Sandra Tsing Loh
MY SPECTACULAR (even if it's quiet) FAILURE!
(a "Coming of Age" story structure)
Structure:
a) Opening, establish the "world" of the story—here's some info we need:
1) How old are you (and in what grade, if appropriate)?
2) What's the setting (middle school, karate dojo, ballet school)?
3) What are you like at this age (weird hair, Star Wars fan, really into show tunes)? (Are you popular? Unpopular? So unpopular you don't even know it?)
Note that all of the above is best delivered in the voice of your younger self—think present tense, enthusiastic (aka: this is "before the fall"), and UN-self aware (aka: your narrator will know more at the end than he/she knows at the beginning)
b) The Moment of Inspiration (the Grail appears)
You see the Thing that you want to Be, Do, Start at, etc. . .
The Dream is born (cheerleader, pro baseball player, rapper, school president, etc.)!
c) Glorious Fantasy Depiction of What Your Certain Victory Will Look Like. . .
Along with Why You're Uniquely Suited (Your Personality, Body Type,
Talent, Habits/etc.) to Enjoy This Victory
d) SUB-THEMES:
Parents(s): Will this Glorious Victory fulfill them or defiantly prove them wrong?
Possible Rivals: Siblings, Classmates, Other?
e) The Glorious Voyage Turns to Defeat
First day of "Hamilton" auditions!
Little League tryouts!
Open mic night!
Etc.
You show up in the perfect outfit, ready to conquer. . .
In slo-mo, it all goes to s@#$@#$
Ideally, there is that one long moooooment where everything crashes down
f) Philosophical Lesson Learned -- Youth Tips Into (at least early) Adulthood