Writing Begins on a New Book

Guiseppe Pinetti, also known as Joseph Pinetti

 As if I don't already have too much on my plate, I've decided to move forward with a book project for children. It's a book about a magician named Pinetti. It's a completely fictional story and actually came from a routine in my show.

I had been performing a fairly old trick called 'The Flexible Mirror' or 'Needle Through Mirror' for many years and it always got a fine reaction. But one day, almost out of no where, I had an idea for a totally different routine using the same concept. This was a story idea and I am proud to tell you that once I tried it out on an audience it fell so flat it actually made me sorry I had put in the effort!

But not being one to give up easily, I tweaked the story and tested it out again and this time the result was....about the same. Ugggh. All was not lost however because from the depths of my brain came a story that was completely different and had a good beginning middle and end. It only needed a character name and for whatever reason the name that popped into my head was Pinetti.

The real Pinetti was born in 1750 in Italy and became a popular European conjurer. My character borrows the name and profession, and the European connection, but other than that, he is completely different.

I tested the new routine out on a live audience and this time, much to my surprise, the routine not only went over very well, it actually was a stronger routine than the one I had been doing for years! I used the routine all Summer in 2012 and in the Fall as well. The idea of turning the story into a children's book occurred to me early on, but now I think it's a must do. A friend of mine suggested that I also do the illustrations, which has been the hold up with two other stories I've written, but I think I may go ahead and give it a shot.

The working title is 'The Great Pinetti' but I'm sure I will change it. I'll post the early illustrations here for all to see.