tmflattery Posted June 12 Share Posted June 12 1. While living with her abusive father, Jacqueline desires nothing more than to live a peaceful life and going away to college after graduating high school. After succumbing to loneliness for decades, Christoph finds someone who makes him feel complete, but he has to go toe-to-toe with an evil tyrant to keep her safe. 2. Sordérricke is an evil vampire prince over a thousand years old and is loosely based off of Henry VII. He has killed any wife he has thought to have displeased him in any way or if they failed to produce a male heir. Sordé has two daughters Mariette and Elizabet who quietly covet the throne. Sordérricke is used to getting his way and he holds a long-standing grudge against Christoph for “stealing” one of his wives back in the days of King Arthur, where Christoph served as a knight. Sordérricke is willing to do anything to make sure that he can get his way, no matter how cruel it can be. He does not want to let anyone threaten his position or his ego. He definitely loves to gloat and rub his victories in others faces as well as their failures. He decides that Jacqueline is the perfect mate for him because she has the potential to produce vampire offspring and he greatly enjoys the idea of hurting Christoph more. 3. Shadowed kNight 4. Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin and Crave by Tracy Wolff 5. After saving the human Jacqueline from her abusive father, the vampire Christoph must continue to protect her from his creator and his sinister plot. 6. Jacqueline has no idea of how to deal with her growing feelings for Christoph and her curiosity of his secret life and world. Christoph who despite using his vampire abilities to heal people instead of just feeding off of them is filled with self-loathing for what he is, with Jacqueline in his life he suddenly feels relief and anxiety of finding someone that he has begun to fall for. They struggle with their expressions of their feelings and that starts to drive them apart. 7. Christoph lives in a secluded mansion on Genoa Peak outside of Minden Nevada, right near the border of California. He chose such a location because it is far from the prying eyes of humans and privacy is very important to a vampire’s survival. His mansion is outfitted with a large library and all modern conveniences and entertainment, like movies and video game systems, that could keep him busy in his isolation. Which come in handy when Jacqueline moves in and helps her keep occupied when she is alone during the day. Jacqueline lives in a small three-bedroom two story house in a quiet neighborhood in Minden. Her bedroom is on the second floor while her abusive father has laid claim to the entire first floor, except when she is doing chores. The first floor has been consumed by the overwhelming presence of partially empty liquor bottles. There is no space left free from their clutter. The third bedroom has become her “mother’s” room after she had passed away, as a place to put all memories of her that cause her father too much pain to remember. No one really goes in there, let alone mentions it. Jacqueline spends all of her time either at school, at the restaurant where she waits tables or in her bedroom. She avoids her father as much as possible because he is almost always drinking because he never really dealt with the loss of his wife and even the smallest things can set off a drunken and abusive rage towards Jacqueline. Sordérricke resides in a castle, hidden in the mountains around Malibu California. His castle is opulent and designed after the palaces of Europe from the 1600s and 1700s. The vampire kingdom had migrated to America after the Revolutionary War, some vampires had already been on American soil for over a century at that point. The first castle for the royal family of vampires was built in upstate New York, after more westward expansion of the States and the death (murder) of his fourth wife Janine, Sordé moved the vampire kingdom to the mountains of California. Vampires prefer to reside in the mountains because it is easier for them to avoid the general population of humans. At a certain point there were “charms” put on the castle to ward away humans from getting too close for the general safety of both species. His castle is filled with both vampires and fey who have become subservient to vampires, though Jacqueline is under the assumption that they are all vampires since the fey have used glamor to hide their fey-like characteristics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary S Posted June 13 Share Posted June 13 First Assignment: Story Statement Though only human in a world ruled by immortals, Quinn Frost’s life is perfectly placid. Stable job, supportive friends, bearable landlord, all the makings of an even-keeled future. But when her nation’s new king is murdered in the same, gruesome manner as their late Queen Hestia, tranquility’s knees begin to buckle. Now, a new tyrant rises—armed with schemes to re-enslave Untenables like Quinn and spark a new era of oppression. The only good news? Their late Queen, the only immortal brave enough to lift the shackles from humans and druids alike, who still lays claim to the throne, lives on in the body of another. Finding her proves difficult, especially with trails running cold as the bodies strewn among them. But with the help of an unlikely ally, immortal Fey, Cairo Longstar, hope clings to whatever time they have left. The deeper Cairo and Quinn plunge, the darker questions loom. Who killed Queen Hestia? Where is she now? And, what evil lurks in the shadows? Between flames of romance, chasms of treachery, and secrets that, for good reason, remain undisturbed, Quinn must uncover the truth that is always, and never, just within reach. Second Assignment: Antagonist A successful tyrant is defined by one aspect: wanton cruelty. Nazaire Hollows, destined to rule over Calystan in the wake of its Queen’s murder, embodies that nefarious quality. If her killing spree of rebels, sympathizers, and Untenables (the lower creatures of the caste system, such as humans or fairies) weren’t enough, her slaughter of love-interest Cairo Longstar’s best friend slashes every hope for her humanity. The Fey are creatures sculpted by nature, each imbued with the power of some distinct force. And for Nazaire, her likeness to a crow isn’t just uncanny—it’s genetic. A symbol of death, a bringer of despair, Nazaire hunts the main protagonist, eager to destroy the Queen’s reincarnation before Quinn can rescue her. Subterfuge and manipulation are her specialty, joining hands with perhaps the greatest antagonist of all: time. Routes run cold as Nazaire’s bodies pile up and Quinn confronts the horrid truth: if Nazaire