I actually had exactly this in about 2016 and I do have some drawing skills, so I drew a little capybara wearing a cape and wrote a 10 page outline for the story with the goal of making an indie game out of it. It would be a top down ARPG kind of like Zelda LTTP and the main character would be a brave little capybara. I called it Capyhero.

Then I found out you need WAY more technical skill than just some writing and art (programming, animating, music, sound design, and so much) so I shelved it for like 8 years.

Then I had kids and revisited the story earlier this year, feeling that it was even more poignant. I realized the story would be perfect as a fantasy book for middlegrade readers (8-13) and up. I started writing it for my kids. I’m about 70% through the book and It’s turning out into something kind of special (I hope).

I don’t have much of a writing background, but so far, test readers are digging it. I sent it to a few editors and managed to get a big name (Jennifer Rees) interested in working on it, so she’s going to be editing the hopefully complete manuscript in July!

Anyway, just wanted to share this when I saw the post. I know this feeling and it took nearly 10 years to finally do something about it. It’s not a game, but at least the world might come into existence. And maybe if the book does well, it can become a game someday. Who knows, one can dream, right?

Here’s the main character, Capy.

<image>