*Mizumi's Neptune Castle*
My book
As you've probably already noticed, one of my greatest hobbies is writing. I've always loved to write, especially fantasy and romantic short stories, but I had a hard time finishing stories that were pretty long. So when the first story with over a 100 pages in my notebooks was finished, you can imagine I was pretty proud of it. That's the start of what would be my first (and hopefully not last) published book.
The time I finished the story, I was still 13. I actually wrote the date down when I finished it: 0:00 PM/AM in the night from March 6 to March 7, 2004. Right after that, the designing of characters started! If you want a good laugh, click on the picture of the first coverdesign. (It's so old I even used my oldest nickname on the cover.) Next was the design of the Invisible Creatures. (Geesh, this is embarrassing.) However, I improved my style and in the mean while, I started to find a publisher for my book. I was determined to have at least one of my stories published in my life.
So, I've sent my story (which carried the name 'Het Geestenmeisje', Dutch for 'the Ghostgirl') to two, three editors, and each of them turned me down. Maybe because of my age, I don't know. However, I sent it to an online editor without telling my age and they accepted it! Even though the book would only be available via internet, I could explode from happiness.
Next step was the designing of the cover. The old cover really embarrassed me, so I drew another one which satisfied me. I can show you two stages of it in the images below.
:|: 
So, around May 2005, the doorbell rang... And there were the first 26 prints of my book I pre-ordered! That felt weird, holding my own story in my hands with a neat cover around it. Ever seen your own name on the cover of a book? Well, that's the feeling I had.
The book is still available on the internet, and if you're interested, click on the big image above for more information.
I've taken a distance from my ghostgirl, since there are other stories asking my attention. I might come up with a new story sooner or later, and maybe I'll publish it again. But my debute was the Ghostgirl, and therefore, it'll always remain my little treasure.
