Prologue
I created a fictional story about a woman, Mae, who finds herself single after ten years of marriage. Tony, her husband, has left her for a younger woman. This is all very cliché', but Mae feels her life is a cliché'- so it fits. Mae is going through a transition; from a somewhat insecure and vulnerable person to finding herself and feeling strong and happy alone. Another key issue in Mae's life is "identity." When Mae's husband divorced her, she lost her identity; she was no longer "Tony's wife." The story will revolve around Mae's transition into her new, single life, and finding her new identity as a strong and independent woman.
The story is my story in many ways. The "facts" and events in the story may not be accurate; however, there is "truth" in the experience. Mae's growth and transformation, is mine. Her struggles have been my struggles. I wanted to show her broken, because I've been broken. I wanted to show her rising
and falling, stumbling and getting back up, because that has been my experience. I also highlighted her insecurities, because I have been insecure - about my parenting, my relationships, my writing - and especially, this project. I wanted to show her exposed, because I was exposed as I posted each unfinished piece of this project. The YouTube videos in the beginning and end of the story symbolize
my feelings on writing the project. The story is as much about my writing process as it is about my personal growth- the two are intimately connected as writing has always been a major contributor to my development. Finally, I wanted to show that she emerged stronger for all of it, because I am stronger. Mae moved from powerless victim, to knowing that power and choice lie within.
The story includes several different genres of writing, from poetry to parody. There are elements of sarcasm, because I'm an Italian and I live in South Jersey - it's what we do. I've used two pieces from other classes; the poem beginning with Alone in quiet darkness that I wrote for my Writing Poetry course this semester, and the Prenuptial Agreement that I wrote for Writer's Mind in Spring of 2011. Both pieces fit the story. The poem falls into place nicely after Mae learns of her husband' infidelity. The prenuptial agreement is a satirical piece which inspired the divorce decree that I wrote for Twitterive.
I used music throughout the story because music has always been an important element in my life. As far back as I can remember, music has been an outlet for me. I've always used music and lyrics to enhance my emotional state: to lift me up, to increase my joy when I'm happy, or to let me wallow in sorrow when I'm sad. Music and wine, music and dancing, music and friends, music and me - it all
works. There is a song for every memory or every emotion I've ever had. Each title and sub-title throughout the story is derived from song lyrics or titles, and the songs express the emotions in those portions of the story. I linked each title and sub-title to the music video or lyrics of the songs.
One final note, don't take the story too seriously, as I never take myself all that seriously. Think of it as Harlequin Romance meets Rodney Dangerfield meets The Notebook - there's a little risqué, a lot of sarcasm, and a touch of romance.
The story is my story in many ways. The "facts" and events in the story may not be accurate; however, there is "truth" in the experience. Mae's growth and transformation, is mine. Her struggles have been my struggles. I wanted to show her broken, because I've been broken. I wanted to show her rising
and falling, stumbling and getting back up, because that has been my experience. I also highlighted her insecurities, because I have been insecure - about my parenting, my relationships, my writing - and especially, this project. I wanted to show her exposed, because I was exposed as I posted each unfinished piece of this project. The YouTube videos in the beginning and end of the story symbolize
my feelings on writing the project. The story is as much about my writing process as it is about my personal growth- the two are intimately connected as writing has always been a major contributor to my development. Finally, I wanted to show that she emerged stronger for all of it, because I am stronger. Mae moved from powerless victim, to knowing that power and choice lie within.
The story includes several different genres of writing, from poetry to parody. There are elements of sarcasm, because I'm an Italian and I live in South Jersey - it's what we do. I've used two pieces from other classes; the poem beginning with Alone in quiet darkness that I wrote for my Writing Poetry course this semester, and the Prenuptial Agreement that I wrote for Writer's Mind in Spring of 2011. Both pieces fit the story. The poem falls into place nicely after Mae learns of her husband' infidelity. The prenuptial agreement is a satirical piece which inspired the divorce decree that I wrote for Twitterive.
I used music throughout the story because music has always been an important element in my life. As far back as I can remember, music has been an outlet for me. I've always used music and lyrics to enhance my emotional state: to lift me up, to increase my joy when I'm happy, or to let me wallow in sorrow when I'm sad. Music and wine, music and dancing, music and friends, music and me - it all
works. There is a song for every memory or every emotion I've ever had. Each title and sub-title throughout the story is derived from song lyrics or titles, and the songs express the emotions in those portions of the story. I linked each title and sub-title to the music video or lyrics of the songs.
One final note, don't take the story too seriously, as I never take myself all that seriously. Think of it as Harlequin Romance meets Rodney Dangerfield meets The Notebook - there's a little risqué, a lot of sarcasm, and a touch of romance.
Click here ----------> Chapter 1
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