The Magic Eye - Interview With The Author

Robert Carter spared a few minutes to answer some questions about 'The Magic Eye' the new magical adventure book that comes out on Friday 3rd April.

1. What inspired you to write ‘The Magic Eye’?
It really started as a discussion with my young daughter Lexi that led to the idea. I’ve always enjoyed fantasy fiction, particularly when written for children. As the ideas evolved it seemed natural to turn them into a book.

2. The heroine is called Amelia, who is she based on?
Melie is based on my daughter Lexi, after all she was instrumental in the book being written in the first place. The name Amelia is borrowed from my only granddaughter who is 9 months old.

3. The co-star and Melie’s best friend is John Simon who has Down’s Syndrome. Can you share the background to this idea?
My fourth child Joe is the inspiration behind John. Joe was also born with Down’s Syndrome and I wanted to share the beauty of Down’s with as many people as possible. I think that everybody who reads the book will fall in love with John.

4. You have an innovative idea for the rest of the series. Where did it come from?
As an innovator myself, I wanted to do something that would add much more value than simply writing a book. I have developed a method for writing that makes the process simple. I want to share that method with as many people as possible. Melie’s followers and readers will be invited to submit ideas for the next story. Twice a year, 20 children with the best ideas will be invited with their parents to join my family at a special boot-camp. The objective will be to jointly design the next Melie adventure. This will be a weekend of fun, alternating between England and the USA, where they jointly develop the outline and first chapter for the next book.I also believe that many hands can make light labour and that there isn’t an idea that can’t be improved upon. I expect the problem for the second book will be fitting in all the great ideas generated. The most difficult bit will be discarding the ideas that don’t fit the story or that haven’t yet had their time.

5. Why alternating between the UK and USA?
I currently share my time between both countries and so having a boot-camp in each seems logical. There is no reason why we can’t expand this to other countries in the near future. Perhaps Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Australia can be in the second wave, and then we can expand all over the world. The intent will be to keep the ideas coming in to keep the adventures as fresh as possible. The different cultures of the world will help to do that.

6. How is this book different to other children’s magical fantasies?
I think that the major difference is the blending of old world magic with modern technology.

7. Who is ‘The Magic Eye’ aimed at?
The Magic Eye is written in a style that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Families can snuggle up to experience the adventures together, or family members can immerse themselves in the magic on their own, if that is their preference. Fans of other fantasy books like The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and The Spiderwick Chronicles are expected to be drawn to 'The Magic Eye'. By comparison to other books in the genre, 'The Magic Eye' can be enjoyed in a comparatively short time. The twenty six chapters can be read in as little as three hours, encouraging younger readers to enjoy the magic as well as their older siblings. The other major difference is the setting. 'The Magical Adventures of Melie' are set in the twenty first century and blend the magic and wizardry of old with modern technology.

8. A key part of ‘The Magic Eye’ concerns an enchanted book. What is it?
‘The Book of the Future' was first written fifteen hundred years ago by the evil witch Faranella. Many copies were made and all but one was destroyed. The destruction of the book was ordered by Karak Pendragon, Grand Master of all Wizards on earth. The order was made immediately after Faranella was finally beaten by the combined armies of all the earths' wizards. The one book that remains is enchanted. Many attempts have been made to destroy it and all have failed. Early in the twenty first century the book has appeared again. It is foretold in the book, that a magical being will be born. This special girl will have the power to bring Faranella back to the earth after centuries of imprisonment. Faranella believes that she has now been born and her name is Amelia Pendragon, distant ancestor of Karak.

9. Are there any plans to make a movie?
Let’s not get away with ourselves. The first book is only just coming out. I believe ‘The Magic Eye’ would make a great movie but I think the honest answer is let’s wait and see.

10. Finally, you talk about being a wannabe rock singer, what do you mean?
There’s always one embarrassing question. I have been lucky to be the lead singer in many a garage classic rock band. Three bands in Tucson were actually pretty good and we made a bit of beer money as well. I would love to find a good classic rock band to front in Manchester, but don’t currently have the time.

