Whitney H. Murphy: On Creating My Graphic Novels
By Whitney H. Murphy
It’s difficult to say when my writing journey began. Some might assume that it began with the little stories I drew up with crayons and misspelled words on the papers that I stapled together, in first grade. I can certainly thank my dad, who encouraged me to read the works of gifted authors like Ray Bradbury and Ursula LeGuin when I was in middle school—and the high school English teacher who pushed me to enter writing competitions during my freshmen year. But while these events were all key points along my creative writing path, I think the true beginning lies elsewhere.
For me, the beginning came in dreams. Visions that first came to me when I was about eight years old, playing by our lakeside home in rural Wisconsin. The dreams most often came to me when I was awake. They gave me glimpses of another place, another time. I began to see people there—people with dreams of their own and broken hearts that I couldn’t yet understand. And over the years, the dreams expanded to reveal an entire world. A world with cultures and languages, with histories and tragedies. I became closely and intimately aware of the souls that live there. They’re lives, their struggles and victories. It became so integral to my personality and identity that I often felt like a rope pulled tight between two worlds, wondering which side I truly belonged to. To be honest, I still feel that way.
I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able explain the dreams that my writing comes from. Could it be as simple as an overactive imagination? I’ve never once sat down to “create” any part of the world of Claya or its people. It’s simply always been there. Among creative minds it’s often said that the ideas create themselves. That they somehow exist, perhaps in some other reality, and that our minds are merely a pathway they’re channeling through. Others will claim that our minds do create these ideas, but do it so that rapidly and fluidly that it gives the illusion of the creation developing all on its own. Could it be psychosis? I’ve certainly wondered if it is, for many years. Those who know me will report that when asked where my writing inspiration comes from, my reply is always the same: I’m just a bit insane, that’s all! But as my editor Leslie once said, if the insanity leads to the creation of books and graphic novels that bring so much delight to readers, “it must be the good kind of crazy.”
I completed my first full manuscript while finishing my last two semesters of college, between 2011 and 2012. The manuscript sat for two years before I felt it was time for revisions. Sometime in early 2016, I followed the advice of an author online and called a local, tiny publishing house—not to submit my work, but to ask who their copy editors were. The receptionist was more than kind, and promptly emailed me a two-page PDF list of freelance editors with their specialties and contact information listed neatly beside their names. It must have been by the grace of God that I was drawn to the name Leslie DeSouza on that massive list. Leslie specialized in fiction, and her rate was reasonable. Now, nearly ten years later, I still reach out to Leslie for all my copy-editing needs. She turned out to be a busy mother like myself. On more than one occasion throughout the years, we were both pregnant or handling newborns while working on manuscripts together. It’s a fact that will always make me smile with pride at all we mothers have managed to accomplish.
I began to publish my original trilogy in 2016, eventually completing it with the launch of the series’ epilogue, Where Time Cannot Tread in the fall of 2025. I did everything I could to keep writing whenever my hectic life as a mother of three would permit—including typing with one hand while holding a nursing babe in the other. But telling the stories of Claya with words alone was never enough. I had always hoped to one day use artwork to offer others a glimpse into the world that had brought me so much joy and wonder. But how would I ever find the time? For years, the concept of illustration seemed hopelessly out of reach. Most weeks, I’d be fortunate to leave a few simple sketches in my notebook. And concept sketches are far from print-ready.
That is, until spring of 2021. When my husband surprised me with an Ipad and Apple Pencil for my birthday, I actually cried. Suddenly a massive new horizon of opportunity blossomed before me. I finally had the basic tools to transform years of idle sketches into full-color digital illustrations, as well as the tools to format those illustrations for print and design my own book covers. Learning to use an illustration platform was absolutely pivotal to my career as an artist and author—especially for a mom who struggled to find the time to trim her own finger nails. It felt like I was holding an entire art studio in my hands. Now I could squeeze in illustration work whenever I had a spare moment—while waiting in the lobby at the dentist, while watching my kids at the park, and just about anytime and anywhere else.
I began illustrating my first graphic novel in 2023. In the two years since then, I’ve seen my illustration skills expand beyond what I ever thought I was capable of. And I’m so proud of all I’ve accomplished, whether anyone else cares or not! The Ages of Claya graphic novel series tells the same stories as my original trilogy, but offers the reader so much more. More details into the characters’ lives and their relationships, and closer views of events that occur between the larger tales that simply couldn’t fit into the traditionally-written books. The first book in my new graphic novel series, Ages of Claya Volume 1 – Awake from the Ashes launched in an ebook format on November 1st 2025, followed closely by Ages of Claya Volume 2 – All that Remains on November 29th. To say that I’m excited to hold the first paperback copies in my hands at the start of 2026 would be a terrible understatement.
I sometimes see my fellow illustrators despairing about their work eventually being stolen or replaced by A.I. generated images. While I do worry alongside them, I refuse to let go of one simple truth. In a world where A.I. is looming with an ever-growing shadow over human artists, I can confidently say this: No matter how well a computer can illustrate, it can never take away the joy that I feel when I bring the world in my dreams to life on paper—or on screen!
The world of Claya is an ever-flowing wellspring of wonder, in my life. It’s a world full of grief and healing, of joy and unquenchable hopes. It’s my hope that the books it pushes me create can bring others a taste of that wonder.
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Whitney H. Murphy is a married mother of three from rural Minnesota. Aside from the original Ages of Claya fiction trilogy and Where Time Cannot Tread, she is also the author and illustrator of the Ages of Claya graphic novel series, which launched in November of 2025. Her first voyage into the world of illustration was with Our Father’s Plan, an illustrated Christian book for children.
Since she was about eight years old, Whitney has enjoyed vivid dreams of the lands of Claya and Eni’erei, from the ancient halls of Clevyan in the east to the floating crystal cities of the far west. Now, she hopes to share a bit more of the joy that world has brought her—one hand-illustrated page at a time.
Facebook: Ages of Claya Fiction Series – Whitney H. Murphy
Ages of Claya Graphic Novel Series (2 book series)
From Book 1: A desperate search for survival–and answers.
As survivors in a ruined city, there are some realities we can’t escape. Or forget. Like the fact that our bodies don’t work anymore. We all know it. With every aching breath, we know it. Or the fact that few of us can recall our own names, let alone the name of our city, our land, or our people. The lack of answers rules our weary minds, flooding–like the fears in our hearts and the pains that crawl along our dying bodies. And the answers lie buried in the ruins that crumble all around us.
Experience the story of Whitney H. Murphy’s Anamnesis, now presented in a full color graphic novel series!
BUY HERE
Volume 2 of the Ages of Claya series is ready to print! Kickstarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/agesofclaya/bringing-ages-of-claya-volume-2-to-paperback
Category: Contemporary Women Writers, How To and Tips
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