Mr. Clopper's Class Draws Piffle the Brownie

By far, one of the most popular characters in Dragonfriend is a mischievous little brownie named Piffle. If you go back two posts, you'll see that Mr. Clopper's class had a lot of questions about Piffle. As an author, it's been very gratifying to see readers spark to a character who is so much fun to write. Today we have the final installment in the "Mr. Clopper's Class..." series. The class drew some awesome interpretations of Piffle as you can see...

Thanks to author/teacher Brian Clopper for reading Dragonfriend to his class and then being kind enough to send me all of their "feedback." I loved it!

Mr. Clopper's Class Draws Glennys

Maid Glennys of Camelot is one of the main characters in Dragonfriend. She's feisty, brave, and has a tendency to get captured by mythological creatures - not anything she does on purpose, she just, as Leonard says in Giantkiller, "has a knack for it."

This is the second round of artwork from Mr. Clopper's 5th grade class. I was blown away by their wonderful interpretations of one of my very favorite characters...

Thanks for the wonderful art, everyone. Look for "Mr. Clopper's Class Draws Piffle" on Friday!

Mr. Clopper's Class Reads Dragonfriend

"Mantooth" by John

Well, technically, Mr. Clopper, (aka Brian Clopper, a 5th grade teacher, friend, and prolific children's author from North Carolina) read Dragonfriend to his class. They then took the time to draw some wonderful pictures of my book's characters and ask some very smart questions.

"Merlin" by Julia

(Note: You'll notice that I'm only including dragon drawings (and Merlin and a map) in this post. I will post the rest of the wonderful drawings later in the week. The reason I am doing this is that I want each drawing to get the attention it deserves! )

Finally, I must admit that this is a huge treat for me as a middle-grade author. There's nothing more fun and satisfying than to get feedback directly from Dragonfriend's intended readership. ;)

And now, witness the fabulous artwork and intelligent questions from Mr. Clopper's 5th grade class:

"No ale until the castle is finished" by Briana

Why did you write Dragonfriend?

Ever since I was a kid (about your age) I wanted to write a novel. It took a long time until I got around to it, but I finally did when I entered a writing challenge called NaNoWriMo (kids can do it too so if you're thinking about writing a book, check it out!) I'm fortunate enough to write animation for a living and would someday like to be well-known as an author, too.

How did you come up with this series?

I've always loved stories with magic and mythological creatures. Growing up, I also read everything I could find about King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. When I finally decided to write a novel, it was an obvious choice to combine all of the stuff I like into my own story.

"Leonard Before and After he is a fly" by Gabrielle

How many books are you planning on writing?

Dragonfriend is the first book in a three book series. I'm just finishing up the second book in the series. It's called Giantkiller and should come out sometime this summer. I hope to start the third book in the fall. The working title for the third book is Elvenking. I have a lot of ideas for other books once I'm done with the series including some science fiction and a collection of scary short stories for kids.

 What ideas do you have for your next book?

"Cool Swords and Mini Map" by (unsigned - let me know who you are!)

I have a lot of ideas for my next book and they're already written down! In Giantkiller, Leonard and friends have a wild adventure up in the clouds in the kingdom of the Giants. Leonard climbs a monstrous vine  to rescue Glennys who's been captured by a cruel giant named, Gnarlroot (don't worry, she's very brave and fights just as hard as Leonard does).

Is Merlin close to 70 years old?

In my books, he's actually closer to 700 years old - having been born in a time long before King Arthur and Leonard came on the scene. He is a master of the "old magic" which he's used to extend his life.

"Mantooth" by Kaelan

Can you make this a movie?

I can't, but wouldn't that be just about the coolest thing ever?!

'Heckhound" by (unsigned, let me know who you are!)

What made you think of Piffle?

When  one of our Border Terriers was a puppy, I started pretending she could talk and did a funny voice to make my kids laugh. When I started writing Dragonfriend, I wanted to give Hubert a brownie friend and the thought occurred to me that our puppy's "funny voice" might make for a fun character trait.


What does Piffle look like?

Piffle is about twelve inches tall and has red hair. She is extremely fast and very brave. Her clothes are gray. She wears a cap, a doublet (close-fitting jacket), leggings, and a tiny pair of leather shoes.

"Mantooth in the Dungeon!" by Noah

What is your favorite character out of Dragonfriend?

