Invitation to a Feast - Book extract now available

To all readers I am pleased to announce that today is the day that I am releasing an extract of the upcoming book, "Invitation to a Feast" for public viewing and feedback. It is reproduced below:

Page 9
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Eventually, the morning of the feast arrived. Jumpster’s family gathered outside to farewell him from Hopper’s burrow. Mr Hopper was beaming with pride for Jumpster. Mrs Hopper, while also proud, softly shed a few tears, as she knew there would be dangers along the way for her son. Jumpster and his family exchanged many hugs and kisses.
Mrs Hopper had packed Jumpster’s rucksack with some fresh carrots from her garden for him to eat on his journey.
Record the carrots under the list of equipment on Jumpster’s character scroll.
Jumpster had tied his invitation to his belt firmly. He did not dare risk losing it.
“Be sure to stay away from any wolves or foxes Jumpster!” advised his parents.
“I will Mum and Dad!” promised Jumpster. He waved goodbye and set off south towards the Cobblestone Road.

Turn to page 10.

Feel free to make any comments. I hope you enjoy it.

Stay tuned as on my next post, I will be announcing details of an upcoming competition where the winner will receive the first signed copy (by me) of "Invitation to a Feast".

How do I re-use Jumpster's Character Scroll?

I said that my next post would be an extract from the book, but something has come up in the meantime that I thought I would make an entry about. I recently had a good question come in from The Penning Princess on this site:

"Is it possible to include more than on(e) scroll in each book because when you have three kids each one will choose a different path. Or can it be photocopied for additional children.(?)"

The answer to the above will actually be contained within the book's instructions when released. The below is actually quoted from within the book:

"You are advised either to record the score on Jumpster’s Character Scroll in pencil or to make photocopies of the scroll for use in future adventures."

Photocopying is no problem. It is a common practice for readers who read adventure gamebooks. Thanks to the Penning Princess for your question!

I still plan for the next regular post to be the book extract as promised.

Jasan

The workings of energy

Hello again,

It's been over a week since I last posted and I am pleased to say that interest in ITAF (Invitation to a Feast) is steadily growing. Following on from my article last week (about Jumpster's Character Scroll), today I am going to give interested readers a sneak preview concerning how the main game attribute in ITAF, "Energy" will work. Below is an extract from the gamebook instructions (printed at the beginning of the book when it is published) that explains a little how Energy will work:

ENERGY
Roll two dice. Add 8 to the number rolled and enter the total in the ENERGY box on Jumpster’s Character Scroll...

Jumpster’s ENERGY score will change regularly during his adventure. It will drop as a result of fleeing from wild animals, by falling foul of hazards or after performing any particularly arduous task.

Jumpster’s ENERGY score represents how fatigued he is. The lower the score, the more exhausted Jumpster is. This becomes crucial when Jumpster has to flee from any wild animals during his adventure.

Stay tuned as my next posting will include, for the first time, a short extract from the book itself!!!

Jumpster's character scroll

The adventure gamebook genre is notably different from an ordinary book in that the reader will often be asked to make a choice from two or more options at regular intervals. This will take the story down a different path.

Furthermore, the reader is given a 'scroll' (printed inside the book) where they can record various character attributes and story events that will be referred to as the tale unfolds. For example, it is important for the reader to write down items of equipment collected by the main character during the story. Questions will eventually be asked of the reader as to whether the main character has collected a particular item along the way. This may have significant repercussions as to how the story concludes depending on whether 'item x' has or has not been been collected during the adventure.

Above is a view of the scroll that is to be used for 'Invitation to a Feast'.

Invitation to a Feast - One more illustration

Here is another illustration from "Invitation to a Feast" from a scene that can occur quite early in the story.

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Coming up next in future blog postings:

- How the adventure gamebook genre works (in particular for those who are not familiar with it).

- An extract from the book itself.

Illustrations for "Invitation to a Feast"

I have included a couple of "fill-in" illustrations from Invitation to a Feast on the site today. The illustrations were done by my father, Peter Barnett, of whom I am very grateful for his contribution to the book. The objects illustrated (a rucksack and some carrots) are part of the story.

My photo

Today, I've added a photo of myself to the blog. In the coming days, I will post a couple of illustrations from "Invitation to a Feast" to the blog for you to look at.

"Invitation to a Feast" - Book blurb now posted

I am pleased to announce the first release of the book blurb for "Invitation to a Feast" on the Woodland Forest Chronicles blog site. This will be the blurb that will be seen on the back cover of the book.

INVITATION TO A FEAST
The young rabbit, Jumpster Hopper has received his first ever invitation to the annual feast of the Noble Ranger, the caretaker of Woodland Forest. He soon discovers, however, that it will take more than just turning up in order to be gained entry. His invitation is actually a test, which he must pass before he will be permitted to enjoy the delights of the day.

"If you really want to be at my feast, keep the following commands as you travel to my home:

- Stay on the Cobblestone Road.
- Make straight paths for your feet.
- Hold on to this invitation at all times."

Will Jumpster hold firm and succeed or will the followers of the Noble Ranger’s treacherous foe, the Dark Panther, effectively thwart Jumpster from reaching his destination?

Unlike regular books, Invitation to a Feast is part story and part game. This means that the success of Jumpster will depend on YOU. Two dice, a pencil and an eraser are all that you need to follow the progress of the main character in this adventure. All the decisions that need to be made throughout the story are in YOUR hands.

Are you up to the challenge?