The thread title are the names of two books that I really want to get around to writing. I don't have much other then the titles, so this is an official brainstorm thread.
I originally came up with the idea for Sidekick School first, but I think it makes more sense to write How to be a Hero first and then make Sidekick School the sequel, yes?
Premise! Everyone knows that the world needs a hero. Sometimes it needs more then one. Boys grow up with "Hero" as one of the things they can be some day. Heroes are expected to be strong, kind, brave, and capable. They're available for hire for simple jobs like guides and body guards but are also expected to do things when they need to be done, regardless of repayment. There are special rewards and grants available for exceptional and unpaid heroes.
How to be a Hero will be written in third person. The protagonist is your typical hero type, strong, silent, dark haired, studious, and not quite as confident as he seems. He's very young when he gets tangled up in a horrible adventure that threatens all his friends, his home, and his dreams. He's not old enough to have started real Hero Training and struggles with his doubts and inadequacies.
Sidekick School will be written first person from the point of view of the Hero of the previous story's best friend. After their adventure the Hero goes on to get his Hero training and is famous and all, and the MC of this story is kind of left feeling useless. He did just as much as his friend, but didn't get any of the credit. He's just not hero material. His friend (who's just a little bit too stuck up to be lovable) tells him that no hero can be truly successful without a decent companion and suggests he attend the run-down, and somewhat second rate Sidekick school. There's only one such school in the country, and he doesn't have a lot of trouble getting in and... (other then all the really hilarious stereotype lesson classroom scenes I have in mind) I have no clue what happens from there.
I'd like to go with an almost current day style world. Modern clothes, roads, governments, town, etc. But middle age technology. Swords, horses, gold, and the like. I'm also pretty certain that my characters are all young teens.
I suppose I could actually write a third, about a female character... "Damsels in Distress".
But! What do you think? The idea is to be very funny, and to poke fun at stereotypes, but other then that I have no clue where to begin. I can't quite figure out what exactly I'm trying to write in length or target audience or anything.
Have you heard of the movie "Sky High"?
I know Lord of the Rings wrecked my fantasy writing for the first while after I watched it. 
That's the word count that sticks to me like glue though so we should be happy there.