Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Gardener Children illustrations

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+JMJ+

I was looking at some old drawings on my computer and found some drawings Rosie did for my first Gardener Children book. She did them at least four years ago. The cover is a couple years newer then the rest of the drawings.



So the story line was that Mr. Jack Gardener decided that his house was to small for himself, his wife and twenty-one children. (This was based off a game I played with paper dolls. I already trimmed down the family considerably just to get to twenty-one. We easily used fifty to a hundred paper dolls per family. We made them all ourselves, either copied, traced or drew. Or cut up coloring books)
Anyway, back to the story, or I'll see if I can remember it all.

The family was divided into age groups. The oldest kids were called the Giants, the second oldest group were called Terrorists, then the Spiders, Midgets and last of all Miserable Hobbits.

(Warning: I wrote this years ago so any quotes are probably really bad)


Scene: Samuel (who was standing in the door) started to gibe a vivid description of a fight between Joe and David.
Oh look!” he cried, “Joe gave David a splendid kick in the shin! Oh boy, oh lovely keep it up Joe” by no means did these particular words mean Samuel want Joe to win the fight, Samuel just loved a good fight liked any boy and always praised a extra good kick of punch if he was vary excited he would even praise a poor shot.
That's my soap!" David screamed at Joe giving him a beautiful black eye,
It's not your soap it's my soap.” Joe yelled and punched David in the nose.


Scene:I'm looking for a house to purchase.” Andrew managed to blurt out,
Come this way!” the mayor answered, in a more friendly voice, then he led the way into a small office. “Do sit down!” he said almost polity, “My name is Andrew Moffot, and you are?” he extended his hand,
Gardener, Andrew Gardener.” Andrew answered calmly, then he sat down. Mr Moffot went over to a file cabinet and begin digging around in one of the drawers.
“How many people are planning on living in the house?” He asked,
Let me see, um....Oh twenty three!”
TWENTY THREE????” Mr Moffot yelped, “How many are adults?” 

Scene:Is there a party going on down here?” James snapped irritably, as Andrew turned the corner and he gasped. He didn't have time to brake, before he would hit the little boy, who was sitting in the middle of the road. Not a second too soon Andrew yanked the wheel hard to the right, the car shot off the road and with a sickening crunch went right through the white fence that ran along the road. For a second the three Gardener's could only sit with frozen smile's on their faces, then Philip said,
Well it was right generous of the mayor to let us borrow his car, but he won't thank us for smashing it!”
And the owner of this once lovely fence won't thank us either!” James moaned dismally Andrew flung the door open and started to get out,

Scene: Gorgie, Katylin, and Benny were simply tossing toys, books and games all over the place. At least Gorgie and Benny were, Katylin was digging through the rag bags and sewing bags for no apparent reason. Benny tired of throwing things began to scribble on the wall, he was only three after all, Mrs Gardener, who was trying to fix lunch, saw him doing it and yelled angrily,
Benny drop those markers right now!” Benny looked at her angelically.
Mom,” He said innocently, “you don't like me dropping stuff on floors.”

Scene: Andrew took a ancient, rusty key out of his pocket, and preceded to unlock the great iron gates.
Those kids are still watching us.” Philip complained,
Do you have a problem with that?” Andrew asked, trough gritted teeth, his nerves had been shattered by the near tragedy on the road. Philip decided not to say anymore, well James took out his smart phone and sent a quick text to Peter. Then he raced after his brothers, who were walking up the gravel drive to the house or mansion, the gardens would have been beautiful if they weren't so choked with weeds. Upon reaching the enormous front doors, Andrew took out a huge ring of key, and attempted to unlock the door, after trying them all about two or three times, he gave up in disgust.
Apparently, Andy Mayoress gave us the wrong bunch of keys.” He muttered bitterly, 

Scene: Sometime later, every single passenger was jerked to attention, including Anthony, by the sound of Samuel's laptop turned up full blast.
Not a donkey he-haw-he-haw.” Boomed through the train, everyone turned this way and that, and tried to discover where the noise was coming from, finely they pinpointed Samuel.
Hay, you kid, turn that noise down!” The man sitting behind Samuel snapped,
Yeah kid, I'm trying to sleep!”
Don't you have any common sense?”
Samuel Gardener's a pest, a pest, a pest.” these last words came from Alex Mitchel, and they did the trick, Samuel slammed the lid down and screamed even louder then the video had been.
I'm NOT a Pest, your a pest!” Anthony leaned over and all but choked Samuel, 

