In response to fellow children’s author, Barry Hutchison, posting a few chapters from his excellent Kentucky Fried Fairy manuscript a few days ago – I’m doing the same.
Attached is an excerpt from my first children’s novel, Soppy Susans From Space. Now, I wrote this novel before I knew how to write a novel – and it shows. There’s no real main character, and I’ve twisted and turned the plot to get in gags that I couldn’t bear to leave out.
Shortly after writing this, I got the gig to write for Egmont Books’ 2Heads series, and I was lucky enough to receive a crash course in putting together a novel for 7 to 9 year olds.
This is also the manuscript (I’m almost ashamed to say) that I sent to my agent when she agreed to let me submit something. Thankfully, she had enough foresight to ask what I else I was planning. “I’ve got this idea for a series called Scream Street,” said I – and off it all went.
Anyhoo – please take a peek at Soppy Susans From Space. I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to leave a comment after you’ve read it.
Tommy
Aaah, this is a blast from the past. I remember when you wrote this like it was yesterday. So much has happened since then . . .