should reach her inauguration date, not only will all Untenables face enslavement once again, but the last of her family may pay the ultimate price. Third Assignment: Breakout Title 1. The Untenable City 2. The Shackles That Bind Us 3. When Mercy Sleeps Fourth Assignment: Comparables 1. Crescent City by Sarah Maas 2. Pirates of Aletharia by Britney Jackson A closer look: Who doesn’t love a good romantasy? The recipe for my works are often a mash of adrenaline, intimacy, and impending doom; though, the role of humor cannot be understated. Sarah Maas brilliantly weaves these facets together in her work. Our similarities reflect in tone and style. The fiction work I’m pitching is a crime, fantasy, sapphic-romance novel that laces together comical relief and tension – all within a contemporary world. Much like Maas’ Crescent City, this work is easily digestible for readers even beyond the fantasy niche through its inclusion of familiar items (modern tech, cellphones, Pilates). Pirates of Aletharia capture a fiery romance between two unlikely women. Similar to my title, heading an enemies to lovers trope, Britney Jackson captures the passion between two hard-nosed characters, leaving plenty of space for character development and tension. Each conflict deepens the trust between her MCs, reflecting the relationship nestled within my own work. Fifth Assignment – Primary Conflict A murdered Queen’s unsolved case rests on the shoulders of a human, and as the freedom of her kind hangs in the balance, she must race against an immortal evil to uncover the truth. Sixth Assignment – Two More Levels [Context] Reincarnated souls are not privy to their past and, thus, will not know their immortal status until they perish and revive. Quinn must confront her inner struggle—that she isn’t a normal human, and that she possesses certain abilities, certain traits that liken themselves to a reincarnated soul (first hinted in the opening scene). In order to confirm her suspicions and obtain the power needed to save her people, Quinn must first…die. [Primary Conflict] And, no less—die by the hands of our gallant romance lead, Cairo Longstar. She trades places with her captured brother, doomed to be executed, and stands center stage below Cairo’s sword. But, if Cairo can’t follow through, Nazaire Hollow’s scythe will mark her end. Her unique ability, Nazaire’s scythe severs souls, prohibiting them to Rise, Fall, or reincarnate. She must place her faith in Cairo, trust that their bond can overpower whatever fear muddles her partner’s heart, while also balancing the harrowed perils of death. Will she reincarnate? Will she die for nothing, and her brother shortly follow? Fate is not always forgiving. [Context] Love is hard, but it's harder yet for Cairo Longstar—military Commander for the oppressive nation of Nyx, and Right Hand to Queen Esmeralda Olden. She’s learned to avoid relationships almost as intentionally as dodging Untenables. Haunted by her past, Cairo enters Calystan as a fearsome antagonist ready and willing to topple every unshackled human and druid alike. [Secondary Conflict] That is, until she meets Quinn Frost’s unflinching gaze. Cairo always believed Untenables to be spineless weaklings. After all, their cowardice led to the execution of her best friend, Lillia. But as the two cross paths, over and over, she’s forced to partner with the overzealous, bordering reckless human in their search for Queen Hestia’s killer. As conflict rises, so, too, do the emotions welling inside her, and even as the young Fey mounts armor across her chest, it does little to barricade the heart beneath. Cairo confronts two long-lost truths: that hope is stronger than fear and love omnipotent in the face hate. Final Assignment – Setting It’s been twenty-four years since Queen Hestia of Calystan’s murder, yet even between the darkest of alleys, her name still carries in whispers. Founder of the world’s only Free World, in which Untenables and Highers can prosper in harmony, she’s as beloved by her subjects as she is loathed by foreign leaders. As the inauguration of a new, treacherous ruler looms—Calystan prepares to host the decennial Ranking tournament, a competition in which recruits from all six regions of the world compete to either reaffirm or reorganize the caste system. Its paved, auralit city streets are swarmed by tourists and reporters all eager for a snapshot of this year’s competitors. But deep below the surface, a darker presence lurks in the underworld of the Maw, trickery dancing at her fingertips. Unbeknownst to the worlds above, the goddess’s power itches to interfere, igniting with the support of Nazaire Hollows’ induction. From the Packing District’s black-market debauchery to the succubus-filled Pleasure District’s deviance, Calystan is home to many spaces ripe with intrigue. When investigating the unsolved death of a Queen, what better places to commence the search? Quinn must use every element at her disposal, even if that requires traveling to the secret, barricaded elven forests or interrogating pirates at the putrid, stormy docks. After all, GPS may show her the paths, but its Quinn who must choose them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melanie corinne Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 FIRST ASSIGNMENT: write your story statement. Katya: Track down her brother in order to return home together. James: Solve his spiraling caseload (as a means of not dealing with his personal problems) 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. Castri Gangs: Obstructing James and Katya’s goals are the myriad gangs of Arx Castra, who always maintain the status quo of their own power, punish deviance, and uphold their image, even if it means murder. These gangs are entrenched institutions, acting as community pillars, balancing the ambitions of both the aristocracy and corporations. Engaging a gang on equal footing requires institutional backing, leaving our protagonists with an uphill battle. Dimitri Novak: Dimitri’s main goal is survival, and unbeknownst to the protagonists, all their cases lead back to him. Dimitri, a longtime Kozlova syndicate manager, oversees their girls. He is known as uniquely vicious and guarded, even for the Kozlova, on account of being the only elf on staff. When his boss orders him to entrap the husband of a rival gang’s boss, Dimitri knows it’s a no-win situation. Whether he complies, does nothing, or whistle blows, the consequence is death. Dimitri complies to buy time and finds a genuine friend in his mark, sharing his deepest and most dangerous secrets. Their friendship sparks a reactionary chain, where Dimitri will kill to protect what he’s gained. THIRD ASSIGNMENT: create a breakout title (list several options, not more than three, and revisit to edit as needed). · Current working Title: Two-Faced Lovers · The Violent Type · Love is a Losing Game 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? Lev Ac Rosen’s Lavender House Both a mystery with a queer detective. Also focuses on found family, uses the culture/environment as a hostile character, and has similar themes of identity, suicidality, and community. Ben Aaronovitch’s Amongst our Weapons (Rivers of London) for its inclusive cast, humor, and fantasy-crime genre mash-up. Tonally it feels similar, the city is also a character. 