Writing Update

As you may remember, I’m working on a children’s fantasy book (some of which can be read HERE), which we will call ATOOC. Feel free to guess what ATOOC is an acronym for. HINT: All words are represented, even small ones like a, and, of, and the, but not necessarily all of them are used. I probably won’t tell you what the name of it is until it’s finished though, so your guesses are strictly for my amusement. Dance Monkeys Dance!

I just wanted to let you know that I finally finished the first chapter and am currently on page 15. I’m really happy with the progress I’ve been making in the last few days, and feel like I got over a hump (LOL: hump). I hope to keep moving at a steady pace and will keep you all abreast (LOL: breast) of my progress.

categories BOOKS | Craig | datetime August 20, 2008 5:20 am

79 Comments

  • By Ryan R., August 20, 2008 @ 5:53 am

    Good job! You’ve more than doubled what you had when I first got here.

  • By Dave S., August 20, 2008 @ 7:08 am

    Excellent! I honestly can’t wait to read it when it’s done. You’ve got writing talent, dude. Really.

    And the title’s gotta be “Angry Trees of Orange County”. No, wait — “Accountant That Overestimated on Cost” (ooo — nailbiter, that one).

  • By Dave S., August 20, 2008 @ 7:15 am

    But in all seriousness, it’s gotta be “A Tale of…” But given the intro, I don’t have enough info to finish the title… :-( “A Tale of Old…?” I don’t know.

    Okay, Craig, I’m dancing as fast as I can here…

  • By Nicky, August 20, 2008 @ 7:56 am

    Ah. Dave S. is ahead of me.
    My first thought was “A Tale of Orange County” and he had all those thoughts, just not tied together.

    “Act Totally OOC”
    (and as Mariah taught us, OOC means Out of Control)

  • By Dave S., August 20, 2008 @ 8:30 am

    Always one step ahead of you, Nicky, always one step ahead… ;-)

  • By polt, August 20, 2008 @ 8:41 am

    Dave S. is always one step ahead cause of that Donkey Dance he’s always doing.

    My guess at the title: “And The Orange Oragutan Cried” OR
    “A Tanqueray Obsessed Orange Creature”…obviously all about the camera-queen Felice! :)

    HUGS…

  • By David, August 20, 2008 @ 9:04 am

    A Trekkie Out Of Compton?

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 9:09 am

    So far Polt’s “A Tanqueray Obsessed Orange Creature” is my favorite! Way to incorporate Felice and bring it all together Polt!

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 9:17 am

    Polt: Well played!

    I’ll have to submit an idea later today when I can read the story. Stupid work getting in the way of my Puntabulous enjoyment.

  • By Tam (Meee), August 20, 2008 @ 9:17 am

    Wow, I am duly impressed. You have a great writing style that I think would appeal to young people. Now for the title, hmmm….. A Tale of Our Children? That’s dumb. A Totally Outrageous Omniverous Creature? Are elves omniverous?

  • By ScottieC, August 20, 2008 @ 9:41 am

    I was going to say A Tale of Odd Children.

  • By Dave S., August 20, 2008 @ 9:57 am

    Ooo. Sorry, Nicky, Polt, David & Tam, I gotta go with ScottieC’s. That’s awesome.

  • By ScottieC, August 20, 2008 @ 10:04 am

    Thanks Dave! But, I guess we won’t find out for quite awhile. We need to keep a fire under Craigger’s butt to keep him writing.

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 10:08 am

    Agreed, ScottieC’s suggeston is awesome as well!

  • By polt, August 20, 2008 @ 10:11 am

    “And Thus Observe: Obese Chinese”?
    “And The Opened Orafice Conquered”? (That one sounds like high-brow porn)
    “Amanda, The Ophaned Orange Crab”?
    “A Thought Of Other Creatures”?
    “And This Old Ohio Capitol”? (Set in Columbus, naturally)
    “Angry Trolls Obviously Opthamalogically Challenged”? (upset old people with glasses?)
    “A Trail Of Oklahoma Celery”
    “Anxious Tykes Or Only Children”

    …It’s sad when one is bored at work, eh?

    HUGS…

  • By Nicky, August 20, 2008 @ 10:12 am

    Maybe “Always Try Oral on Craig.”
    Though that doesn’t sound like a children’s book really.
    But the fantasy part sounds right
    : )

  • By Tam (Meee), August 20, 2008 @ 10:29 am

    LOL Good one Nicky but I can’t see that as a big seller in the kids’ section at Borders.