Who Is John Simon

The co-star of 'The Magic Eye' is based on my sixteen year old son, Joe. Joe has Down's and he is the inspiration behind John Simon, the best friend of Amelia Pendragon. Amelia is the heroine in the new childrens adventure series, 'The Magical Adventures of Melie' and John also has a leading role. The first book has just been approved for distribution and will be available at the beginning of April

Press Release

The Future of Fiction Is Here
Author Publishes Book Inspired by Daughter’s Creativity and Reluctant Separation From His Family.
Manchester UK and Tucson Arizona – March 24th, 2009. British author Robert (Bob) Carter has seized the opportunity to use his spare evenings and weekends to write ‘The Magic Eye’ the first in a series of children’s fantasy stories titled ‘The Magical Adventures of Melie.’
Carter is temporarily separated from his Tucson based wife Teresa and young daughter Lexi, while he is working in England. That separation has formed the basis for ‘The Magic Eye’. The story owes much of its originality to seven year old Lexi who has been responsible for many of the creative ideas. Carter explains; ‘Lexi isn't afraid of making suggestions to enhance the story. She isn't afraid of 'being wrong' she isn't afraid that somebody will tell her not to be 'silly'. Lexi, like most other children of her age will have a go’.
Carter has developed a method for writing that includes hundreds of post it notes and a large white wall. It may not be everybody’s idea of how to decorate an apartment but it works for a writer. The method adopted for ‘The Magic Eye’ included writing a chapter of the book, proofreading and editing, then emailing it to Teresa and Lexi for comments. From start to finish, ‘The Magic Eye’ took less than two months to complete.
‘The Magical Adventures of Melie’ blends 21st century living and comforts with the richness, beauty and magic of a bygone age of wizards and fairies. Melie’s adventures take her to mystical places where good must once again defeat the forces of evil. Carter invites you to join the young Melie has she first discovers her magical powers, what they mean to her and most importantly of all, why she has been blessed with them in this modern world of logic and disbelievers
Children and parents will be whisked away to the ‘world in-between’ where Melie and her best friend John mingle with the amazing wizards of old. It is planned that readers and followers of the series will get so much more than a good read! Unlike ‘The Magic Eye’, the following books will be created and written in a very innovative way. Not only will fans get to share in Melie’s adventures, they will be invited to help to create them. Children will be asked to submit ideas for Melie’s next story to the author. Twice a year, 20 children with the best ideas will be invited with their parents to join the author’s family at a special boot-camp. The objective will be to jointly design the next Melie adventure. This will be a weekend of fun, alternating between England and the USA, where they jointly develop the outline and first chapter for the next book. Carter will share his book writing method with the families and it may just redefine the way books are written in the future.

Spread The Word, The Magic Eye Is Coming

The news is out and the excitement is building. 'The Magic Eye' will be released for publication this week. Available from the publisher immediately and from on-line stores such as Amazon a few weeks later. But don't delay. Get into 'The Magical Adventures of Melie' immediately. Share the news with all your friends and enjoy.

Why Your Children Will Love The Magical Adventures

Your children will love the adventures with Melie and John. They will wonder at the vividness and excitement of the stories. They will wish to be wisked away to the world in-between where Melie and John mix with the amazing wizards of old. And they will get so much more! With the exception of ‘The Magic Eye’ the first book in the series that should be available by the end of March 2009, the Magical Adventures of Melie will create a buzz and excitement for Melie’s followers that has never before been seen. Not only will fans get to share in Melie’s adventures, they will be invited to help to create them. The magic will be spellbinding. Children will be asked to submit ideas for Melie’s adventures to the author. It is foretold that twice a year, 20 children with the best ideas will be invited with their parents to join the author at a special boot-camp to help to design the next Melie adventure. This will be a weekend of fun where they jointly develop the outline and first chapter for the next adventure.

What Melie Is doing For Mothers Day

Today is mothers day in the UK. It follows the traditions of the church in the first and second centuries when Christians were encouraged to visit their local church half way through lent (it's always the fourth Sunday in Lent). The church was regarded as the 'mother' of all christians. It was a few centuries later that the celebration was extended to what we all know as Mothering Sunday now.
Melie is like all children who are lucky to have a Mommy who loves her and takes care of her. Today, Melie will be taking care of her Mommy in the best way that a six year old can. They will play, maybe go for a swim and a walk and then go out to dinner together. Unfortunately, Hubert, Melie's Daddy, will not be able to join them as he is in England. If only Melie had discovered the Magic Eye before todays celebration. More of that later. 'The Magic Eye' is in final review and will be available before the end of March.

Why Can't I Proof Read 'The Magic Eye'?

I had been anticipating this moment for days. The publisher advised that they had shipped my novel for a final proof read before authorizing print and publication. Every morning I woke up with the birds and waited for the post man to arrive. For six days I was disappointed and then on the seventh day it was in my letter box, the brand new, fully loaded, final proof of 'The Magic Eye'.
I’ve published books before and it was never like this. The Balanced Innovator was a business book but it had an element (or two) of controversy. From Salford to Tucson and Back Again was all about my life as a Manchester United fan, dirty laundry and all. So why is this one different? Why is ‘The Magic Eye scaring me so much? I shouldn’t be paranoid; after all I’m a fairly successful guy with a lovely family and wife.
I’ve travelled all over the world and been stuck in places I wish I had never visited. I’ve worked for 36 hours without a break on a proposal that was the make or break for the major corporation I worked for. I’ve met Princes and Sheikh’s, and CEO’s of Fortune 500 companies. I’ve spoken in front of thousands at conferences and summits. Surely all of these things are more likely to scare me than my first novel? A novel is a thing of joy. It is a work of art. It is something to be proud of. I am delighted with the way it ebbs and flows. I am delighted that it is suitable for people of all ages, although aimed primarily at children. I am delighted that it is finished as a final draft and that it has a real beginning, middle and end. I swear that the eye just winked at me again. So why am I so nervous? I just am!