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. TFL (Mystery/Fantasy): An impulsive young woman teams up with a struggling detective to track down her missing twin through a dangerous, fantastical, and violent city. 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? Katya inner conflict Context: Katya and her twin, Alexi, have just graduated college. They have been inseparable since forever, yet for the first time he’s leaving her for a tech job in California to navigate life on her own. His loss happens earlier than expected when he goes missing during their last summer together in the Adirondacks. Katya’s search lands her in the fantastical city of Arx Castra, where she must learn to live without Alexi, in order to find him. Inner Conflict: Katya is anxious, terrified, and furious about losing her brother, and is impulsive in her pursuit of him. She suppresses the feelings of fear, anxiety, and sadness, and instead focuses on the tasks in front of her. She is reactive when they are not focused on her case, and she wants to cut corners or rush the work that needs to happen to find Alexi - which leads to complications. She needs to slow down, give her emotions space and be more methodical. Secondary Conflict: Katya’s gets a lead on her brother, but because of her impatience, and tendency to rush into things - she loses the lead, which forces her to address some of the issue. She also gets herself into trouble because of her impulsiveness, which strains her relationship to James, and puts her in danger. James Context: James is a military vet, and Castri native, who despite spending most of his life deployed to Aeonia, takes a forced retirement and returns home where he joins his sister at her detective Agency. Within six months, she kills herself, leaving him alone in a city he doesn’t feel at home in any longer. His lover steals his savings and disappears - leaving him at a lifelime low and with a laundry list of problems to address. Inner Conflict: Unfortunately, James doesn’t want to talk about his problems or his past. He’s isolated, depressed, and without purpose. Refusing to ask for help, and stubbornly prideful, he insists on toughing everything out himself. He refuses to acknowledge his struggle and can’t concede that he might actually need help. Secondary Conflict: James’ pride gets his main case derailed when he refuses to humble himself and work things out with the Union, who claim he owes them money. His problematic all-or-nothing approach gets his building damaged, and nearly kills him, leaving him unable to continue on his cases. 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. Arx Castra is the setting – and a city that is a character of its own. It’s like a lockbox or a honeycomb. Some people feel safe in the angles and corridors that can’t seem to stay the same, while some people feel dogged by it. James’ agency sits at the edge of two culturally distinct districts, and everywhere that he and Katya go - it’s a negotiation with the culture of the community they step into. For Katya - it’s reminiscent of New York, but far more intense. For James, it’s difficult to step outside. Both of them have to navigate the different architecture, cultures, and expectations of the spaces they pass through, and try to survive it unscathed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebeccaA Posted June 14 Share Posted June 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMCranor Posted June 15 Share Posted June 15 FIRST ASSIGNMENT: Write your story statement. “Join an order of mythical warriors just in time to meet the reason why the world believes they are only a legend.” 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. Alizar comes from the oldest bloodline in the world of Dais. His kind was gifted with unending life… if they chose to live peacefully. Now he seeks to counterfeit the longevity he lost through any means necessary. There are several things that could stand in his way. He’s destroyed most of them. His greatest threat is an order of warriors that is almost extinct. So he’s sending an army to make it so. THIRD ASSIGNMENT: Create a breakout title (list several options, not more than three, and revisit to edit as needed). A LIGHT INTO DARKNESS THE PALLADIUM 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? Comps: “Uprooted” - Naomi Novik BECAUSE: Genre, Hero’s Journey, Setting, Demographic Readers, Ease of read, Character dynamics, Character growth “The Demon Awakens” - RA Salvatore BECAUSE: Genre, Hero’s Journey, Setting, Epic Quest, Worldbuilding, Cliffhanger (sequels) X and Y: “Uprooted by Naomi Novik, only it’s a boy becoming a fantasy-jedi-monk instead of a witch.” 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. Hook line: “A boy sets out to become one of the legendary warriors the world believes are myth just in time to meet the forces pursuing their extinction.” 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? Elias is just a boy from a fishing village. All his life his favorite thing has been collecting the stories and legends from all over the world from the fishermen that come to port in his village. He loves them all, but especially the ones about the warriors called “Palladium”. They say the greatest Palladium acolytes only take three years to be forged into one of the legendary warriors. When Elias goes to become a palladium the villains from the same legends he loves arrive in one. The master Palladium who train the acolytes are affected by a malaise. The world believes the Palladium are either extinct or just a legend. The masters have begun to resign to that fate. Elias must navigate the treacherous life of a student learning from masters who believe they are already defeated. Luckily Elias isn’t the only acolyte seeking to become a Palladium. Suva has been there already for several years, slowly reinvigorating the light inside the Palladium masters. Just when Suva and Elias are able to express their feelings for one another Suva finishes her training and must return home to tend to the reason she became a Palladium in the first place. SEVENTH 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. The