First date, John Carter style

Last year, Dean and I wrote a piece for a John Carter of Mars young adult anthology. Writers were asked to write their own stories of Barsoom. We chose to look at a scene in Princess of Mars where John Carter fights some white ape beasts. Very little is known about the white apes, so we chose to retell that scene from their point-of-view...in our own special way. That way was a little too special, I think, as our piece was not included in the anthology.

With the movie John Carter out in theaters now, I thought some of you might get a kick out of our story anyway, so I've posted our Barsoom-inspired piece First Date on my site. It was very much a collaboration between me and Dean. He wrote the first draft this time, and then I went in and helped the story make some sense, adding my own touches. Then he went back and added some more Dean touches, then I polished and voila.

In answer to your previous questions, will Palace of Stone ever have a painted cover to match the Princess Academy hardcover? Answer: I don't think so. I truly do not know, but I would not bet on it. And in answer to the Austenland movie questions, I'm not holding out on you, I swear! I don't know when we'll see a trailer or have a release date or anything. As soon as I know, you'll know too. I am VERY excited about the movie. I think it's going to be amazing.

Comments

[Carson]

"He wrote the first draft this time, and then I went in and helped the story make some sense."

I love you guys.

[J]

Oh I'm kind of crushed about the news for the "Palace of Stone" cover. I loved the painted cover on the first book and aside from that, I think most of the sadness is a result of my self-diagnosed OCD and wanting things to match. It'll be good for me- like immersion therapy- that they don't match. Look at you, helping people and curing disorders and stuff just with your book covers!

[Julia]

I cannot WAIT to have my favorite author's film be released to theaters!

[McKenna]

So excited for Palace of Stone!!! :D You're amazing, Shannon!!!!

[Amie]

LOL, cute. You guys have such fun imaginations!

[Maegan]

I loved "First Date" - thank you for sharing! The John Carter movie prompted me to read the book and it was nice to get a little more insight into the inner lives of the white apes :)

I also thoroughly enjoyed the Writing for Charity conference, so thank you for that too!

[ShaLayne]

Lol! Still chuckling that you made Dean's writing make sense...!=o)

[Jessie]

I am afraid of loosing my mother and father. They are the only thing that keeps me going in a world that freezes one with worry.