(Points if you know what book the donkey quote came from)

Scene: He shrugged his shoulders, and prepared to leave the station, when two strangers walked up to him, one was about sixteen, with dark hair, the other was about nine, with blond hair.
Excuse me,” The older one said, “but would you have any idea where the newly purchased Gardener house is?” Francisco hesitated, then said slowly,
Someone bought the place across the road from where I live, perhaps that's the place.” 

Scene: just then Daniel, and Jerry Moffet walked out of the house accompanied by Alex Mitchel. Upon realizing he was older then both the strange children, Jerry put on a superior look, acting as if he was much older, when he in reality he was only thirteen, a year older then Alice, and said,
Hello children, where is your mother? Surly you shouldn't leave her, and wonder around the streets by yourself.”
Oh we signed up for a school field trip, that was going to a park near here, then we hitched hiked the rest of the way.” Alice said sweetly,

Scene: Samuel fled out of the house, certain that the horrible white figure was still perusing,
Anthony,” he screamed “help, help Anthony.” he fled over to the neighbors hose still screaming, Anthony, Francisco, Jim and a dark haired boy, whom Samuel didn't know came running out from behind the Wilder's house.
What in the name of wonders is the matter?” Anthony yelled,
Ghost, ghost.” Samuel screamed “It's trying to kill me.”
Is this the crazy brother you were telling me about?” the dark haired boy asked with an evil grin on his face, 

Scene: Samuel crept through the semi dark entry towards the door at the other end, he reached the door opened it and yelled,
Anthony? Andrew?” he paused and listened, their was no answer, “Philip, James?” he yelled after a long silence.
Yes?” Samuel whirled, the two Wilder boys were looking straight at him,
Don't tell me,” Samuel moaned, “your twins, and your names are Philip and James?” the two boys nodded, Samuel groaned, then shrugged, “Come on lets go find our brothers!” the three of them raced out of the entry way and found themselves in a dark hall.
Whoa it's dark in here.” Philip complained, or maybe it was James, 


Scene: Suddenly Benny cried,
Oh lookie, a big red truck, and Samuel wif a police mans!” Mrs Gardener forgot all about the helicopter, her husband was already on his way.
Stay with the kids Alice!” He ordered firmly, then he hurried through the iron gates, he found Philip in a fireman volunteer outfit, Andrew standing with Alice and Stephen, James with a bandaged hand, Anthony with an extremely dirty, sooty face. All the spiders hanging around a police car, their was also a dozen other people that Mr Gardener didn't know.


Last Sentence:The New House is ours at last.” He said thoughtfully.
The End

God Bless You All,
The Author

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

2019 Writing Goals

+JMJ+
My writing related goals for 2019

I resolve to finish all these books.

An Insecure World
Genre: Sci-fi
Series: Justice Heroes
Synopsis: As the world below clouds over with hidden war threats, things are peaceful on the prison star ship, the Freedom. Fresh out of prison and mental school, young Dr. James Hawthorne is assigned to work on the Freedom as a replacement for his grandfather. But James' adventures start before he even reaches the Star Ship. His driver, Nickolas Foresight crashes into a one man transport and discover that the driver, a young woman has been injured. Nickolas thinks she looks familiar. James suggest they take her to the Star Ship hospital. James is dismayed to find that his grandfather expects him to help get rid of the replacement not realizing that James is the replacement. While avoiding the crazy doctor and inspecting the place, James discovers the crazy Anna Raymond. She has warnings about THEM.

Chapter: Ten
Length: Twelve Chapters + prologue and epilogue
Finish: January 5th 2019
Was Due: No exact date

~ ○ ~

The Twisted Tree
Genre: Fairy tale retelling/fantasy
Series: Circle of Red Trilogy book 2
Synopsis: Wolf is leading Red, Hunter, and Granny through the secret passage in the king's dungeons. Little does he know that he is not the only one with a twisted past. Granny has been hiding Red from a curse for many years, but it may be about to catch up to her at last.