world of Dais exists under a great firmament – an invisible wall that separates the world from the heavens. The people have discovered a magic where they sublimate precious metal, turning it into a gas that rises to the firmament where it reforms as the precious metal, clinging to the invisible wall. While precious metals can still be mined, it’s now more practical for prospectors to predict when and where the metal will fall from the heavens back to the earth. The sublimation magic may seem available to everyone – but in practice it’s available to the wealthy. Kings now use their armies to roam abroad, fighting for territory they predict the precious metals will land in. This cataclysmic shift in priorities for rulers has changed the world dramatically. Before the sublimation magic there were four ancient kingdoms. Now there are just tenuous alliances between bellicose warlords. The protagonist loves the stories now considered just legends from the times before the sublimation magic. Stories of the Virtu kings: the Lions of the West. Or the slate-black monsters called “salari”, avarice incarnate. But most of all – the warriors who wield the light of god in their crystalline daggers – the Palladium. The Palladium are forged on a secret island in the greatest ocean. Only one man on one boat can make it to the Shining Isle. In old times he would travel the coast, stopping at guarded shrines where the prospective acolytes would gather hoping to prove their mettle and be granted passage to the island. The Shining Isle is a utopia for warriors, craftsmen, and monks. A volcanic atoll formed the grounds to train the greatest warriors in the world. The island is singularly abundant with the best resources and facilities to make artifacts fit for legends. And beneath it all is a secret very few have ever seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexandra Hidalgo Posted June 17 Share Posted June 17 Alexandra Hidalgo - Write to Pitch New York 2024 Grand Gestures Materials.docx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJAlexander Posted June 17 Share Posted June 17 FIRST ASSIGNMENT: Write your story statement. Use whatever fame and influence he has left to convince people to stop eating people. SECOND ASSIGNMENT: Sketch the antagonist. Caesar Appletini is one of those Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos types. He was born into privilege, but feels he’s self-made just because he has managed to stay on top. He does have a certain charm and wields his power to seduce people into doing what he wants. And while he’s perhaps a little unhinged, it’s easy to laugh off because he’s rich. It’s why our protagonist isn’t too worried when Caesar initially hires him as an influencer. But the power Caesar already has, as the ruthless boss of a casino resort in the rebuilding Las Vegas, has its limits. For one thing, he’s just one boss among many. And how can he show he’s better than everyone else when where most of the stuff anyone wants can be found with an hour or two’s worth of scavenging? In fact, there’s only one real scarcity in this new world. Food. So, when Caesar discovers a source of abundant food that he, and he alone, controls? He’ll do whatever it takes to force everyone to start eating it. Even if that means staving an entire city until they’re hungry enough to switch to this very taboo, much-reviled new food; pig meat. THIRD ASSIGNMENT: Create a breakout title The Humanitarian Cookbook The Last Chef on Earth Meal Ideas for After the Apocalypse FOURTH ASSIGNMENT: - Two comparables for your novel. Starter Villain by John Scalzi is a comparable for the way it infuses humor into a genre novel. The protagonists also share a certain non-heroic, even somewhat hapless, quality. Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica as a comparable is... Open for discussion. It shares an undeniable link with my novel, in that both take place in a future where cannibalism is the only viable choice due to a prion-disease that ravaged life on Earth. But the tone of the two novels is very different. Tender is the Flesh treats the subject as a horror, an allegory for much that is wrong with our society today. While my story takes a somewhat comedic and satiric approach to the subject matter. And since Tender is the Flesh is something of a funhouse-mirror comp, I’m going to throw in a current, hit TV show as well… Fallout on Amazon Prime hits a lot of the same notes and I suspect has some potential audience in common. And that’s even before the show’s season 2 which promises a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas setting. FIFTH ASSIGNMENT: A hook line (logline) with conflict and core wound. After a global collapse due to a livestock-borne illness, in a society rebuilt eating the only protein source still available, a fame-chasing chef with a once-popular book of humanitarian recipes is enlisted by a local strongman to use his waning influence to do the impossible… Convince people to stop eating people. SIXTH ASSIGNMENT: Sketch out the conditions for the inner conflict your protagonist will have. Inner conflict… Iggy Wiggins cares about Iggy Wiggins, and nobody else. And that’s okay. After all, if he doesn’t look out for himself, who will? He is famously, a humanitarian, a connoisseur of cannibalistic cuisine. But as he pursues his (admittedly somewhat selfish) goal of re-attaining fame and fortune, he comes to the stark realization that his self-serving ways are somehow, impossibly, maybe just a little bit of a problem. By looking out for himself, he’s putting an entire city at risk of starvation, or worse. And so he feels that inner turmoil start to rise, like nausea of the soul. And he must face the question... Is he, ultimately, going to be a humanitarian (one who eats human) or a humanitarian (the other kind)? Secondary conflict… Chef Iggy Wiggins just wants to put out a sequel to his once-famous cookbook, so everybody in town will love him and nobody will ever, under any circumstances, want to eat him. Sadly, it soon becomes apparent that the very actions he undertakes towards his goal are putting him into conflict with an entire city, and even his only two friends and allies. His pursuit of love and fame is quickly making him hated and infamous… which only increases the likelihood he’ll be killed (and quite possibly cooked). SEVENTH ASSIGNMENT: Sketch out your setting in detail. The city of Las Vegas is an oasis of phony grandeur in the middle of a wasteland at the best of times. But after several decades of apocalypse, chaos, ruin and, finally, rebuilding, it has become something else. A beacon of hope. There are comfortable places to live in all those high-rise hotels, even if they’re swelteringly hot and ill-lit. There