New projects...

So with my book awaiting being sent off to Macmillan and my PP under way (kind of, must work on that actually), I've decided to undertake new projects. First of all I'll mention Advice from Mice. This is going to be a straight up silly fanzine based on some silly comics I did a few weeks back. Here's an example of how these images will appear.

Second, I'm writing a new kids book. This one is about arrogance and the folly of bravado. Since I know how stimulating it is to read ALL of my notes (ha) I've decided to just copy and past them from the word document I was working in. Also a page of horrible sketches while I tried to figure out the main character.

Version 1

Eq – Boy (whatever animal) is lacking in friends and he can’t understand why because he thinks he’s brilliant [character note: He is confident and arrogant, not unhappy]

Dis – Boy talks to people (animals) who are doing various activities. We will see the whole cast from the off and each time they say what they can do the boy says “that’s nothing.” And makes up an elaborate story to better them. He does this several times (to be determined) and eventually they ask him to prove it at which point he says he must go to bed.

Rec – At the end he reflects on how amazing they must all think he is because of his great triumphs, though the next day when he goes to find them, they aren’t around. At this point he recognises his error and the story ends.

Version 2

Rec – during his last exaggerated story the other people all walk away. He doesn’t notice until they’ve already gone, at which point he exclaims that they must be jealous. He then reflects on how brilliant he is. The illustration then conveys how alone he is, and we see a look on his face that indicates how sad he is. In this version we can see the characters as they begin to walk away because he will have his eyes shut as he starts to talk.

Version 3

Dis – they all get sick of his bravado and ask him to prove it. Eventually he is *forced* to take part in these activities which proves he was lying. They all laugh at him and he feels humiliated.
Rec – He feels sad and realises he was stupid to lie in the first place. He runs off and cries alone.

Rep – The other people (or animals) return to him and tell him that it’s okay not to be the best at EVERYTHING, and that he’s the best at telling stories (maybe).
Note: This message feels shallow. It implies that there’s always something you can be the best at, but this isn’t true. Maybe the message should be that we’re all the best at being ourselves and that it doesn’t really matter whether we possess traditional talents. Maybe not though. Maybe they say as long as they have fun and are good to each other then it doesn’t matter? I’m not sure. I don’t think it even needs to have this happy ending. I like it ending with the boy NOT learning a lesson. The reader can learn the lesson but the boy doesn’t have to.

Notes: It’s probably best to tell it from the perspective of the boy, with no narration. Although in order to set up the Eq we may need a line of narration. *once there was a rabbit who…* etc. Or maybe we don’t need to start on the Eq at all. It’s possible to start on the disruption.

Possible titles: Bunny bravado. Bear bravado. Bravado. (something to do with conceit).  

Note: All those titles use words that kids won’t know.  Braggin’ Bunny is better, although still entirely shit. The bunny who bragged? The bear who bragged? What the hell animal is this going to be?!