By Lauren
Did you know that there's a place on the Internet - right now - where you can vote, comment and share to keep a snail alive! It's true!
Some background: When Brooke & I walked into the artist market at DragonCon, we were almost immediately drawn to a booth full of amazing, adorable illustrated characters.
Their merch was on point. Hand-painted magnets and woodcuts of adorable pandas, cats and sad robots. There were awesome t-shirts with the children's book cover spoof "Are you my Mothra?" We wanted all the things!
Their merch was on point. Hand-painted magnets and woodcuts of adorable pandas, cats and sad robots. There were awesome t-shirts with the children's book cover spoof "Are you my Mothra?" We wanted all the things!
But then we saw the books, and the beautiful illustration work in them. The friendly people behind the table decided to chat us up - and I'm so glad they did!
"Do you like weird and creepy things?" the man behind the table asked.
"Yes, of course we do!" we exclaimed, "This is DragonCon after all!"
The man behind the table was Jason Thomas - the artist himself. He explained to us about the Red Rocket Farm community and how the books are developed - and it is genius. The books take place in and around Story Town, which is full of interesting, friendly and not-so-friendly characters. Just like any 'real' town would be, you know - if animals could talk.
Jason starts a story and posts the pages online a few at a time. At certain points during the book's development, Jason will take suggestions, make requests, and leave the fate of his adorable characters in the hands of his web community. These decisions can take the story in a whole new, exiting direction - or into an abrupt end...
"Do you like weird and creepy things?" the man behind the table asked.
"Yes, of course we do!" we exclaimed, "This is DragonCon after all!"
The man behind the table was Jason Thomas - the artist himself. He explained to us about the Red Rocket Farm community and how the books are developed - and it is genius. The books take place in and around Story Town, which is full of interesting, friendly and not-so-friendly characters. Just like any 'real' town would be, you know - if animals could talk.
Jason starts a story and posts the pages online a few at a time. At certain points during the book's development, Jason will take suggestions, make requests, and leave the fate of his adorable characters in the hands of his web community. These decisions can take the story in a whole new, exiting direction - or into an abrupt end...
When a story is finished on-line, he then publishes it as a real book. Well, we were fascinated and excited by his creativity and interactive approach to storytelling and community building. For a reason only he could explain, he gave Brooke & I a free copy of one of the books. We chose "To Lumber Home" - because... bear. He signed it for us and we went on our way. |
During a break in my DCon festivities, I sat down and read To Lumber Home. It made me laugh. Out loud. It made me cry. Like seriously cry. I don't think I have ever been moved by something that looks like a children's book before in my life - and I am a grown-ass adult. In fact, it is BECAUSE I'm adult it spoke to me. I've been an outcast. I've been bullied. I've lost homes, and friends, and felt like there was no place in the world for me. I've also learned that finding even one person who really 'gets' you can change your life forever.
To Lumber Home may look like a story of a bear (Pilot) who befriends a cat (Zipper), but it's about us. It's about not giving up and holding out until you find your 'people.' It's inspiring. It's quirky. It's sad and dark. It's uplifting and it gives you hope.
Well, sharing only one copy of this book with Brooke was out of the question. It would have required a structured visitation schedule. So, I made Jen read it (and she laughed and cried and loved it too) and we ran straight back to the booth the next day to buy our own copies of To Lumber Home and all the books he had left. Jen also bought an owl of fortune figure - for luck.
"I somehow just knew you would like them! I'm so glad you did." Jason said, remembering me from the day before.
"We have a blog and I am going to tell everyone about your awesome books and Red Rocket Farm and follow all the stories from now on!" I babbled. And now I have.
I've since read all the Story Town stories and loved them each deeply. Finding these books was (other than meeting Felicia Day) my very favorite part of DragonCon.
"I somehow just knew you would like them! I'm so glad you did." Jason said, remembering me from the day before.
"We have a blog and I am going to tell everyone about your awesome books and Red Rocket Farm and follow all the stories from now on!" I babbled. And now I have.
I've since read all the Story Town stories and loved them each deeply. Finding these books was (other than meeting Felicia Day) my very favorite part of DragonCon.
Currently on Red Rocket Farm you can follow the story of Mertie, the introverted snail as she learns about the wonders (and the dangers) of going out into the world for the first time. I think many a geek girl can relate. Following along page by page can be frustrating and exciting, but it's worth it. Do it. Go. NOW! (and enjoy.) |
We hope to have an interview with Jason Thomas for you all in the coming weeks, to learn more about how he came up with Story Town and how he makes interactive storytelling work!