Radha Chaddah Posted February 16 Share Posted February 16 Working Title: Heartland, Literary Fiction, 108K words Part I: Seven Short Assignments 1. Story Statement When rural Da Long is devastated by an earthquake, Lei, a young field worker newly married into one of Da Long’s impoverished families, finds herself deeply indebted to the misanthropic, land-owning Farmer Master Wang. Lei, and her husband Bo, are forced to join the legions of rural migrants seeking work in China’s burgeoning coastal cities. Unsure if they will ever return home and reunite with the young children they’ve left behind, Lei and Bo become members of Shanghai’s most desperate migrant underclass. At 16, LuLu is already seasoned in survival strategies. Having arrived in Shanghai from a village not unlike Bo’s and Lei’s, Lulu resorts to prostitution after being denied a coveted factory job. Dutifully funneling her earnings home to keep her rural family fed, LuLu refuses to leave her fate to ancestor worship and prophecy or, worse, to the predatory plasma sellers whose needles are facilitating the spread of an unknown illness throughout China’s urban centers. When her wealthiest client, Farmer Master Wang, seeks to extend his legacy by securing a wife for his sick and socially isolated son, LuLu sees an opportunity to finally lift her family out of poverty. 2. The Antagonist In exchange for two cartons of cigarettes and a clutch of eggs, teenage Lei’s family marries her off to a peasant in distant Da Long village. Bo, her husband, is entirely indifferent to Lei, even as his mother belittles her and his sister ignores her. Marriage, for him, serves only to increase his household income and yield him children. Far from home and isolated within her new family, Lei toils in the fields alongside Bo on the land of the powerful and misanthropic Farmer Master Wang. Throughout Lei’s journey from the isolated fields of Da Long to the harsh urban center of Shanghai, she struggles to find her place both in her new family as the unwanted, outsider wife and in time in her role as a mother who is separated from her young children. Lei’s struggle is heightened by constant forces of loneliness, displacement, and crushing poverty that surround her. LuLu dreams of returning home from Shanghai one day and reuniting with her family, especially her beloved younger sister, LiLi. Knowing that her family’s survival depends on the money she earns as a prostitute, LuLu knows she must survive the physical abuse of her pimp, Lao Fu and avoid the perils of her profession. She is witness to the decaying health of her closest friend, Jade another of Lao Fu’s prostitutes, due to drugs and disease. In attempt to gain physical and financial security, LuLu agrees to marry Lao Fu, all the while deceiving her family by telling them that her new husband is a wealthy and respectable businessman. When her family finds out the truth of her shameful profession, LuLu fears that she will lose everyone she loves. More desperate than ever to secure the financial future of her family and prove herself worthy of their love, LuLu enters into an arrangement with Farmer Master Wang, one of her clients, to marry precious LiLi off to his son. LuLu is unaware that Wang’s son is mentally ill and does not realize the peril in which she has placed LiLi. 3. Title Suggestions Heartland The Seedlings Homeward 4. Genre and Comparables Genre: Literary Fiction, Upmarket Fiction, Women's Fiction, Book Club Fiction Pachinko by Min Jin Lee The Leavers by Lisa Ko Both of these novels explore similar themes of self-sacrifice, the tension between individual ambition and familial obligation, and the push-pull of home. Additionally, Pachinko is a multigenerational, family saga as is my novel. 5. Hook Line- I am still working on this. Version One: Lei and LuLu, two desperately naive, teenage girls from China’s rural heartland, migrate to Shanghai to work for the survival of their respective families. Lei’s husband is in love with someone else, and she is thousands of miles away from her children. Lulu, denied a coveted factory job, turns to prostitution. Both girls must become women seasoned in survival if they are to reunite their families and find the love they both desire. Version Two: Two naive, teenage girls, torn from China’s rural heartland, struggle in the unforgiving world of Shanghai’s urban migrant underclass, where they must overcome discrimination, betrayal, and violence to secure the survival of their families. 6. Inner and Secondary Conflicts Lei, inner conflict: Lei is looking for love. The problem is she doesn’t know exactly what it is and how to find it. She has been married off to the peasant farmer, Bo, who is at best indifferent and at worst cruel to her. Furthermore, Lei’s new family, comprised of Bo’s mother and his sister, seems to regard her merely as a workhorse good for bringing extra money into the household. In time, Lei goes on to have children, Yan (daughter) and Long (son), but is quickly geographically separated from them when she is forced to migrate to Shanghai for work. How and where will Lei find love in this set of circumstances? Will she find love with husband? Why does she have feelings for and desire one of her Da Long Village co-workers? Can maternal love for her children be enough to fulfil her? Lei, secondary conflict: Over the many years Lei is away working in Shanghai, her son, Long, unbeknownst to her develops schizophrenia. Shortly after Lei returns to Da Long Village, Long has a violent schizophrenic break and is incarcerated. Lei must now find a way to financially support her son and get him the medical help he needs. When Bo forbids Lei from working for Famer Master Wang and earning the money she needs, Lei must decide what loving her son means and what it will require of her. While Lei is the main protagonist through the novel (the story begins and end with her story line), there are several other supporting characters who go through their own core and secondary conflicts including LuLu, Lei’s daughter, Yan, and Farmer Master Wang. In the case of LuLu and Yan, their core conflicts revolve around the push-pull of home and the struggle between fulfilling individual ambition and meeting familial obligations. For Farmer Master Wang, his core conflict revolves around his unrelenting desire to be revered and to the building of his family’s name and legacy. These desires are in danger of being thwarted by the fact that Wang’s only son is considered “strange,” “odd”, and incapable of being married and bearing him the ever-important grandchildren. Wang is willing to use all manner of deceit to secure a bride and heirs for his son. 7. Setting This novel unfolds in two different settings: Da Long Village and Shanghai. Dalong: Da Long is a remote, rural village sitting at the center of China’s heartland. At certain times of the year, Da Long is filled with verdant life, abundant crops, and the hopes and dreams of its residents. At other times, depending on the capriciousness of the weather and its proclivity for devastating floods and bone-chilling winters, Da Long can be a place of famine and despair. Despite its remoteness, Da Long Village is not untouched by the changes that are afoot in post Cultural Revolution China. Over the course of the novel, just as the lives of the main characters evolve, so does the Da Long. Industrialization and economic rejuvenation grow Da Long Village into “New” Da Long and bring new opportunities to the area residents. Shanghai: Shanghai is a city undergoing rapid development and experiencing tremendous financial growth. Chaotic and vibrant with new buildings rising all around, the city appears to be a place of endless opportunity. But, beneath this shiny “new economy,” there is a socially disadvantaged migrant underclass. Living in cramped quarters, working jobs that Shanghai natives avoid, the migrant workers are often exposed to dangerous and demanding conditions. 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Tiffany Posted February 19 Share Posted February 19 STORY STATEMENT At all costs, no matter what, Lexi must earn a seven-figure payout at the hedge fund she now works for, show those bastards at Grenfell Johnstone, one of Wall Street's venerable firms, where they kicked her down the stairs like perfect gentlemen, they should never have let her go. HOOK LINE Picture The Wolf of Wall Street – in stilettos. 24-year-old Lexi, a quiet, reserved mathematical genius, has always done the right thing -- driven by principles of integrity, hard work and service, and Wall Street's venerable Grenfell Johnstone fired her anyway, after helping a colleague? Enter high-flying, charming Jake Garrett, chairman of a hot hedge fund -- an older man, his energy is electric, and when he offers her a job, telling her she's a star in the making, she signs on, determined to earn big money, with Jake, practically overnight, show them -- living well was always the best revenge. Determined, what Lexi hadn't counted on was the intensity of the energy and electricity between them -- but sleeping with her boss? She resists her urges, but it's too much, the tawdry affair begins when Lexi realizes Jake's more dangerous than she'd realized. He'd have her killed if he had to. Worse. She's falling in love with him, and now she must rise to the occasion, seduce and conquer him because one of them is going down, and it's not going to be her. ANTAGONISTS Tia Altherr: Frederick’s blueblood mother who intervened and stopped his marriage to Lexi because Lexi came from the wrong tax bracket, thus inciting Lexi’s core wound – a broken heart, feeling of inadequacy. Lexi wears her position at Wall Street's venerable Grenfell Johnstone like armor until ... Cynthia Miles: The HR director at Grenfell Johnstone sets Lexi up to lose her job – Cynthia’s not only jealous, but she's the minion of a much more powerful, hidden force. Jake Garrett: The charming, engaging Chairman of hot hedge fund Arlington Capital who signs Lexi on as one of his stars, grooming and mentoring her; and it's all tied up in this sexual energy -- she can't resist, and Jake’s so dangerously deceptive that Lexi (along with the reader) doesn’t figure out she’s been set up until it’s too late; worse -- she's fallen in love with him, and now she must seduce and conquer him because one of them is going down, and it's not going to be her. Eylana Petrov: Jake’s irascible and irrationally hostile Russian COO who sees Lexi as a romantic rival for Jake’s affection, does everything she can to try and run Lexi off. Glen Rourke: Lexi’s office mate at Arlington, and Jake’s charge – he pretends to be Lexi’s friend, helps her with the Russian while covertly doing Jake’s bidding to “keep an eye” on Lexi, etc. BREAKOUT TITLE BIGGER FISH GENRE (commercial women’s fiction) PRIMARY CONFLICT She must seduce and conquer her boss, a man she's fallen in love with, because he's set her up to the a hit, and one of them is going down, and it's not going to be her. SECONDARY CONFLICTS (1) Living well is the best revenge, she'll show her ex-fiancé’s family that she’s good, and those bastards at Grenfell Johnstone they should never have fired her; (2) Her battle with the volatile Russian at Arlington who relentlessly