Montana Jones and the Gymnasium of Doom -- Cool Poster!

A poster from a recent production of one of my sillier plays. Performed at a school in Australia!

More Drama Geek Cartoons!

Okay, I may not be the best artist in the world.  In fact, I'm not even the best artist in my house.  But darn it, I am having fun.  Here are some of the latest Drama Geek cartoons.

You can check out the whole collection on my webpage: http://www.wadebradford.com/cartoons

Oh, and don't forget there is more Drama Geek mayhem to be found on my Tumblr page. 

Oh, and this next one is a special tribute to one of my most beloved actors, Harrison Ford, who recently broke his leg while on the set of the new StarWars film. 

Good News... More Details Coming Soon...

I cannot say too much specific about my latest good news, but I can tell you one BIG thing:

My agent has received an offer for my second picture book!

I am so grateful.  They say that the second book is the hardest, and for me that was definitely true.  That is to say, I wrote many "second books," but finding a publisher proved very challenging.  If you've been following my adventures as a writer, then you'll recall that shortly after I sold my first picture book, the publisher (Tricycle Press) was purchased and then dismantled by another company.  That meant hat finding a new editor/publisher was like starting all over again.

Fortunately, super-agent Abigail saved the day... as she so often does. 

I'm also happy to report that my first book, Why Do I Have to Make My Bed? Or, a History of Messy Rooms has a bit of staying power.  It might not be an international best seller, but I noticed that it's still used in lots of classrooms. 

I just stumbled upon a cool blog called "Navigating Third Grade" and they were kind enough to include the book in their discussion on C.A.R.E. skills.

Drama Geek - Bonus Cartoons!

Drama Geek #1

"Summer of Fun" Schedule

So, in my last post, I mentioned how amazingly productive I've been.  In this post, allow me to once again say that I am amazingly pathetic when it comes to developing an audience.

I do have a few loyal fans (Hi Mom!).  I am grateful for the many drama teachers that continue to choose my plays.  And there are quite a few nice folks (over 10,000 of them) who bought my picture book, Why Do I Have To Make My Bed? 

But I don't have a following... Mainly because I'm not interesting enough to be followed.  I once had a stalker, but he only stalked me for about minutes and then he was like, "This sucks, I'm outta here."

So, in addition to my writing, I've decided that I am going to do an experiment.  I've got several projects going on this summer.  For the next two months -- and hopefully beyond -- I will be involved with several fun projects that will get me a little bit out of my comfort zone.  I'll be using this blog and my website (and some other socially-networky things) to promote them.  In a few months time, we'll see if any of these things catch on...

And now, without further ado, I present my "Summer of Fun" Schedule:


Monday: Web Comic "Drama Geek" (Monday Edition)
This is a cartoon I've been drawing for a while.  It's like Broadway meets the Far Side.

Tuesday: Professor Picture Book
This is a blog I've been brainstorming about for a while.  A character named "Prof. Picturebook" and his cat will review children's books in the style of Siskel andEbert.

Wednesday: Castle Writemore
Join Sir Snoresalot and the rest of the castle characters as they share writing ideas with young authors.

BONUS: "Drama Geek" (Wednesday Edition)

Thursday: Movie Question Day

Friday: Camp Omigosh YouTube Channel
This week I will be uploading five videos chronicling the misadventures of the kids at Camp Omigosh, creating a YouTube companion piece to the play & novel.

My Writing Activities: May 15th - June 15th

During the last two summers, I took a break from teaching and went up to Washington state.  It was a blast!  Lot's of adventures with the family, and lots of time to work on writing projects.

This summer -- in order to start saving for my daughters' college funds -- correction, in order to first pay off some credit card bill and THEN start saving for college -- I will be teaching two courses.

At first I was very sad about this.  However, it turns out that because I knew I wouldn't have as much free time this summer, I have spent the last four weeks (my break between spring and summer classes) being ultra-creative and mega-productive.  The last thirty days have been a wild ride that has produced a couple new picture books, two new plays, the final chapters of my middle grade novel, and a whole lot of revision.

Oh, and I am signed up for the upcoming SCBWI conference in Los Angeles this August.

Whew!

Oh, the other not-so-sad part.  My classes take place only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the afternoon.  So, when you think about it, I still get five days off a week.  Ever since I've been hired full time at Moorpark College, I have been counting my blessings.  I get paid to teach students about writing and literature, and I get a nice chunk of free-time.  Can't get much better than that!

