I totally plan on losing my mind.

"Gee Mark. You sure haven't posted anything in this here blog area for a while? How come that?"

Well curious and diligent reader, I'll tell ya why.

In the late Fall of '09, I began a project I had tucked away for many many years; my childrens book series going by the title In The Thicket. It's been an idea of mine for, oh...what should I say here?...at least a decade or so. My obsession with the likes of The Muppets, furry woodland creatures, mythology, theology and searing Doom and War Metal, the idea for a kids series seemed natural. I mean, those elements go together like fish sticks and 40s. (trust me on this one)

When I decided to become a full time writer (which meant taking a full time job as a pizza chef as well) a good two years after moving to Tucson AZ from San Francisco CA, I knew it would be a tough road. Three years later and one novel, a memoir titled "Rabbit Every Tuesday", down, it has proven to be the toughest thing I have ever endured. But also the most fun and rewarding. Essentially, if I have to work in a kitchen the rest of my life to support my writing habit, I will. I just hope my fiance She-Ra is cool with that.

I just asked her. She said "Whatever."

Well, here's the scoop-a-roo: One day, while planning and outlining the follow up to my first novel, She-Ra and I were perusing the new super Target that just opened up here in Tucson. It's just what you do, okay? Anyway, like the big book nerds that we are, we eventually found ourselves in the "book section", aka rows of crap cookbooks, Oprah approved novels and tripe made into weepy matinee fare. There was, of course, a huge YA and teen centered section. Basically it broke down into three sections: Girl cliques that like to gossip and shop, adolescent wizards and dragon lords and the biggest one of all? Teenage vampires in love. I mean the place was reek with black colored covers and pasty emo kids looking sullen and sultry. Essentially, "Twilight" had opened up a flood gate for a whole new era of "readers". It was amazing. I mean, the books just went on and on...

The next day I open up my file, stashed away deep within our gray metallic cabinet, and got out my notes for my kids series. I decided right then and there to postpone my memoirs (which got great responses but no deals) and go for my true love which is kids books.

For over a month I planned story lines, characters, plot twists, antagonists, divine interventions, gags, clans, forests and a whole new world and nearly lost my s**t doing so. In the early winter of '09, I sat down at the machine and began typing it out.

"In The Thicket" Book One.
Black Sun Rising

It is now early February of '10 and I am almost done with the first book. It's been the greatest thing, waking up early everyday before work and doing what I can on my days off, writing my kids book. I mean, novel. Its not a picture book. Well, there's going to be pictures in it. You'll see...

Here's the thing! She-Ra is a certified trainer for the restaurant we both work in. This means once or twice a year she goes off to a different state to a different city and trains the new bartenders for that store. This year she will be going to, dun-dun-DAAAH!, Murfreesboro TN. Oh yeah...think big be big my friends. Actually its a great little place right outside of Nashville. I could probably be coaxed into moving there...that is if they need a pizza chef.

She-Ra will be gone for a month, starting Feb 21. This can only mean one thing...

I plan on descending into a state of self induced madness.

What does this mean you may ask? Welp, here's the deal. My book is almost done, and I plan on finishing it before she gets back in late March or early April. I plan on outlining the ones to follow; I have 5 ideas ready to rock. And that's ALL I plan on doing. Much like the fore fathers of crazy ass writers, I want to be chained to this machine, jump headlong deep into the Woodland I have created, only pausing to eat, sleep, work, possibly bathe, maybe to watch "Project Runway", and come out the other end a transformed man. Transformed into what? That's what you'll have to stay tuned for!

So beginning Feb 21, I will be chronicling my descent / ascension into a full fledged maniac of the kids book world. I'm looking forward to it. I hope you are too...

Pray for me blog readers of the world. And send a publisher my way now and again...

Thanks!