Synopsis of a Work-In-Progress Dealing with Teenager Drama - Writers Forum

ForOne05 · 04-06-2005, 01:46 AM

Paragraph Summary: The protagonist Quentin is a senior in high school, who has been best friends with Nolan for years. Nolan has a bad habit of returning favors. For years, Nolan continues to promise, "one day I'll make it up to you." Quentin gives him car rides, spots him for lunch, and in the past has taken the hit for a previous vandalism incident when they were kids, etc. Nolan, a bench-warmer on the High School basketball team is given the opportunity to thrive when the leading point-guard succumbs to a season-ending injury. In doing so, Nolan becomes the new hero of the district and leaves Quentin behind. Meanwhile, Quentin turns to Lily for support in his state of frustration and depression. Feeling vulnerable, Lily comes to his aid as a friend but Quentin hints at something more. The shaky relationship develops for weeks until finally Lily comes to accept Quentin and they reach a kind of temporary euphoria. Lily, meanwhile, doesn't appreciate her parents pressuring her to watch over her younger, wilder cousin Margaret. Lily and Quentin have a huge fight. In an angry mood, Lily unthinkably allows Margaret to attend an under-age drinking party where she tempts Nolan, and they leave drunk only to crash the car and hit Quentin, who winds up in a coma. The friendship between Nolan and Quentin is put to the ultimate test but Nolan is there to support Quentin through the entire rehabilitation and healing process. Stricken with grief and regret, Nolan denies his basketball scholarship to college and does not reveal to Quentin that he ever received one. Through the growth, the two regain what they have lost. Finally, Nolan fulfills his promise of making up all the favors to Quentin by reuniting Lily with him.

This may not sound very creative and original, I know. Keep in mind this is a VERY brief plot synopsis. But I have a creative means of expressing this story which I do not want to reveal at this time. Let's just say, multiple perspectives of the story? =)

Can I hear opinions, responses, critiques, pros, cons? Thanks!!

Also, I'm new here. Should I fear others stealing my plot ideas and using them?

gohn67 · 04-06-2005, 02:09 AM

No I don't think anyone will steal this idea.

Yea so far it doesn't sound very creative. But most stories are basically remakes of other stories now anyways. So as long as you can write it in an original way, then I say go for it.

Not really sure how to critque this, since its not really a story. But a summary.

Also stay away from dream seqeunce and flashback.

It sounds very soap operaish to me, but I think there is a niche for your type of story.

Scratches · 04-06-2005, 05:29 AM

I think the whole car crash thing is a little far fetched, which is what gives it the soap-opera element. You'd have to be really crafty with it. Also the very fact you're saying it deals with "teen drama" indicates you're trying to tick all the boxes of teen problems and experiences. If you find yourself adding things just to get an emotional census, make sure all the drama is really plausible in the given time. Otherwise without seeing your actual writing I have nothing to add. Good luck!

And I wouldn't worry about plaigarism. There are few ideas so shockingly original that they can be ripped off right from the first mention.