1. Act of Story Statement
Lucy Walton, an uptight office manager striving to appear worthwhile, loses control of her company, her home, and her appearance while discovering her true value lies within her heart.
2. Antagonist Plots the Point
Cain Lunsford has watched Lucy Walton cling tightly to her routines every week for the last three years. He has always imagined that Lucy revels in her successful and comfortable life. When her carefully reinforced facade cracks one Wednesday morning, Cain steps in to help her regain control in his misguided but well-intentioned manner. His interference sets Lucy off on a series of cringe-worthy misadventures. If she could only remove him from her life, perhaps all would go back to normal. At the very least, Lucy can have her panic attacks in private again.
3. Conjuring Breakout Titles
Letting Loose
There’s a Problem with Lucy
Lucy Out Loud
4. Genre and Comparables
Contemporary Fiction
How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper
I hope to emulate Roper’s seamless ability to mix humor with emotional trauma and growth through the limited third-person POV. His main character, Andrew, hopes to maintain and then regain control over a carefully crafted lifestyle which has supported him in the past. As this crashes down around him, Andrew is finally able to heal the past and transform. I want to show a similar journey for Lucy.
The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley
I appreciate how Pooley shows character interactions. The theme of living authentically versus following a set of perceived society rules is a worthy one. Also, I enjoy the balance of humor and tough subjects.
5. Hook Line
Lucy Walton’s non-existent social life and insurance office job are the lynchpins of her safe and predictable life, until Cain — the Tattoo Coffee Man and aspiring punk rock star — shows her she really does deserve more fun, attention, and time to breathe.
6. Two More Levels of Conflict
Inner - Lucy controls the circumstances of her environment through detailed lists, unwavering routines, and a private life devoid of any deep, significant attachments. She is happy with these methods, because she can avoid repeating her failures of the past. She realizes that life is unfulfilling this way but at least no one else notices.
Social - Lucy is ridiculed and shamed by her family, particularly her sister who lives a seemingly effortless and joyful life. Also, she is disrespected by the staff she supervises. These interactions cause Lucy to cling more rigidly to her old controlling and anxious behaviors.
7. Setting
Olympia, Washington
Safe Harbors Insurance Services, LLC - Lucy’s workplace sounds boring, but it is an old office with multiple maintenance issues and a confusing layout which adds to the chaotic tensions generated by bickering personalities and politics.
Mud Castles Event Center - This former warehouse is used for music events, particularly Cain’s band concerts. The awkward amenities (rickety balcony, lack of furniture and gerry-rigged equipment) add to Lucy’s confusion while there. It is a venue filled with diverse characters.
Lucy’s home and car - While expending a great deal of energy to keep a successful image while at work, Lucy falls apart a bit in private. Her home and car are bland and in need of care. Both are sparse and lack any personal qualities. They add to the sense of being lost or unattached to her own life.
The Penguin House - Cain’s home, in contrast, is brimming with life and activity. While nothing would be described as new or shiny, the colorful and soft furnishings combined with constant music and laughter feel instantly welcoming. The overgrown garden and roaming chickens represent an abundance of vitality.
The weather - It is winter and early spring during this story which means, in the Pacific Northwest, that the weather is volatile. Rain, snow, hailstorms, and sudden heat snaps all play significant roles in the course of the story.
1. Act of Story Statement Lucy Walton, an uptight office manager striving to appear worthwhile, loses control of her company, her home, and her appearance while discovering her true value lies within her heart. 2. Antagonist Plots the Point Cain Lunsford has watched Lucy Walton cling tightly to her routines every week for the last three years. He has always imagined that Lucy revels in her successful and comfortable life. When her carefully reinforced facade cracks one Wednesday morning, Cain steps in to help her regain control in his misguided but well-intentioned manner. His interference sets Lucy off on a series of cringe-worthy misadventures. If she could only remove him from her life, perhaps all would go back to normal. At the very least, Lucy can have her panic attacks in private again. 3. Conjuring Breakout Titles Letting Loose There’s a Problem with Lucy Lucy Out Loud 4. Genre and Comparables Contemporary Fiction How Not to Die Alone by Richard Roper I hope to emulate Roper’s seamless ability to mix humor with emotional trauma and growth through the limited third-person POV. His main character, Andrew, hopes to maintain and then regain control over a carefully crafted lifestyle which has supported him in the past. As this crashes down around him, Andrew is finally able to heal the past and transform. I want to show a similar journey for Lucy. The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley I appreciate how Pooley shows character interactions. The theme of living authentically versus following a set of perceived society rules is a worthy one. Also, I enjoy the balance of humor and tough subjects. 5. Hook Line Lucy Walton’s non-existent social life and insurance office job are the lynchpins of her safe and predictable life, until Cain — the Tattoo Coffee Man and aspiring punk rock star — shows her she really does deserve more fun, attention, and time to breathe. 6. Two More Levels of Conflict Inner - Lucy controls the circumstances of her environment through detailed lists, unwavering routines, and a private life devoid of any deep, significant attachments. She is happy with these methods, because she can avoid repeating her failures of the past. She realizes that life is unfulfilling this way but at least no one else notices. Social - Lucy is ridiculed and shamed by her family, particularly her sister who lives a seemingly effortless and joyful life. Also, she is disrespected by the staff she supervises. These interactions cause Lucy to cling more rigidly to her old controlling and anxious behaviors. 7. Setting Olympia, Washington Safe Harbors Insurance Services, LLC - Lucy’s workplace sounds boring, but it is an old office with multiple maintenance issues and a confusing layout which adds to the chaotic tensions generated by bickering personalities and politics. Mud Castles Event Center - This former warehouse is used for music events, particularly Cain’s band concerts. The awkward amenities (rickety balcony, lack of furniture and gerry-rigged equipment) add to Lucy’s confusion while there. It is a venue filled with diverse characters. Lucy’s home and car - While expending a great deal of energy to keep a successful image while at work, Lucy falls apart a bit in private. Her home and car are bland and in need of care. Both are sparse and lack any personal qualities. They add to the sense of being lost or unattached to her own life. The Penguin House - Cain’s home, in contrast, is brimming with life and activity. While nothing would be described as new or shiny, the colorful and soft furnishings combined with constant music and laughter feel instantly welcoming. The overgrown garden and roaming chickens represent an abundance of vitality. The weather - It is winter and early spring during this story which means, in the Pacific Northwest, that the weather is volatile. Rain, snow, hailstorms, and sudden heat snaps all play significant roles in the course of the story.