are people, a few thousand of them, divided into vaguely egalitarian tribes who mix and mingle on the famous Las Vegas Strip. There’s ample water, entertainment and a sense of safety, at least compared to the lawless desert surrounding the city. And there’s food, despite the total extinction of all livestock back when that prion disease wiped out the vast majority of humanity. That food, by necessity, comes from other people. From tourists attracted to the good life in the city, who spin a roulette wheel to either win a place in Las Vegas, or a spot in the butcher’s display case. Given the nature of my protagonist (a chef famous for his humanitarian recipes, enlisted to convince people to start eating pigs instead) much of our time in Vegas is spent around the industry of food. We visit the butchers shop, and drop by the market where everyday folks buy their scavenged tins of soup or beans from back in the day. We attend cookfires and kitchens around the city, and eventually visit an ill-fated July 4th barbecue where the whole city’s invited to come eat Iggy’s cooking (not knowing he’s serving them taboo pig meat, instead of the barbecue tourist ribs they were expecting). We do take an excursion out of the city, too. As our protagonist makes some questionable decisions that turn pretty much everyone against him, we take a roadtrip out into the surrounding wastelands. It’s terrible out there, dry and hungry and with roaming packs of skin traders waiting to collect the flesh of anyone they find. Thus, refuge must be taken, and so we go underground into a series of cramped shelters, built by disaster preppers back before the apocalypse. But it’s a temporary respite, and our final movement takes place back in the city, amid the crumbling remains of the iconic Las Vegas Strip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Judah David Posted June 17 Share Posted June 17 1. The Act of Story Statement a. After mysterious dark clouds blot out the sun and threaten to destroy Eternal Valley, twelve-year-old Nand must leave the only home he’s ever known and, with his new Zzard partner, Jormun, bring back the sun and save the power of the Zzards. 2. The Antagonist Plots the Point a. Edmee is a thirteen-year-old warrior/scientist from the opposing Zzard settlement underground. Her people have been trapped underground as their way of life because their Zzards cannot survive in sunlight. Edmee is a genius and is determined to find a way to lead her people out of the caves and into the surface world for the first time in hundreds of years. She develops a compound that, when burned, produces thick black impenetrable clouds that spread to the horizon, blocking out all sunlight and throwing Eternal Valley out of balance, catalyzing Nand’s journey. Her Zzard, Lind, is the only known Zzard to breathe fire and assists her with her experiments. Edmee is fierce and determined, willing to do whatever it takes for her people, with extreme tunnel vision as her flaw. Her own people do not know that she has devastated the balance of the world. Nand and Jormun are attracted to Edmee and Lind, respectively, and there is potential for the feelings to be reciprocated, which makes the choice to oppose Edmee more challenging. Jormun is also the same kind of shadow-dwelling Zzard as Lind, so Edmee appeals to Nand’s desire for Jormun to be happy and healthy as further conflict for the protagonist. 3. Breakout Titles a. Zzards: Battle of the Shadows b. Zzards: The War for The Sun c. Zzards: The Brightest Darkness 4. Comparables a. Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle i. These are books of high fantasy aimed at young adults ii. Extensive worldbuilding complete with cultures, magic systems, and mythological creatures living alongside humans draw parallels to my own work iii. The plotline follows the traditional “hero’s journey”, where a person is thrown out of their ordinary world into an extraordinary world in order to accomplish a difficult task and become more than what they were b. Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series i. High fantasy aimed at young adults/middle schoolers ii. Plenty of humor and levity to balance out the darker tones and high stakes iii. Doesn’t take itself too seriously to allow less advanced readers a chance to enjoy a fantasy series without needing to translate Elvish every two paragraphs c. Zzards will be different because the main character is the only ordinary one in a world of the extraordinary. It’ll be like Digimon meets Encanto… until it’s not. 5. Logline a. After spending his entire life as a misfit, 12-year-old Nand is now the only one that can withstand the mysterious darkness over Eternal Valley, so now he must leave home in order to save it. 6. Two Levels of Conflict a. The first thing that Nand will be forced to choose is taking away the chance for an entire culture of people to change their lives for the better. In “defeating” Edmee and stopping her plan from coming to fruition, he may be saving Eternal Valley (and whomever else there is living in the world), but he will be dooming Edmee’s clan to eternity underground since their Zzards can’t live in sunlight. That’s a tough decision for a 12-year-old to make, especially when he feels something more for Edmee. b. The second thing, which is probably the more difficult (to a degree), is letting Jormun go and live with Edmee and her people. Since Jormun is the same species of Zzard that gets sick in sunlight, the best thing to do is to let him go. Jormun is who made Nand feel like he finally fit in, and he was actually special amongst the special, since Jormun could fly. The best thing for his new friend, though, is to let him live his life apart from Nand, so he goes back to Eternal Valley alone, and once again, is the only one in the community without a Zzard. Sacrificing your own social standing for the greater good is not typical pre-teen behavior and will take a huge amount of maturity on Nand’s part. Edmee will definitely use this logic against him during the climactic conflict (“You’re going to give up everything you want for the good of everyone else back in your perfect little valley village? Go back to being ordinary while condemning my entire family to a life underground? Telling your best friend he’s not important enough to change the world for? Are you crazy?!”). 