tries to run Lexi off at every turn; (3) Her fights with her best friend, Chloe, over Lexi’s new Arlington "attitude." Meanwhile Chloe has no idea Lexi's actually sleeping with Jake (of course not!), but Chloe know's somethings up with her friend, and won't stop until she gets to the bottom of it, which exacerbates the conflict between them; (4) The conflict over Arlington’s accounting ledger – of course they’re typos! (6) The conflict over her colleague's suicide – Mason Peterson who dove from a window because he missed a sales quota at majorly competitive, pressure cooker Arlington Capital. Lexi doesn't buy it entirely, and scopes around a bit, but when she gets more and more drawn in by Jake, the the truth somehow seems less important, though there's that constant nagging, threatening to shatter her illusions to pieces --- conflicts abound -- BIGGER FISH is full of them, on every single page. INNER CONFLICTS As she charges forward in her plan to make all of this money to "show them," not all of it aligns with her moral compass (her sleeping with her boss aside); other internal conflicts involve her propensity toward reimagining things as she wants them to be, and not the way they are – she’s conflicted because what she's doing now goes against everything she stands for, but clings to the most convenient narratives, those that serve her desires and her current mission, thereby undermining her ability or willingness to face the truth, to her peril, which leads, of course to the ultimate battle -- she now has to conquer Jake, or she's going down. COMPS THE DOLLHOUSE by Fiona Davis, a debut novel about the far-reaching consequence of a seemingly innocent tip toe into the fray; STONE COLD FOX by Rachel Koller Croft, a debut novel about an enterprising young woman set out for all she deserves, to avenge herself; Also, as in MOLLY’S GAME Lexi regains her power running the world’s most exclusive hedge fund (instead of poker game). SETTING BIGGER FISH is set in 2019 on New York City’s Upper East Side, with scenes in the Hamptons and in London. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frantz charles Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 FIRST ASSIGNMENT: write your story statement. Answer: Story Statement: In a world where five kingdoms with unique powers strive to protect humanity from supernatural threats, Selena Molina Black, the heir to the New Marine Kingdom, must navigate the challenges of leadership, confront the murder of her father by the mermaid Queen La Siren, and retrieve the powerful Eye of The Ocean to prevent a catastrophic plan that threatens the entire world. SECOND ASSIGNMENT: in 200 words or less, sketch the antagonist or antagonistic force in your story. Keep in mind their goals, their background, and the ways they react to the world about them. Answer: La Siren, the antagonist, is a powerful mermaid queen seeking to resurrect her sister Mami Wata and flood the Earth. Before the evolution of humanity, earth was dark and void, home to creatures like mermaids. She believes that earth truly belongs to her kind and not humanity. Once a ruler of the Underwater Kingdom, plan rule over earth and make every human a mermaid. Driven by a thirst for revenge against the New Watchers for imprisoning her kind, she stole the Eye of The Ocean to execute a plan that involves unleashing ancient creatures from the Dead Sea. La Siren is cunning, manipulating perceptions with illusions and evading detection through the Eye's power. Her background is steeped in ancient conflicts with the Marine Kingdom, and she harbors a deep-seated hatred toward Selena's family. In her quest for dominance, La Siren exploits the chaos caused by unrelenting rain, manipulating the elements to her advantage. Ruthless and vengeful, she poses a formidable challenge for Selena as she seeks to avenge her father's death and protect the realms from La Siren's destructive ambitions. THIRD ASSIGNMENT: create a breakout title (list several options, not more than three, and revisit to edit as needed). Answer: 1. "Siren’s Legacy: Rise of the New Watchers 2. "Rulers of the Elements: Saga Across Realms" 3. New Watchers: The Dead Sea Scroll FOURTH ASSIGNMENT: - Develop two smart comparables for your novel. This is a good opportunity to immerse yourself in your chosen genre. Who compares to you? And why? Answer: 1. Comparable Novel: "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas - Both stories feature young, powerful female protagonists thrust into leadership roles in fantastical worlds. - Similarities in the exploration of elemental powers, magical conflicts, and the weight of destiny on the main characters. 2. Comparable Novel: "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan - Both narratives involve young heroes navigating their roles in a world with distinct realms and mythological influences. - Shared themes of a chosen individual coming to terms with their powers and the responsibility of protecting their realm from supernatural threats. Author Comparison: - The protagonist- Selena Molina Black's journey aligns with the captivating and intricate world-building of Brandon Sanderson, known for his ability to create immersive fantasy landscapes with well-defined magical systems. - The blend of mythology, elemental powers, and the coming-of-age narrative draws parallels to the storytelling style of Cassandra Clare, who masterfully weaves intricate plots within a supernatural realm. FIFTH ASSIGNMENT: write your own hook line (logline) with conflict and core wound following the format above. Though you may not have one now, keep in mind this is a great developmental tool. In other words, you best begin focusing on this if you're serious about commercial publication. Answer: In a world where elemental kingdoms vie for dominance, Selena Molina Black, heir to the New Marine Kingdom, must overcome the core wound of her father's murder by the vengeful mermaid queen, La Siren. As she grapples with leadership challenges and uncovers a plot involving the stolen Eye of The Ocean that threatens global catastrophe, Selena and her friends journey unfolds in a high-stakes clash between elemental powers, ancient prophecies, and her relentless quest for justice. With time ticking away and alliances tested, Selena must confront her own inner conflicts, unravel the mysteries of her family's past, and harness newfound powers to save not only her kingdom but the entire world from the impending elemental chaos. SIXTH ASSIGNMENT: sketch out the conditions for the inner conflict your protagonist will have. Why will they feel in turmoil? Conflicted? Anxious? Sketch out one hypothetical scenario in the story wherein this would be the case--consider the trigger and the reaction. Next, likewise sketch a hypothetical scenario for the "secondary conflict" involving the social environment. Will this involve family? Friends? Associates? What is the nature of it? Answer: Primary Conflict: Selena Molina Black must lead the New Marine Kingdom and unite the Five Kingdoms to prevent the catastrophic resurrection of La Siren's sister, Mami Wata, and the subsequent flooding of the Earth. The stolen Eye of The Ocean holds the key to this impending global disaster, and Selena's journey is a race against time to stop La Siren's apocalyptic plan. Secondary Conflicts: 1. **Intrigues Among Kingdoms:** The delicate alliances between the Five Kingdoms are strained, with political machinations and power struggles complicating Selena's mission. The Sky Kingdom questions the Marine Kingdom's role, adding an additional layer of tension. 2. **Personal Relationships:** Selena faces skepticism and internal dissent within her kingdom, especially from those who doubt her ability to lead at such a young age. Additionally, interpersonal conflicts arise when old friendships are tested, and new alliances must be formed. 3. **The Mystery of the Dead Sea Scroll:** The quest to find the Dead Sea Scroll becomes a secondary conflict, with its potential to restore balance or wreak havoc on the world. Selena's journey to uncover this powerful artifact is fraught with dangers and conflicting motivations. Inner Conflicts: Selena grapples with the guilt and anger stemming from her perceived failure to save her father during the mermaid attack. The inner turmoil intensifies as she questions her own strength and leadership abilities. A hypothetical scenario unfolds when, during a critical battle with water creatures, Selena freezes, haunted by memories of her father's death. The trigger is a sudden surge of overwhelming emotions, and her reaction is a momentary paralysis that jeopardizes the safety of her comrades. This internal conflict becomes a recurring challenge for Selena as she strives to overcome her fears and lead with confidence. Secondary Conflict - Personal Relationships: Amidst the chaos of impending doom, a secondary conflict arises within Selena's personal relationships, particularly with her childhood friend and fellow water warrior, Luca. Unbeknownst to Selena, Luca harbors both romantic feelings and resentment towards her for being chosen as the heir to the Marine Kingdom. Hypothetical Scenario: As tensions escalate and the pressure on Selena intensifies, Luca's unspoken emotions reach a breaking point. During a critical strategy meeting, he confronts Selena in front of their comrades, accusing her of nepotism and undermining the unity of the New Marine Kingdom. The revelation of his suppressed feelings adds a layer of emotional complexity to the already strained relationships within the kingdom. The trigger for this conflict is a combination of Luca's frustration with his unrequited love and his resentment towards the perceived favoritism shown to Selena. The reaction is a public outburst that challenges Selena's authority and divides the loyalties of the water warriors. This interpersonal conflict becomes a subplot, impacting Selena's ability to command trust and loyalty, forcing her to navigate not only external threats but also the fragile dynamics within her close-knit community. FINAL ASSIGNMENT: sketch out your setting in detail. What makes it interesting enough, scene by scene, to allow for uniqueness and cinema in your narrative and story? Please don't simply repeat what you already have which may well be too quiet. You can change it. That's why you're here! Start now. Imagination is your best friend, and be aggressive with it. Answer: Setting: **Five Elemental Kingdoms:** The story unfolds in a fantastical world where five elemental kingdoms coexist: the New Marine Kingdom, the Nephilim Kingdom, the Cosmic Kingdom, the Sky Kingdom, and the Underworld Kingdom. Each kingdom possesses unique powers derived from their elemental affiliations. The New Marine Kingdom, ruled by Selena's family, thrives underwater with vibrant coral cities and mystical aquatic creatures. **Aqua Island:** The central hub for the New Marine Kingdom is Aqua Island, a sprawling island adorned with grand waterfalls and intricate coral formations. The Waterfront Stadium, where Selena's graduation ceremony takes place, is a colossal amphitheater carved into the heart of Aqua Island. The stadium's enchanting design includes shimmering pools and holographic