A while back, I’d visited my parents and my mum told me how my sister bought Yoda (our pet cat) some Tea… Yes. Tea. In bags shaped like mice! He didn’t like it though. I guess he’s a coffee drinker.

I’ve been doing stuff, other than playing games and such, but I just didn’t feel comfortable talking about any of it, as it’s all still in its very early stages. Even though it’s all pretty solid stuff, nothing is ever definite in this world until it’s done. But I can at least share some details.

Been planning out a series of short stories, some old being rewritten and some new written from scratch. My goal is to release an anthology by 2008 with artwork from a collection of artists I’d hand-picked, so to speak, for each story. I’ll mention more on this when things have further developed. Suffice to say, it’s very exciting, yet also quite daunting. I’m having to juggle somewhere in the region of 6 to 8 stories and artists. I started off with just 4.

I was given the opportunity to work with Emma on a paid commission, where for once, I’m actually getting paid if the story is accepted. But there’s a tiny catch. I have to write a short 5 page children’s comic. For the ages of 8 to 12, to be exact.

The publisher replied to us shortly after the initial synopsis was sent.

I’ve just read “What is it?” and i have to agree with you. A very sweet little story, sugar coated in fact, that i assume would be a 3-4 page stand alone? I see this story, with your illustration, being a completely charming contemporary tale.

So far so good.

I have some reservations though about the appeal of such a tale to our intended readership.

Doh’!

I think it’s spot on for much younger children and similarly, though for different reasons, very appealing to a maudlin older audience (me), therefore kinda falling frustratingly either side of our 8-12 age group. Perhaps this is true much more for boys of that age rather than girls and perhaps i am letting male bias influence me, but I’m just not sure it’s right for the [fweee].

Back to the drawing-board… uh.. writing-board? Whatever. Over all, a lot of fair points raised there. Great feedback. Though, admittedly, this makes it a bit harder for me. Kids of that age are not easy to write for on a neutral level, but I’m optimistic and have decided to do some research to see if I can find new inspiration. I may still use that story in something else in the future. I really liked it, it’s very sweet. Yes, I said sweet!

I have to be honest though, it’s fun if not a bit odd, writing for kids