Wow. That's a hard one. I really like Leonard so I guess he's my favorite. Of the supporting characters, Merlin was the most fun to write so I'd have to pick him, too.

Do you have children who write books?

Yes! I have three girls and all of them are talented artists. One is going to college to be an illustrator (for books and other things), one is a very skilled saxophonist, and one is writing her own fantasy novel!

"Helgad Being Vicious to a Heckhound" by Noah

Do you like to write about dragons?

I love writing about dragons! The dragons in my books are very smart and have a very dry sense of humor so it's a hoot to write scenes with them. In general, I like how powerful and nearly invulnerable a creature like a dragon is. I also like that they are unapologetic about who they are and how they behave.

Does Murck come back?

He's not in the second book, but I am thinking he might make an appearance in the third book.

Do you think you could make a story about Piffle?

That's a very good idea! Some of your classmates suggested that I write a story about Eater, the Leaf Dragon, and some of the other characters in Dragonfriend. I think that would make an interesting collection of short stories. What do you think?

"Mantooth!" by Mary

Do you keep Piffle (in the next book)?

Yes. Piffle is in Giantkiller and I see no reason why she wouldn't be in the third book.

Where did you come up with the names like Mantooth and Piffle?

I thought it would be amusing if a dragon was named Mantooth because he had a taste for humans (like saying that someone has a "sweet tooth" because they like candy). Piffle's name just popped into my head as sometimes happens when an author is writing.

Why did Leonard have a deformed ear?

That is a very good question and one that gets answered in Giantkiller. For now, let's just say that it probably has something to do with one of his parents.



How old is Leonard?

Leonard is fifteen years old as are Glennys and Hubert.

"The Leaf Dragon" by Cameron

Why are Master Prinkle and Sir Ronald (enemies)?

They dislike each other because they both fell in love with the same girl (who ended up picking Master Prinkle over Sir Ronald).

"Mantooth is in a Prison Crying Jewels" by Alex R.

Will Glennys and Leonard get married and have kids?

I think both of them would like that very much.

What other writers do you know?

I know a lot of writers who work in animation and in TV and film. I'm also lucky to be friends with authors like your teacher, Mr. Clopper, and Keith Robinson who wrote Island of Fog.

What cartoon are you writing for?

These days I am writing for "The 7D," a new show that will air on Disney (hint: it's about seven little guys) and "Littlest Pet Shop," a fun show which airs on Hub. Before that I wrote for "Scooby Doo: Mystery Incorporated."

"Dragonfriend Details" by Scottie

Are you married? Do you like basketball? Do you like pie? How old are you?

Yes. No, but I'm glad you do (I like baseball). Yes (it is my favorite dessert). 53.

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Thanks for the great questions and art, everyone!  Look for more art from Mr. Clopper's class later this week and if you have any more questions, go ahead and ask them in the comments section.

iAi Book of the Month: Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula

This month's featured iAi book is the first in a series, Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula.

One Girl. One Accident. One Incredible Superhero.

Cassidy Jones is your typical fourteen-year-old— that is, until a seemingly harmless accident in the laboratory of a world-renowned geneticist turns her world upside down.

Discovering incredible strength, speed, and enhanced physical senses that defy logic, Cassidy embarks on an action-packed adventure that has her fighting for answers…and for her very life.

##

Elise Stokes lives with her husband and four children. She was an elementary school teacher before becoming a full-time mom. With a daughter in middle school and two in high school, Elise’s understanding of the challenges facing girls in that age range inspired her to create a series that will motivate girls to value individualism, courage, integrity, and intelligence.

You can learn more about Elise and her books by visiting Cassidy Jones Adventures. 

Click on the iAi Book of the Month tab on the top of this page to discover additional featured books from previous months. 

Click on the book's cover to visit its Amazon.com page.

Book Review: The Barber's Conundrum

Although I don't normally review humor books (or read them, for that matter - I'm almost exclusively an sf/f guy), I did have a chance to pick up a copy of John Hartnett's recently released The Barber's Conundrum and Other Stories: Observations on Life from the Cheap Seats and must say I thoroughly enjoyed it.

A collection of "thirty-seven short literary humor pieces and humorous jokes," The Barber's Conundrum, is laugh out loud funny in many places, warm and genuinely touching in others. Author Hartnett's heartfelt tribute to his father is particularly moving.