projections that showcase the history of the New Marine Kingdom. **The Dead Sea:** The quest for the Dead Sea Scroll leads the characters to the desolate and mysterious Dead Sea. Here, the landscape is foreboding, with salt formations resembling eerie sculptures. Ancient creatures lurk beneath the surface, adding an element of danger to the characters' journey. **Mermaid Stronghold - Back of The Mirror Underwater Kingdom:** As Selena ventures into the realm of La Siren, the Queen of The Back of The Mirror Underwater Kingdom, the setting transforms into a mesmerizing underwater world. Shimmering palaces made of reflective materials and schools of luminescent fish create an otherworldly atmosphere. The climax unfolds in this kingdom, where Selena confronts La Siren and battles against the forces threatening to flood the Earth. **The North Pole and Arctic Tribe:** The journey to deliver the Eye of The Ocean to the Arctic Tribe adds a freezing and mystical dimension to the setting. The Arctic landscape is a vast expanse of ice and snow, where Selena encounters ice elementals and uncovers ancient secrets. The Arctic Tribe's hidden enclave is a breathtaking ice palace that serves as a crucial backdrop for key revelations. **Dynamic Elemental Weather:** To enhance the cinematic quality, each kingdom experiences dynamic elemental weather. Rainstorms rage during pivotal moments, emphasizing the significance of the Eye of The Ocean. The Sky Kingdom showcases impressive aerial displays, and the Cosmic Kingdom's scenes are illuminated by celestial phenomena. These dynamic settings create a visually stunning and immersive experience, making the narrative come alive with cinematic richness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frantz charles Posted February 20 Share Posted February 20 FIRST ASSIGNMENT: write your story statement. Answer: Story Statement: In a world where five kingdoms with unique powers strive to protect humanity from supernatural threats, Selena Molina Black, the heir to the New Marine Kingdom, must navigate the challenges of leadership, confront the murder of her father by the mermaid Queen La Siren, and retrieve the powerful Eye of The Ocean to prevent a catastrophic plan that threatens the entire world. SECOND ASSIGNMENT: in 200 words or less, sketch the antagonist or antagonistic force in your story. Keep in mind their goals, their background, and the ways they react to the world about them. Answer: La Siren, the antagonist, is a powerful mermaid queen seeking to resurrect her sister Mami Wata and flood the Earth. Before the evolution of humanity, earth was dark and void, home to creatures like mermaids. She believes that earth truly belongs to her kind and not humanity. Once a ruler of the Underwater Kingdom, plan rule over earth and make every human a mermaid. Driven by a thirst for revenge against the New Watchers for imprisoning her kind, she stole the Eye of The Ocean to execute a plan that involves unleashing ancient creatures from the Dead Sea. La Siren is cunning, manipulating perceptions with illusions and evading detection through the Eye's power. Her background is steeped in ancient conflicts with the Marine Kingdom, and she harbors a deep-seated hatred toward Selena's family. In her quest for dominance, La Siren exploits the chaos caused by unrelenting rain, manipulating the elements to her advantage. Ruthless and vengeful, she poses a formidable challenge for Selena as she seeks to avenge her father's death and protect the realms from La Siren's destructive ambitions. THIRD ASSIGNMENT: create a breakout title (list several options, not more than three, and revisit to edit as needed). Answer: 1. "Siren’s Legacy: Rise of the New Watchers 2. "Rulers of the Elements: Saga Across Realms" 3. New Watchers: The Dead Sea Scroll FOURTH ASSIGNMENT: - Develop two smart comparables for your novel. This is a good opportunity to immerse yourself in your chosen genre. Who compares to you? And why? Answer: 1. Comparable Novel: "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas - Both stories feature young, powerful female protagonists thrust into leadership roles in fantastical worlds. - Similarities in the exploration of elemental powers, magical conflicts, and the weight of destiny on the main characters. 2. Comparable Novel: "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" by Rick Riordan - Both narratives involve young heroes navigating their roles in a world with distinct realms and mythological influences. - Shared themes of a chosen individual coming to terms with their powers and the responsibility of protecting their realm from supernatural threats. Author Comparison: - The protagonist- Selena Molina Black's journey aligns with the captivating and intricate world-building of Brandon Sanderson, known for his ability to create immersive fantasy landscapes with well-defined magical systems. - The blend of mythology, elemental powers, and the coming-of-age narrative draws parallels to the storytelling style of Cassandra Clare, who masterfully weaves intricate plots within a supernatural realm. FIFTH ASSIGNMENT: write your own hook line (logline) with conflict and core wound following the format above. Though you may not have one now, keep in mind this is a great developmental tool. In other words, you best begin focusing on this if you're serious about commercial publication. Answer: In a world where elemental kingdoms vie for dominance, Selena Molina Black, heir to the New Marine Kingdom, must overcome the core wound of her father's murder by the vengeful mermaid queen, La Siren. As she grapples with leadership challenges and uncovers a plot involving the stolen Eye of The Ocean that threatens global catastrophe, Selena and her friends journey unfolds in a high-stakes clash between elemental powers, ancient prophecies, and her relentless quest for justice. With time ticking away and alliances tested, Selena must confront her own inner conflicts, unravel the mysteries of her family's past, and harness newfound powers to save not only her kingdom but the entire world from the impending elemental chaos. SIXTH ASSIGNMENT: sketch out the conditions for the inner conflict your protagonist will have. Why will they feel in turmoil? Conflicted? Anxious? Sketch out one hypothetical scenario in the story wherein this would be the case--consider the trigger and the reaction. Next, likewise sketch a hypothetical scenario for the "secondary conflict" involving the social environment. Will this involve family? Friends? Associates? What is the nature of it? Answer: Primary Conflict: Selena Molina Black must lead the New Marine Kingdom and unite the Five Kingdoms to prevent the catastrophic resurrection of La Siren's sister, Mami Wata, and the subsequent flooding of the Earth. The stolen Eye of The Ocean holds the key to this impending global disaster, and Selena's journey is a race against time to stop La Siren's apocalyptic plan. Secondary Conflicts: 1. **Intrigues Among Kingdoms:** The delicate alliances between the Five Kingdoms are strained, with political machinations and power struggles complicating Selena's mission. The Sky Kingdom questions the Marine Kingdom's role, adding an additional layer of tension. 2. **Personal Relationships:** Selena faces skepticism and internal dissent within her kingdom, especially from those who doubt her ability to lead at such a young age. Additionally, interpersonal conflicts arise when old friendships are tested, and new alliances must be formed. 3. **The Mystery of the Dead Sea Scroll:** The quest to find the Dead Sea Scroll becomes a secondary conflict, with its potential to restore balance or wreak havoc on the world. Selena's journey to uncover this powerful artifact is fraught with dangers and conflicting motivations. Inner Conflicts: Selena grapples with the guilt and anger stemming from her perceived failure to save her father during the mermaid attack. The inner turmoil intensifies as she questions her own strength and leadership abilities. A hypothetical scenario unfolds when, during a critical battle with water creatures, Selena freezes, haunted by memories of her father's death. The trigger is a sudden surge of overwhelming emotions, and her reaction is a momentary paralysis that jeopardizes the safety of her comrades. This internal conflict becomes a recurring challenge for Selena as she strives to overcome her fears and lead with confidence. Secondary Conflict - Personal Relationships: Amidst the chaos of impending doom, a secondary conflict arises within Selena's personal relationships, particularly with her childhood friend and fellow water warrior, Luca. Unbeknownst to Selena, Luca harbors both romantic feelings and resentment towards her for being chosen as the heir to the Marine Kingdom. Hypothetical Scenario: As tensions escalate and the pressure on Selena intensifies, Luca's unspoken emotions reach a breaking point. During a critical strategy meeting, he confronts Selena in front of their comrades, accusing her of nepotism and undermining the unity of the New Marine Kingdom. The revelation of his suppressed feelings adds a layer of emotional complexity to the already strained relationships within the kingdom. The trigger for this conflict is a combination of Luca's frustration with his unrequited love and his resentment towards the perceived favoritism shown to Selena. The reaction is a public outburst that challenges Selena's authority and divides the loyalties of the water warriors. This interpersonal conflict becomes a subplot, impacting Selena's ability to command trust and loyalty, forcing her to navigate not only external threats but also the fragile dynamics within her close-knit community. FINAL ASSIGNMENT: sketch out your setting in detail. What makes it interesting enough, scene by scene, to allow for uniqueness and cinema in your narrative and story? Please don't simply repeat what you already have which may well be too quiet. You can change it. That's why you're here! Start now. Imagination is your best friend, and be aggressive with it. Answer: Setting: **Five Elemental Kingdoms:** The story unfolds in a fantastical world where five elemental kingdoms coexist: the New Marine Kingdom, the Nephilim Kingdom, the Cosmic Kingdom, the Sky Kingdom, and the Underworld Kingdom. Each kingdom possesses unique powers derived from their elemental affiliations. The New Marine Kingdom, ruled by Selena's family, thrives underwater with vibrant coral cities and mystical aquatic creatures. **Aqua Island:** The central hub for the New Marine Kingdom is Aqua Island, a sprawling island adorned with grand waterfalls and intricate coral formations. The Waterfront Stadium, where Selena's graduation ceremony takes place, is a colossal amphitheater carved into the heart of Aqua Island. The stadium's enchanting design includes shimmering pools and holographic projections that showcase the history of the New Marine Kingdom. **The Dead Sea:** The quest for the Dead Sea Scroll leads the characters to the desolate and mysterious Dead Sea. Here, the landscape is foreboding, with salt formations resembling eerie sculptures. Ancient creatures lurk beneath the surface, adding an element of danger to the characters' journey. **Mermaid