We got an offer on the graphic novel! Bloomsbury wanted to make a two book deal, and we still haven't decided whether we'll do a sequel or another story entirely. Sadly, this won't be out until 2008, but they are doing it in color and I love the illustrator they chose, Nathan Hale.
The story is rapunzel's revenge. We're putting Rapunzel in the Old West. So, of course, while she's in the tower, bored and spittin' mad, she teaches herself to use her braids as whips and lassos. When she escapes, she rides out as a vigilante hero, protecting the innocent from outlaws and rabid coyotes and such. It's been a challenge to write, like any other book, but also so fun. Dean and I are collaborating. I read Jane Yolen once say that collaborating makes more work, takes more time, and at the time I thought, really? She was right, of course. But it's also so wonderful to collaborate with someone you love, who's brilliant in ways that I'm not.
I'm really in love with this form. Besides just being fun, graphic novels (aka novel-length comic books) are so great for certain kinds of readers. I think so many people get lost in books, and having that strong visual storytelling along with the text can be magical. Here's a short scene we wrote just for the book proposal packet. Nathan is experimenting with different coloring styles, and the characters may change appearance, but it'll give you an idea:
Last week my editor discovered that Disney is currenly making a Rapunzel animated film. Yikes! This could be good or bad for us. They'll come out the same year, and if the movie flops, it might cause unwanted anti-Rapunzel ripples. If it's a hit, it could stir up some Rapunzel mania. Either way, there go our chances for an animated film made from the graphic novel. Hm, what about a live action...
Congratulations!!! That is so exciting to have your novel accepted. (Except.... 2008?! Sigh.)
Now I'm curious to know "how" you and Dean work together! When you first mentioned the idea, I thought you'd be the story, he'd be the art... Obviously my theory was wrong, or am I missing something?
Posted by: Corrie | January 19, 2006 at 01:17 PM
Wow, I have never really thought about reading a comic that's novel-length long. But that's cool, since I'm a visual person. Congrats on the offer.
Posted by: Elena | January 19, 2006 at 01:28 PM
That looks really cool. I don't usually read graphic novels, but I'll definitely make an exception for this one.
Posted by: Marie | January 19, 2006 at 03:07 PM
Well, I know I'll be reading your graphic novel, I'm a huge fan of the old belgian/french comics Tintin and Asterix. Whether or not I'll be seeing this disney movie, I don't know. I'm still nursing the wound of how they butchered The Little Mermaid.... Anyways, I anxiously await rapunzel's revenge!
Posted by: Tara! | January 19, 2006 at 05:25 PM
TOTALLY TOTALLY AWESOME! I've just been accepted as a comic book reviewer on this site (Comic Book Guy, www.comicbookguy.com, I think) and I'll stay around long enough to read Rapunzel's Revenge.
And your husband co-wrote this? That explains the dry wit humor in the few pages that you've posted up.
Posted by: Jaya Lakshmi | January 19, 2006 at 06:06 PM
While I do hope I contribute some wit, dry or otherwise, to this effort, I'm afraid I must admit that Shannon wrote pretty much all of the sample page stuff you see here. Probably most of the funny that is in the final book will be Shannon's, since we're discovering *my* stuff often "doesn't serve the plot." I had a genius scene about 10 talking hamsters all named Todd that we just cut. It's sad, really.
Posted by: The Husband | January 20, 2006 at 09:51 AM
This is Awsome! Congralations on getting it accepted! I'm so excited to read it! 2008 seems forever away...
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 20, 2006 at 12:27 PM
I must pipe up here and confess that the talking Todds was hysterical and one of my most favorite things ever. We're going to have such a fabulous Deleted Scenes section on the website for this book! But no worries, dreadcrumbs fans, there'll be plenty of Dean meat in the final version. He handcrafted the character of Mr. Giggles...ah, you're all in for a real treat...
Posted by: shannon hale | January 20, 2006 at 01:04 PM
I can't wait to read it! This books seems so different from your norm, it makes me wonder what else you will do in your career. I love your female characters that kick ass. They are what every girl ought to be. Just by reading one of those pages, I could tell that it was most likely out of Dean's head, but I'm 9/10 of the time wrong. It doesn't seem you. You are more poetic in your writing, and Dean tends to be a little more humorous (no offense to anyone) and I think together, this book is going to be awesome!
Posted by: Esme W. | January 20, 2006 at 01:14 PM
I mean the third page from the left. What the boy says seems like what Dean would write...not that I'm trying to analyze both of you: )
Posted by: Esme W. | January 20, 2006 at 01:16 PM
Oh, not that's so sad of me. I didn't even read the rest of the comments. And that was all you, Shannon! You see? I have absolutely no skill in analyzing work. I would be a horrible critic. Ah, well. There is always a career in...waitressing. Better upgrade that 9/10 to a 10/10 times of being wrong.
Posted by: Esme W. | January 20, 2006 at 01:24 PM
Well, reading the comments from above, I think that when you do a deleted scenes section, the Talking Todds scene is either going to be very funny or very cute. (Either way, I'll be happy!)
And Dean, don't worry. Your part will shine in when it gets published, I bet.
Posted by: Jaya Lakshmi | January 20, 2006 at 02:03 PM
That's so cool. I'm a big fan of graphic novels (my dad works in the business) so I can't wait for this. Graphic novels + one of my favorite authors - what could be better?
Eagerly anticipating.
Posted by: Ri-chan | January 20, 2006 at 03:15 PM
That sounds wonderful! What a great idea! I'm completely looking forward to it.
Posted by: Kate | January 21, 2006 at 02:08 PM
Your graphic novel sounds amazing to the seventeenth power. I can't wait to read it, although the anticipation may, in fact, kill me. Maybe the 10 hamsters named Todd can help to revive me.:-D
Posted by: Julie | January 22, 2006 at 01:40 PM