7. Setting a. Eternal Valley is a lush, green paradise nestled between two enormous mountains. It is inspired by the landscape beneath the Panorama Trail in the Swiss Alps with Lake Oeschinensee at the bottom, which is Eternity Lake in the story. There are lots of green pastures that roll right up to the roots of the mountains. It is a perfectly balanced ecosystem with plenty of flora and fauna, wooden and stone houses and buildings, and living communities dotted around the edge of the lake, which is a mile or so in diameter. It is always spring/summer, and never winter. The culture is Norse/Germanic and is reflected in the architecture and clothing of the Valley. b. Outside of Eternal Valley, the “real world” is happening. Normally, there are regular seasons endemic to the northern hemisphere of a planet like Earth. During the time of the story, however, after the black clouds roll over the sky, everything becomes gray and dead-looking. The route between Eternal Valley and the caves where Edmee and her people live is riddled with rocky crags, desolate wastelands, magma pools, and sickly forests – very Mordor-like. c. The cave dwellings of Edmee and her people are dark and gloomy, yet beautifully excavated since they, too, have Zzards. There are grand underground halls and elaborate tunnel systems for human and parcel transportation (maybe a bit like Omashu from Avatar: The Last Airbender). There is little to no color, though. Everything is gray and black, and the shadows are heavy and inky. There’s a huge spike pit in the middle of the settlement, almost like a cruel negative image of Eternity Lake back in the Valley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katia Arco Posted June 18 Share Posted June 18 Part I: Seven Assignments Assignment 1: The Act of Story Statement Frank must harness and hone his newfound magical abilities to protect his loved ones, uncover the truth behind his father’s disappearance, and defeat the malevolent sorceress Rebecca, who threatens to plunge his world into darkness. Assignment 2: Antagonist Sketch Rebecca Primrose Rebecca is a powerful and malevolent sorceress driven by an insatiable thirst for power and control. Her primary goal is to harness the immense power of the crystal of Uman, which she believes will make her invincible and allow her to control multiple dimensions. Rebecca's background is shrouded in mystery, but it is known that she delved into dark magic from a young age, leading to her expulsion from the sorcerer's council. Her ambition has no limits, and she has no qualms about using any means necessary to achieve her ends, including manipulation, deceit, and violence. Rebecca reacts to the world with a cold, calculating demeanor, always staying a step ahead of her adversaries. She views people as mere pawns in her grand scheme and is willing to sacrifice anyone who stands in her way. Her interactions with Frank, the main protagonist, are marked by a sinister charm and relentless pursuit, making her a terrifying opponent. Rebecca’s presence in the story creates a constant sense of danger and urgency, pushing Frank to the limits of his abilities and forcing him to confront his deepest fears and insecurities. Assignment 3: Possible Breakout Titles 1. The Chronicles of Frank Pierre: The Dragon Pendant 2. Frank’s Quest: The Dragon Pendant 3. The Guardian of Elendria Assignment 4: Genre and Comparables Genre: Low Fantasy with Coming-of-Age Elements Comparables: 1. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan The Lightning Thief introduces a young protagonist, Percy Jackson, who discovers he is part of a hidden magical world connected to Greek mythology. This book mirrors the journey of self-discovery, magical adventures, and battles against antagonistic forces that are central to my novel. The blend of contemporary settings with mythological elements and the coming-of-age theme make it similar to my story. 2. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer Artemis Fowl is a young, clever protagonist who navigates a modern world interwoven with magical elements. Both stories involve complex plots with magical creatures and powerful artifacts, and central themes of moral development and the protagonist's coming-of-age journey. This makes it another suitable comparable for my novel. Assignment 5: Hook Line Struggling with the abandonment of his father, which has left him with a deep sense of inadequacy and underlying anger, young Frank Pierre must navigate a world filled with dark sorcery to prevent an ancient crystal from falling into the hands of the malevolent sorceress Rebecca, whose ambitions threaten to engulf both his world and the mystical realm of Elendria in darkness. Assignment 6: Inner and Secondary Conflicts Inner Conflict: Frank Pierre’s inner conflict revolves around the abandonment by his father, which has left him with deep feelings of inadequacy and underlying anger. These emotions drive much of his behavior and decisions throughout the story. Scenario: As Frank embarks on his journey to save his father and retrieve the crystal of Uman, he constantly battles his internal fear of not being good enough. An important moment occurs when he faces a formidable adversary and fails to protect a friend during a crucial battle. This failure triggers a flood of memories of his father leaving, reinforcing his belief that he is not capable of succeeding. Trigger and Reaction: During a confrontation with Rebecca, Frank is overpowered and a close friend, Sofia, is captured. This event awakens his fear of inadequacy. He withdraws from his companions, and questions his worth and ability to fulfill his role as a guardian. His anger surfaces, directed at himself and the circumstances, leading to a period of introspection where he has to confront and overcome these feelings to move forward. Secondary Conflict The secondary conflict involves Frank's relationship with his best friend, Sofia. Their friendship is tested by the increasing dangers they face and the responsibilities Frank must shoulder. Scenario: As the quest intensifies, Sofia, driven by her own sense of duty, decides to undertake a risky mission alone without informing Frank. This decision stems from her desire to protect him and prove her own worth. Trigger and Reaction: When Frank discovers Sofia’s plan, he feels deeply betrayed and fears for her safety. This leads to a heated argument where both characters express their frustrations and fears. Frank’s reaction is a mix of anger and hurt, stemming from his fear of losing another loved one and his belief that he is responsible for keeping everyone safe. This conflict forces both characters to confront their trust issues and eventually strengthens their bond as they learn to rely on and trust each other more. Assignment 7: Sketch out a Setting Frank's town is a quaint and picturesque village, nestled amidst rolling hills and ancient woods, exuding an air of the timeless. The streets are lined with cobblestones, and vintage lampposts that cast a warm, golden glow in the evenings. The town square serves as the heart of this community, with its market stalls and old trees flanking