[stylist] theme flaw and premise

James H. "Jim" Canaday M.A. N6YR n6yr at sunflower.com
Wed Nov 4 20:29:07 UTC 2009


was my question too.
jc
Jim Canaday M.A.
Lawrence, KS

At 02:20 PM 11/4/2009, you wrote:
>Forgive my ignorance, but what is allegory energy?
>Barbara
>
>The Hawkeyes are 9 and 0!  Let's go Iowa Hawkeyes!
>
>--------------------------------------------------
>From: "The Crowd" <the_crowd at cox.net>
>Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2009 11:01 AM
>To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>Subject: [stylist] theme flaw and premise
>
>>Hi guys, it's Atty, back on the list again.
>>
>>I'm taking a mystery writing class and one of the assignments is 
>>write the theme, protag flaw and premise for a story, then share it 
>>with a person or writing group to see if they have comments or 
>>questions, so here it is....
>>
>>
>>
>>Theme: Reality is all perception.
>>
>>Flaw: She has a fairy-Tale out-look. Everything has to work out in the end.
>>
>>Premise:
>>What if a woman gifted with allegory energy finds herself in love 
>>with a living nightmare trapped in her world and must find the 
>>doorway in a wall of worlds to send him back home without his most 
>>precious possession?
>>
>>Steve said we didn't have to actually answer the questions just 
>>make sure we could answer them and if not adjust the premise. So if 
>>anyone wants to comment, please feel free!
>>
>>Atty
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Barbara Hammel" <poetlori8 at msn.com>
>>To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>>Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 6:23 AM
>>Subject: Re: [stylist] chapter one- need feedback
>>
>>
>>>Last night the Phillies look like the team that beat the best in 
>>>the National League, but I do have to give you that the Yankees 
>>>want the championship more.
>>>It's too bad they put divisions in place instead of just having 
>>>east versus west.  Of course, it might still be that the Yankees 
>>>would be playing the Phillies, then again they might be playing my 
>>>Dodgers.  Now that would have been a more even World Series.
>>>And they get to win at home after all.
>>>Barbara
>>>
>>>The Hawkeyes are 9 and 0!  Let's go Iowa Hawkeyes!
>>>
>>>--------------------------------------------------
>>>From: "Judith Bron" <jbron at optonline.net>
>>>Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 3:36 PM
>>>To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>>>Subject: Re: [stylist] chapter one- need feedback
>>>
>>>>The object is to win.  If they clinch in Philly at least they'll 
>>>>have their parade in the city.  Sorry, Barbara.  The Yanks are just better.
>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Barbara Hammel" <poetlori8 at msn.com>
>>>>To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>>>>Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 2:49 PM
>>>>Subject: Re: [stylist] chapter one- need feedback
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Unfortunately I have to give it to you.  But I hope they win 
>>>>>tonight so the fans don't have the thrill of winning at 
>>>>>home.  Put me out of my misery. I'm a National League fan.
>>>>>I must say, though, I used to hate it when WTBS would refer to 
>>>>>the Braves as America's team.  Truth be known, the Yankees 
>>>>>are.  You either love 'em or hate 'em.
>>>>>I just don't like Alex Rodriguez.
>>>>>Barbara
>>>>>
>>>>>The Hawkeyes are 9 and 0!  Let's go Iowa Hawkeyes!
>>>>>
>>>>>--------------------------------------------------
>>>>>From: "Judith Bron" <jbron at optonline.net>
>>>>>Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 1:30 PM
>>>>>To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>Subject: Re: [stylist] chapter one- need feedback
>>>>>
>>>>>>Barbara, The Yanks are 3 games up on Philly's 1 game.  Let's go Yanks!
>>>>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Barbara Hammel" <poetlori8 at msn.com>
>>>>>>To: "Writer's Division Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>Sent: Monday, November 02, 2009 12:15 PM
>>>>>>Subject: Re: [stylist] chapter one- need feedback
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>So are you saying with your chapter headings that what happens 
>>>>>>>in Chapter 1 is on the same day as what happens in chapter 2?
>>>>>>>Now if that's so, that makes me want to read the whole thing 
>>>>>>>to know how these lives will intertwine and which characters 
>>>>>>>will it be that meet.
>>>>>>>Barbara
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>The Hawkeyes are 9 and 0!  Let's go Iowa Hawkeyes!
