Another Work in Progress

As humans, we are constantly evolving physically, mentally, and spiritually; over the course of our own lives, and over the course of history. We are all works in progress, and then we die.

 Wow that was harsh...here's a picture of a baby chick and a kitten!

As a writer, you constantly revise and attempt to improve your work; stories are constantly changing and evolving over time. Eventually though, you have to let them go; give the stories to the public in a finalized form. You don't want to end up like George Lucas with Star Wars and ruining a good thing. You have to let your work die, and if it's good, it will live on with the audience.
Well, I'm not ready to let this next story die yet, it's just another work in progress (hey, that's the name of this post, I love when that happens!).
My idea is to have this illustrated, but my experience with illustrators has been horrendous.  Who knows, maybe it could be animated...dream big, right? I always do.

"Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants." (c) <<<< that's real you infringers you! 

This guy has star quality written all over him!

I've been working on the story for a long time, but haven't looked at it in a while. I've only shared it with a few people. I actually tried it out a couple times when I was subbing at a middle school in East Hartford. As you'll see, each line repeats in a progression (until the end). I had each kid read one line, the same line, all the way through. That age group is the intended audience, and it's meant to be read out loud (try it!) so it went over well. I think that's a good sign, but then again, they're just dumb kids.

I emphasize peer review in my college classes because I believe it is really beneficial. I'd really appreciate any feedback, especially from people with experience with middle school aged kids (not the Sandusky kind of experience with middle school aged kids).

I have my issues with the story, but I don't want to influence your opinions. However, there is a part of me that thinks this could actually work as a cartoon. I mean look at this guy:

Why wouldn't they pay me a million dollars to make this story into the next Disney 3D megahit?
Or at least like a hundred grand to make it into a book...I'm not greedy.

Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants

Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

Billy his Big Brother Bellowed, “You Can’t!”

But Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

He Chewed on Cheesecake, Caramels and Cotton Candy.

Billy his Big Brother Bellowed, “You Can’t!”

But Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

During the Day He Devoured Delicious Dandies,

And Chewed on Cheesecake, Caramels and Cotton Candy.

Billy his Big Brother Bellowed, “You Can’t!”

But Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

Andy Eats Everything but it’s Never Ever Enough.

During the Day He Devoured Delicious Dandies,

And Chewed on Cheesecake, Caramels and Cotton Candy.

Billy his Big Brother Bellowed, “You Can’t!”

But Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

Furry Andy Fancies Filling His Face with Fluff.

Andy Eats Everything but it’s Never Ever Enough.

During the Day He Devoured Delicious Dandies,

And Chewed on Cheesecake, Caramels and Cotton Candy.

Billy his Big Brother Bellowed, “You Can’t!”

But Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

He Gave Himself Gas From Guzzling Ginger Ale.

Furry Andy Fancies Filling His Face with Fluff.

Andy Eats Everything but it’s Never Ever Enough.

During the Day He Devoured Delicious Dandies,

And Chewed on Cheesecake, Caramels and Cotton Candy.

Billy his Big Brother Bellowed, “You Can’t!”

But Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

Hershey’s and Ho-Ho’s Make Him Hungry and Wag His Happy Tail,

He Gave Himself Gas From Guzzling Ginger Ale.

Furry Andy Fancies Filling His Face with Fluff.

Andy Eats Everything but it’s Never Ever Enough.

During the Day He Devoured Delicious Dandies,

And Chewed on Cheesecake, Caramels and Cotton Candy.

Billy his Big Brother Bellowed, “You Can’t!”

But Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

“Insects Are Icky, I Have No Interest.” Instead,

Hershey’s and Ho-Ho’s Make Him Hungry and Wag His Happy Tail,

He Gave Himself Gas From Guzzling Ginger Ale.

Furry Andy Fancies Filling His Face with Fluff.

Andy Eats Everything but it’s Never Ever Enough.

During the Day He Devoured Delicious Dandies,

And Chewed on Cheesecake, Caramels and Cotton Candy.

Billy his Big Brother Bellowed, “You Can’t!”

But Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

“Jam and Jiggly Jello Make Me Jump for Joy,” he said.

“Insects Are Icky, I Have No Interest.” Instead,

Hershey’s and Ho-Ho’s Make Him Hungry and Wag His Happy Tail,

He Gave Himself Gas From Guzzling Ginger Ale.

Furry Andy Fancies Filling His Face with Fluff.

Andy Eats Everything but it’s Never Ever Enough.

During the Day He Devoured Delicious Dandies,

And Chewed on Cheesecake, Caramels and Cotton Candy.

Billy his Big Brother Bellowed, “You Can’t!”

But Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

“I Am Too Kind to Kill Katie the Katydid,

Jam and Jiggly Jello Make Me Jump for Joy,” he said.

“Insects Are Icky, I Have No Interest.” Instead,

Hershey’s and Ho-Ho’s Make Him Hungry and Wag His Happy Tail,

He Gave Himself Gas From Guzzling Ginger Ale.

Furry Andy Fancies Filling His Face with Fluff.

Andy Eats Everything but it’s Never Ever Enough.

During the Day He Devoured Delicious Dandies,

And Chewed on Cheesecake, Caramels and Cotton Candy.

Billy his Big Brother Bellowed, “You Can’t!”

But Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

“I Like Licking Lollipops Not Daddy Long Legs,

I Am Too Kind to Kill Katie the Katydid,

Jam and Jiggly Jello Make Me Jump for Joy,” he said.

Insects Are Icky, I Have No Interest.” Instead,

Hershey’s and Ho-Ho’s Make Him Hungry and Wag His Happy Tail,

He Gave Himself Gas From Guzzling Ginger Ale.

Furry Andy Fancies Filling His Face with Fluff.

Andy Eats Everything but it’s Never Ever Enough.

During the Day He Devoured Delicious Dandies,

And Chewed on Cheesecake, Caramels and Cotton Candy.

Billy his Big Brother Bellowed, “You Can’t!”

But Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

“I’d Much Rather Munch Marshmallows Than Munch on Ant Heads.

I Like Licking Lollipops Not Daddy Long Legs,

I Am Too Kind to Kill Katie the Katydid,

Jam and Jiggly Jello Make Me Jump for Joy,” He Said.

Insects Are Icky, I Have No Interest.” Instead,

Hershey’s and Ho-Ho’s Make Him Hungry and Wag His Happy Tail,

He Gave Himself Gas From Guzzling Ginger Ale.

Furry Andy Fancies Filling His Face with Fluff.

Andy Eats Everything but it’s Never Ever Enough.

During the Day He Devoured Delicious Dandies,

And Chewed on Cheesecake, Caramels and Cotton Candy.

Billy his Big Brother Bellowed, “You Can’t!”

But Andy the Anteater Ate Anything but Ants.

  

“Never Have I Seen Such Nasty Nutrition!

You’re Out of Order!” came His Mother’s Objection.

Andy’s Pal Paulie, the Portly Platypus,

Passed Andy Popcorn, and Put It Like This:

“You’re Quite a Queer Creature!” He Quipped with His Quacker,

“You’re Really a Rarity!” He Roared Out with Laughter,

“I’ve Never Seen Such a Super Silly Snacker!”

“To Me, Tiny Termites Are Not Tasty Fun,

What Terrible Things to Have Touch My Tongue!

Under No Circumstances…I’ll Up-Chuck…Uh-uhh!

I Do Not Value Those Very Vile Varmints.

I Want a Waffle, With Whipped Cream On It.”

“Except,” Paulie Exclaimed, “Now There’s Extra Ants.

We Need An Exterminator To Exit These Ants From My Pants!”

“Stop Your Yammering. Are You Done Yet?

Yogurt Is Yummy, And I Like…YIKES!”

Zip! A Zillion Ants Zoomed In on His Zesty Treats with Zeal,

Then They Zoomed Off, Leaving Zany Andy with Zilch for a Meal.

  

 I Love You All (And I Appreciate Your Feedback, Positive or Negative)...Class Dismissed.