In Search of 9 Lives

I had forgotten how much fun it is writing a children’s book or anything related to it. In the last couple of years themes and topics in my writing haven’t exactly been light-hearted. To name just a few: segregation, oppression and universal ecological catastrophe. See what I mean?

Earlier this year I asked my Facebook followers to choose my next WIP and The Witch Adoption Project [WAP] came out tops. This sequel was bound to happen as I’d already been mulling over what was happening to the characters of The Lonely Dragon since I left them on Long Upon A Time world. In fact I’d been storing ideas in a folder I like to call The Vault.

WAP certainly contains serious themes (issues faced by children in the foster system being one of them) but several of the characters mean I can explore a sillier side to my nature as I delve into what makes a particular character tick. Quite early on I began to feel the need to add the voice of Kastaspella’s cat Jinx into the sequel. Naturally Clarissa’s dog Snookie then felt he had to add his 2 pennies. They are very different characters and their voices certainly let you know this.

These animal characters have currently taken over my life. And I can’t say I’m all that upset about it. In between chapters for WAP I’ve been ghost writing Jinx’s memoirs. Please keep this on the down low. He doesn’t want it to be common knowledge. As soon as Snookie discovered I was pounding the keys on Jinx’s behalf, he insisted I edit his autobiography. Here’s a little quote from my conversation with him:

“I’ll nae be needing you tae write it fae me mind, unlike some I can mention. It’s all in ma heid. If Conan Doyle and Rowling could scribble away fae hours then so can I. And I warrant I’ll match their success too.”

I refrained from mentioning that keyboards and paws are not a match made in heaven as I’m sure he’ll have a solution to that in mind already.

The only problem about engaging with my animal characters lies in the fact I may be having just a little too much fun. I spend as much time thinking of appropriate fonts for their writing and creating front covers for these future pocket sized publications as I do on the actual writing.

My plan is that anyone subscribed onto my mailing list will get a free e-copy of each of these as soon as they’re written (Early next year for Jinx’s memoirs and around July for Snookie’s autobiography if I can manage to get through the insanity of dealing with the noise from next door’s building works.)

Jinx’s tale is called Memoirs of a Feline Familiar and I’ve got a few front covers in mind. I'm leaning towards 1 in particular but would love your input.

And here to whet your appetite is a little taster of his thoughts.

Even as a kitten I was exceptional. Average was not a word bandied in our household. My lineage can be traced back to Bastet. Now most felines claim this but in this instance it’s utterly true. I have seals and documentation to verify this fact. These will however remain locked in the family pyramid for all eternity so don’t ask me to produce them. Not to mention that digging beneath the Sphinx is a massive endeavour and only the likes of Lara Croft or Indiana Jones are likely to survive the deadly 360º booby traps encircling the sarcophagus where the documents reside.

Quite simply, kittenhood consisted of me marking time. Early on my vocation presented itself to me in the entrails of a mouse. My mother looked over the evidence I pointed out to her and the in-house Mousequseer was consulted to confirm matters. Employing the services of a Mousequseer in these instances is of course standard practice. That we already had one in our employ is naturally due to our standing in the community.

The other thing I need your help with is in deciding what to call Snookie’s autobiography. He’s mixed breed with a predominance of West Highland so I feel that’s the way to go. Suggestions most welcome. I’ve no definite plans on his colouring so if anyone owns a Westie and wants to inspire me then please send some photos over. I’d also like a decision on what his family name should be. Something decidedly Scottish of course.

Faetaera: A Triumvirate

A Triumvirate Brairton’s minions slipped through a barely noticeable fissure. The tear would close shortly. Despite the increase in their regularity the breaches rarely stayed open very long. To the three insidious spies, the stink of the new world was almost unbearable. But in time the triumvirate would each become so used to it they would scarcely notice it at all. That it poisoned them they did not know. Brairton was not in the habit of informing his operatives of fatal consequences. Their programming precluded any thought beyond the mission they must complete. In this Brairton had been exact and had performed the necessary rituals himself. Each had their mission branded into their being. They would travel together for some time but then slip off to their secret destinations one by one, never to see each other again. The threesome latched on to their individual targets and began their particular brand of individual mis...

#Review: A Storm of Swords II

A Storm of Swords II by George R R Martin After starting on the set in September last year, I’m getting through the Game of Thrones series at quite a clip now. This is no doubt due to their intriguing nature and Martin’s writing style which makes reading this collection of books so easy. So far, my favourite character in every one of the books in this series is Tyrion Lannister. I find myself rooting for him at every step on his life journey. He works so hard to be a better man despite people’s preconceptions. When he was made The Hand in the previous book I was not at all surprised that he did a good job of it. Tyrion reminds me of some of the talented yet underrated children I’ve taught in the past. Once they were given a task which excited and involved them they relished the challenge and surpassed all expectations. Unlike my students though, Tyrion receives no praise for his efforts and achievements. Perhaps I like him so much because he almost always has his now...

Faetaera: Through The Rabbit Hole

Larell’s heart was full to the brim. His audience with Aurelia had been unexpected and full of wonder. He was not surprised she was aware of his plans to send a force through to the other side. Aurelia always knew everything going on in her world. At times he thought he saw the weight of it bearing down upon her. Then he wished to take her in his arms and carry her as well as the burdens she bore. But of course he would never do this, merely imagine it. It made him love her all the more. She thought he did not know how she came by her information and he planned on keeping it that way. It was the only way he knew to express his love for her without feeling foolish. In the crystal lined chamber he felt her load more palpably than usual. He knew it was simply his foolish love-sickness for his Queen but he let the feeling soak through him regardless. Aurelia's lips twitched briefly as though she was...

Rae of Light

Search This Blog