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>--------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>>From: "Judith Bron" <jbron at optonline.net>
>>>>>>>Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2009 11:58 AM
>>>>>>>To: "Stylist" <stylist at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>Subject: [stylist] chapter one- need feedback
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Perhaps I should have started with chapter one.  However, I 
>>>>>>>>wanted to make sure the reader would be just as engrossed in 
>>>>>>>>the second chapter as the first.  Obviously these first two 
>>>>>>>>chapters introduce the reader to the characters.  Judith
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>CHAPTER ONE
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Curtis Cove, New York November 1977
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Jennifer's thoughts were a safe haven and the only place in 
>>>>>>>>the world she could escape to for security.  Usually while in 
>>>>>>>>her hypnotic state she managed to be cognizant of the world 
>>>>>>>>around her. But this Saturday morning she was so deep in 
>>>>>>>>thought she managed to block out the sounds of people 
>>>>>>>>talking, kids playing and horns honking.    As she wandered 
>>>>>>>>aimlessly down the street in the teenage uniform of jeans, a 
>>>>>>>>sweater and navy ski jacket she thought about her inability 
>>>>>>>>to love anyone. Suddenly horns blared, tires squealed and 
>>>>>>>>sirens wailed.  She lay on the street oblivious to the sounds 
>>>>>>>>and horror engulfing her.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Randy, captain of her high school football team, happened to 
>>>>>>>>be jogging down the street when the accident happened.  He 
>>>>>>>>ran to the scene and saw Jennifer lying in the street with a 
>>>>>>>>policeman hovering over her. "Is she all right?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Don't know.  Just called for an ambulance.  Who is she?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Jennifer Rabinowitz.  She lives a block from here."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Can you get her parents?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"She's an orphan.  I'll get her Foster mother.    Where are 
>>>>>>>>they taking her?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Arthur Memorial Hospital.  They have a good trauma 
>>>>>>>>center.  They'll need her guardian's signature."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Jennifer lay immobile, her long hair now covering her 
>>>>>>>>face.  Randy's inclination was to brush it aside, but he 
>>>>>>>>couldn't get that close. With one last glance at Jennifer he 
>>>>>>>>took off for the Hamilton house.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>When Sheila answered the door he blurted out the story.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Where is she?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"When I left the scene she was lying in the middle of the 
>>>>>>>>street. The policeman said they're taking her to Arthur Memorial."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Sheila grabbed her coat screaming to her other foster 
>>>>>>>>daughter, "Cindy, watch the kids.  There's an emergency!"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>One of the technicians at the scene yelled, "Get the oxygen. 
>>>>>>>>Respiratory distress!"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Unaware of the flurry of activity around her Jennifer floated 
>>>>>>>>over her body ending up in a different place.  A woman 
>>>>>>>>approached her. "Jennifer, it's me, mommy.  I want you to 
>>>>>>>>know I love you.  Your time is not up. Your life will get 
>>>>>>>>better.  Everything will be fine, dear. I love you."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Jennifer started following her mother.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Sheila and Randy ran into the emergency room shortly after 
>>>>>>>>Jennifer had been brought in.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>The Waiting doctors began their examination immediately.  One 
>>>>>>>>doctor commanded, "Get me the defibrillator."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>  Oblivious to the furor around her Jennifer said, "Mommy, I 
>>>>>>>> want to stay here.  My life is awful.  I can't love anyone."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"You need to continue.  Your life will get better.  Wonderful 
>>>>>>>>people will prove to you that you can love and be loved.  I 
>>>>>>>>love you.  Go back now."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>The medical staff brought the equipment necessary to 
>>>>>>>>resuscitate Jennifer. The doctors applied the panels to 
>>>>>>>>Jennifer's chest.  A huge burst of energy started her heart 
>>>>>>>>beating again.  Jennifer took a deep, labored breath.  In the 
>>>>>>>>hospital room a cheer went up among the doctors and 
>>>>>>>>nurses.  As soon as Jennifer began breathing on her own she 
>>>>>>>>was trundled at top speed to a CAT scan which showed the 
>>>>>>>>medical team that neither her spine nor limbs were 
>>>>>>>>broken.  She didn't have any internal bleeding.  Dr. Green 
>>>>>>>>thought, "This is one lucky girl."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Randy and Sheila sat in the waiting room anxiously awaiting 
>>>>>>>>word about Jennifer.  Randy glanced at his watch.  "I have to 
>>>>>>>>call the coach to tell him I'm not playing this afternoon and 
>>>>>>>>Jennifer's not cheering. Be right back."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Once Jennifer was put in a room Randy and Sheila kept vigil 
>>>>>>>>beside her bed gazing bleakly at the   oxygen, bottles of 
>>>>>>>>fluid and monitor. Sheila thought, "This is a nightmare!"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Randy wondered if his friend would ever cheer for a football 
>>>>>>>>game again. After her recovery would she still be the most 
>>>>>>>>beautiful girl in the world?  Once she was back to normal 
>>>>>>>>would she continue to refuse his dates?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>An alarm on the monitor went off bringing nurses and doctors 
>>>>>>>>rushing into the room pushing the platform that held those 
>>>>>>>>paddles. Ignoring the panic around her body Jennifer told her 
>>>>>>>>mother, "Mommy, I don't want to go back.  I'm different from 
>>>>>>>>the other kids.  They remind me all the time."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Don't worry about being different.  Everything will be 
>>>>>>>>fine.  You have a beautiful life ahead of you.  It's time to go back now."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"No, Mommy!  Don't make me go!"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Jennifer slammed back into her body, aware again of the 
>>>>>>>>pain.  The doctor lifted the defibrillator, vastly 
>>>>>>>>relieved.  "Welcome back, Jennifer. Hang in there."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Randy leaned forward speaking to the girl in the bed.  "Keep 
