10/1/01
Draft of main structure
& flow of undeveloped/undiscovered plot(s)
One of my first realizations of my story was that it would follow several characters in different parts of their timelines. I would jump back and forth through two separate times.
Time 1:
Date: January 5th, 1969 (Day after baby Michael’s birth)
Setting: Hospital room
Characters: Edward(original main character) & Lilly (parents), Edward’s family
(mother, sisters), Natasha(one of his sisters) and mainly Lawrence
Anderson, Natasha’s fiancé and baby Michael’s doctor
Main/Outward conflict: baby Michael’s health is compromised and his life hangs
in the balance. He is the first born to Eddy and Lilly and both their family’s hope after many deaths, poverty, and struggle, so his life is a blessing that is suddenly questioned.
Side/Internal conflict: Obviously, a questioning of fate for all involved (especially
the parents). But more importantly, Lawrence has just been drafted for the
Vietnam war and leaves in several days. He must serve as a doctor to a family he could have been part of then leave to serve as a doctor in a war he disagrees with. His mind sways back and forth to the death of this new life and the death of his own- neither of which he feels he can save as a doctor
Main themes: Life & death- namely, a birth in the midst of so much death.
Healing & roles of a doctor. War(hum, good god y’all) what is it good for?
Other related scenes: One dream sequence of sorts of Lawrence’s (related to the
tunnel exercise done in class- very vivid imagery which has already been
dreamed up)
Time 2:
Date: January 1st, 1990
Setting: Hospital
Characters: Michael, Jamie(a Vietnam vet), and others as I explore the plot more.
They haven’t told me yet and it’s silly to make them before they’re ready.
Main/Outward conflict: Michael fighting for chief resident position, to save lives,
and to get some sleep. Not yet sure specifically… I thought at first he might have become a pediatrician… and perhaps he may have. He’s only appeared to me in a hospital.. but I can certainly see him in the children’s wing. Perhaps he goes there on breaks to visit a certain patient? At any case, he will be most concerned with saving lives. I don’t specifically know what the main problem will be, though. My best guess would be a homeless, drunk, Vietnam vet who was brought in from the cold with hypothermia and Michael is unable to save him. He will not be Lawrence. That’s just too cutesy. Perhaps served with him?
Side/Internal conflict: a dying boy in the children’s ward? Baby Michael survives
during a time of war, but this little boy is surely dying (AIDS?) in a time of peace
Main themes: Life & death, doctoring, human struggle for preservation of life and
caring for others- even strangers. Just as those who served in wars fought
to preserve those they did not know
Other related scenes: Snowing on the rooftop- ending scene?
I’m afraid I can give no further details, simply state the two times. I don’t know how much I will jump back and forth or when the jumps will occur, but they will be even and compliment each other and each scene between jumps will last for as long as it feels it wants to when I write it. That’s not something I can decide ahead of time!