Yes, yes, yes! It has finally happened! I have written a book for children! (I think I've just used up my quota of exclamation marks!).
As a multi-genre author, the aim is to write as many genres as possible. But my progress compared to many other dedicated writers, is still slow. Of course I have tons of highly imaginative excuses, some of which are even legit :).
I've wanted to do a children's book for yonks/years. Unless you can do your own illustrations, you really need to find an illustrator. That's why I enrolled on four online classes in April this year, but as yet my drawing books are still very virginal :).
Last year I made a new friend; Julie. A lovely lady with a bubbly sense of humour. And similar to me, she's always working her butt off (pardon my French). A couple of months ago she text me pics of some water colours she'd painted.
A-ha! I had an epiphany. 'Would you like to do a children's book with me?' I asked. And she replied, 'Sure.'
Naturally my feelings were mixed. Over the years, people have said they'll do collaborative work with me, and to this day; nothing.
The story idea and writing it down didn't take long at all. As usual I wanted something a bit different but didn't know what. I wrote a story about aliens that were always curious and having run out of ideas, came to Earth and planned lots of adventures for them. But it didn't feel right as the point at which to start it. So I wrote a back story about them, where they lived and who ruled the place. It was better but felt too stereotypical. Then I decided to try it in rhyme. It was as if my aliens suddenly came to life. I saw them as happy little beings who, because they lived on Planet Pinch, pinched everything and at every opportunity. But they didn't mind because it's their way of life. I really liked the idea and the possibilities.
This little book has taken around two months. There was a considerable amount of tweaking, printing, cutting out and positioning of little Pinchers onto backgrounds involved, but it was fun. I found it quite therapeutic! Again, I just wanted to make it a bit different. Because I wanted to be sure, I did visit my local library to check out the type of children's books that were on offer.
I hope children who read this book, or have it read to them, will love these little Pinchers as much as I do, and ask loads of questions.
Plant Pinch is available in paperback on Amazon. Just press on the picture and it should take you to the site.
Did I mention that everybody needs a friend like Julie?
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