Hamstigator
Hamstigator
Hamstigator is written!
I wanted to give everyone an update on Petimals book #2, Hamstigator. I started writing in mid January and it’s finally done and edited. I sent it off to Ed so he can start working his magic with the illustrations. The projected release date is May, 2013.
Writing book #2 is definitely easier than the first book. I learned so much writing Dogopotamus. After going through the process once, it made sitting down and writing Hamstigator a lot easier.
For me, the actual writing process doesn’t take very long. Coming up with the storyline is the most time consuming. How does the book start? What happens along the way? How is it going to end? Those are all things I’ve been thinking about since Dogopotamus was published. Once I had the general idea of how the book was going to be structured, actually sitting down and writing becomes the fun part.
Here’s the synopsis of Hamstigator:
Coby is back at the breakfast table, trying to convince Mom that he’s ready for his own pet. He gets downstairs early, hoping that Mom might not be thinking clearly at such an early hour and she’ll say yes to his request. After asking for an alligator as a pet, Mom says no way! She suggests starting with something small, like a hamster. Coby returns to the drawing board, creates Hamstigator and imagines what it would be like to have Hamstigator as a pet. It’s fun at first, but Hamstigator gets loose in the plumbing of the house and proceeds to destroy everything.
Here’s an excerpt from Hamstigator:
CHAPTER 1
The first rays of morning sunlight came through my bedroom window. I watch a beam of yellow slowly creep across the wall next to my bed. I’ve been awake for a while, staring at the ceiling, just waiting to get up and go downstairs for breakfast. The breakfast table is where I do my best work. It’s my office. My sharpest negotiating tactics all take place between the hours of 6:30 and 7:45 a.m. Instead of fancy chairs, coffee, and three-piece suits, my boardroom consists of a round, wood table, fruity cereal, and spaceship pajamas. Shirt optional.
My target: adults over the age of 30 who, somehow in their advanced age have lost the ability to think clearly before 7 a.m. Perfect situation for me! Anytime I want something, need something, or have to bargain for something, this is THE time to do it. Unfortunately, my biggest roadblock is my older brother, Zack. Nobody kills a perfectly executed plan like he does. He’s equal parts boring, lame and annoying. Zack thinks all my ideas are stupid, and instead of just sitting there minding his own business, he has to make a face or a comment, or otherwise say something that somehow snaps our groggy parents out of their morning fog. No breakfast table board meeting goes well when he’s around.
That’s why I’ve been staring at the ceiling for the past hour. Today’s negotiation is particularly important. I’m ready, again, to ask for a pet. And, I’m not talking about just any pet. This one is going to be special, and will require special bargaining tactics. I need total concentration and no distractions. Dad isn’t around this morning because he’s traveling for work. Zack should still be asleep, so it’ll just be Mom and me. Mano a Mommo.
I get up and decide to put the pajama shirt on today. You’re always taken more seriously with a shirt on. Even though it’s nearly Summer and I don’t sleep with one when it gets hot, I feel like I should be slightly more formal this morning. I could put on slippers, or actually get dressed for school, but that would be a dead giveaway that I was up to something. I open my door as quietly as I can and slowly walk down the hallway towards the stairs.
Hamstigator was a blast to write, it’s a fun story. I hope everyone will like it. I’ll keep you posted as we get closer to the publishing date and as Ed creates the illustrations I’ll share them with everyone. Also - I’ll share more excerpts from Hamstigator along the way.
Thanks again for everyone’s support!
Mike
Friday, February 1, 2013
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