From Bedtime Stories to Story Portal

From Bedtime Stories to Story Portal

by Whaleden in News

We sat down with The Nightmare King and illustrator Elisa to discuss how fatherhood rekindled a passion for storytelling and led to the creation of Story Portal.

At Whaleden, we work with creators whose stories inspire us daily. Recently, we sat down with The Nightmare King, creator of Story Portal - a project capturing the magic of childhood wonder through the Kingdom of Dreams. His journey from bedtime storytelling to today's comic pitch is just the beginning, and it reminds us why we help dreamers transform personal visions into stories the world can treasure. Joining us was Elisa, the talented illustrator bringing his vision to life.

Whaleden: Tell us about your background. How did storytelling first become part of your life?

The Nightmare King: When I was younger, I lived for stories. I wasn't just a reader; I was a worldbuilder. Long before screens ruled our time, I spent countless hours as a Dungeon Master, crafting adventures for my friends through Dungeons & Dragons, Das Schwarze Auge, and World of Darkness. Those game nights were collaborative myth-making, fueled by imagination and connection.

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Whaleden: What happened to that passion over the years?

The Nightmare King: Life moved on. Years passed. Stories faded to the background. But sometimes, the things we love wait quietly until we're ready to return.

Whaleden: When did you find your way back to storytelling?

The Nightmare King: That moment came when I became a father for the second time. Reading bedtime stories to my son rekindled something deep in me - a gentle reminder of how powerful stories can be when they carry meaning. I felt inspired to create tales filled with heart, wonder, and timeless values.

Whaleden: Was there a specific moment when you knew you had to start creating again?

The Nightmare King: One night, my son said something simple: "Can we read something a little more spooky?" I smiled. And I started writing again. That's when Story Portal was born.

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Whaleden: How did those first stories evolve?

The Nightmare King: It began with tales I wrote just for him. Stories wrapped in wonder and shadow, where dreamlike adventures held real-world lessons. Stories where kids were brave not because they had powers, but because they had heart. Slowly, the characters came to life: Kasper, Bruno, and Lilia, three young heroes chosen by the Nightmare King, a mysterious guardian who weaves dreams and nightmares alike.

Whaleden: We love the connection with your Solana community involvement. Tell us about that.

The Nightmare King: Here's the funny part. The Nightmare King had already been with me all along. He was my forever PFP in the Solana community DeadKingSociety. Just like that, everything clicked. The stories, the art, the values - they were threads of the same dream, finally woven together.

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Whaleden: How did you find your way to Whaleden?

The Nightmare King: Dreams need allies. Three years ago, I connected with JustMichael, whose belief in what I was building led me to Whaleden. That's how I met Elisa, a gifted illustrator who fell in love with the Kingdom of Dreams. Her art gave flesh and color to the characters my son and I had imagined together.

Whaleden: Elisa, tell us about your artistic journey.

Elisa: I've loved drawing since I was a little child - my first memory is with my mother teaching me to draw a face from a chestnut outline. Art became my first love, and I drew everywhere: school desks, walls, my first tiny Wacom tablet. I was never able to attend art school, so I felt alone on this journey, always wondering if I'd ever work with someone else on passionate projects.

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Whaleden: How did you discover Whaleden and end up working on Story Portal?

Elisa: I saw a Whaleden contest featuring a character that mesmerized me and thought "Why not try drawing it and participate in the contest?" One thing led to another, and I got the honor to work on Story Portal. It's incredible how perfectly it resonated with everything I love. Even though I was insecure about living up to expectations, Whaleden's team has been incredibly encouraging, helping the artist and writer work together in harmony.

Whaleden: What's it like bringing The Nightmare King's father-son bedtime stories to visual life?

Elisa: Being able to give visual life to these characters that came from such an intimate place - a father creating stories for his son - feels like such an honor. The collaboration has been amazing, and we work together in harmony to bring something truly special to life.

Whaleden: What makes Story Portal unique in today's market?

The Nightmare King: With Story Portal, we're building something more than books. We're merging timeless storytelling with modern comic book appeal, collectible formats that parents and kids want to keep, share, or collect, and digital perks that unlock ownership, connection, and learning for the next generation.

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Whaleden: What would you both say is the heart of Story Portal?

Elisa: For me, it's about artists and dreamers coming together to create something amazing. It's turning the dream of collaboration into reality.

The Nightmare King: The heart of Story Portal will always be this: A father. A son. And a bedtime story that turned into a dream worth chasing.

Story Portal represents everything we believe in at Whaleden - authentic storytelling, community, and the magic that happens when we help creators bridge the gap between inspiration and art. We're excited to support The Nightmare King as Story Portal moves from pitch to production.

Ready to join this magical journey? Support Story Portal and help bring Kasper, Bruno, and Lilia's adventures to life.

Have your own story waiting to be told? Discover how Whaleden can help transform your vision into reality.

Follow us for more creator stories and updates: linktr.ee/whaledencom

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