News Update

There it was in my letter box, the brand new fully loaded final proof of 'The Magic Eye'. This looks like a real book, feels like a real book and it should even read like a real book. So why am I scared to open it and have a read. Because I am, that’s why! Blood sweat and tears have gone into this book. Inspiration, innovation, perspiration and even exasperation have gone into this book. I am so excited, so full of expectation and so pleased. So why can't I open it and start to proof read? Maybe I'll have a glass of wine for some ‘Dutch Courage.’ Maybe I will go for a walk to psyche myself up. Maybe I will watch the television and wait till tomorrow. But it is sitting there, right in front of me. The cover has a big eye on the front and it is staring at me. Everywhere I go the eye follows. I swear it just winked at me. Why am I so nervous? I just am.

Who is The Magic Eye Aimed At?

The Magic Eye is written in a style that can be enjoyed by all age groups. Families can snuggle up to experience the adventures together, or family members can immerse themselves in the magic on their own, if that is their preference. Fans of other fantasy books like The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and The Spiderwick Chronicles are expected to be drawn to 'The Magic Eye', which is the first book in the 'The Magical Adventures of Melie' series. By comparison to other books in the genre, 'The Magic Eye' can be enjoyed in a comparatively short time. The twenty six chapters can be read in as little as three hours, encouraging younger readers to enjoy the magic as well as their older siblings. The other major difference is the setting. 'The Magical Adventures of Melie' are set in the twenty first century and blend the magic and wizardry of old with modern technology.

What Is The Book Of The Future

'The Book of the Future' was first written fifteen hundred years ago by the evil witch Faranella. Many copies were made and all but one was destroyed. The destruction of the book was ordered by Karak Pendragon, Grand Master of all Wizards on earth. The order was made immediately after Faranella was finally beaten by the combined armies of all the earths' wizards. The one book that remains is enchanted. Many attempts have been made to destroy it and all have failed.
It is foretold in ‘The Book of the Future’ that Faranella will one day return to the earth. On her return she will rule over all that live there.‘The Book of the Future’ contains more than mere prophesies of Faranella’s second coming. It contains more than the promise of wealth and power to all who follow it. It also contains secret spells and incantations that in the wrong hands will enable the prophesy to be fulfilled. High Priestess Faranella vowed to return, stronger and more powerful than ever. Even from the remote planet of Zaydon, she remains an evil and calculating witch with galactic ambition.It is also foretold in the book, that a magical girl will be born. This special girl will have the power to bring the High Priestess back to the earth after centuries of imprisonment.
'The Book of the Future' has re-appeared on the earth very infrequently. Each time it does return, disaster follows it. Access to the book has been restricted. It can only be seen and read by those chosen by Faranella. The quest of Faranella’s chosen few is simple, to help her to escape from her imprisonment on the remote planet of Zaydon.
‘The Book of the Future’, is known by others who are acquainted with it as ‘The Book of Lies’. It promises unimaginable power to those who follow what is written within its’ pages. This power is way beyond anything that the world has ever seen. It has been the downfall of many men and women over the last fifteen centuries. In the wrong hands it has wreaked havoc with many years of hatred, turmoil, wars and famine following it.
Early in the twenty first century the book has appeared again. It is also foretold in the book, that a magical being will be born. This special girl will have the power to bring the High Priestess back to the earth after centuries of imprisonment. Faranella believes that she has now been born and her name is Amelia Pendragon, distant ancestor of Karak.
What is not written in the book is that this magical young girl will also have the abilities to ensure long and lasting peace on earth.

Who Is Amelia Pendragon?