Stronghold - Back of The Mirror Underwater Kingdom:** As Selena ventures into the realm of La Siren, the Queen of The Back of The Mirror Underwater Kingdom, the setting transforms into a mesmerizing underwater world. Shimmering palaces made of reflective materials and schools of luminescent fish create an otherworldly atmosphere. The climax unfolds in this kingdom, where Selena confronts La Siren and battles against the forces threatening to flood the Earth. **The North Pole and Arctic Tribe:** The journey to deliver the Eye of The Ocean to the Arctic Tribe adds a freezing and mystical dimension to the setting. The Arctic landscape is a vast expanse of ice and snow, where Selena encounters ice elementals and uncovers ancient secrets. The Arctic Tribe's hidden enclave is a breathtaking ice palace that serves as a crucial backdrop for key revelations. **Dynamic Elemental Weather:** To enhance the cinematic quality, each kingdom experiences dynamic elemental weather. Rainstorms rage during pivotal moments, emphasizing the significance of the Eye of The Ocean. The Sky Kingdom showcases impressive aerial displays, and the Cosmic Kingdom's scenes are illuminated by celestial phenomena. These dynamic settings create a visually stunning and immersive experience, making the narrative come alive with cinematic richness. NY Conference assignment.docx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari Posted February 23 Share Posted February 23 THE ACT OF STORY STATEMENT Story Statement: A young woman struggles to escape her past and survive in a criminal underworld. THE ANTAGONIST PLOTS THE POINT Story antagonists: UNCLE, a drug-running biker, abandoned his son, D, long ago. Now he’s back, and he hasn’t changed. Heartless, unforgiving, and cold-blooded, he’s driven by money and status. Uncle uses D and Blondie to sell his drugs, but when a deal goes wrong, he hunts Blondie down and leaves her for dead. When D confronts him, it escalates into a shootout where D is forced to kill his own father. PONYTAIL is a struggling drug dealer with mouths to feed. Territorial, jealous, and broke by his incompetence, he attempts to rob the home of two of Blondie’s friends, but when his plan goes sideways, he guns them down instead. Blondie worries he’ll come for her next. TAZ is a dangerous man with ties to the Colombian cartel. He wins Blondie’s heart, moves her in, and provides her love and protection. Taz becomes the new acting boss, and he struggles to manage the pressure of his new position. Insecure, narcissistic and obsessive-compulsive, his love and kindness quickly devolve into beratement, control and physical abuse, causing Blondie to fear for her life. The BIKERS, the COLOMBIAN CARTEL, and the LAW are opposing antagonistic forces that help to shape the progression of the plot. CONJURING YOUR BREAKOUT TITLE Titles: Drowning in Flame Streets of Betrayal Blondie DECIDING YOUR GENRE AND APPROACHING COMPARABLES Comparable Titles: Don Winslow’s gritty crime novel City of Dreams (2023) is comparable to Drowning in Flame in several ways. Both delve into a world of drug-trafficking and organized crime, with their protagonists running from the law and vengeful criminals in desperate search of a way out. Both novels are unrelenting, written in a style that is characterized by gritty realism, multi-layered plots, and fast-paced storytelling of morally ambiguous characters. These novels explore similar themes of power, betrayal, morality, and the human cost of violence. Finally, City of Dreams and Drowning in Flame each belong to their own novel trilogy. Blacktop Wasteland (2020) is a crime novel written by SA Cosby following a former getaway driver who is pushed back into his life of crime. The protagonists of Blacktop Wasteland and Drowning in Flame must navigate a criminal underworld plagued by violence, betrayal and moral dilemmas as they attempt to outmaneuver their enemies and protect those they love. These novels share themes of family and identity, with characters who are forced to confront demons of their pasts. CORE WOUND AND THE PRIMARY CONFLICT Hook line: Haunted by her traumatic past, a young dealer struggles to escape from cops and killers as she searches for redemption and the safety of home. OTHER MATTERS OF CONFLICT: TWO MORE LEVELS Inner Conflict: BETS “BLONDIE” TRENT, (22), is seductive, cunning and tough. Her formative years were spent immersed in an environment of gangs, petty crime and financial struggle, which has shaped her values and life choices. After her father left when Blondie was a small child, her struggling mother became abusive toward her, until Blondie was placed first in a group home, then foster care. Disenfranchised and discarded, Blondie is left feeling unlovable, with ongoing abandonment issues that have triggered serious mental health challenges—the symptoms of which are true to DSM-V criteria, and consistent throughout the story. These include alcoholism, drug abuse, disordered eating, impulsivity, mood lability, promiscuity, psychosis, dissociation and a tendency toward criminal behavior. While it is shown, not told, this symptomatology is consistent with borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder. Amplified by stressful events, Blondie’s maladaptations act as coping mechanisms for inner turmoil and volatile emotions. This conflict feedback loop is evident in “Episode Four: Ermano,” for example, when Blondie is charged and jailed for the murder of her friends—acts she did not commit. Here, Blondie is caught in blurred moral lines—cooperating with police to get justice for her friends would mean putting herself, and her family, in danger for betraying the code of the streets. Not cooperating would lead to her wrongful incarceration. She chooses the latter, the consequences of which trigger a violent spiral into psychosis. When she hallucinates an image of her dead body in the showers, she runs in terror, slamming into a group of inmates who respond by brutally attacking her. Blondie is evaluated, then sent to the psych ward where she dissociates, believing she is still in general population with a nurturing cellmate—a hallucination that is in fact Dr. Langly, the jail psychiatrist. After new evidence in her case surfaces, Blondie is released, but she lands in a jail of her own making—she drowns her torment in alcohol, drugs, and bulimia, but the feelings continue to surface in her dreams. Secondary Conflict: A family conflict occurs between Blondie and her older foster brother, D—a terrifying mountain of a man with bulging arms and tattoo sleeves. Having grown up together in the same foster home, D became Blondie’s protector. When D learns that his biker father, Uncle, has beaten Blondie nearly to death, he flies into a rage. D confronts Uncle but it quickly escalates into a shootout that leaves his father and two other bikers dead. D flees to California, distraught by his actions, and fearing retaliation from the rest of the gang. Blondie catches up with him in the Hollywood Hills, where D is numbing his pain by shooting heroin with fallen starlets. He refuses to return to Florida with her, and when she tries to stay instead, he disowns her to protect her one last time—he worries she’ll fall victim to heroin with the rest of them. Blondie returns home feeling lost and afraid, which pushes her into the arms of a dangerous man. THE INCREDIBLE IMPORTANCE OF SETTING Drowning in Flame Setting: Set primarily in Florida, 2003, the characters travel back and forth between Tampa, Orlando, and Miami, and at times span out to Colombia, Las Vegas and the Hollywood Hills. Drowning in Flame is a story of survival—an adrenaline-fueled chase of morally ambiguous characters on the run. They repeatedly cross the boundary between hope and despair as they move cocaine, fight their demons, and shake their tails of bikers and police. Dialogue-driven and written in a cinematic style from a single POV, the story’s setting descriptions are minimalist with narrative gaps to inspire meaningful co-creation of unfamiliar worlds. Tension is built and intensified by dynamic settings, both real and unreal, along with their various juxtapositions. From the drab and impoverished, to the mind-bending and terrifying, to the glamorous and upscale, these contextual contrasts are indicative of story themes, internal and external conflicts, and the characters’ desperate ploy for a better life. Blondie lives at home with her cantankerous, once-foster mother, Gran, in an old post-war bungalow on the wrong side of Tampa. Here, Blondie spends her time drinking and smoking in an unfinished basement with a stash of money hidden in the ceiling. The setting is dark and depressed, like her, with a ray of hope dangling above her. Many physical locations set the same mood: a decrepit whorehouse, a shady chop shop, an abandoned safehouse, a violent jail, a nightmarish psych ward, an empty desert, and a looming courthouse, along with impoverished homes, unwelcoming hospitals, run-down motels, broken down cars, and seedy strip clubs. These settings are juxtaposed with those that are colorful and manic, replicating Blondie’s mood lability: extravagant homes, expensive cars, wave-jumping cigarette boats, upscale steakhouses, sprawling casinos, luxury hotels, highrise law offices, Hollywood mansions, Colombian villas, and an acid-laced trip to Las Vegas. Brewing conflict between characters and antagonistic forces aligns with chosen settings. For example, in Tampa, Blondie has a short affair with Chris, a man she picks up at a bar. While laying in bed together, Chris reveals that he is a cop. Blondie looks around the room, planning her escape, but a news report on the TV catches her eye. A reporter is standing in front of the Miami mansion where she recently witnessed the murder of her friends. While Chris is still unaware of Blondie’s involvement, it is here, in enemy territory, that she learns that she’s not only implicated in the murders, but deeply embroiled in Project Boomslang—a large-scale drug investigation. This setting adds more tension to her predicament, and now, more than ever, Blondie can see that it’s only a matter of time. Largely devoid of flowery language and inner-dialogue, Drowning in Flame makes use of dreams, hallucinations, psychedelic experiences and childhood journals to explore the inner workings of Blondie’s mind, all of which reveal her fears, desires, and the emotional toll of her traumatic past. Here, readers are propelled to different temporal and spatial contexts. When, for example, Blondie discovers her old journals that contain stories of her past, the reader steps into Blondie’s childhood, which offers room for empathy with insights into the origins of her poor choices. As mentioned in Assignment Six, Blondie succumbs to psychosis in jail, which lands her in the psych ward. Here, she becomes delusional, believing that she is still in her cell with a caring inmate—a hallucination that masks her interactions with Dr. Langly, the jail’s psychiatrist, who asks Blondie probing questions. Blondie, and the reader, are only made aware that this was a spatial delusion at the end of the episode, immediately before her surprising release. Blondie’s dreams contain latent and manifest