I Promised Myself...

... I would draw more pictures...

Castle Writemore -- A Creative Writing Workbook

The print version is here!  This edition is an 8 X 11 inch paper back, 206 pages, lots of writing prompts, illustrations, funny characters, quirky adventures to inspire the young writer in all of us.  Visit Castle Writemore today! (It is currently priced at $9.45)

There are digital versions available on Kindle... and just about any tablet / phone that leads you view a PDF.


Want some more information? Here's the blurb:

Welcome to the fantastic world of Castle Writemore! "Castle Writemore" is a collection of one hundred and twenty three writing prompts. They have been designed to foster creative writing, descriptive writing, personal reflection, brainstorming techniques, annotative skills, and paragraph development. Each prompt is designed to make writing fun because they take the young writer on an incredible adventure. If you are looking for a unique way to encourage a lifelong love of writing, then you should definitely take a tour of our fantastic kingdom. Written by Wade Bradford (author / playwright / college professor), "Castle Writemore" is ideal for students from ages six to ten; however, any age group can have a splendid time visiting this imaginary world.

The Kindle version is priced at $2.99 and the PDF version at Lulu.com is a bargain at only $2.49.

Blog Hop: The Writing Process

Well, I got tagged by one of my fellow playwrights: the always-inspiring Bobby Keniston - who was nice enough to be the subject of one of my About.com playwright profiles.

Bobby is part of a rather exclusive Facebook group; all of the members are playwrights who focus primarily on plays for teens and children.  It's a great place to ask for feedback, bounce off ideas, and share general frustrations about our craft (how it is oh-so-emotionally fulfilling yet not-always-so lucrative).

Bobby's blog is "Theater Is a Sport," and you'll be able to check out his response to these questions about The Writing Process, but you'll also find many thoughtful articles about the Theatre.  It's a great resource, especially if you are a drama teacher, a playwright, or simple a theater-geek.

Oh... I guess I should tag someone else for this blog-hop... Let me ask around and find out who is willing, and then I'll update this page and let you know about the next victim  participant.

So, without further ado, here are the responses to Bobby's Questions:

1) WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON?

The big project looming in the distance is a comedic prequel to The Three Musketeers. I haven't decided what to call it... The Two Musketeers?

I am also tinkering with drafts of things, such as Camp Omigosh, the novel version of CSI: Neverland, and various picture books.

Oh, and I'm currently marketing a new project called CASTLE WRITEMORE!  It's a great handbook for young creative writers.  It's now available on Kindle!

2) HOW DOES YOUR WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS IN THE FIELD?

I'm not sure, because I don't read enough of my peers to truly give an answer.  I do know that I take a great amount of pleasure in creating strange and hilarious situations... I think I can be very quirky yet I never attempt to alienate the audience.  Hopefully the best of my plays are feel strange yet universal.  One acquaintance watched one of my plays (which I had not only written but also directed) and she said, "I feel like I have been inside your mind for the last ninety minutes, and I don't know that I should have gone in there."  That has probably been the highest compliment I've ever received.

Does that answer the question?  No.  Oh well, let's move on...

3) WHY DO YOU WRITE WHAT YOU DO?

It sounds cheesy, but I think it's important to bring laughter and happiness into the world.  Hopefully my plays bring a sense of joy to the audience as well as the performers.

When I was younger, I used to write about really dark subjects (assassins out for revenge, horror story knock-offs of Stephen King).  I had fun writing those, but the characters and situations were always very mediocre.  Then, sometime around the late 1990s, after watching one too many depressing tragedies on the news I thought to myself, there's enough bloodshed in real life.  Why not focus on happiness and humor?

Of course, it should be noted that I just finished writing a Downton Abbey / Walking Dead spoof in which many people are turned into zombies.  But it's all in good fun?  Who doesn't love British, early 19th century zombies?


4) HOW DOES YOUR WRITING PROCESS WORK

For eight and a half months of the year I teach at Moorpark College.  During that time, I writing rather slowly.  I might finish one project (a one-act play, a chapter book, something small) per semester.  Then, during the summer break, as well as the one month we take off during the winter, I write as much as I possibly can!