    Lots of imagination there Polt. I actually have to do some work today and my work does not lead itself to creativity.

  • By polt, August 20, 2008 @ 10:52 am

    Dammit, Nicky, I was looking for something exactly like that, and I could NOT come up with it! How ashamed am I??? Good job though…made me smile. :)

    HUGS…

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 12:35 pm

    Polt: I’m so impressed with all the titles you listed.

    “A Tome of Odd Creatures”?

    I do like this, quite a bit. The tone of the story is educational, but fun and not too stuffy (a bit of formality as if someone wise wrote the book, but not an arrogant ass clown). What is the target age? Will there be illustrations as well?

  • By polt, August 20, 2008 @ 12:38 pm

    “an arrogant ass clown”…I work with a few people that fit that description. :)

    HUGS…

  • By Nicky, August 20, 2008 @ 12:40 pm

    john: no illustrations, just n00dz of various Puntabulous readers. Polt, Dave S. and I are already in.
    I think it’d be great if you joined us.

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 12:40 pm

    Me too! Well, more than a few. (lots of big degrees from Ivy League institutions.)

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 12:43 pm

    john: Thanks! Your use of the word “tome” nearly knocked me out of my chair. It’s not part of the ATOOC title, but I’m considering it as part of the title to the series of books.

    I’m not sure about target age. I guess it would be 6-12, but hope that adults would like it also. I envision adults reading it to even younger children, so that is how I write it. Would love it to be illustrated but can’t draw to save my life. (Unless it’s in MSPaint of course.)

  • By Tam (Meee), August 20, 2008 @ 12:46 pm

    There are lots of artists out there who like to do illustrations Craig. You just have to dig around and find someone who’s looking for their big break. Not illustrated like a kids’ picture book, but every so many pages have a whimsical picture. It would be lots of fun.

  • By Dave S., August 20, 2008 @ 1:20 pm

    Tam: That’s exactly what I was thinking — an occasional illustration (perhaps color) with the beginnings of each chapter having a much smaller illustration (in b&w) on its intro page.

    I’d be into giving it a shot. :-) Though it might be too early to think about illustrations…

  • By Tam (Meee), August 20, 2008 @ 1:25 pm

    I was thinking about you Dave since you did such a great job on SV and VG. I agree with you exactly, color would be great. Yep, sounds like a perfect solution. Damn, I’m excited to see this book, get cracking Craig, write faster.

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 1:33 pm

    Dave S: I’d love to see what you could do with the material! I’ll keep writing as fast as I can.

  • By Dave S., August 20, 2008 @ 1:39 pm

    Coolio. I’ll pick up some supplies this weekend and see if I can toss together a small sample illustration using the intro that was posted.

  • By Tam (Meee), August 20, 2008 @ 1:41 pm

    You have to share with us too Dave. And it would appear I am not the only person who uses the phrase “coolio”. LOL

  • By Nicky, August 20, 2008 @ 1:52 pm

    What?! Dave S drawings?! No one liked my idea?!

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 1:55 pm

    I did Nicky. Feel free to send me some samples of your body of work.

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 2:11 pm

    Nicky: Craig and Polt I can understand. Dave S. is a given, but when it comes to sports analogies: Dave S.’s abs = ab surfing, mine are more equal to the things pole vaulters land on after their jumps. A flattering proposal for sure, but not even close to the fantasy you have created. (I will give you some small hope though, I don’t drink alcohol.)

    Craig: Ooo, I nearly knocked you out of your chair? I’m not sure if I should brag or apologize. I think Tam and Dave S. are right (sorry Nicky, it is a children’s book) some intro illustrations for chapters and smaller ones inside would work really nicely with the descriptions you provide.

    I am curious to see the elves hiding in the grass or the adults gossiping as a child pulls at an apron and points excitedly to an elf well on its way to hiding.

  • By polt, August 20, 2008 @ 2:18 pm

    Dave S. has abs for surfing, John has abs for pole vaulters to land on. Me, well you see those boating guys out in the ocean racing? The ocean…big, wide, and wobbly, well that’s my abs. And I think that kinda stuff is best kept out of a kid’s book….or ANY book for that matter.

