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Kenneth Bradshaw
I always wanted to write a sequel to Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn that brought the characters up to adulthood during the Civil War. I outlined the book years ago (titled "Tom, Huck and Jim, the ...view moreI always wanted to write a sequel to Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn that brought the characters up to adulthood during the Civil War. I outlined the book years ago (titled "Tom, Huck and Jim, the War Years") as I traveled for work. But I realized after a chapter or two that there was no way I had the skill to do justice to Mark Twain, even if I had a good outline.So I started writing to hone my skills. My first book was "Dancing with Emily", which is about a teenager girl who teaches her boy friend to dance using baseball moves. It has its moments, but it is a stiff, first effort. But I found my style, which is to spoof or to be silly and tongue-in-cheek.Now I have written a fairy tale titled "One Wish". And it is hilarious. Readers say that it reminds them of Monty Python.I would like to get good enough to concentrate on writing full time. I have a sequel to One Wish buzzing in my head, tentatively titled "Second Chances or Tweedledee and the Martians". I don't think I would use that title when published. Then the title will be a facade behind which all the insanity and inanity lurks. But a working title - for me - needs to lend itself towards extreme thinking. And the thought of marrying a fairy tale, with 17th century humans and real or pretend space creatures is so ridiculous that it's making my mouth water. I'd like to work on that full time.Here is a summary of and reviews for One Wish:SummaryThis is a fairy tale (shades of Monte Python) set at the time of the Spanish Armada. Rosa Rojo is escaping Spain with the help of a wizard who can see the future in walnuts and whose quest is to grant one lifetime wish to anyone who does a kindness to his family.Rosa has earned one, but is not sure why. Along the way she meets English sailors, pirates, Devil Chickens, Hansel and Gretel, the Blue Fairy, seven dwarfs, penguins, the Snow Queen, goblins and Shakespeare.Pandemonium ensues as history and fairy tale fiction intermingle in a race to warn the English Queen Elizabeth of the impending invasion____________________________________________________________ReviewsThat is a funny story! Great job, wonderful sense of timing to the whole thing! I was reminded of Christopher Moore, which to me is a great compliment! Devil chickens and walnuts. After reading the description I knew I was in for a treat, and you did not disappoint.This story is ridiculous..but great. very Monty Pythonish. Only being 37, it really made me want to cry that she thinks 30 is old couldn't we make old 50 or older? LOLI have not chuckled and laughed so much in a long time. You take different, innocent fairy-tales and warp them up nicely.I love the Devil Chickens, especially since they talk without moving their beaks. They do sound evil.But for me it was the nuts. It works, especially since being a druid they would use natural implements, not crystal ball. And the aside about acorns: They are tough nuts to crack had me guffawing.And at the same time, you do provide some good details about the characters themselves. You just don't focus on the silly but are starting to provide flesh to them.Amazingly imaginative and well written. Charming and witty.At first blush this seems like a kid's story, but I don't think so. Who IS your intended audience? I laughed out loud at the crack about the Norman Invasion, and that's no kiddie reference. I am going to read the whole thing. This is clever and charming without being "cute". That's a tough trick.Keep going. Ken, This is the funniest thing I have ever read. Can't wait to read moreI love Rosa's name! How it goes on forever.I loved this story. It was amusing and most definitely creative. It reminded me of the silliness in Don Quixote for some strange reasonAgain, there are not enough good things I can say about this story! It has all the great elements, humor, fairytales, and wonderful dialogue...The Hansel and Gretel cracker house and the non-English fight (shades of Monty Python) had me laughing out loud, so now everyone in the office thinks I'm a nut.The silliness continues and continues well. I'm loving how you are weaving 'real' things with characters from fairy tales.The thing with Hansel and Gretel had me chortling. And the stuff with the English sailors reminded me of Monty Python.I don't know for sure if you are aiming this for a younger audience or not, but it works for someone older like myself.I also like the snappy dialogue you have. It is back and forth, but not like watching a tennis match. I am enjoying what you are weaving here.By the way, turning "Si" "Bueno" and "Adios" into a refrain like you did was simply inspired, especially in the scene where the misunderstanding turns into a fight.Alright, you have to give a disclaimer with your pieces: Do not imbibe any beverages upon reading. I actually had to put my Corona aside to finish this piece. More than once up through the nose is enough for one sitting! You keep up the completely utter silliness I am expecting. And it is not just the obvious. I was wetting myself when I read: took it upon themselves to go down to the brig where the old cook was incarcerated and weld the door shut. For me, that is what is making this work. You have the broad silliness but keep your attention to details. Well, onto the Alpine trek...view less