Well-written and edited, my only quibble with this otherwise excellent read is that it ran a little long and would have benefited from being split into two books (a great "problem" to have - too much good writing in one place). That being said, I'm hoping there's a sequel in the works as I've discovered I really enjoy the view from the cheap seats. Recommended.

Book Review: Roads of Madness

Book 5 in the excellent Island of Fog series, Roads of Madness picks up where the exciting Lake of Spirits left off.

When the legendary phoenix does its thing and takes all the magic with it, shapeshifter Hal and several of his friends are stuck on the wrong side of an inter-dimensional "worm hole" connecting a post apocalyptic Earth (ravaged by a brutal virus that kills most and leaves behind hideously scarred and ruthless survivors known as "scrags"), and a largely bucolic world where magic and magical creatures still abound. Normally the scrags wouldn't prove much of a challenge to kids that can change into creatures like a dragon, an ogre, and a naga, but when the magic went away, so did their ability to shapeshift. Aided by a mysterious boy who appears immune to the plague, the stranded and "powerless" friends must make their way through scrag infested territory, past bio-suited active military units, and across a stretch of ocean to their original island home - all in the hope of finding or creating a new portal back to their friends and family.

As usual, author Keith Robinson delivers the goods by keeping the story moving and crafting memorable characters and exciting action sequences. Roads of Madness is a satisfying addition to this series and is highly recommended.

Littlest Pet Shop: Summertime Blues

Check out my most recent episode of Littlest Pet Shop, the season one ender entitled, "Summertime Blues."

Why, It's a Major Award (Nomination)!

UPDATE: I didn't win, Ziggy Marley (son of reggae great Bob Marley) did. Honestly, though, it really was cool to be nominated and I am very grateful for that. RE

My apologies to my social media friends who have already seen this, but I wanted to make sure my blog pals were in the loop, too. I woke up Wednesday morning to a congratulatory email from Tim and Julie Cahill, Exec Producers of Littlest Pet Shop, telling me that I and composer Daniel Ingram had been nominated for an Emmy! How cool is that?!

I had no clue we'd even been submitted so it came as a complete and very welcome surprise. Here are the details:

2013 Daytime Emmy Nominee

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG – CHILDREN AND ANIMATION
“IF YOU’RE A GUY” Littlest Pet Shop, The HUB
Daniel Ingram, Composer/Roger Eschbacher, Lyricist

Again I ask, "How cool is that?!" The awards will be held on June 16th in Beverly Hills. Positive thoughts are appreciated as we're up against some pretty stiff competition. Here's a clip of the song:



One more time...HOW COOL IS THAT?!!!

7 Questions: Author Bart Baker

Bart Baker is one of the hardest working writers in showbiz and now he's on track to claim that title in the world of books.  He's had an enviable career writing for both film and television and has self-published two novels, Honeymoon with Harry and his latest, What Remains, which was released this week.

DISCLAIMER: Bart and I graduated from the same high school. Go Spartans!

Here now, seven questions for Bart Baker:

Bart Baker

1) Tell us a little bit about your background and how that led to a career in film and television writing.

I studied film in college.  I have a BA from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in Film Production.   I moved to Los Angeles at 21, having never been west of Kansas City (I grew up in St. Louis.)  It hit me about Arizona that I didn’t have a clue what I was going to do when I got to Los Angeles.  But you can do that when you’re 21.  With the help of my uncle I got a “day job” and I took acting classes at night and wrote at every conceivable moment in between.  I was blessed to land some acting work on the soaps and in a few night time shows and movies and when I landed a small recurring role on GENERAL HOSPITAL, I quit my day job.  That gig lasted about eight months, all the while I was writing screenplays and plays.   After the GENERAL HOSPITAL gig ended, I had two plays go up back to back in Los Angeles, RELAY and SEACLIFF, CALIFORNIA.  An agent from Writers and Artists saw both of them and signed me.  My agent, Hillary Wayne, got me my first writing gig at Tristar Pictures, sold two specs, CHILDREN OF THE BRIDE to CBS, and LIVE WIRE to New Line Cinema.  And sold the movie rights to RELAY to Warner Bros. (it never got made…though it came close once but a regime change killed it.)   All in all, it took about five years or so of frustration and struggle from arriving in L.A. to selling my first screenplay and being considered a working writer.  It took another three or four before anything got before a camera.