representations of the demons that haunt her, occurring in settings both known and unknown to the reader, and some residing outside the bounds of reality. For example, while Blondie lacks conscious memory of her time spent in the psych ward, the experience surfaces later in the form of a nightmare. Back in the white cell, Dr. Langly attempts to physically sew Blondie’s core wound, manifested as a gaping hole in her abdomen, with a needle and thread. Psychedelic experiences are used as another way to explore both colorful and terrifying worlds. On a ketamine-induced trip, Blondie is sucked through her TV screen while watching The Wizard of Oz with her foster brother, Lando. She spins around the eye of the storm with a witch cackling outside of her bedroom window. After crashing down to the yellow brick road, a good and evil witch stand on each shoulder, representing the conflict arising from her chosen life path. She makes it to Emerald City but is rejected at the door—she’s lost her ruby slippers. Blondie’s inability to find her way home is a persistent theme in the novel, which is resolved in the final pages. Imagery from the Land of Oz is revisited several times. For example, on a terrifying acid trip in Las Vegas, Blondie turns into the Wicked Witch of the West. With ghoulish hands and green skin, she is back at the doors to Emerald City being scolded by a gatekeeping munchkin, providing clues for how Blondie views herself—evil, unlovable, and lost for good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marisa Posted February 26 Share Posted February 26 FIRST ASSIGNMENT: write your story statement. Annie had a plan for her life: attend college in NYC, land her first job at a PR agency in NYC, get promoted to a PR leadership position, and convince her high school sweetheart who she would marry to move just outside NYC (instead of the PA mountains like he dreamed), where they would raise the three kids they would have. All of that was seemingly going as planned while the sweetheart convincing was being worked on, until one night when a bomb of a secret was dropped that would change both their lives forever. This new information forces Annie to navigate a different path and life that does not look exactly like she envisioned. SECOND ASSIGNMENT: in 200 words or less, sketch the antagonist or antagonistic force in your story. Keep in mind their goals, their background, and the ways they react to the world about them. Annie struggles with her feelings for Gio. She thinks she should not have them since their agreement was one-night only. She then tries to date other men and can’t feel for them what she feels for them which is an internal battle for her. She does not exactly want to date Gio because he’s not available and she’s ready for settle down with her person. She wants to feel what she feels for him with a man who is available and this is a constant battle she struggles with. THIRD ASSIGNMENT: create a breakout title (list several options, not more than three, and revisit to edit as needed). Never Fall in Love With a One Night Stand He Ruined Me The Ruined Affair FOURTH ASSIGNMENT: - Read this NWOE article on comparables then return here. Romance Never Give Your Heart to a Hookup - Lauren Landish - 4.1 Goodreads Before We Were Strangers - Renee Carlino - 4.1 Goodreads FIFTH ASSIGNMENT: write your own hook line (logline) with conflict and core wound following the format above. Though you may not have one now, keep in mind this is a great developmental tool. In other words, you best begin focusing on this if you're serious about commercial publication. Core wound and primary conflict: Main character had a miscarriage with her cheating ex-fiance, throwing her life plans for a loop and forcing her to start dating in her 30s. She’s learning that dating in NYC is not all that great due to it being so casual when she wants serious. On her dating journey, she spends one night with a guy who she ends up falling in love with, but he’s completely unavailable to her. Possible deeper dive of the potential core wound and primary conflict: Wanting out of relationship/cheating ex and miscarriage miscarriage/cheating ex or Dating in NYC is not going to her liking/she falls in love with a one night stand Afraid she would not find someone better than her high school sweetheart, Annie accepted his proposal and uprooted her life for him. For the first time since high school, the two of them would finally not be in a long-distance relationship but she has second thoughts about it. When she finds out she’s pregnant, she accepts her faith, until he exposes a secret four weeks before their wedding—a one night stand he had two years ago, which he recently learned resulted in a baby. He was forced to tell Annie this secret. Around the same time, Annie has a miscarriage. She feels betrayed by her now ex and is mourning the loss of a baby she wanted so badly with days numbered due to her age. SIXTH ASSIGNMENT: sketch out the conditions for the inner conflict your protagonist will have. Why will they feel in turmoil? Conflicted? Anxious? Sketch out one hypothetical scenario in the story wherein this would be the case--consider the trigger and the reaction. Annie is conflicted about leaving Jacob because they are now in their 30s and have been together since high school. Trigger: they grew up together and have both changed. She’s scared she won’t find someone better—Jacob is a great catch. She instead, accepts his proposal. Next, likewise sketch a hypothetical scenario for the "secondary conflict" involving the social environment. Will this involve family? Friends? Associates? What is the nature of it? Jacob has a one-night stand, cheating on her, which resulted in a baby. Around the same time he found out the ONS had a baby, Annie miscarries her baby. She feels betrayed and is more upset about the miscarriage than anything, since she was already having second thoughts about being with him. FINAL ASSIGNMENT: sketch out your setting in detail. What makes it interesting enough, scene by scene, to allow for uniqueness and cinema in your narrative and story? Please don't simply repeat what you already have which may well be too quiet. You can change it. That's why you're here! Start now. Imagination is your best friend, and be aggressive with it. Annie lives in NYC and this is where she is doing most of her dating/has the dating adventures talked about in the story. For a brief time, she moves to PA with her fiance/ex-fiance. Years are before the pandemic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexandra Syrah Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 #1 Story Statement: In this dual timeline narrative, American graduate student Amanda must identify an extra body in an ossuary, before a rising cult steals the body and leads to Amanda’s academic ruin #2 Antagonist: In medieval Italy, a number of women were recognized as prophets or incarnations of the Holy Spirit, whose resurrected bodies would usher in a new era of the church led by women. One, Saint Na Prous Boneta, was burned at the stake by the male religious leaders whose power she threatened. Another, Saint Guglielma, was declared a heretic after her death, exhumed, and her body burnt to ashes. In modern-day Bologna, The Immaculate Spirit of Saint Agnese – known as “The Immaculate Spirit” – is a radical religious cult led by Mother Chiara and her son Dario. The Immaculate Spirit believes that there remain hidden the bones of another medieval Saint, the virgin Agnese, who like the others was to herald in a new era of the church. Though no historical evidence for this saint exists, the Immaculate Spirit becomes convinced that the bones discovered in the ossuary are the relics of Saint Agnese, stashed there by her followers to prevent them being destroyed. The Immaculate Spirit launch a plot to steal the bones in order to establish them in a church dedicated to Saint Agnese, which they believe will supernaturally invoke the long-awaited age of the Holy Spirit. After an initial break-in and near theft of the bones, Amanda and the University of Bologna face increasing pressure to secure the bones and provide a suitable explanation, before Amanda’s academic career is ruined. #3 Titles: One Too Many Bones The Mystery of the Ossuary #4 Comps: The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco – This is a medieval murder mystery set in Italy, but taking place in a monastery rather than in secular society. Eco’s work is slightly more upmarket than One Too Many Bones. Labyrinth by Kate Mosse – This is another dual timeline narrative that involves present-day archaeologists attempting to solve an ancient mystery. #5 Logline: An American graduate student seeks to unravel an 800-year-old murder before a rising cult steals the body and topples her academic career #6 Two More Levels of Conflict: Inner conflict – trigger and reaction Amanda is initially delighted by the find and thinks it may propel her into a successful career in archaeology. However, as the activities of the Immaculate Spirit heat up, her reputation and future are increasingly jeopardized. Social conflict – family / friends / associates Amanda’s thesis advisor initially encourages her research, but then suggests she abandon it as the Immaculate Spirit’s activities increase, and eventually attempts to sabotage Amanda’s work. Meanwhile, Amanda has become romantically entangled with Serafina, a secret member of the Immaculate Spirit. Serafina is willing to use any means necessary to get the bones of Saint Agnese. Amanda’s best friend and colleague, Gabriele, becomes of aware of Amanda’s danger, and resolves to save both her career and her life. This triangle forms a foil with the other dual timeline narrative, in which Maria's friend, a silk weaver, tries to save her and Alessandro from social ruin. #7 Setting: The city of Bologna is a character in-and-of-itself. The San Petronio Basilica where Charles V was anointed Holy Roman Emperor in 1530 today witnesses pro-Palestinian protests. Two leaning towers, the last freestanding of hundreds that once existed, have for centuries symbolized Bologna in art and literature. Canals which once powered silk mills still wind behind colorful homes. While the world turns around it, the University and the City of Bologna witness the rise and fall of governments, social movements, generational wealth, and the march of technology. Even as many of the externalities change, the intrinsic relationship dynamics among people - love, betrayal, and honor - persist and drive the course of history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Kramer Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 On 1/23/2024 at 1:14 PM, Jeff Kramer said: 7 assignments for Jeff Kramer (March 2024 conference.) Working title of book-in-progress has been changed to Mud Season, but Cementhead is still in play : First Assignment: Mud Season/Cementhead Story Statement: Driven to reinvent himself and avenge his detractors, laid-off journalist Woody Hackworth plunges into writing an online novel whose premise provokes growing disapproval from his wife and wealthy in-laws. Second Assignment: Woody Hackworth’s primary antagonist is a fictional character, one of Woody’s