When I wrote Green Dragon Codex I really hoped kids would enjoy it.  I had to hope, as I had literally no experience to fall back on.  I’d never written anything for kids.  Nothing.  Nadda.  Zilch.  Then one morning I woke up with a contract to deliver a children’s novel in nine months.  (A lot of things preceded that morning, by the way; contracts are not in the habit of creeping up on us writers as we sleep.)  Finished the book in three months and waited the rest of the time, worrying that kids would find my writing about as interesting as a lecture on lowest common denominators delivered in monotone Latin (which is, I’m certain, one of the 666 layers of hell). 

The book’s publication did little to alleviate my worry; however, gradually I’m starting to get a sense of how kids feel about the book, and the news seems to be good.  Better, the good news has been pretty uniform.  And best, sometimes the news has been better than good.  A few online reviewers that let children review the books have post reviews on GDC, and thus far they have all been extremely positive, scoring the book in the “Great!” or 8 through 10 on a scale of ten range.  It was even named a FlamingChoice Award Winner. 

But without question the greatest praise was delivered to me a few days ago in the form of a mother’s put out complaint.  Her daughter—six, I believe—now wakes her every morning at six am and begs her to read GDC.  This poor woman really tried to express the humor of the situation when she told me, but that good natured exterior was a thin crust over genuine sleep-deprived irritation.  

I told her I was sorry for the unfortunate circumstances, but I couldn’t remain such a hypocrite so I retracted the apology and admitted that I wasn’t sorry at all—rather, I was resisting a strong impulse to do a happy dance on the nearest table.  Every writer wants people losing sleep to read their stories; little girls ensuring that entire households lose sleep is even better!

So, if my book has upset the tranquility of your routine, please let me know.  Quoting Kai-Lan (those who watch television with children may know who I’m talking about), it makes me “Superhappy!”