2) I know your first novel, “Honeymoon with Harry,” has an interesting story (or two or three) behind how it came to be published. Fill us in on that journey and why you eventually decided to go the indie publishing route.

HONEYMOON WITH HARRY has had a crazy journey.  I had finished writing a movie, SUPERCROSS, and it was a horrible experience with these horrible producers.  I was in my mid-40s, had been writing for over 20 years and been blessed to have a substantial resume of produced films under my belt and I was being treated like crap by guys who knew far less than me and were simply unscrupulous.  I remember driving home one day and saying to myself, “I’m too old to be treated like this.”  I had this idea for a movie, which I pitched and everyone turned down.  And I decided to write it as a novel.   I mean how hard could it be, right?   So I embarked on this emotional tale that became HONEYMOON WITH HARRY.   HARRY is written first person from Todd, Harry’s never-to-be-sin-in-law’s point of view, so I had to feel everything Todd felt.  Todd has a very funny way of looking at life, he’s sarcastic, brash, and takes no prisoners.  Yet what happens to him is tragic (I love big emotions.)  So I spent three months day in and day out, writing from this rough and tumble point of view while crying for days on end as I worked.  The result was the book. 

I had just parted ways with an agent and met these managers who signed me.  And right before Christmas I gave them the book.  They were surprised I had written a book, since I hadn’t told anyone.  The first work day back after the holiday break, my phone rings early in the morning and it’s my new manager, a fairly low-key guy, and he says, “Dude.  You made me cry.”   The book went through the management company and each manager would call me and praise the book.  Even my lawyer read it and admittedly, he told me he hated reading books.  He told me his girlfriend, whom he lived with, had never seen him cry…until he started reading the book.   Anyway, my managers made a game plan of producers they wanted to expose the book to and were calling publishers and book agents.  Well, a producer at Plan B, Brad Pitt’s company, read the book overnight and flipped.  While they were pushing the Mr. Pitt to read it, Paul Haggis, who had written and directed the Oscar-winning film CRASH, came into their offices for a meeting.  Before he left, he asked, “Have you guys read anything good lately?”  The executive gave him HARRY.  The next day, my managers gave the book to producers while we were dealing with book agents – who were turning us down.   Now I had been through a few spec sales in my career and there’s a certain heady, craziness that occurs, but HARRY took off, the buzz around town was wild.  I was getting bits and pieces from my managers in quick phone calls like, “Guess who just called here and asked for the book?!  Steve Spielberg.  Spielberg called himself!”   That’s when I knew this was getting really insane.   An hour or so later, I get a phone call from the managers with my lawyer, and they tell me New Line Cinema has placed a $750,000 offer on table.  And I had a half hour to decide or the offer was gone.  Now I knew there were about three or phone other possible suitors for the book that were meetings talking about the book as this was occurring.  But being a Midwesterner, I knew that a bird in the hand was better than what might be.  And that was more money than I had ever made on a project in my life.  Sold!   I took the New Line offer.  The next day, Paul Haggis calls New Line and tells them he wants to adapt the book and direct the movie.  I’m quickly bumped from writing the screenplay myself and Haggis goes to work.

He does a terrific adaptation and was very, very kind and respectful to the book and to me.  He pulls together a reading with Vince Vaughn and Jack Nicholson.  The reading goes well and they are interested.

Suddenly, I have agents and publishers interested in the book.  Cynically, I knew they were more interested in the free PR this movie would bring the book than the actual book itself.  HARRY is a tough novel in the respect that it’s a highly charged drama told from a uniquely male point of view.   To boil it down, it’s a book that women would love but told in a hard-nosed, opinionated man’s voice about two guys who love the same girl but hate each other.  Not an easy fiction sell.

Well, the movie version with Nicholson and Vaughn falls apart over money.   For New Line it was too expensive of a film with all these big money players involved.  And with that all the interest from publishers dries up.

Then New Line is sold to Warner Brothers.  Warner Brothers lets them keep all their franchises and a few other select projects, HARRY being one of them…which was interesting because Warner Brothers always loved HARRY and execs from Warners would call periodically to see if they could snatch the project from New Line.

Then about a year and a half ago, the producer, Mike Karz, is shooting a movie with Bradley Cooper and gives him the script.   Cooper loves it and gives it to DeNiro, who he wanted to work with again.  DeNiro is in.  Director Jonathan Demme comes aboard to direct.  They all sit down and do a reading and everyone is thrilled.  Word gets out and now agents and publishers are back sniffing around.

