To be honest, sales of The Magic Eye didn't go as well as I would have liked. So what did I do? I rewrote it. 'Through The Magic Eye' is the first adventure in the magical life of Amelia Pendragon. It is revamped, reworded, improved and should be available soon.
Amelia (Melie) Pendragon is a typical girl of 6 with one special difference. She is the only person alive who can save the world from the evils of High Priestess Faranella. As a direct descendant of Karak Pendragon, Grand Master of all Wizards, she holds the key that could unlock the gates to Faranella's prison on the planet of Zaydon. Faranella's ancient journal called 'The Book of the Future' prophesized the coming of a special being and her spies have waited fifteen hundred years for Melie's birth. Can Karak and his wizard fraternity protect Melie from the powerful High Priestess until she is older and strong enough to defeat her?
Melie reluctantly accepts her fate as her special gifts manifest, firstly by transporting her via webcam in Tucson, Arizona, to visit her father in Manchester, England. Though the trip appears to be instantaneous, en route she discovers the World In-Between - Earth as it was intended to be - and home to Karak and his wizard friends. It is where she begins her lessons in the art and science of magic.
Showing posts with label magical adventures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label magical adventures. Show all posts
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Monday, 30 March 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
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
Friday, 20 March 2009
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.
Wednesday, 18 March 2009
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.
Monday, 16 March 2009
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
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
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