>>>>>>>>fighting, Jennifer.  We're all praying for you."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>They kept their vigil beside her bed.  At one point Randy 
>>>>>>>>said, "It looks like she's stabilized.  I think I'd better 
>>>>>>>>head over to the field. Be back right after the 
>>>>>>>>game."  Sheila continued praying that her favorite foster 
>>>>>>>>child would be all right.  Jennifer seemed to be going in and 
>>>>>>>>out of consciousness.  She would open her eyes briefly before 
>>>>>>>>slipping back into either slumber or unconsciousness.  Sheila 
>>>>>>>>couldn't tell.  She just kept watching, waiting and praying 
>>>>>>>>while nurses and doctors entered the room to take Jennifer's 
>>>>>>>>vitals and read the monitors.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>When Randy got back after the game Jennifer woke for more 
>>>>>>>>than a few minutes.  Sheila asked, "How do you feel, Jennifer?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Weak and sore.  When are they going to take away this oxygen?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"I'll check.  Can I get you something to eat?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"If it's not too much I would like a cheese sandwich."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Let me find out."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>After she left Randy said, "I played today.  Everyone sends 
>>>>>>>>their best wishes.  I was so upset that I blew a touchdown pass.  We lost."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Jennifer responded weakly, "I'm sorry, Randy.  I know how 
>>>>>>>>much that trophy means to you."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Carrying a sandwich and cup of juice Sheila appeared at her 
>>>>>>>>bedside. "The nurse said the doctor will be in soon to see 
>>>>>>>>about the oxygen. I brought you a sandwich."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Thanks, Sheila."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Jennifer started eating her sandwich and Sheila said, "I have 
>>>>>>>>to get going.  Cindy has plans for tonight and Ted has to 
>>>>>>>>work.  I'll send Ted up with your things.  I'll be back 
>>>>>>>>tomorrow morning."  She kissed Jennifer and left.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>A minute later a doctor came in.  "Good evening, 
>>>>>>>>Jennifer.  I'm Dr. Jackson.  I'm covering Dr. Green's 
>>>>>>>>patients tonight.  Mrs. Hamilton asked the nurse about the 
>>>>>>>>oxygen.  I want to keep it going until tomorrow morning.  Dr. 
>>>>>>>>Green will evaluate you at that time.  Is there anything else 
>>>>>>>>I can do for you?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Can I take a shower?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"When the nurse comes in tomorrow she will help you with 
>>>>>>>>that.  Is everything else all right?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"I guess so.  Thanks."  He left the room.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Jennifer turned to Randy.  "Thanks for everything, Randy.  I 
>>>>>>>>don't remember anything.  Can you tell me about it?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Randy described the activities that morning.  "A few times 
>>>>>>>>your heart stopped beating.  It was strange.  You looked so 
>>>>>>>>peaceful.  Do you remember anything?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>She lied, "I don't remember a thing.  I had no idea it was 
>>>>>>>>that serious."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"How are you feeling now?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"I still feel weak and sore, but other than that fine."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Can I ask you a serious question?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Sure.  But please forgive me if I'm not in the mood to answer it."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"What will it take for you to go out with me?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Randy, there's a lot going on in my head.  I need time to 
>>>>>>>>straighten it all out.  Right now you are the best friend I 
>>>>>>>>have in the world. Just keep on being my friend.  That's the 
>>>>>>>>best thing you can do for me."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"I know others give you a hard time about your last name.  Is 
>>>>>>>>that part of the problem you have to work out?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"That's a big part of it.  I don't know who I am.  You guys 
>>>>>>>>know your parents, what they expect from you and people to 
>>>>>>>>turn to when you need answers to important questions.  I 
>>>>>>>>haven't had that since I was two.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>I also have my career in clothing design to think about.  I 
>>>>>>>>guess right now that's my identity.  But how can you create 
>>>>>>>>an identity out of a spool of thread, a piece of cloth and 
>>>>>>>>sewing notions?  I need more than that.  I need to explore 
>>>>>>>>this Jewish thing.  I guess my parents were Jewish.  How else 
>>>>>>>>would I end up with a name like Rabinowitz?  Right now I 
>>>>>>>>don't know where to begin my search."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"If there's anything I can do to help you just ask."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Randy, do I have all kinds of bruises on my face?"
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Randy smiled.  "You look like the most beautiful girl in the 
>>>>>>>>world who got into a fight and almost lost."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"I guess I didn't lose.  When I get up my courage I'll look 
>>>>>>>>in the mirror."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"You're looking tired.  I'll be back tomorrow morning."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>"Good night, Randy.  Thanks again."
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>Writers Division web site:
>>>>>>>>http://www.nfb-writers-division.org 
>>>>>>>><http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>stylist mailing list
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>>>Writers Division web site:
>>>>>>>http://www.nfb-writers-division.org 
>>>>>>><http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>stylist mailing list
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>>Writers Division web site:
>>>>>>http://www.nfb-writers-division.org 
>>>>>><http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>stylist mailing list
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>>>>>
>>>>>_______________________________________________
>>>>>Writers Division web site:
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>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>_______________________________________________
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>>>>
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>>>
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>>
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