invention. His name is Al Holmes. He’s the evil father in-law in a novel Woody is serializing online. Al runs a corrupt sand-and-gravel business with one of the largest fleets of cement mixer trucks in Upstate, New York. His grotesque business practices and willingness to resort to violence drive the plot of Woody’’s novel and of the exterior book, where Woody must reckon with the real-life consequences of his dark literary portrayals. Ultimately, then, Woody is unwittingly his own antagonist because his creative impulses are sabotaging his most important relationships. He’s blinded by hubris, seduced by fame and slow to accept the damage his book is doing to the people who love him most. Somehow all this is funny. Third Assignment: Breakout title Mud Season Cementhead ? “Mud Season” is the more writerly title. It has intrigue and carries triple meaning: Mud Season is the bridge season in Upstate New York between Winter and Spring. It’s a muddy time of year. Mud is also the industry euphemism for wet concrete, which figures heavily, no pun intended, into the novel. Finally, the main character, Woody, has trapped himself in a muddy melodrama “Cementhead” was my previous favorite and still in the running. It addresses the stubbornness and cluelessness of the main character and, more literally, to the subject he’s writing about. ] 4. Fourth Assignment: Comparable titles Erasure by Percival Everett, while not a new novel (2001), is the subject of a new movie by Orion Pictures. It’s fabulous, btw. Erasure is the story of an African-American novelist, Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, who keeps being told his writing isn’t Black enough. As an act of rebellion he writes an over-the-top novel about the “Black Experience” that, much to his chagrin, becomes a hit. Accordingly, the novelist’s value’s come into conflict with his newfound success, often in a humorous way. My novel has a similar frame. Greater-than-expected success for unintended reasons forces an inner reckoning on my protagonist/ novelist, Woody Hackworth. Like Erasure, Mud Season/Cementhead handles the conflict with humor as a means of making meaningful commentary on a variety of topics. One point of departure: The success of Monk’s novel has implications for him professionally, but it does not directly create family discord the way my book does. Monk’s family discord is almost incidental to his novel. Magpie Murders (2017) by Andy Horowitz uses the novel-in-a-novel trope with great fluidity. Editor Susan Reyland begins reading the manuscript of a bestselling mystery writer, Alan Conway, whom she subsequently learns is dead from a mysterious fall. Also perplexing: The final chapter of his novel is missing. This sets up a double mystery — Reyland’s search for answers intertwining with Conway’s fictional detective trying to solve a murder. Horowitz adapted the book into a 2022 mini-series. My book, Mud Season/Cementhead, intertwines two newspaper reporters. The “real” one, Woody Hackworth, was recently fired and has turned to writing fiction as an outlet. His alter ego, Cus Stanton, is investigating environmental crimes. Woody intentionally places Cus in mortal peril while unintentionally placing himself in domestic dystopia. As with Magpie Murders, the two stories exist in relation to one another and are woven into a unified whole. Death in a Strange Country (2017) — An environmental mystery rooted in toxic waste. Less current: Confederacy of Dunces: Like Ignatius, my protagonist, Woody Hackworth, is a writer who suffers from self-delusion, grandiosity and stubbornness. He’s his own worst enemy, yet we root for him as many of his demons ring familiar. Wonderboys: A comedic novel about a novelist struggling to finish and publish a book. The challenges of Michael Chabon’s writer character, Grady, are not direct consequences of the plot of his unfinished manuscript, as they are in my book, but the voice of the narrator — a writer struggling to achieve amidst personal turmoil — create points of commonality. Breakfast of Champions: An aging writer finds to his horror that a Midwest car dealer is taking his fiction as truth. In Mud Season/Cementhead, Woody’s horror is that most of his readers suspect he’s writing about his family when he isn’t. 5. Logline A laid off newspaper columnist seeking redemption finds unexpected success serializing his toxic waste mystery thriller online, but must deal with family backlash because many readers mistakenly believing he’s outing his in-laws as criminals. Family pressure for the protagonist to abort the novel-in-progress rises to unbearable and hilarious levels. Assignment 6: Conflict sketches. Woody experiences conflict and anxiety in ever-expanding measures whenever he encounters his wife and her family once they become aware of the content of his novel. Indeed he’s anxious and conflicted even before that point, as he tries to hide the particulars of his project during a family barbecue. Seemingly benign family gatherings are anything but for Woody. They are where he must confront the consequences of his work. Guilt, anger, defiance, self-doubt and even fear stalk Woody at every turn — and it’s mostly his own making. Moments of ultra-high drama occur when his father in-law hands him a cease-and-desist order during a boat ride and when his brother in-law and wife attempt an intervention at the family business to get him to stop writing his book. A secondary conflict is when Woody’s unfinished book is placed under severe scrutiny during a meeting at a New York literary agency. Another conflict is with his daughter who is being taunted about the book at school. The interior novel has many scenes of conflict — some quite violent. Perhaps the most memorable one is during a boat ride when the heroic main character, an investigative reporter, watches his father in-law’s hired goon mutilate a fish as a threat: Stop investigating the family business … or else. Assignment 7: Icarus, a medium-sized Upstate, New York city that might bear a resemblance to Syracuse provides the setting for Mud Season/Cementhead and the embedded novel “Fear as Mud.” There’s a gritty, forlorn quality to fictional Icarus. The town is a world in and of itself, largely ignored by tourists, ambitious young people and celebrities. All of that clashes with the main character’s lofty ambitions. Woody feels stuck, physically and emotionally. Extreme weather, geographic isolation and limited career mobility place the character in a box — a gilded one. Family money softens the blow of unemployment but intensifies his awareness of his dependence. The main character’s need for external validation arises in part from believing he is “better” than his geographic circumstances. Conversely, the interior novel, the one Woody is writing, plays off the beauty and grandeur of the region. Woody needs his protagonist, Cus, Stanton to have a cause worth fighting for, and that cause is nature. There’s intrinsic tension between a grimy pragmatic-minded city with industrial roots that happens to sit amidst abundant natural splendor. Polluters need something valuable to pollute. The verdant surroundings of fictional Tiberius in the embedded novel provide the foil. JK WORD MASTER.docx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amanda Posted March 2 Share Posted March 2 1. Story Statement a. Willow Hart is deeply driven to protect those who are harmed by rich, corrupt individuals. After watching her mother die from the actions of one such man, her stepfather, Willow also seeks to destroy the businesses, reputations, and finances of these people while making sure their victims have what they need. She is a grifter who cons her marks into giving her exactly what she needs to destroy them with the help of her best friend, a hacker named Anarchy, or Archie. Currently, Willow and Archie are targeting Mr. Welding, a sex-trafficker working out of New York City. While in pursuit of Mr. Welding, Willow collides with her love interest for the series, Christopher Ryder, a local business mogul. She then must battle her own insecurities and deep-rooted suspicions of the wealthy as her relationship with Christopher grows and she struggles to remain focused on the con against Mr. Welding. 2. Antagonist Sketch a. Mr. Welding is the main antagonist in the story. He is a very wealthy, corrupt man who is running a sex/human trafficking ring out of New York City. He was the child who was never invited to the playground, and now he enjoys running the playground. He is driven to be the one that the wealthy envy, which is why he collects expensive things, like the art pieces that Willow’s alias is selling to him, and throws lavish parties and fundraisers. He enjoys watching other wealthy individuals throw money at his charities when the money is actually being funneled into his trafficking rings. A meeting with Welding is what creates the first meeting between Willow and her love interest, Welding’s existence is a constant reminder of why Willow believes that all rich men are corrupt in some way leading her to be suspicious of her love interest, and it is the actions of Welding’s men that force Archie to bring the love interest into the con and reveal who Willow actually is. 3. Breakout Title a. Faces of the Game b. Grifter’s Choice c. Shades of Deception 4. Comparables a. I need to continue my research here. Leverage is definitely a comparable because it inspired the idea for the book. Aside from that, the book seems to fit well in the action romance genre, but when I look for other books, most of what comes up are more geared towards romantic suspense. This is why I have always struggled to find comparables that I feel align. I will continue my research in this area and update the list as I find more. i. Leverage (Modern Day Robinhood theme) ii. Hidden Sins iii. The Grifter 5. Hook Line a. After watching her mother die at the hands of a powerful, corrupt husband, a talented grifter dedicates her time to dismantling the wealth and connections of other corrupt men with the help of her hacker friend. 