Not too long ago, while I was in my car, I came up with this idea about doing a novel based on some kick-ass princesses. To be honest, my first thought was to have it be an over-the-top parody of all the princess stories. My older daughter, Jessica, told me that doing a princess story would be harder than I made it sound. She pointed out that Disney has the whole ‘princess thing’ wrapped up pretty tight. Also, she mentioned that it would be hard for me to write it in a way that would appeal to older readers, because most people would assume any story about princesses would be aimed at young children.
But I want to do a story for young adults and bored older people. I want it to have strong, independent female characters. I want it to be exciting without going so far as having children battling to the death as mass entertainment, as in The Hunger Games books. Mostly, I don’t want it to end up as a stereotype in any way.
You might recall that I have already done a few posts about this idea. I showed you photos of all my layouts, and maps, and storylines and character sheets and that map I drew and painted. Well, between editing my murder mystery set in World War Two London with my head minion up in Canada… (I mean he lives there and we e-mail back and forth, not that I have been traveling up there without telling you about it)… and getting the third book of my action/humor science fiction series published, and working on that new wizard book for kids, I wrote the first chapter to set the story in motion.
Tell me what you think.
Let’s all work together to take the princesses back from the overly cute cartoon world of the Disney animation studios.
Pouring My Art Out 
Think princesses in terms of title rather than kingdom, it is possible for you to take an ex feudal title passed down rather than trying to use the idea of a princess with a country, even in Disney when then Prince Charming invites the Princesses to the ball am pretty sure most of them must only have a kingdom the size of their backyard.
I see what you are saying. Thanks.
Maybe she doesn’t have to be a princess…. There are other aristocratic titles you could use – or create your own – and not get stuck with another “princess”.
It is the biggest challenge I set for myself, so I want to see if I can pull it off.
Layered meaning like that is challenging . Odd as it may seem, one of the masters at it is Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons. Do it right and you will maintain an audience from age 5 to 95.
then I guess I better do it right
You crack me up….What’s next, Princesses saving the Princes? Hehehehehehehe….
xx
Sooz
That might well happen… these ladies are not going to wait around for any prince to save them, that’s for dang sure…