What is your (or your character's) secret yearning? And how did you (or he or she) come to have that yearning?
The phrase "Secret Yearning" makes me think of a bodice-ripping romance novel. You know, the kind that has a cover with a picture of a scantily clad man who bears a resemblance to (and may very well have been based on) Fabio.
In fact, let's do a little research, shall we?
Step 1: Go to Google.
Step 2: Type "Secret Yearning" into the search bar.
Step 3: Laugh heartily at the fact that there is, in fact, a romance novel named A Secret Yearning that comes up in the search results.
The cover looks like this:
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| Not as much bare man-chest as I'd like, but it'll do. |
But I should get to the exercise, shouldn't I? I guess I got a little sidetracked by all of the bodice ripping. Whoops...
1,2,3, GO!!!
Precursor: I've started working on a brand new story idea, so I think I'm going to take the main character from that in an attempt to flesh her out a little bit. The idea is based on a dream I had (and actually remembered!! Seriously, when in my life does that actually happen??), and I have yet to do some actual work on it. As a result, the character is very one-dimensional and will probably come off as such in this exercise. I'm ok with it.
And......... va!
Charlotte Ferris wants to fall in love. It has been her life's aspiration to find that "special someone" who will fulfill all of her Disney-influenced desires. Growing up with movies like "Beauty and the Beast," "The Little Mermaid," and "Snow White" made it clear to her that love is the most important thing in this world, and if she didn't have it then she was obviously lacking. Lacking in what, she didn't know, but lacking nonetheless.
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| Someday my prince will come....................? |
The twist to this story is that no one knows about her need for romance. She hides it from everyone (including herself from time to time), because deep down she knows that Disney romance, no matter how appealing it is, doesn't exist. She prefers to live in her fantasy world every once in a while, separate from reality, in which Prince Charming is real - tangible - and come back to real life when she needs to get stuff done. There is danger in that way of life, but she likes to think that she walks that line expertly every day (even though she really doesn't).
END
And that's that. Since I failed last week and only posted once, I'm going to step it up this week and post TWICE. In one week.
Think big, Stef... Think big.
I'm hoping eventually to get back up to at least 4 posts per week, but we'll see how that goes.
In other news, I was added onto the list of freelance writers at CRACKED.com, and I am so excited to begin writing articles for them! Like I said, it's freelance, and the submission process goes something like this:
Stef: Hey, guys... I have an idea. [State article idea.]
Powers That Be @ CRACKED: Hmm... Don't like it. Try again.
Stef: Ok... uh... How about this? [State another idea.]
Powers: Nope. Dumb. Again.
Stef: How about this one? [yet another idea stated]
Powers: Hmm... That has potential. Write it, and we'll talk.
[Stefers works tooth and nail to create a literary masterpiece filled with mind-shattering information and brilliant wit.]
Stef: Done! How do you like it?
Powers: Meh... It's alright. We're going to edit it and then post it on the site. Here's $50. Come back to us when you have another idea.
Stef: Alright. Errr... Cool. Thanks.
And that's that. I have one idea that I'm working on at the moment, and I'm thinking it's going to be pretty good. I like the fact that I can write an article in which it is expected that I curse in it at least once, preferably while making an off-color joke about penises or farts. It's right down my alley, really.
Wish me luck!
Peace.
Stef.
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