Demme decides that the script needs a rewrite and he and his writing partner, Jenny Lumet, do a rewrite.   Now, there are different versions of what happened from here.  I’ve read a few of them that were planted in different news outlets, but from what I understand is that the new script was pretty much hated.  DeNiro especially didn’t like it and told Demme he refused to do this version of the movie.  Demme wanted to replace him but Cooper and DeNiro were friends.  So the producers cut ties with Demme.  Now, I never read the script so I can’t say if it was bad or good, but it was the only draft of the script the producers told me, “You don’t want to read it.   You won’t be happy.”   I took their word for it.

So the movie version of HARRY was left at the altar again.  And all interest in the book had ceased.  Then I was told by the producers that Bradley Cooper had called them and expressed interest in directing the movie himself.   And that’s when I decided to publish the book myself.  I was over the unfulfilled romance with the big publishers and the world had changed.   I had a few writer friends who had pretty sweet publishing deals with big publishers and I called them and asked their opinion of what I should do…should I wait for the next romance or should I self-publish.  To the person they all said self-published.  They all hated their deals, they all hated how little support they got from their publishers and the changes that had occurred in the previous years in the publishing world.

So I took their advice and like driving to Los Angeles when you’ve never been west of Kansas City, I jumped in.  Because I knew if Bradley Cooper did indeed direct this movie, it would get enormous attention, and I needed the book out there, on its own, before that happened to reap some of the benefits of having Cooper involved.  But it was daunting.  Not because I was afraid of the work but because I didn’t know what the work was.  Working with artists to create cover art, formatting, more editing, more rewriting, more formatting, more proofing, getting quotes, begging for reviews, give-aways, all the stuff that self-publishers have to do.  I had a mentor, Mike Loynd, whose book ALL THINGS IRISH, had been published a few months prior, and he talked me through step by step.  I was blessed to get some interview in big publications, on line and in print.  I was blessed that this book had such a unique story behind it, having sold the movie rights first before I attempted to publish it.  I was blessed with stupidity about the process so that I wasn’t frightened by it.   Because it’s hard, it requires thinking with the other side of the brain than we are used to, it required a lot of hours of the day…and I have two small children who also require a lot of hours of the day.  But I pushed and pushed and shamelessly plugged my book anywhere I could.   For a while HARRY sold modestly well.  Then it fell off but strangely now, 10 months in, the book is back selling modestly well if not slightly better.  And I am hearing from people around the world who are now discovering the book.   I am used to the movie and television business where results are almost immediate.  I’ve realized that with books, and probably more so with self-published books, this is a longer, more circuitous route to success.

 

3) What’s involved in taking one of your novels from vague idea to published book?

Wow.  Big question.   I am not a huge outliner.   Never have been.  Because I have been writing since my teens and am now in my 50s, structure is second nature to me.  Now HARRY’s structure, for anyone who has read screenplays, is very much in three acts.  Avid readers can tell that.  But it also worked well for that book.  But I am a person who dives in and writes.  Though I am in control, the characters often dictate their journey.  It’s this weird symbiotic relationship that works for me.  I don’t suggest other writers write like me.  I hate when any writer touts his process.  I’m glad it works for them but leave me out of that lesson.  I have what works for me. 

And once I have a first draft (HARRY took me about three months.  WHAT REMAINS took about twice that long,) I whine and complain for a while about having to rewrite and once I’m completely sick of myself, I sit down and I do it.  I cut, I rewrite, I focus and focus and focus the story.  Truthfully, I love rewriting.  I find magic in it.  And I love spending time with the characters I create so it’s not an arduous chore.  But I try and do right by the characters and what they are going through as well as I try and do right with my readers to tell the story as best I can.  I have a certain style.   I teach, and I am always on my writing students to ‘find their voice’ and get great at it.  It took me years to find mine.  And I try and stick to writing in it because it is where I write best, it is unique to me, and in that voice, I will find the audience that connects.   Not everyone is going to love it.   And yeah, sometimes that hurts, but you get over it.   It’s where I am best.