the perimeter, casting shadows that dance in the flickering light. There is always a scent in the air: a mixture of fresh bread from the bakery mingling with the musty smell of old books. Boo Street is a narrow, winding street filled with mystery and intrigue. Flanked by towering, ivy-clad buildings, Boo Street is often hidden in a light mist. The street is known for its peculiar residents and strange happenings, making it the perfect setting for the beginning of Frank's adventures. The houses here have steep gabled roofs, and their facades are adorned with intricate woodwork. The doors have strange, ornate knockers that glint in the dim light. Each step on Boo Street feels like a journey into the unknown, where every corner hides a new secret or surprise. Away from the town square, there are streets that contain picturesque stores, each with its unique charm. Mystic Tomes Bookstore, for example, is a haven for book lovers, which stands out with its ivy-covered facade and a bell that chimes softly as customers enter. Inside, the shelves are lined with ancient tomes and new arrivals. The bookstore is a maze of narrow aisles, creaky wooden floors, and nooks filled with plush armchairs. The shopkeeper, a strange man, with an extensive knowledge of both books and old lore, often shares stories and secrets with curious customers. Sometimes, however, the bookstore seems to disappear for a while only to reappear when the time is right. Franks’ town and Boo Street serve as a gateway to Elendria, the magical realm where Frank's true journey unfolds. Hidden passages and secret doorways along the town’s streets and buildings lead to this fantastical world. Elendria is a realm of beauty and wonder, with its lush forests, crystal-clear rivers, and the occasional ancient castle. The transition from Frank's town to the majestic Elendria marks the start of his transformation from an ordinary boy to a guardian of the magical realm. In other words, the magic of Elendria seeps into the very fabric of the town, binding the two worlds in an unspoken pact. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jillian Libenson Posted June 19 Share Posted June 19 Assignment #1: Mission Statement Sierra: Sierra must silence anxiety as she deals with heartbreak and a collapsing business simultaneously. Marcos: Marcos learns to process the tragic loss of his ex-wife. Assignment #2: Antagonist Sierra Sierra’s weight balloons her freshman year of college (way past the typical freshman fifteen), which is confirmed by her father’s comment, “You could lose some weight.” That night, in her childhood bedroom in small-town Pennsylvania, Alice, the voice of Sierra’s anxiety, first appears. Alice is a dreaded mental guest who arrives unannounced, and unwelcomed, much like the fat aunt no one likes in the family, bulging suitcases in tow that match her bulging frame. Her suitcases are filled with nasty thoughts that Alice takes delight in flinging at Sierra incessantly. For two years, Sierra battles dealing with Alice in her ear as she loses the weight. On her twenty-first birthday, Sierra steps on the scale. Now thinner than ever, she can say good-bye to Alice. Except Alice comes back a decade later, where Sierra is now living in Los Angeles. Alice tortures Sierra as she tries to build a business she’s not passionate about. She makes Sierra question why each man who comes into her life doesn’t stick around, tells Sierra she’s a failure when her business collapses, and drives the point home Sierra is doomed to return to Pennsylvania. The root of Sierra’s anxiety stems from not being in alignment with what she truly wants to be doing in life. By creating a business Sierra actually loves, she can achieve inner peace and get rid of Alice’s nasty voice permanently. Marcos Marcos uses women as a distraction to mask the pain of losing his wife, Natalia. It’s like a drug: he feels great when he’s with a woman and feels intense chemistry, but after their intimate time together ends, he feels guilty and depressed. Marcos seems to have learned his lesson the first time when the grief sets in while he is spending time with Sierra, forcing him to end things. However, his own mother and Grant don’t know about Sierra and push Marcos to “date,” which is when he meets Alexa, who is also a friend of Sierra’s. Eventually, Marcos realizes the distraction of being with other women won’t help him process his grief. Assignment #3: Breakout Titles West of the 405 Go Away, Alice What Happens When You Go to the Valley For a Guy Assignment #4: Comparables The Girl I Was - Jeneva Rose Like Sierra, Alexis Spencer, the protagonist in The Girl I Was deals with heartbreak, career setbacks, and a penchant for drinking. Although Sierra does not time travel like Alexis’s character does, both protagonists struggle with a common ultimate obstacle: the absence of self-love. The Next Best Thing: A Novel - Jennifer Weiner Both protagonists are female, similar age, set in Los Angeles chasing their dreams. They also both deal with unrequited love and the run-around from professionals in their respective careers. Although I am not Jennifer Weiner, she has a magic ability to take her readers on an emotional roller coaster ride and make them laugh and cry at the same time. Ironically, my novel’s ending is similar to the beginning of The Next Best Thing (Sierra gets a book deal at the end of my novel, versus Ruth’s journey starts with her TV series getting the greenlight). Assignment #5: Log Line Sierra As Sierra seeks the approval of men, whether through her father by building a practical, flavorless business, or unrequited validation from romantic partners, she is unable to quiet the voice of her unrelenting anxiety. Marcos Emotionally unavailable, Marcos attempts to date women instead of dealing with the grief of losing his daughter’s mother. Assignment #6: Inner Conflict Sierra: Inner conflict: Sierra is stricken with constant anxiety as she navigates building a business and dealing with dating. The anxiety is actually a reaction to the fact she is building a life that Sierra’s father may approve of, but isn’t in alignment with what she truly desires in life. An example is when Sierra isn’t engaged with the marketing tasks she needs to complete, her focus shifts to whether or not the latest romantic interest has texted her after a date. Sierra has two main secondary conflicts: The first is with men as a whole, but specifically the turmoil she experiences with Marcos when he ends things with her. The second is the strain with finances Sierra faces after her business collapses. If Sierra runs out of money, she’ll have to return to Pennsylvania as a failure. Marcos: Inner conflict: Marcos doesn’t grieve properly and instead suppresses his