EXUBERANT
When the rogue deity Eliad breaks free from his role as a guardian and unleashes chaos across the planet, two young and unlikely heroes rise to stop him. Best friends Brianne and Gabriella set out on a journey to find a way to stop him before their world is destroyed. With the fate of their beloved planet in their hands, the girls must face gods, monsters, and their own fears in a battle to restore balance to their home.
I have a lot to say about Exuberant, and only so much I can say without spoiling everything.
It actually started as a project in my sophomore-year pre-production class in college. The goal was to build a brand-new story from scratch and walk through the early steps of developing a show. At the time, I already had a series I was working on, but our professor told us we couldn’t use pre-existing ideas. We had to make something new.
At first, I was annoyed—but honestly, I’m so grateful she pushed us. Not only has my old series taken a backseat for now, but Exuberant has grown into something I truly believe in. It’s already gained a ton of love from my friends, and I can really see this becoming a full-on cartoon that people can connect with if it were given the chance.
One of my close friends is already excited to voice the main antagonist, Eliad. A couple others are drawing fan art and even creating original characters inspired by the world. Their support just makes me even more determined to bring this to life.
The Main Characters
The Protagonists
Brianne Oakes
A mix of the girl I am and the girl I want to be, Brianne is the perfect blend of both. She’s bold, cunning, has the mouth of a sailor, and a heart of gold. She gives Eliad a serious run for his money—driving the poor guy up the wall trying to figure out what makes her tick.
She’s a total wildcard who couldn’t care less what others think. She knows her worth, and she stands by her friends no matter what. And while I might not be quite the chaotic menace that Bri is, I definitely resonate with her fearless energy and fierce loyalty. I’d go to the ends of the earth for my loved ones—and so would she.
Gabriella Abbott
Gabby is the voice of reason—and quite possibly the only reason Bri hasn’t gotten herself killed by making some reckless decision. She’s soft-spoken and gentle, with a deep love for wildlife and a knack for raising plants most people wouldn’t even dare to go near.
More often than not, she finds herself in trouble simply because Bri is in trouble. But what’s she supposed to do—leave her best friend behind? If someone’s gonna talk Bri out of fighting kids twice her size or sneaking past a wild beast just to shave two minutes off their walk, it’s gonna be Gabby. Because if she doesn’t, no one else will.
The Antagonist
Eliad
Quite possibly one of my favorite designs I’ve ever given a character, Eliad is an unpredictable and eccentric being who thrives on playing by his own rules. He’s manipulative, cunning, and doesn’t put up with anyone who defies him. While he absolutely revels in chaos, his patience is thinner than a strand of hair—and no one tests it more than Brianne. Of all the mortals he’s encountered, she’s easily the worst one he’s ever met (his words, not mine).
But not all mortals are awful in his eyes. He’s made a very rare exception for Ceecee—a teenager who he has taken under his wing as his right-hand. Why her? That’s something you’ll have to wait to find out.