Over the past few years, my sister and I have made a tradition of watching Over the Garden Wall at some point in the red and gold depths of autumn. Last year we went all out and lit candles, popped popcorn, made apple cider floats and pilfered the last two apple cider doughnuts from the pantry.
The doughnuts, on top of everything else, might have been overkill.
Regardless, however, it was a splendid time.
For those unaware, Over the Garden Wall is a short animated series by Cartoon Network which has won several awards and is absolutely dripping in autumnal vibes. It’s fairly chaotic and slapstick at times, uncanny at others, and tells a genuinely creative and interesting story.
If you haven’t watched it yet, it’s best to go in blind, so I’ll say nothing more beyond the fact that the ending is incredible.
I actually hadn’t seen Over the Garden Wall when I originally wrote A Letter, a Lighthouse, and a Ghost Cat back in 2022. I had heard of it, however, and my general impression was that it was The Artsy Fall Film. Thus, even before I watched it, I had already started describing A Letter, a Lighthouse, and a Ghost Cat as Over the Garden Wall meets Kiki’s Delivery Service.
Having watched it now, I can confirm that the comparison is apt. Mostly because A Letter, a Lighthouse, and a Ghost Cat is The Artsy Fall Book.
I still vividly remember the day I started writing my ghostly little book. It was a crisp morning in early October. The sort where wooden floorboards have begun to feel cold beneath bare feet. I was having snickerdoodle muffins and cinnamon spiced tea for breakfast, while listening to the “Where No One Knows My Name” EP.
I had given myself a challenge that year to write a little something for each of the daily Inktober prompts, and that day’s prompt was “bat”. Thus far, I’d written very short, very simple things for the prompts, but that morning felt so deliciously autumnal that I was inspired to think up something a bit more fantastical.
A messenger bat was my first thought. It would be delightfully whimsical for bats to deliver letters in a fantasy world. Perfectly Halloween-y.
(A professional term, of course.)
With my Halloween-y delivery bat, it only made sense for him to be delivering a letter to a witch. This had no bearing on the magic system, and was really just an excuse for me to give her a pointed black hat. Listen, when you’re crafting a story, the vibes are important.
The vibes continued as I imagined out a lonely lighthouse at midnight, and an industrious young woman who was still awake despite the late hour.
Then came the question.
(While vibes are a good place to start a story, questions are the only way to continue it.)
What letter was the bat delivering?
I thought up a few different possibilities as I finished my muffin and looped the song Onward on repeat. At last, I wrote out: what if the letter is from her ex-best friend?
As soon as I did, the rest of the story began to fall into place and what had started out as a short story of a thousand or so words was slowly creeping into something bigger. I promptly ignored all my work that actually had deadlines and spent most of the day outlining this new story idea. Before long it had a full arc plotted and the most curated Pinterest board and playlist I’ve ever made for a book.
Mind you, at the time I was still doing edits on The Balter of Ashton Harper, and writing an early draft of The Mage Pocket. However, as my father always tells me “go where the energy is”. Which is to say—if you do have some budge room in your deadlines, sometimes (especially as an artist) it’s actually more effective to work on something that genuinely excites you, even if it’s technically less of a priority. This is a balance, obviously, but in this instance, it worked quite well for me.
Now the book is coming out in less than a week, and who knows—maybe it will become one of my readers’ yearly tradition to read it, just like it is for me to watch Over the Garden Wall!
Speaking of—I’m hoping to do more blogging in the future, as several young readers have written letters to me telling me that they enjoy it when I do. That said, if you have any questions about the book that you’d like me to answer in a future blog post, feel free to ask them in the comments below!
Or, if you’re one of those young readers who prefers snail mail, you’re welcome to send those to: PO Box 7, Mt. Vernon IL, 62864
Messenger bats are not required for delivery. Although… If you were to draw one on the envelope, I certainly wouldn’t complain.
Docendo disco, scribendo cogito.
(I learn by teaching, think by writing.)
— Millie Florence
I am very excited for more blog posts! (I check here almost every day!) and practically exploding waiting for the book!!! (I know there was way to many “!” in that comment but oh well)
I’m delighted to hear that you’re excited! Only a few more hours wait before the book is officially here. XD
I really liked this blog post. It’s like bonus features for the book (even though I have yet to read it). And as an aspiring author, It is inspiring to see snippets of your writing journey when you write these books.
I love that—the bonus features for the book. That was essentially my intention! XD I’m honored I could inspire you. <3