    Love the idea of Dave S., illustrations. All I gotta say is, when this thing is published, I better get a copy autographed by both writer AND illustrator!

    HUGS…

  • By Dave S., August 20, 2008 @ 2:24 pm

    Keep in mind that I may totally suck at getting Craig’s vision to paper, so let’s not jump the gun too quickly. I excell at suckiness… :-P

  • By Nicky, August 20, 2008 @ 2:29 pm

    Polt: Land on YOU?! >:O
    No.

    Craig: Sent. My samples are better than Dave’s I bet!

    Dave S.: You excel at suckiness? The gays here could jump ALL over that comment.

  • By Dave S., August 20, 2008 @ 2:31 pm

    Ack! Keeping track of two strings in the same day is confusing me…

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 2:36 pm

    Nicky: You are sick. That picture is frightening to no end. :-P

  • By Tam (Meee), August 20, 2008 @ 2:39 pm

    Are you guys teasing us Craig? Because you know we ALL want to see it now.

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 2:45 pm

    Dave S.: I know it is hard.

    and apparently so is Nicky…

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 2:48 pm

    You don’t want to see it. It’s Nicky’s head on an (how shall I put this delicately?) unsavory naked body.

    Imagine if I was wrong and it really was Nicky? That would be embarrassing.

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 2:49 pm

    http://icanhascheezburger.com/2008/08/18/funny-pictures-ur-doin-it-wrong-2/

  • By Tam (Meee), August 20, 2008 @ 2:49 pm

    Right, now you’ve shamed him publicly Craig. Way to go.

  • By Nicky, August 20, 2008 @ 2:51 pm

    >:O
    That IS my body, jerk!
    Guess you don’t want my n00dz in your book!
    John, send me yours so I can let Craig know if they’re worth filling in the spots where my pics were supposed to go
    >: |

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 2:53 pm

    Nicky: LIAR!

  • By Tam (Meee), August 20, 2008 @ 3:06 pm

    LOL That’s funny John.

  • By Nicky, August 20, 2008 @ 3:07 pm

    I’m not lying…. Go look on my manhunt profile and you’ll see that exact same pic.

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 3:11 pm

    Nicky: mmmmmmhmmmmmm

  • By Dave S., August 20, 2008 @ 3:17 pm

    Manhunt? Is that what it sounds like…? :-/

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 3:19 pm

    The most dangerous sport?

  • By Nicky, August 20, 2008 @ 3:20 pm

    Dave S., I’m sure you’ve looked it up by now. But I don’t really have one (I bet Craig is searching for me!)

    John: Where are those pics?!

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 3:25 pm

    Nicky: No, I wasn’t searching for you. Besides, I aready know I’m right about the picture, so I don’t need any further confirmation.

  • By Nicky, August 20, 2008 @ 3:30 pm

    Craig: mmmmmhmmmmmmm you weren’t searching for me…

    And did you actually Google “naked ugly guy”?

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 3:39 pm

    I did. It was horrific.

    Can we get back on topic please?

    As an additional hint, I’ll say that all the words have been guessed (but not in the same guesses) except for one. But I won’t tell you which one it is.

  • By Nicky, August 20, 2008 @ 3:41 pm

    How about we guess the one missing!?

    I say the second O

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 3:41 pm

    Nicky: Not going to happen. I neither have a wide angle lens nor an interest to burn your retinas with that image.

    Think less this:
    /_|_\
    {_|_}
    {_|_}
    \_|_/

    and more this:
    ( )
    ( )
    ( o )
    ( )

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 3:43 pm

    Oh, that didn’t work, sorry Craig, back to topic it is.

    I’m going to further my guess with “A Tale of _______ Creatures”

    I got nuthin on the second “o”.

  • By Tam (Meee), August 20, 2008 @ 3:47 pm

    So all the words are in one post or by one poster? Hmmmmm. Polt has lots of words but personally I don’t think the word celery would be involved. If we guess will you tell us or keep us hanging? A Tale of Old creatures? or A Tale of Odd Creatures? Okay, there’s a reason I’m not a detective. Usseeellleessss.

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 3:48 pm

    I guess I’d probably tell once it was guessed correctly. Might be a while though… :-P

  • By Tam (Meee), August 20, 2008 @ 3:55 pm

    Damn. You are mean. :-( A Tale of OTHER Creatures? I’m running out of O words and I’m probably on the wrong track completely. Can you tell me if “A” is right? Can I buy another vowel?