It had been foretold in ‘The Book of the Future’, that one day a magical girl will be born on the earth to ordinary parents. This special girl will have skills and powers beyond anything that has been seen for fifteen centuries. She will be blessed with the abilities to ensure long and lasting peace on earth. Unfortunately she will also be cursed as the only person able to set free the evil High Priestess Faranella, a calculating witch with galactic ambitions. Faranella was banished to the planet Zaydon after a long and bloody war against the ruling wizards of the fifth and sixth centuries. She has been trying to return to the earth ever since.
Amelia Pendragon, or Melie as she is known to her family and friends, is that magical girl. Melie was born in the summer of 2001. It was, as usual, a blazing hot day in Arizona, divided by the mid afternoon thunderstorm of the summer monsoon. Melie’s spectacular arrival was nothing compared to what would follow. Soon after her birth, her parents noticed something different and special about Melie. She was walking at 8 months old, at 11 months old she was conversing in phrases and by 16 months old she was able to hold full conversations.
Unbeknown to her parents, a strange and magical co-incidence had occurred. The birth of Melie had been an occurrence that only happens once in every millennium. Her parents’ ancestors were from Scandinavia and England, and they were both wizards. Dormant magical genes had come together thirty generations later. Melie was born with a ten thousand billion to one chance of inheriting any magical abilities. There was also a billion to one chance that she would never have found out about them. Was this really a co-incidence?
At first glance, Melie is an ordinary child. She is pretty, intelligent, and has many friends. She enjoys reading, playing sports, dancing and generally having fun, just like all young girls do. She also enjoys going to school and learning new things. This should be an ordinary story about an ordinary girl, but of course it is anything but ordinary. Melie is pure, innocent and without sin. She is also creating a great deal of interest on Zaydon.
Nobody knew when Melie was born that she would have such a profound effect on those around her, how could they have known? She was the first grand-child on both sides of the family and like all grand-children; she was very much loved and adored. But being possessed of magical powers? That is an entirely different story.
Melie’s adventure with the Magic Eye shows how she first discovered her special skills and how she first used them. It also reveals the depths that Faranella will plough to escape Zaydon to take back what she believes to be her right. That is to hold dominion over all the earth.

Join The New Facebook Group

The Magical Adventures of Melie has a brand new group on Facebook. You can check it out and join at:
http://tinyurl.com/meliesadventures

The Magic Eye

The Magic Eye is the first in a series of adventures for Melie and her best friend John. It combines olde worlde magic with modern technology in a fresh and new way. It is suitable for all age groups where parents and children can enjoy the magical adventures together.
Melie is a special child in many ways. Her ancestors were amongst the last generation of wizards to inhabit the earth and she was born with magical abilities not seen on the earth for fifteen centuries. John is also a special child. He was born with Down's Syndrome. Although he doesn't possess the same magical abilities, he is the only one of Melie's friends who can see things beyond the naked eye.
The Magic Eye shows how Melie discovers her magic and how she first uses it to fend off the evil advances of Faranella, the high priestess whose ambitions include ruling the earth and all who live there.
The Magic Eye will be available from the end of March 2009

The Creative Minds of Children

We often forget how creative and brilliant young children are. That is before we start to educate that creativity out of them. The Magical Adventures of Melie owes much of it's originality to my wonderful daughter Lexi. Lexi is now seven and she is responsible for most of the creativity behind the magic in the books. The fact is, that Lexi isn't afraid of making suggestions to enhance the story. She isn't afraid of 'being wrong' she isn't afraid that somebody will tell her not to be 'silly'. Lexi, like most other children of her age will have a go. We must all help our children to practice their creativity. The first book in the series, 'The Magic Eye' is in final edit and will be available soon.

The Future of Fiction Is Here

The Future of Fiction Is Here
Why Every Family Should Join Melie in her Magical Adventures
The Magical Adventures of Melie has redefined the nature of fantasy fiction by blending 21st century living and comforts with the richness, beauty and magic of a bygone age of wizards and fairies. Even more importantly, it will redefine the way we all enjoy snuggling down to a good read.
Melie’s adventures take her to places we’ve never seen before, mystical magical places where good must once again defeat the forces of evil. Join in one of the greatest adventures of all time as the young Melie discovers her magical powers, what they mean to her and most importantly of all, why she has been blessed with them in the modern world of logic and disbelievers.
You Don’t Only Join The Adventure – You Help Create it.
With the exception of ‘The Magic Eye’ the first book in the series that should be available by the end of March 2009, the Magical Adventures of Melie will create a buzz and excitement for Melie’s followers that has never before been seen. Not only will fans get to share in Melie’s adventures, they can help to create them. The magic will be spellbinding. Children will be invited to submit ideas for Melie’s adventures to the author. It is foretold that twice a year, 20 children with the best ideas will be invited with their parents to join the author at a special boot-camp to help to design the next Melie adventure. This will be a weekend of fun where they jointly develop the outline and first chapter for the next adventure.
The Fun and Learning Goes On and On
Many other features will be available to Melie’s friends. Watch out for a new web site at www.magicaladventuresclub.com for more details. In the meantime sit back and wait for ‘The Magic Eye’. To find out when ‘The Magic Eye’ becomes available simply contact the author at balancedinnovator@gmail.com. Then wait for a return email with details of how to acquire it.