6. Inner Conflict a. Inner Conflict: i. Willow’s biggest internal conflict is the boundaries she set for herself at a young age and the prejudice she has against all wealthy men due to the trauma that she suffered as a pre-teen. She promised herself that she would never fall in love after watching her mother’s marriage to her stepfather become abusive. She attributes that abuse to his wealth and corruption because her mother was not able to fight back against a man with an army of lawyers and a strong prenup. Willow and her mother were turned out of her stepfather’s home penniless and Willow watched her mother die on the streets after getting sick and having no resources. She would not seek help for fear of having her daughter taken away from her. This, in turn, left Willow orphaned and homeless at the age of 12. It was her instincts and natural ability to grift and adapt that kept Willow alive until she met Archie. Due to this experience and the teams focus on targeting rich, corrupt individuals, Willow attributes wealth to corruption and abuse, so when she meets Christopher, she is convinced that he is corrupt, even when all evidence shows otherwise. Willow becomes obsessed with Christopher and finding out more about him, but as she starts to fall in love with him, she fights that emotion like a trapped animal because she is terrified of becoming like her mother. So instead, she desperately clings to the idea that he must be corrupt because that would give her a reason to destroy him, and any feelings that she has developed. b. Secondary Conflict i. The secondary conflict revolves around the love story element of the book, but exists between Willow and her partner in crime, literally. Willow and her partner are in the city specifically to target Mr. Welding, but when Willow collides with her love interest, she insists on trying to run a con on both men. Archie is against this because they never run more than one con at a time because it is safest for them, and they run less risk of slipping up and getting caught. Willow is insistent that they can do both because she is desperate to learn more about the man that has completely captured her attention, even though she is trying to convince herself that he is just another corrupt man whose life they need to dismantle. This insistence on working both jobs does create issues for Willow and her partner. While her partner tries to be supportive, he also works hard to convince her to drop the job on her love interest, and when he realizes the reason behind Willow’s obsession, he works to convince her that there is not corruption present and that her feelings for him are valid. 7. Setting in Detail a. One of the reasons I chose this manuscript to work on during the conference is because it takes place in NYC, a good chunk of it in areas in and around Central Park. There are different sub-settings throughout the book, but others take place on the streets of NYC. i. Opening Scene 1. The streets of NYC during the morning commute. The hustle and bustle of commuters walking to their destinations, impatience and energy in every step. The sea of yellow taxicabs clogging the roads, horns honking and bike messengers darting in and out of the fray. The skyscrapers standing tall over the sidewalks like disapproving parents as people of all styles hurry past. ii. The Plaza Hotel 1. The restaurant during afternoon tea shows a cluster of people, from high-society women to parents who have spent their last dime so their child can feel like a princess or prince for a couple of hours. Waiters with dining carts glide between the tables delivering pots of tea, towers of finger sandwiches, and small desserts. Willow and her mark are sitting in a small alcove where the noise of dozens of conversations in different languages colliding is slightly dimmed, but they can still see the main dining room. a. This is on my list of places I would like to try and go while in the city so I can describe the venue in a little more detail (it will not be for afternoon tea though because that is expensive!) 2. The Hotel Suite a. This is where Willow and her partner, Archie, are staying during their time in NYC. It helps to demonstrate the wealth that they are displaying in case the mark sees Willow’s alias returning to the hotel. The suite is spacious with a large sitting area, a dining table long enough to host business meetings if needed, a small kitchen, and two large bedrooms with their own ensuites. The windows overlook Central Park and the streets below. 3. Welding’s Mansion a. This mansion is on the outskirts of the city with sprawling lawns and recreational areas, such as tennis courts and and Olympic sized pool. The inside of the house is spread out, and a grand, curving staircase with an ornate railing is a central focus as people walk through the front door. There is a ballroom large enough to host “charity” events for a couple hundred people, with vaulted, painted ceilings, room for tables, a dance floor, and a stage for presentations and performers. To get to Welding’s office, they must go down a long, bare hallway with motion lights that turn on as they approach and turn off behind them. There is a thick white wool carpet that blends with the cream walls. The only color in the hallway comes from the elaborate paintings hung along the walls depicting bloody battle scenes. 4. Christopher’s home (love interest) Christopher’s home is a large brick building. The hallway on the first floor is lined with doors, sconces set between each to provide a warm glow. Many of the doors are decorated with wreaths or other items and each is adorned with a gold nameplate. These are the apartments of Christopher’s employees. The first floor also includes an indoor pool and a playroom for the employees and employees’ families. Christopher owns the building. The first three floors are apartments for his employees, the middle floors are guest rooms that can be used if his employees have family visiting or for business associates, and the top two floors are Christopher’s living space. His living space is an open floor plan, except for his bedroom, with only the necessary furniture and a few collectibles that mean something to him, such as first edition books from classic authors that he admires like Dante Alighieri. The space is open and minimalist, but fits him well, and the furnishings do not detract from the view, which is the main focus as the back wall is floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city. Seven Assignments.docx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcel P Posted March 5 Share Posted March 5 WRITE YOUR STORY STATEMENT: Returning to his California hometown under the guise of reconciliation, 32-year old Abraham is driven home by a deeper intent. Haunted by a calamitous accident from his past, Abraham journeys to The Freeman Institute for a radical and contentious procedure that promises to replace the source of his struggles with Artificial Intelligence. The narrative delves into the consequences of cultural expectations as Abraham reflects on how his upbringing has gotten him to this point. The novel touches on Abraham's experiences as an Assyrian-American and how the weight of his identity has played a role in his demise. ANTAGONIST: Like other literary fiction, the antagonist, or source of tension, is both internal and cultural. The nearly impossible and unreachable cultural expectations that are placed on children of immigrants, specifically in Eastern cultures, to succeed and to "make something" from the sacrifices of their parents is at the forefront of this novel. It is what influences Abraham into being his own antagonist. BREAKOUT TITLE: The Sound of Metal The Sound of Fire TWO COMPARABLES FOR YOUR NOVEL: The Idiot by Elif Batuman A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara Both The Idiot and A Little Life are comparables, not necessarily in terms of thematic events but rather with the target demographic and audience. My novel also falls into the category of literary fiction and I think will reach similar audiences. The Idiot tells a coming-of-age story of Selin, daughter of Turkish immigrants as she navigates Harvard in the 90s. In a way, this novel is an inverse of my own. Selin isn't plagued with insurmountable expectations that Abraham is, even though they both arrive from similar regions. With A Little Life, the structure of the novel and the room for reflection and for lore/backstory was an inspiration for my novel. Slowly revealing more about the protagonist through the lens of the past is vital in my novel. HOOK LINE WITH CONFLICT: Haunted by a tragic past, a man seeks to replace the source of his struggles with Artificial Intelligence. THE CONDITION FOR INNER CONFLICT YOUR PROTAGONIST WILL HAVE: This is essentially the root of the story. It is a cautionary tale of what it means to succumb to the expectations that were instilled in you since youth. Specifically the inter turmoil of wanting to meet the expectations that are expected in a middle eastern culture. Trying to fulfill those expectations takes Abraham to his rock bottom. The novel is set after the fact when he has to pick up the pieces while dealing with the despair and depression that his "rock bottom" has brought along. The secondary conflict, the vessel in the novel, is the easy way out solutions that are available to curb/rid of that pain and anguish that Abraham carries. Will implanting AI to nullify suffering work? Is it worth it to feel nothing at all? SKETCH OUT THE SETTING IN DETAIL: The setting here is interesting in the sense that it is almost a homecoming story for Abraham. The novel starts off with him in his new home in Washington. He ventures back home to California. Throughout the novel, the audience will see what Abraham's upbringing in his hometown looks like. This will later be contrasted with his revisitation after much turmoil, despair, and furtiveness. The latter half of the story takes place in the sterile environment of The Freeman institute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B. Lynn Carter Posted March 5 Share Posted March 5 ALGONKIAN - ALL 7 ASSIGNMENTS.docx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisa J. Turkheimer Posted March 6 Share Posted March 6 Write to Pitch Assignment Hatched A Memoir of Discovery and Love from the Heart of an Adoptee By Lisa J. Turkheimer Story Statement Lisa, an adoptee, receives an e-mail from a close match on Ancestry.com, which catapults her into a full-blown investigation to find her biological family. Once Lisa finds her biological family, new truths about her origins invoke mixed emotions. As Lisa begins to develop relationships with her biological family, memories from her past resurface, helping her make sense of all the scattered puzzle pieces that will soon complete her life. Antagonistic Force Lisa, the protagonist's mother, Joyce, never wanted Lisa to find her biological family as she feared being replaced. Lisa struggles with her decision to find her biological family as she feels she is being disloyal to her parents. Throughout Lisa's childhood and adulthood, her relationship with her mother was complicated and contentious. Joyce had difficulty expressing love, leaving Lisa wondering if her mother ever really loved her. Bryce, Lisa's daughter, initially encouraged her mom to find her biological family; she thought it would be cool to know the truth about her, and her mom's origins. However, nothing could prepare Bryce for the deep connections her mom/Lisa made with their new biological family and the frequency with which they visited and spoke on the phone. Bryce was subtle at first with her underhanded negative comments towards her mother and her new biological family. Eventually, Bryce's emotions came to a head, revealing her reasons for her erratic behavior. Breakout Title Hatched The Blue Speckled Egg Sub-Title A Memoir of Discovery and Love from the Heart of an Adoptee Title Comparison Inheritance by Dani Shapiro and Hatched by Lisa J. Turkheimer Memoirs, Inheritance, and Hatched are similar in that both memoirists were in their fifties when they discovered their origins through Ancestry.com. Both women had to play detective when putting together the details of their life stories. In addition, they each had to learn to tread through uncharted water, eventually discovering their new biological truth. The difference