9/21/01

Idea(s) for story based on poem based on short scene story based on expanded backstory based on backstory of skit character

The story opens at the hospital, with a few good dialogues for Michael’s introduction to his family, including Natasha’s angst over an ill-fated but accepted marriage proposal. We then follow Michael home from the hospital, immediately getting a good grasp on the living conditions as they have just moved into a larger house to accommodate their new family. So far, I have built Michael up as the one true hope his family has for the future (we’ll just assume Janet has not had any children yet either). So it would be only fitting to then have that hope tested in some way. Perhaps a medical complication causing additional money strain and a lot of angst. This might work well, especially as I toy with the themes of life and death in the beginning piece written for last time. A brilliant light of hope shining in the midst of a dying family (nation, and country). It is only logical to shoot this dream down a little. And a medical complication might lead nicely to why Michael decides to become a doctor later on in life.

It might be most interesting to jump back and forth through perspectives and times, perhaps from doctor’s views? This could provide an outsider’s view of Edward’s family and touching scenes (allowing another perspective which is not quite as mushy as the last few!) and also an inside view from his son. It would be fun to explore Edward through both perspectives, through the “current” time of the war, Michael’s birth and complications; then through Michael’s search to heal (perhaps in representation of his role, healing the family, healing the world) and perhaps Edward’s attempts at paying?

I’m not at all certain as to what the true outcome of the future segment might be… perhaps that when you put all efforts into living and protecting hope, it can never die or disappoint? Or perhaps that there are some things in life worth fighting for? Pretty darn typical, but it’s a start at least.

I suppose I could also explore the religious aspect… but that might get a little too personal. However a nice scene comes to mind of a med student Michael consoling a woman in a hospital chapel. After growing up with little structured religion… that could be a nice sub theme to throw in.

I’m afraid I’m not too good at coming up with expanded plots. I usually get an idea- like the parallel jumps and struggle- then see where the characters want to take me. I have a terribly good sense of Edward now… and he’s taking me toward sacrifice. So I think I’ll see where to go from there. After all, it’s their story... I’m only telling it. I won’t know what to write about until they let me know.

As for other plots... nothing is jumping out at me right now. I tend to like to see a scene in mind before writing it… and aside from the hospital scene which obviously jumped out before... nothing much comes to mind aside from Michael in the chapel.. and maybe a happy reunion between Janet and her fiancé coming home from the war. Hmmmmm what might make it most interesting is for him to be a doctor as well… sort of MASH-esque. To get three different perspectives from different doctors that revolve around this family. Though the boyfriend’s might be a little removed as he has his own family. Then again, he’d be entering into the family just as Michael did, but by choice as opposed to being born into it. Might make for some interesting parallels there as well. J At any rate, I don’t want the boyfriend dying… Edward’s family has had quite enough death, I daresay!