Help with story plot and details?
I have a few debates about some things in my story.
1. First, the point of view.
I don’t know if I should do it in first person POV or third person. I was thinking about doing a verse novel but, I don’t know.
(Here’s what the story’s about-
A girl named Adeline Matthews has emotional problems and she is a bully victim. She moves from Canada to Brooklyn, New York with her single mom in search for a new life. She is bipolar but she is the only one who knows that. Her mom knows vaguely what happens in school but not enough to know her daughter is suffering from serious trauma. In Brooklyn, she meets a guy ((I’m not sure if I should name him Bryce or Cameron.)) who is a bit rough on the outside but is a complete softy on the inside. He helps her throughout everything and through this journey he finds himself. Bryce/Cameron is from Oklahoma City and he moved here with his dad because his mom died a long time ago.)
2. Do you think the plot is good enough? Do you have any ideas for the subplots? I was thinking the mom dies at the end of some sort of disease or accident and her father comes to visit and they bond blah blah blah. And when she dies, Adeline leaves ten letters that she had intended on giving a long time ago in her coffin. The ten letters explain everything about what Adeline was going through.
3. Here’s a little about the characters-
Adeline Matthews: A shy girl with brown curly hair and brown eyes with black flecks in them. She’s not very social and she likes to read and play piano. A bipolar bullying victim with emotional problems. Her mother is oblivious to most of the things that are going on inside her. She lives in a small apartment building with her mom. Her dad is in Los Angles working on his career. Adeline sometimes has a dazed expression and can be hostile at times. Has no friends except for Bryce/Cameron. A pretty girl with potential. likes poetry.
BD- July 8, 1997
Bryce/Cameron (I also need a last name)- A tough guy with a heart. Has brown hair and round brown eyes. Sensitive. Very social and lives a few apartments down from Adeline.He has a bit trouble adjusting to his father dating new people and meeting with others. He’s confident about most things and is friendly with people he FIRST meeting. He kind of reminds me of Greyson Chance.
Karen Matthews- Mom, she cares about Adeline but just doesn’t know how to show it.
And the list goes on.
If you have any ideas about more characters feel free to recommend them!
4. Any other idea’s? Oh, and which one is better, Cameron or Bryce?By the way, I was wondering if it sounds too similar to anything else…let me know!
Should the girl die at the end or would it ruin the story? Also, should she have a little brother or sister that they are the reason she never gave up living throughout life? The trauma was bullying.
The letters are letters that Adeline wrote to her mother with every intention of giving them to her but she never had the guts, when it got too late and her mom died, she set them in her coffin.
I think this could be a wonderful story. It does somewhat remind me of the Last Song written by Nicholas Sparks with the girl having some issues, she movies to be with her dad, they bond, she meets a nice guy, etc. But I personally think your idea could be better, I don’t really like Nicholas Spark’s writing as it sounds the same for every book he has written. Anyway, going back to your story.
2. Do I think the story is good enough?
My answer would have to be yes, and no. I believe there is enough to create a story but I feel that you may have some writer’s blocks approaching throughout writing this. As long as you make sure to write out each character fully and develop them, your story can easily hit over 60,000 words.
-Do you have any ideas for the subplots?
I do think subplots will be your savor for this story. Besides the mom dying, which if she dies you will have to explain how, and why, and why the father hasn’t been with them. And if the mom dies, is Adeline eighteen and takes the responsibility for her and her younger sister? That could increase your plot line.
4. I think either name is great, I can see Bryce a little more than Cameron.
Should the girl die at the end or would it ruin the story?
-I would have to say it depends, I am actually a huge fan of killing of main characters just because happy ending’s irk me for some reason. Some happy ending’s are okay but if it too sappy and Disney like then I just don’t like it. Going back to your question, it depends because if you want to continue your story to another story, you obviously can’t kill her. Or if you want it to end but not in a cheesy happy ending, don’t make the happy ending where she gets the guy, and her life magically becomes better. In fact think about killing Bryce instead. And finish it off with her receiving a college acceptance letter and give a meaningful last few thoughts.
Also, should she have a little brother or sister that they are the reason she never gave up living throughout life?
-Yes, she sounds like a strong character and if you endure bullying something/someone has to be her anchor. Having a younger sibling or many will just add more to your story. Like I said above if you kill the mom off, then will Adeline be responsible for the kids? If so then you can show her life changes and school is no longer her focus, she gets part time jobs, etc.
As for your question about how to write the story. I think that third person will be great. You seem to be having many characters and if you only do first person view the problem is every other characters actions will be interpreted in Adeline’s eyes. If you do third person view, you can describe what each character is feeling.
I hope this helped you out in some way.
Good Luck!
I think Emily has pretty much wrapped up your questions. But, as for the subplot question, I think it would be good if Adeline developed a good relationship with her mum throughout the story, so it makes the death of her more devasting in the end.
Hope I helped!
Anyhoo..
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