a “real” wri- ter. It took me years to realize that storytelling is the most important part—and that’s what editors are for. Once I accepted that, I finally felt free to write the stories I had bottled up for so long.
How do you balance your
In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Stephen to explore the dream that launched a universe, the creative process behind his iconic characters, and how he balances the roles of artist, author, educator, and father. His insights offer a rare glimpse into a mind where imagi- nation and ambition are perfectly aligned—and where storytelling is nothing short of a calling.
What inspired you to create the world of Zebulon and its unique guild system?
I’ve always loved building cha- racters, monsters, and stories from scratch. I didn’t want to borrow
or mimic existing content, though that’s tricky these days because so