Preface: There’s Magic in the World
Bedtime is the time to stall. And asking for a story is the best way to do it. In response to such requests, many years ago I began improvising an ongoing story for my daughters about two princesses, who coincidentally happened to have the same names as them. Princesses Amanda and Elizabeth lived in a castle at the end of a cul-de-sac with Queen Mommy and King Daddy (hey, when you’re five-years-old this is great stuff).
Their adventures at the end of the cul-de-sac continued until one night when the princesses stumbled upon a fantastical world accessible only through a magical map given them by their enigmatic Aunt Aloysia. This was an immediate box office smash. From now on, my daughters insisted all of their namesake adventures be “Wishing Map stories!”
And so the epic continued all the way into middle school, when King Daddy (yours truly), who happened to be working in the movie biz, had an offer from another magical kingdom to pitch ideas for an animated TV series. The first thing I thought of was, The Wishing Map. The Disney folks were enchanted! So I developed the storyline and characters—the two heroes having morphed into a teenage girl named Gina and her pre-teen brother Zack—while the illustrators created concept art.
Everything was magical until one day some mid-level minions said, “Holy bleep! This is going to cost a ton-a-money!” In computer animation, the more settings and characters a show has, the more it costs—and The Wishing Map had scads of both. So the animated series was put on hold until I could create a book series that was successful enough to justify spending a bleeping ton-a-money.
Some years passed as this screenwriter learned to be a novelist. Meanwhile, the Disney deal faded away. But I didn’t care; I’d fallen in love with fiction writing! So I pressed on, creating an epic storyline involving ten ancient kingdoms and three mysterious strangers “from another world” (you can guess who two of them are, but who is the third?) According to ancient prophecy, these three visitors would one day either save or destroy the ten kingdoms—and their own world, as well!
Want to join me?
To begin reading The Wishing Map, click here.
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Do you have anything in print that is accessible???
Not in hard copy, Joy. The Wishing Map had a publishing offer, but I held back because they were a mostly-non-fiction publisher with weak fiction sales. I posted the entire book at this blog site back in 2014, and am redoing it now because because most of my followers never saw those posts. If you’d like to read the whole book without waiting, click here: https://mitchteemley.com/2014/10/08/the-wishing-map-1/
I at least printed off the map. Books with maps, even the Pooh books, yum! I’m supposed to be writing, so may be “in” for the serialized version. Thank you.
Sure! I’m game for a new adventure.
I’m zeroed in and ready to read chapter one next week, Mitch. Thank you for sharing this on Saturdays. I have time to read and enjoy more on the weekends. Blessings!
My pleasure, David. And blessings to you too, my friend.
Oh fun! I’m amazed that you were able to move on without discouragement that the Disney deal fell through. And yes, I’m in. Life has been challenging on many levels; a good fantasy is just what I need!
What a fantastic idea! I can’t wait to dive in!
I’m in. Can’t wait. Blessings.
You too, Michael.
Looking forward to this. I know you posted your story here previously, but I felt overwhelmed trying to take it in all at once. I think this weekly serial will be the perfect thing for me!
Thanks, Mitch! Can’t wait to read this with my grandchildren. 😉
Oh… I love this so much!!
I’m there! Can’t wait for the adventure to begin.
Will you post on a scheduled day?
Saturdays.
Thanks!
Wow! I can just imagine the cool fantasy land you created for your kids! You might just be the next JK Rowling. How do I earn bragging rights?
Ooh I can hardly wait. ^_^ If it wasn’t so late right now, I would have a much harder time resisting diving into that link you provided to the original postings. lol Thank-you for revisiting this story for us new readers. I am looking forward to it greatly. 🙂
How exciting! Looking for at to reading this saga. I must admit though, I might have to peak at the finished version!!
Forward, not for at!! Silly autocorrect! 😂
Feel free to, Gina. And thanks!
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I’m so excited! I read these back to back ages ago – so thrilled it’s finished!
Awesome! Enjoy, Heather!
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great lead in. I love your happy ending!
Thanks, lbeth! (Btw, I don’t think I’ve asked before, but is “lbeth” what you prefer to be called?)
Thank you. Will start from here.
Great. Enjoy, Godhuli.
Thank you
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Magic is not of God…
https://getrightwithgodbeforeitstoolate.wordpress.com/2025/03/06/magic/
There are multiple definitions for the word magic, BJ. The occult meaning is not intended here, but the common usage as something marvellous or wonderful.
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