As far as the process of writing, I develop the characters in my head, jot down notes, do a bit of pre-writing.  I figure out the conflict and the overall theme in advance.  Then, I might have a strong idea of how the story begins, a few key points along the way, and I almost always have a definite idea about how it ends.  There's a lot of stuff in the middle that comes along spontaneously.  Writing is usually more fun that way.

Well, that about wraps it up... Thank you, Bobby Keniston, for inviting me to play!

Yes another new project...and questions...

I've had another creative outburst during the past few days.  The result has been a new one-act comedy about Butlers and Zombies.

I'm still wondering about marketing.  There are a lot of super-successful writers who have a knack for growing a community around their work.  John Green is the current best example of this, but there are many others -- both traditionally published and self-published.

I keep going back and forth... Should I devote a significant amount of time attempting to generate an audience? Or should I focus my all of my energy on creating stories and plays?

Lots of Irons in the Fire

I've been a good little writer boy this year.

 My semester ended in the middle of May and I have been hard at work getting as much stuff out into the world before I have to start teaching summer school. I'm currently working on a one-act comedy... And I have also sent out lots of material. Now it's a matter of playing my least favorite game... the waiting game. And since I am waiting, I might as well tell you about what I am waiting for, so that you can vicariously anticipate the many rejections and/or acceptance letters that are coming my way.

 Thing #1: My agent sent a picture book at a publishing house... They replied favorably to the work (I hope to tell you more details about it, but can't give anything away yet). Now I am waiting to find out if they will make an offer. The news could arrive this week!

 Thing #2: I sent Heuer Publishing the novel version of CSI: NEVERLAND. I am hoping that in addition to publishing the play (which has been a drama class favorite for over five years) Heuer will launch my 25,000 word middle grade book as a fun companion piece. It's unlike anything they have published before, but the good folks at Heuer are innovative and daring -- so I have my fingers crossed that hey will proceed with the project.

 Thing #3: My agent has also submitted my quirky picture book "Two Kittens and a Purple Chicken." (I think it's currently at two publishing houses.) This is a fun, zany story -- and it's already gotten several very friendly rejection letters. Hopefully it will find a home.

 Thing #4: I have a historical comedy chapter book making the rounds among a few peers... And I am waiting to get feedback from them. I know it's missing something... But I'm not sure what. Hopefully my beta readers willoint me in the right direction.

 Thing #5: I submitted my unique stage version of "The Little Mermaid" to Eldridge Publishing. I already have a mermaid story with them ("Mermaid in Miami") so this project might be overkill. However, the show was a hit with audiences at the Canyon Theatre Guild, and I would love for the script to be circulated around the globe.

 Thing #6: Last week I was inspired to write a one act comedy called "Strangers." It's about the connections between two people who never meet. It delves into more serious terrain than I usually explore, so I already know it's an improtant piece in my development as a writer. I submitted the work to Playscripts. They have done well with my comedy, "How to Kiss a Girl," so I am hoping to place more scripts with them. However, it might take a while to get a response.. Three to six months!

 Thing #7: "Castle Writemore" has been a labor of love. It's a collection of writing prompts, all of which culminate into their own sort of story involving whimsical characters who live in a castle. It has been Available online for a few months now. (And guess how many books I've sold so far? Two!) However, I have created a new print version with space for young Writemorians to write and draw directly onto the page. This is my first time using CREATESPACE for a project. I ordered an examination copy, and now I am waiting for it to arrive.

 Thing #8: Today I finished a draft of a screenplay called "Skit Happens." Most of it is written by my best friend, Joshua Eklund. I have probably written about 15% of the script... Joshua's original draft came in at a whopping 188 pages, so it was my daunting task to streamline the work. It is now 122 pages. I sent the revised draft to him, and now I am waiting to see if we're still best friends. Hope you like it, Joshua!

 Thing #9: Last week, I wrote a picture book that explores the history of toys from around the globe. It's more than non-fiction, though. There's a story throughout, and I think it's kind of sweet, if I do say so myself. Well, this is the largest stockpile of projects I've ever had... All of them just waiting for some kind of response... And since I've gotten to NINE, I might as well make it an even TEN. Here goes...

 Thing #10: I have been blogging using blogspot for a while, but nobody has left a comment yet. So, in addition to all of the above responses, I am also waiting for my first commenter on this blog. So, what do you say? Leave a message, let me know who's out there!