painful emotions with whiskey and women. Secondary conflicts: Marcos has to end things with Sierra when he realizes he’s not ready to date, but then does the same thing with Alexa. In each situation, both Sierra and Alexa want something serious with Marcos, but he can’t give that emotionally. Assignment 7: Setting Set in 2017, the novel takes place in what is locally referred to as the Westside of Los Angeles. Except for the scenes that take place in Sherman Oaks at Marcos’s house, the majority of the novel takes place in neighborhoods that are geographically West of the 405 freeway. This area of Los Angeles may not have the same stereotypical “everyone is a model and has plastic surgery” vibe that other neighborhoods are known for such as Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, an emphasis on beauty, body physique, and flashy possessions are still highly prevalent. Also known as “Silicon Beach,” (similar to Silicon Valley in the Bay Area of California) the Westside of Los Angeles is a realistic area where someone like Sierra would decide to start their own business versus pursuing acting. Several successful (formerly start-up) businesses have their headquarters in this area, such as Buzzfeed and Dollar Shave Club. Sierra shares an apartment with her roommate Vee and attempts to make the living room the headquarters for Roth MKTG. This causes tension which results in Vee yelling at Sierra and asking her to work elsewhere. Throughout the novel, Sierra also has flashbacks of leaving small town Pennsylvania where she grew up. Pennsylvania’s boringness and small-town “vibe” - there was a red barn down the street from Sierra’s high school- provides a stark contrast to the excitement of the social scene and geographic beauty, such as seeing the beach and mountains driving along Pacific Coast Highway. How could Sierra possibly want to return to Pennsylvania after being accustomed to the West Coast life? On a cultural level, many scenes take place in various bars or restaurants in Santa Monica or Venice, which reflect the characters’ need to “be seen” and their tendency to overindulge in alcohol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Robbins Posted June 20 Share Posted June 20 Assignment 1: József, a young intellectual man beyond his years, lived with his parents and three siblings in a small town in Hungary near the Austrian border. He comes from a powerful and influential family that lives a comfortable lifestyle. Unbeknownst to them, their lives will be threatened by WWII. József is taken to a forced labor camp, where he’s stripped from his aristocratic veneer, revealing a core of resilience he never knew he possessed. Assignment 2: The echo of bombings haunted József’s dreams. Even decades after the liberation, he was transported back to the bleak expanses of Auschwitz. The horrors of the war were etched into his soul, an indelible mark left by an antagonist who, though long gone, continued to exert a malevolent force over his life: Adolf Hitler. József’s days were lived between normalcy and the shadows of his past. He lived in a world away from the barbed wire and watchtowers of his youth. Yet, Hitler’s specter lingered, manifesting in unexpected moments in József’s classrooms. Holding on to his principles, and with a trembling voice, he began to speak. At first, each sentence was a struggle. But soon, the memories flowed, and each tear he cried became a cathartic release. He spoke of his family and friends he had lost; their faces still vivid in his mind. He spoke about the small acts of defiance, the glimmers of hope that had sustained him. Through his lectures, József began to see himself not as a victim, but as a survivor—a testament to resilience in the face of unimaginable evil. József reclaimed his narrative to grasp control from the lingering shadow of his tormentor. Assignment 3: 1. József, the Pocket Watch, and Their Journey: Based on a True Story 2. From Chains to Freedom: the Story of József, a Hungarian WWII Survivor 3. A Pocket Watch for Freedom Assignment 4: Ticket to the New World by Tánia Juste-The story is about 20th century migration from Spain to Argentina and the challenges faced by the main character while settling. The Time in Between: the Seamstress, and Sira by Maria Dueñas- These are books (and TV series on Netflix) about a seamstress turned spy in times of war. Although my character didn’t turn into a spy, due to the nature of the historical setting, Dueñas’ narratives are ‘ongoing’ with several ‘cliffhangers’ along the way. Paula by Isabel Allende- As so many other books by Isabel Allende, most of her stories are inspired by her personal experiences. Allende’s historical fiction/thrillers are often cited as magic realism; a genre associated with the works of Gabriel García Marquez. Assignment 5: József walked several times along the periphery of the temple and looked at the hands of those present hoping to see his mother’s watch. It was useless: the pocket watch was gone. József felt the lump in his throat choking him. Assignment 6: Inner Conflict: József is a typical adolescent who questions authority except, in his case, with confidence and intellect. But his comfort and security are threatened by the Nazis. He’s soon captured and sent to a forced labor camp aware that he will never see his family again, or will he? He doesn’t know what the future holds, but he knows one thing: that he wants to survive. Secondary Conflict: The close relationships József builds with friendships (Jani, then the priest, Vittorio) and family, are always threatened by the character’s uncontrollable fate. However, every lost relationship leads to something new. Is József’s destiny causal or circumstantial? Assignment 7: WWII is the historical setting that drives the plot forward because it serves as the catalyst for the storyline, creating conflict and influencing József’s' journeys. The circumstances József endures during WWII ground the narrative (in a specific time and place) that allows an understanding of the societal conditions, the political climates, and religious controversies. The storyline revolves around József grappling with other political, economic, and societal turmoil that threatens his principles post-war. The historical circumstances are the force that force József into becoming who he becomes, allowing for a deep understanding of his character development. Furthermore, József’s character continues to be influenced by his grappling with oppressing forms of government in various countries. As he escapes from one, he seems to find himself in another political upheaval, which affects his motivations and decisions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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