Chapter: Five
Length: Twelve chapters + prologue
Finish: January 19th 2019
Was Due: Septemberish

~ • ~

Battle on the Home Front
Genre: Historical fiction
Series: The Kirkindiler Chronicles book 1
Synopsis: When America joins the World War 2, the Kirdindler family find things hard to keep the family alive. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Maddie and her siblings find themselves facing the posh Evermonde family, who are practically rolling in wealth.

Chapter: Three
Length: Twelve
Finish: January 31st 2019
Was Due: Septemberish

~ ◘ ~

The Diary of a Sailor Prince
Genre: Fairy Tale Retelling
Series: Prince Charming Diaries vol. 2 book 3
Synopsis: As the day for Anne's marriage draws near, Prince Xander decides to do a little traveling and find the best wedding present ever for her. But while exploring Ashtaran Xander is injured and taken in by a peasant couple with three sons. He calls himself Boots and plays the fool. They ill treat him and force him to do all the work. But Xander is patient. Something he never was in the past. The reason is, he has become smitten with the local princess. The princess who won't smile. When the king announces that his daughter Anastasia can marry whomever can create a ship that sails on land as well as water, Xander and his foster brothers decided to try their luck. Xander meets Eleth and shares with her. She tells him how to get a flying ship. For crew, she orders him to take aboard the seven first people he encounters after getting aboard his ship. While floating along in his wonderful ship Xander encounters seven amazing people. The Deadeye, with the amazing fire shooting weapon. Erago who can run as fast as the swiftest of men on only one leg. Brego, who can drink up whole rivers without quenching his thirst. Cole, who can eat up an entire bakery and still be starving. Elicdor who has ears that can hear whispers a hundred miles away. Bale who carries a bale of straw with him. Straw that can turn the hottest fire to ice. And Con who carries a bundle of wood that can turn into an army.

Chapter: Day Twenty-Five
Length: Forty-five days
Finish: January 5th 2019
Was due: Dec. 31st 2018

~ • ~

The Hidden Map
Genre: Pirate Fantasy
Series: Pirate's Apprentice book 2
Synopsis: Atreg and the rest of the crew sail away from Port Royal to a life of freedom and piracy, also to use the hidden map to find the secret way to Davy Jones locker, where they hope to free Nightshade, Ecin, and Gelbrick. But when Atreg and Matthew are suddenly abandoned in the lowlands of Scotland, with Nightshade's ship trapped somewhere in a bottle, everything changes. Atreg and Matthew have a map, but the Navy has the same map. Can the two stranded men find the locker first? Atreg also has a secret quest, he must turn himself over to the Sirens in exchange for his kidnapped brother. But he must free his father and friends first. As Atreg and Matthew are following the trail of the hidden map they come across a bunch of people who are being attacked by Davy Jones' ghosts. Atreg, Matthew and their new companion Maximilian rush to the rescue. They find out that the Jones family and their odd uncle called Calico Bonnet, a family of blacksmiths are searching for their merchant father. After a heated discussion Atreg and company agree to escort the Jones family to the waterfront. But still getting rid of the Jones won't be as easy as that. They reach the waterfront with only a few minor problems. But while settling in at a dock tavern they overhear how Captain Jones was murdered and robbed of all his gold by a certain William Hartford. Regnar and Serca Jones promise a large sum of money of Atreg and company will help them commandeer a ship and hunt down the evil William Hartford. They pay in advance. Atreg and company take the money and rush off to commandeer the ship, but not take the irrepressible Jones' family with them. Uncle Calico Bonnet comes to the rescue and smuggles the twins on board. William is quite ready to spank both of the twins and is about too, except Calico Bonnet restrains him. A fight is about to break out, but then the soldiers start pursuing them. The group must stop fighting and rally together. They return to Dlog and pick up Madame Repeek who almost kills Atreg for losing Emalas. Then Serca and Madame Repeek get captured by William Hartford. Atreg walks into their camp claiming to be the pirate Apprentice of Nightshade. He offers a trade. William Hartford does not believe him. But agrees to send the girl (Serca) off with the silly boy (Atreg). Madame Repeek they say will stay with them, for she must go into the snake pit to appease the sea snakes. Atreg cannot just let his mother die. Regnar shoots William in the back and Madame Repeek falls into the hole. Calico Bonnet calls on the Sirens and they kill the snakes. But they very nearly take Atreg with them too. While hiding he discovers the doorway to the locker. The snake pit. Later at the healer's hut watching his mother's arm get amputated, Atreg announces his intentions of entering the pit. Regnar draws a gun on him. Reminding him that William escaped in the chaos and they still have to find him. Calico finally comes up with the truth and admits that the murdered Captain Jones is not their father. Serca is horrified to hear that their father is a pirate and won't believe it. The healer points out that there is only one family that can call on the Sirens and not have to pay for it with their lives. The Jones family. Calico Bonnet is Davy Jones's brother. Once they find out the disturbing truth the twins insist on going into the pit with Atreg. The pit of no return. Matthew, who also is searching for his uncle glumly demands in. Will Maximilian and Calico go too, or will they stay outside?

