WriChal #9 - The one in the middle

[Moonlit Naiad]

First, read Margaret Atwood's story Happy Endings.

Part 1. Then, write a short (1 to 2 paragraphs) beginning to a story and a short (again, one to two paragraphs) ending to a story, where the ending is consistent in tone/voice and 'fits' with the expectations raised in the middle.

Part 2. Taking the beginning and ending you wrote for part 1, and draft up at least two sample plot outlines (major events, etc) that lead from the beginning to the ending.

Part 3. If you're really ambitious, turn one of the outlines into a short story. ^.^

The objective: to recognize the myriad paths that can be taken from point A to point B - each with its own story, sometimes only subtly different, sometimes wildly.

Every story should have a strong beginning - it's what draws the reader in and makes them choose your work from all the others to read. Every story should also have a strong ending, the conclusions and climaxes the provide resolution. There are many exercises that focus on both, but often it seems that the innards - the bulk of the story - don't get the focus or the work they need.

[Mitera Nikkou]

I would take this challenge, if my brain could comprehend it. ^_^; *Whaps self and dies*

[Daffodil Aura]

Start:
She stood on the edge, peering over, down, down, down into the churning cauldron below. Every few minutes, nature's rage would send some of that dark fluid skyward, attempting to drag her down, down, down into the depths. The stone, however, stood strong, resisted the forces, and broke the sea's fury before it could attain its goal. Still, though, the wind whipped around in concert with the sea - pushing, ripping, pulling, tearing, and throwing sea-salt mist skyward. She stood immobile, fingers wrapped around an ancient locket on a woven silver chain.


End:
Looking back, she flipped the forces a finger. They had done their worst, and yet she still stood tall. Not the wind, not the water, not the thunder nor the lightning - nothing could shake her resolve - not even the ghost of the memory of her mother. The silver chain around her neck was bare. Though she avoided the churning cauldron below, the locket was forevermore lost - down, down, down below...

Poss plot 1:
*flashback, depiction of the locket as a family heirloom, represents her mother (matrilineal heirloom?)

* contemplates casting herself from the cliff - rejects the notion - perverse desire to trump nature

* flashback to childhood: abusive/controlling mother - lectures on family history and the importance of tradition

* storm intensifies, mirroring internal conflict

* flashback to life on the streets, proving she's her own person not controlled by her mother

* realization that doing the opposite of what is wanted is being controlled by expectations just as much as doing exactly what is wanted

* pan out, description of punk/goth attire and the weather's treatment of it.

* fade to resolution: imply/show the locket being tossed into the sea

Poss plot 2:
* flashback: young girl and her family (mom, dad, brother) out boating

* flashback continues: sudden storm blows up, capsizes the boat

* flashback continues: girl and father survive, others drown

* still feelings of guilt that she survived and others didn't, low self-esteem

* flashback: year after accident, father has turned to alcohol to cope, has become emotionally abusive

* runs away from home (flashback to then, or 'just the other day') at age 16

* returns to near where the accident happened, standing on a cliff overlooking the sea

* sudden storm blows up, anniversary of the accident, perhaps nature is trying to finish the job

* throws locket away as hard as she can, it gets blown back

* throws locket away again, whispering "This is yours, mother."