A Monstrously Cool Birthday Gift!

Last week, I visited my friend Judy on her birthday. Since copies of my recently published book Tiggle Trouble, A Monster’s Birthday Adventure would arrive at my home soon, I told her that I was giving her a copy for her birthday; it would just be a few days late.

Judy was thrilled. Not only would she get one of the first copies available, but the book was about a birthday for her birthday. 

I thought, “What an appropriate birthday gift. Kids often get money for their birthdays, just as Monster Muckabee did. So this book is perfect for the middle-grader, whether alone or with a monetary gift!” 

In Tiggle Trouble, we follow Muckabee around Snortburg while he makes decisions about how to spend his tiggles and how to spend his time. Though set in a fantasy world, the basic premise of the story applies to the real world. It was written for 10 to 12-year-olds, depending on reading levels.

So the next time you need a gift for a young person about to have a birthday, go to amazon.com or CreateSpace.com and order Tiggle Trouble, A Monster’s Birthday Adventure. May it plant ideas that grow strong!

Finding Monster Muckabee

Finding Monster Muckabee was the title of a speech I gave for my Fortuna, CA, Toastmasters Club in 2008. At that time, I had not yet completed Tiggle Trouble, and it was far from being published. However, my main character, Monster Muckabee, was alive and well.

Before Muckabee, I had written for assignments, career and personal projects. I had never written about an imaginary creature in an imaginary place. I could only guess how much fun it would be. And fun it was.

In developing Muckabee, my creativity had no bounds. At any time of the day or night I might think of some small detail to add to Muckabee’s character or world. I kept notepads in my car, in my purse and on my nightstand to record any idea that might come to mind.

Since I had recently moved to Eureka, CA, and wasn’t well connected, Muckabee became my constant companion. He tagged along with me everywhere. Those in my writing group watched him mature from a vague idea to a real being, and even helped him along the way.

It was a bittersweet moment when I sent Muckabee off to publication. I remind myself that he and I haven’t parted ways; Muckabee has already been nudging me to take him on another adventure!

A Monster Has Been Unleashed

Today I’m pleased to announce that Tiggle Trouble, A Monster’s Birthday Adventure is now available on amazon.com. This middle grade chapter book is my first and features Monster Muckabee who learns everything the hard way.

I would like to thank all of you who encouraged me along the way. You helped make this book possible. Also, getting Tiggle Trouble published could have been a daunting task if it weren’t for CreateSpace.com with their guide to publishing, menu of services and ready-at-the-stern support team.

From the back cover:

“On his twelfth birthday, strong-willed Monster Muckabee gets one hundred tiggles from his grandmonsters. Despite his parents’ warnings, he stomps away with his cranky badger Snit to spend them all on things to make him scary and popular.

Along the way, Muckabee meets some rather unusual monsters, is caught in a terrible storm that destroys everything he has, and then sees his day unfold in a most surprising way.

Come along with Muckabee to find out if this will be his best birthday ever…or the worst!”

P.S. This post was to appear on March 29, but I neglected to click "Publish." In time I'll be much better at blogging!