Chapter: Eight
length: eighteen + prologue
finish: February 28
Was due: August

~ • ~

The Seeds of War
Genre: Historical Fiction/Sci-Fi
Series: War-Men book 1
Synopsis: Why does man battle one another. Everyone knows that most men are to lazy to do much. But when the seeds of war are planted it is common knowledge that men will march off to murder each other. But when one person finds out that these seeds are not a metaphor the world is plunged into World War one, but there is another battle being fought behind the war. Walter Parke takes a wrong turn home and ends up involved in the greatest secret known to man. The War-Man and the seeds of War.

Chapter: four
length: fourteen chapters
Finish: February
was due: July

~ ♠ ~

Blue's Song
Genre: contemporary
Synopsis: Ivy Taylor comes from a wretched broken family. Her parents divorced when she was really little, and her dad has full custody and never lets her see her mom. She has no friends and public school is no help. When Mr. Taylor decides to move to Pennsylvania, she is befriended by a young Catholic homeschooling boy of thirteen. Jamie O'Dell is determined that Ivy will be his friend, whether she wishes it or not. But can Jamie convert her to his religion or will Ivy be stubborn? It may take a tragedy to change her mind.

Chapter: not started
Length: twelve chapters
Finish: January 31
was due: should have been July, but it wasn't all my fault.

~ ◘ ~

Short stories
The Perfect Prince
John and the Dragon
A Clever Man as they would Say
It takes a thief to catch a thief
The Perfect Gardener
The Missing Coins
Short Men Conquer
The Most Beauteous Girl as they would say in my corner
One does not argue with glass mirrors
Crow's Marriage
Cinderella Meets the Butcher's Family
The Perfect Hostess (sort of)
A Knight's Punishment
Revenge of the Not so Perfect Princess

All due before Easter.

~ ○ ~

Editing and Publishing

The Black Horizon
Genre: Pirate Fantasy
Series: Adventures of a Pirate book 1
Synopsis: Benjamin Raswel's live is suddenly turned upside down when he is branded with the black mark and accused of being the son of the wickedest pirate. Ben flees his home village aboard a ship and comes into contact with the very man who has sworn to hunt down and kill Blackjack, the man who had Ben's family branded. General Dalston himself. Ben embarks on a treasure hunt to find the Treasure and Blackjack before Dalston.

Chapter: In process of editing: One
Length: Prologue + twelve chapters
Finish for round of editing: January 31st
Finish second round of editing: February 28th
Publish: March

~ • ~

Other books I hope to complete in 2019
The third "Circle of Red" Book
The rest of the "Prince Charming Diaries: Volume Two"
"Black Slayer" Trident of the Pentagon book 3
"Pirate's of Crescent Island" Adventures of a Pirate book 4
"Hunt" Earth Guardians book 2
"Life is Short"

Finish editing "Prairie School"
Start editing "Lost Treasure" for a 2020 publishing
Possibly edit "Prince Charming Diaries: Volume Two" for a 2020 release

By next month, I'll probably have many new stories that I want to complete.

God Bless you all and have a Happy New Year,