I know I’m done writing when I find myself changing verb tenses or adding adjectives and adverbs where I don’t need them.  Changing for change sake rather than for the sake of the story.  And then I hand the book to a few people and wait.  And when they come back having read it, I listen.  I don’t argue.  I don’t much talk at all unless I need clarification.  But I need to hear what they have to say.  I have a theory about notes: what sticks sticks for a reason, what falls away was never meant to be in my work.  So any of their notes that stick with me, I know they are right and I go back to work.   And then I have someone who edits for me.  Who will read the book in tell me what to cut.  I remember in HARRY, my friend and fellow writer – and terrific book editor – Bob Elisberg, would write in the margin (now I’m giving away a big plot point in the book) “Oh just kill her already!”   And I would go back and cut stuff to keep the story moving.  Now coming from a screenplay background, where you don’t have a lot of time for personal moments or to get into characters’ heads, I have to sometimes stop myself from being too plot driven and make sure I spend time with the characters.  Character is my forte and I love the characters I create, even the bad ones.  That’s the joy and luxury of prose over a screenplay.  Spending time in the heads of the people who are involved with the story instead of just making them run around and react.

And after the editing and rewriting comes the proofing of the book.  I am a notoriously awful speller.   I cheated on spelling test in grade school.  I blame that.  So, a proofreading is an amazing skill to me.  And they are usually the first person to see what is pretty close to being the actual manuscript that will be published, so if you have a good proofreader who will also give you character notes and is honest with their feelings about your work, you are doubly and triply blessed.  Find one that is.  They are worth what you pay them and probably more.

After the book is proofed, it is formatted, the cover art selected, writing a dedication, etc.  And then it goes off to be printed…and you go to work on the business side of publishing a book.  Press releases, contacts, getting books and sending them off for reviews, blogging, guest blogging, interviews, PR, PR, PR, PR.   It’s the true work of self-publishing.  And yes, I wish someone else were doing it.  And yes, other people know infinitely more about it than me and are better than me at it.  But short of hiring one of them, I do the pushing and pulling for my novels.  And I do it shamelessly.  I believe in the books I create, I believe in the stories I tell and the characters I create and I want people to read them and enjoy them.

4) What are some of the differences between writing for film or television and writing a novel?

I like to say writing is writing, and at the core of both is the art of storytelling.   But there is one huge difference.  A novel stands on its own.  A script is meant to be filmed.   Film or television scripts need to be a certain length or studios are going to toss them into the trash.  Film is a moving medium (they didn’t call them ‘moving pictures’ for nothing.)  You have to keep the stories moving ahead with externals, keep the character work intrinsic to the action, and recognize that your writing is – for lack of a better term – a blue print of what will be filmed.   Writing novels can be more internal, you can get into a characters thoughts and desires more readily.  I find it easier to use your unique voice because the book is an entity unto itself and won’t be turned into something else – that may or may not resemble what you’ve written.  Writing a novel is about creating images in the mind of the reader and allowing them to hear the voices and see through words.  Writing a screenplay is about creating movement from the images and seeing a film through the words.

5) Are there writers who influenced your own style both as a screenwriter and an author? If so, what about their work inspired you?

I have two writers that influenced my writing because they both wrote so uniquely unto themselves.  Pat Conroy, who in a single sentence could have me laughing and crying.  I found that such an incredible gift.  I’m in awe of his novels.  The detail, the humor, the pathos.  I love that stuff.   And Hunter S. Thompson.  I think I’ve read just about everything he’s ever written.  Completely and utterly unique and insane.  And laugh out loud funny and strange.   Two very, very different writers, two entirely unique voices.

6) Your new novel, “What Remains,” has been getting great feedback from just about anyone who’s had a chance to read it. What’s the book about and what was it like writing it compared with “Harry?”

WHAT REMAINS is about family.  Ultimately.  About what constitutes a family, how a family is created, how people become ‘family.’   In a nutshell, it’s the story of Conner Carter, who is banished from New York after cheating on his socialite wife.  With no friends of his own and nowhere to go, he flies to Sonoma, California to stay with his younger brother, Cody and Cody’s uber-wealthy husband, Rhett, who comes from old, crazy Southern money, and their two adopted Cambodian children which they have named Trevor and Claire.  Trevor and Claire speak no English and know that they have a ‘daddy’ and a ‘papa’ but somewhere in this mess there’s supposed to be a mommy, so they call Conner ‘mommy.’   Conner is a guy who has skated through life on his charm and looks.  Until now.  And he’s resented his brother since childhood because Cody has always gotten everything he wanted through hard work, something Conner has an aversion to.  Coming to Sonoma and seeing how his brother is living only exasperates Conner’s resentment.  But Conner soon learns that Cody’s gilded life isn’t as perfect as it seems, especially as Conner upends it at every turn, including by hiring a black/Puerto Rican nanny, Zinzi, for the kids while Cody and Rhett are away.   Zinzi has endured a dark violent past and sizes up Conner pretty quickly.  She’s grateful for the job but recognizes him for who he is…and subconsciously for who he could be.

