Book Origins
In the summer of 2009, I set out to write & illustrate a book that originated in my imagination almost 20 years prior.
When I was s 12 years old, 6th grade student in a Massachusetts Middle School, everyone in the class had an assignment to each write a children’s book…the pages were blank…there were no limits…my imagination immediately ignited into a world of infinite potential. My pencil was a now a magic wand and I felt the power of creativity rushing through my whole being.
The teacher instructed us, "Ok class, on this sheet of paper, please write a summary of what you would like to write about…"
In that moment an entire story began to unfold in my imagination…characters were rushing into existence in my mind. The whole premise began to manifest. My family’s cat became the main inspiration for the main character of the story. Ideas rushed around my head so fast, I could barely grab on to them. In class, we had just learned about the Voyage of the Mayflower… and that period & setting became my backdrop. I closed my eyes and could see the ship with lofty sails, the ocean mist, the sea gulls calling, and the main characters interacting.
I gave the story a title … "The Courageous Little Kitten"
The original 6th Grade book cover:
Not only was each of us instructed to write a story, but we were also to illustrate our story. Every evening after class, I would run home from the bus stop, tear open my box of pencils & markers and start drawing…and drawing. I felt an intense joy as I watched my characters spout to life on the page. This world of mine was developing into reality.
I finished the book and the whole class loved it. After the book was finally complete, I felt a special connection to that book and those characters.
The Years After
My teenage years came and life moved on, but I always thought back to that book and the sequels I made in 7th & 8th grade…and knew that the story was not done telling itself. There was still more. The burning in my heart continued, and I knew that someday I needed to bring back the story of "The Courageous Little Kitten".
So over the years, in a free moment here and there, I would develop the storyline in my head, bring in new characters and sequences. Things that would happen in my life would inspire new plotlines in the story.
So getting back to the summer of 2009…I had just moved to Arizona. And after almost 20 years from that magical moment in 6th grade, I set my intention to once again breath life into that magical world. I decided to write, illustrate and publish "Travis & The Courageous Path".
After many, many long nights and weekends, I finally published the color, 78 page, fully illustrated, book in December of 2010…just in time for Holiday gift giving! And have been since sharing my story with the world.
So far, copies of the book exist in the USA, the Czech Republic, Austria, Northern Ireland, and England… and an ebook in Argentina.
Recently, I put together a video that asks the question "What is the Courageous Path anyway?" … and allows the characters to answer.
New Youtube Video:
• "What is the Courageous Path anyway?" [HD video]
(http://youtu.be/k0OVBP20sV4?hd=1)
Today’s Book Cover:
• Join the "Travis & The Courageous Path" Facebook page @ www.facebook.com/Travis.CP.book
Thanks for reading,
Randy
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