Shouldn’t I be Writing a Novel Right Now?
Well, yes, I should. And so should you so humour me. I feel the need to share.
I’m really jumping outside my comfort zone this year with my NaNoWriMo novel, “Possum”. While this young-adult-redneck-chick-lit-comical-romance is fun to write, I’m quite tempted to throw in a drug addiction or teen pregnancy. Unfortunately, my muse keeps screaming at me, “Darcie, step away from the issues!”
So, I’ll share my synopsis with you, if you share yours with me. But first, the disclaimer. In no way do I intend to poke fun at any person residing in or near the locale of this story. It could just as easily take place in Alberta and in fact, a certain trailer park back home is the inspiration behind the Rainbow City Mobile Home Park and I know several people who would love to own an ’85 Trans-Am with a lift-kit.
Possum
Seventeen year old Georgia Grace Hampton, lovingly nicknamed “Possum” by her father, is convinced she was adopted and that her real parents are a glamorous Hollywood couple or, better yet, royalty. Anything would be better than the backwards life she’s forced to endure at the Rainbow City Mobile Home Park in Boone County, Arkansas.
Georgia’s Pa, Thomas “Bubba” Hampton, runs the local Shop ‘n Stuff – for all the town’s grocery, deli, hardware and taxidermy needs. Bubba wants Possum to graduate high school, become a hair dresser and settle down with local boy Jimmy Crawford, heir to the Desert Oasis Motel and Rifle Range.
Her Momma, Tabitha, ran off with Cletus Riggs to pursue his career as an Elvis impersonator. Cletus, always in character, and cocktail waitress, Tabitha, roll through Rainbow City once in a while to brag about their great life on the Las Vegas strip but their visits are an even worse reminder to Georgia that her life just simply sucks.
Georgia has grand plans for her senior year. This is going to be the greatest year yet – cheer leading, prom, graduation, scholarships – and then she’ll finally be able escape and find the life she’s always dreamed of.
When a film crew comes to town to film next summer’s blockbuster movie, Georgia finds herself rubbing shoulders with the gorgeous and ridiculously famous teen actor, Daxter Gordon. She begins to think that he could be her one way ticket out of Hicksville, but soon, she begins to realize that Daxter’s advances aren’t what they appear to be and Georgia must to choose between life as she dreams it and life as she makes it.
Great synopsis, Darcie!! Glad you found somebody to name Bubba
Let me know when you are short on Southern expressions. I’m chock full of ‘em.
Darcie,
Frankly I’ve been afraid to do a synopsis of my #NaNoWriMo novel. I’ve done sound byte presentations like this: “Strong woman leaves corporate training position to explore careers in massage therapy, bartending and her sexuality.” Okay, maybe she doesn’t make a career out of her sexuality. Let’s try a real synopsis.
Jennifer’s Reflection
Jennifer Travis is pissed off a lot, but contains well it behind her punk rock appearance, Zen-like approach to life and brining peace to others. She’s the main bartender in a gay woman’s bar, where lots of good times happen, and the occasional fight breaks out. She wants a serious romance now that she’s in her thirties, but fully supports the casual dalliances of her friends.
She has rich interactions with best friend and co-bartender, Mari and her engineer step brother, Eric. Discussions of holistic healing, excellence in parenting and social media sprinkle the discussions.
The novel is warm, smart, funny and fast paced, as we watch the characters reveal secrets and move though issues that have haunted them all their lives. Real issues are dealt with in a PG way. Romantic scenes are suggestive, but never explicit. And language never becomes foul. Enter the world of a group of women friends who are deeply devoted to each other and mostly at home with their sexual preferences.
Thanks for asking.