What the heck is the matter with me? I can’t work for anything. You know maybe the thing is is that my mind isn’t able to calm down and think right/write. Okay, that was a little witty 🙂 Okay, let me try to do a little brain flush by just doing some freewriting.
Right now, I’m at Specialty’s in Santa Clara. Can’t believe that this was the Denny’s on Bowers. It’s pretty big in here and it’s neat that one could order through using an iPad… and also pay with it. Fancy smancy! As I said it’s very roomy with a lot of tables, however there doesn’t seem to be a lot of outlets. Hmmm… At least I’m at a table with one.
Okay, back to the task at hand and I only have 3 more hours before this place closes. It feels like I’ve totally slammed my creative vehicle into a wall. Pieces all over the place, but I just can’t find a way to put them all together in one cohesive unit. *BIG BREATH* Okay, conrad. Let’s talk this out LOUD!
okay. i’m gonna keep saying okay a lot to make believe that I’m indeed talking outloud. Okay. now I’m just wasting time. I’m going to make believe that this story is mine, meaning that initially I’m going to try and not think that this is for My Sister’s House or for anyone else. I just want a good story.
First things first: Why do I want to write this?
I want to be able to speak for those who can’t. Literally and figuratively. Of course, I’m assuming this, but maybe, the victims of Domestic Violence (DV) are either scared to talk about what happen because they might think that the batterer will see this and take it out on them, or maybe they feel too ashamed that they allowed this to happen to themselves. Again assuming. And it’s personal too.
Another reason to write this is to give awareness that this is still a problem. And not only that this is a problem, but it’s a problem in the Asian American community. There are several reasons why this is still an issue, but there are some things, according to research, which make DV a problem in the Asian-American community like no support from community, no or limited language support for them through the hotlines. There is also the “stereotypes” of a community by the police.
What do I imagine this story looking like?
I see this as a boy meets girl, boy loses girl, girl finds herself story. That sounds cute when put that way. So I guess in a way, this is a story about how a person finds their true self through adversity which only makes them, not only stronger, but also happy, and also able to help others where whom were in that situation.
What happens at the end of the story?
“Hello. This is . Thank you for calling My Sister’s House. How can I help you?”
Who’s the protagonist?
A young woman named Esperanza (for now). The initial reason I picked this name is because Esperanza means hope. Sometimes when a person is a the end of their rope, hope usually the last thing they find or look for.
I want Esperanza’s arc to be happy > friendly > colorful > creative > opinionated > assured > wanting to please others > wanting to please bf > not sure > shy > timid > grey > fire > firm > strong > hopeful > helpful.
Who is the antagonist?
A young man named Chris (for now). Chris comes from a cycle of abuse in his family. Unfortunately, this is all he knows. He needs help too to stop this cycle.
How do they meet?
At a community function. It’s important that the Community be the third partner in this party. I see Esperanza being a singer/songwriter. I see Chris as a Poet. He’s as quiet as he is smart, which means very. They meet at the Philippine Fiesta where she has just sang. Funny, trite lyrics, but catchy melody. He says something snarky about her lyrics. Which catches her attention, but leaves her wondering who this douche is. Then he performs a poetry set. Beautiful and complex and maybe a little heady. They are opposites, but they are both passionate about their art. That’s how they meet.
I’m stopping here as I think that this is actually a good beginning. I’m finally starting to think of the story coming alive through these characters. A very good first step! I’ll be continuing this process in Scrivener!