  • By polt, August 20, 2008 @ 3:57 pm

    Dave S.: you excel at suckiness….gee, so do I. :)

    Back on topic….
    “A Time Of Open Crotches”? (again with the porn angle…but then this IS me guessing)
    “A Tax On Octagon Candies”?
    “Another Time, One O’Clock”? (obviously, I’m counting the O seperate from the Clock)
    “At The Opening Of Congress”?
    “Anderson: The Only Opposition Candidate”?
    “At The Open Or Close”?

    I’m just trying to find the last word. Personally, I’m going with “A Tale Of Odd Creatures” as the title, but time will tell.

    HUGS…

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 4:17 pm

    There’s something very poetic about “At The Open Or Close”. That’s not a hint. I just thought it was a cool one.

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 4:36 pm

    Craig: Is there a character name in the title? “______’s Tale of Odd Creatures”?

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 4:40 pm

    No. They are all regular words.

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 4:44 pm

    I hate being made a monkey! (stoopid dancing)

    Don’t make me drive to NY Craig.

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 4:49 pm

    Don’t give up john. Perhaps re-reading the excerpt will inspire you?

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 4:59 pm

    My final guess is “A Time of Odd Creatures”. I’m too tired to keep dancing.

  • By Tam (Meee), August 20, 2008 @ 5:18 pm

    A Time of Old Creatures? You used creatures alot so I’m guessing that the C is for Creatures. The rest I’m stumped.

  • By Bill, August 20, 2008 @ 5:26 pm

    How about “A Tale Of Ordinary Creatures”?

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 5:27 pm

    Well done Bill! :-)

  • By Polt, August 20, 2008 @ 5:33 pm

    “And Thus Opens Our Classroom.”
    “Are There Odorous Offals, Charles?”
    “Anthony Thomas’s Optical Operation Continues.”
    “At The Olympic Outdoor Construct.”
    “A Throughly Offense Oratorical Conclusion”
    “And The Orphaned Ophelia Cries”
    “Always The Optimum Orgasm, Craiggers.”
    “A Tome Of Originial Craig-isms.”
    “And The Occasional Overnight Conversation.”

    ….Yeah, guess who’s home from work, but still bored….

    HUGS…

  • By Polt, August 20, 2008 @ 5:34 pm

    “Well done Bill!:)” …wait a minute…is that the title????

    HUGS…

  • By Craig, August 20, 2008 @ 5:37 pm

    Yes, it’s correct. The title is “A Tale of Ordinary Creatures” and references the three main characters: an elf, a dog, and a lizard.

  • By Tam (Meee), August 20, 2008 @ 5:46 pm

    Damn Bill. Sneak in there with the right answer. LOL Well done. Will look forward to hearing more about your progress Craig.

  • By Nicky, August 20, 2008 @ 6:47 pm

    That’s the title?! Do you think that title will catch anyone’s eye? A mother shopping for books will certainly pick up “And The Orphaned Ophelia Cries” over “A Tale of Ordinary Creatures.”
    : )

    But hey, I’m sure all the Puntabulous readers will buy a copy to support you, so that’s like 400 sold already.

  • By Ξ_Heather, August 20, 2008 @ 7:09 pm

    Coming in very late I could never have come up with titles that were as creative anyway), but glad to hear you’re up to 15 pages! I’m looking forward to getting my own autographed copy. :)

  • By Polt, August 20, 2008 @ 7:40 pm

    Well hell…..all the guessing I was making and not even trying….

    An elf, a dog and alizard….hmm, now my interest is piqued. We’ve all been Dancing Donkeys, now, Craiggers, is the time for you to become a Writing Wizard! :)

    HUGS…

  • By john, August 20, 2008 @ 7:44 pm

    Polt: You are officially my hero for the day.

    Get cracking Craig!

  • By Michelle, August 21, 2008 @ 4:28 am

    I LOVE the new stuff (see post on other page)

    I also think the title is absolutely perfect. The elf, dog and lizard are ordinary creatures, the humblest of all in their world, who set off on a great adventure and prove that even they can do extraordinary things, like save the Kingdom! :)

  • By Jim Bob, February 18, 2009 @ 4:35 pm

    Angry Turtles Out Of Control

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