When Rhett goes missing in Colombia on a documentary film shoot, Cody’s life, which has already been surprisingly fragile, spins completely out of his control.  He goes to South America to search for his husband only to get himself into trouble and need his brother’s help, something that Conner has never been much good at. 

But Conner comes through for Cody…not without a lot of kicking and screaming, but he goes above and beyond for his brother in Cody’s time of need.  And then Conner surprises even himself and does it again for Zinzi, as Conner finds himself drawn to this woman who is antithetical to any woman he’s ever been attracted to. 

These disparate characters find the truth in who they are and the depth of their understanding for themselves and each other, and form a bond.  After surviving some really crazy stuff, Conner finds something that he’s been missing all of his life: a real sense of belonging and family.

It’s another highly emotional book with some big moments and unique characters.  Only with WHAT REMAINS, I tell the story from the first person point of view from the four lead characters, Conner, Cody, Rhett and Zinzi.  They tell the story chapter by chapter in their own voice from what they are experiencing.  I love first-person, I find it a very internal way to let the reader into the characters.

7) What are you working on these days?

I finished a rough draft of a YA novel, AFTER OZZ, that is the first of a trio of books I am going to do using the characters I created in the book.  They are adventure books set in the future, in different dimensions.  I have a pretty cool idea of what I want to do with the three books.  And then I have two other novels in the works, a sequel to HONEYMOON WITH HARRY and BORN BAD/MARRIED BAD, a novel about what happens in a large family when one of the sisters is divorcing her husband, and the rest of the family likes him more than they do her.

And I sold a script a couple weeks ago, so I will be doing rewrites on that.  I don’t want to say too much until the deal is completely done (sometimes things can fall apart in the eleventh hour.  I don’t think that will happen but no need to test fate…) It is a very cool project with some interesting people already attached.   This has always been a script I loved and wanted to find a home and so this happened out of the blue when a cable network was actively looking for a completed script to pair up with a performer who had a hit song.  My script and the song have a similar theme, so they are marrying the two in the hopes of creating something unique and I think quite moving.   I can’t wait to get the deals done so I can start the rewrites.

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Thanks, Bart! If you'd like to learn more about Bart Baker and his writing, check out  his Amazon Author page and his website.

"The Best Scooby Doo! Series Ever Comes to an End Starting Today"

Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated

 Series writer/producer Mitch Watson tipped me off to this great article, about Scooby Doo! Mystery Incorporated calling it "another great goodbye from WIRED magazine."

I'm very proud to have written several episodes in each of the two seasons and must (not so humbly) agree that with its great look, awesome series wide story arc, stellar cast, and fun individual episodes, it is the best Scooby series yet. As an animation nerd, it was truly an honor to write for such a storied franchise because, c'mon man, Scooby's cartoon royalty!

The second half of the final season starts running today (3/25) at 5:00 on Cartoon Network (check your local listings) and will continue to run at that time each day until the three-part finale which show co-creator Tony Cervone describes as "all kinds of epic"  (he ain't lying, folks!).

Anyway, good-bye and thanks for all the fun, Scoob. Like, you're the best!

"What Did You Say?" My Latest Episode of Littlest Pet Shop

This definitely falls under the "...and Other Writing" part of my blog's description. I'm very pleased with how the episode turned out. If you're a fan of the show, I hope you like it, too.

Flippin' Awesome Giantkiller Book Cover

Just got this from my designer Mike Wykowski and I love it! What do you guys think? I, for one, would not want this fellow anywhere near my thatch-roofed peasant's cottage!

I Get Interviewed

Want to learn more about ME, your humble host? Of course you do! Stephanie Moore Hopkins interviews me over on her Layered Pages blog and I have to say that I come off as charming, handsome, and interesting as one might imagine. Go now and be in awe of me and my massive forehead! I command you!