is how Shapiro and Turkheimer embrace their new biological connections. Shapiro is more guarded concerning her relationship with her biological father, which was slow to develop. Turkheimer's father-daughter relationship moved at a quicker pace and developed into a mutual loving relationship. Shapiro's story encompasses a lot of information about ATF- (Artificial Insemination) as Turkheimer delves into closed adoption during The Baby Scoop Era of the sixties. Both memoirs are reflective accounts of the environments in which the memoirists grew up. Forgotten memories resurface, unveiling a new understanding of their existence that they eventually make peace with. Surrender by Marylee Macdonald and Hatched by Lisa J. Turkheimer Surender is a memoir from the perspective of a birth mother, and Hatched, also a memoir, is from the perspective of an adoptee; both memoirs are accounts from the Baby Scoop Era. The protagonist in each story gives you varying insights into all the pros and cons of such a dramatic event: separating a baby from its birth mother and the consequences that follow. The most significant difference in each memoir was how the memoirist continued their relationships with their biological families. In Surrender, after the reunion, the birth mother and her son went years without contact. In contrast, in Hatched, the adoptee and her biological family equally spent years developing their relationships, which ultimately created an unbreakable bond between them. Hook Line Lisa has an adventurous spirit, always living her life to the fullest; however, as an adoptee, she always had a desperate need to know her true-identity; until one fateful day, she received an email from a close match on Ancestry.com, catapulting her on a quest to find her biological family, and so much more. Protagonist's inner conflict Throughout Lisa's life, she desired to know her true identity; she was always aware that somewhere, out there, were people, her people, that she was born from and somehow belonged to. If it were not for her biological parents, she wouldn't exist, which prompted Lisa with questions: why am I here? What is my purpose? Unfortunately, Lisa was a statistic from the Baby Scoop Era, and because of the archaic closed adoption system, she endured part of her life with a void that resided in her heart. During Lisa's search for her biological family, she found some pictures online of various people who might be her relatives. She immediately begins to worry that they may not want to be found, and that she could be disrupting their seemingly happy lives. Lisa was fearful: what if her birth family did not like her? Protagonist second conflict Once Lisa found her biological family, she was torn about telling her adoptive mom about finding her birth family as she never wanted to make her mom feel like she was not being loyal or grateful. Additional Conflicts While Lisa develops relationships with her birth parents, she tries to be strong and combats having expectations of them.. Lisa's birth mother comes to New Jersey for a weeklong visit. Unfortunately, Lisa endured listening to her birthmother rant about what a sinful, shameful thing she did back when Lisa was conceived, which caused Lisa to feel extremely hurt and defensive. Lisa battles whether to introduce her biological dad to her parents as she is worried about what their reaction will be. She waits over a year and a half before finally introducing them. (At the time of the introduction, Lisa's mother had the beginning stages of dementia, and her father was plagued with full-blown Alzheimer's.) Although Lisa is ecstatic to know her biological family, she is sad that her daughter Bryce does not feel the same way, which causes a buildup of tension that results in a blow-up. Setting The primary setting is in the Garden State of New Jersey, and the secondary location is in the Peach State of Georgia. The North meets the South. Lisa, a Jersey girl, couldn't believe her birth parents were both from Georgia! If Lisa had not been put up for adoption, (she would have been a Southern peach.) When Charles, Lisa's Biological father, first received a voicemail message from a girl from New Jersey stating she had a personal matter to discuss, he immediately thought, "I've never been to New Jersey, and I don't know anyone from there, It's a Scam!" No matter what Lisa's and Charles's preconceptions were on how different they both seemed to one another and how contrasting they lived their lives, they would soon see the likeness between them as well as the similarities of the country settings of South Jersey and Georgia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen McCrary Posted March 14 Share Posted March 14 Story Statement: After a string of failures in midlife, a tenacious midwestern mom battles for a life of freedom outside the constructs of love and leadership as she knows them. Antagonist: I always wanted to be a mother. As a young child, I was imaginative and obsessively played with my dolls and dollhouses - an observer, manager, orchestrator of people both real and pretend. I was shy and quiet, content in my own imagination, obedient, and always willing to help and share with others. An old soul with childlike wonder, intrinsically motivated and optimistic, I excelled academically and in sports, and voted by my peers to receive an award for my character. I grew up in the suburbs and had access to quality health care, a stable middle-class two-parent home environment, and an excellent private school education; but like many millennial children, emotions were best when avoided. This served me well…until it didn’t. I was never afraid of failure, and my drive for excellence along with my resilience and determination to master the emotional world I found myself stranded as a stranger within kept me going. My curiosity dominated my ego and drove me to ask questions, make connections, and give up control which ultimately gives me the only type of control I really have - the one within myself. Title: Chicago Mom: escaping from the life we once knew How to Survive Midlife Trauma Genre and Comparables: I chose these narrative non-fiction books because they blend personal experience and inquiry, along with research to tell a compelling story about an idea bigger than themselves. My novel will use emotion and personal narrative to bring the reader in, apply and make accessible a wide range of both personal and published research, then provide realistic and attainable solutions. I was inspired by Educated by Tara Westover, but I wanted to take the story beyond the personal narrative and weave in research about navigating middle adulthood when uneducated. Recently posted on Publishers Marketplace: FROM DROPOUT TO DOCTORATE By Terence Lester EATING WITH THE SUN By Megan Zhang Hook Line: When a midwestern mom refuses to believe her intuition is wrong in a pattern of failed relationships, her research and experience as a doula brings her back to the practical wisdom of birth to prevent and resolve midlife trauma. Inner and Secondary Conflict: 1st inner conflict is “am I a Monster?” triggered by an abusive ex husband and the need to resolve a surrogacy-gone-wrong, her search proves them all wrong. 2nd inner conflict is “can I tell the truth?” triggered by a corrupt boss who tries to gang up on her with twisted allegations to cover up her own failing leadership, then she speaks up. She uses this same power to speak up to and take her ex to court to stop the cycle of abuse. When he lies and ditches the system, she risks everything to tell the truth to the Higher Power - the Chicago PD. Setting: First setting is the maternity ward hospital. The hallway and waiting area is 1990’s mauve and sage green institutional carpet with oak trim doors with too many coats of shellac and bulky chairs all in a row sitting empty. The off white blinds to the nursery look cheap, and are oddly closed. The door is heavy. This is where the inciting incident happens, but the antagonist doesn’t know it. Hospital is a reoccurring theme and now viewed as a sanctuary, with the next hospital having sliding glass doors, kind nurses, and a rocker in the hallway. The next major setting is an inner-city nursing home (another hospital setting, this time for long term care) A cockroach runs up the wall as we attempt to talk. People are hollering for help since their call light was placed out of their reach. The wallpaper is peeling and there is a strong stench of ripe, soiled briefs. There are abandoned, unlocked medication carts parked in the hallway. Residents in wheelchairs pull themselves down the hall with the waist-high handrails attached to the wall horizontal to the floor. Catheter bags full of urine hang uncovered from under the wheelchairs. Deep cleaning doesn’t exist, as staff is either overwhelmed trying to keep up, or underwhelmed because there is no oversight. The small TV plays in the assisted feeding area where the staff scroll on their phones waiting for a call lights that might never come. The nurses shop on Amazon behind the desk, as in an unspoken hostage situation. Those who do a good job know they can work somewhere else and do, those that don’t do a good job know we can’t hire anyone else and don’t. There are a few diamonds in the rough who work without breaks to keep the place barely afloat, and you will see them wheeling a resident down to the shower room. Everyone else scatters when management comes, although that usually comes from how they dress, not because they know who the revolving door administrator or director of nursing is in charge this week. The cook and his dining assistant must round the rooms to gather the breakfast trays that were never picked up by staff so there will be enough dishes for dinner. There is no soap in the staff bathroom and the paper towels are out again. 2 men are smoking in an empty room, unsupervised on the 3rd floor with the windows wide open and oxygen tanks nearby. Binders of old medical records stuffed onto shelves are parked in the nurses nook, cluttered and gathering dust. This was not the America I knew. The third major setting is the courtroom. Clean and sparsely decorated, men in suits and ties, the Judge in a black robe with gavel. The court reporter sits behind a plastic shield to protect herself from Covid as those testifying must remove their mask. My ex and his lawyer appear via Zoom. At the table with my attorney, whose papers are organized on the table in front of me. We communicate with a notepad and there is water available to drink just like in the movies. When it’s my turn to answer my accuser's questions, sitting behind the plastic shield, all I see are the court reporter’s eyes peeping over her mask peering into mine, invested in every word I say. The final setting is a downtown Chicago movie theater. Three flights of escalators stacked one then another then another lead to a red carpeted movie theater with a strong smell of artificially buttered popcorn. The manager and police use my phone to piece together the time my daughter’s phone went dead with the paper schedule of all the movies playing that day. They figure out which one he is hiding our daughter in. 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