Mae, the protagonist, is "happily" married - or so she thinks, until she catches her husband, Tony, in the act. She goes through a long period of loss - depression, panic, depression, and then anger. Once she gets passed her initial shock, she is resolved to get her man back. Mae's best friend, Kate, who is single and happily sleeping her way through the new millenium, is going to coax Mae into living it up in order to make Tony jealous. Tony and Mae divorce, but that doesn't change Mae's plan.
After "living it up" and finding that it's just not her style, Mae will go through a long dry spell. She'll throw herself into her work and become strong through success. She'll overcome her insecurities and will have an epiphany where she realizes that she's okay, whether or not she has a partner. I don't like to end my stories in fairy-tale fashion where the heroine meets the man of her dreams. Mae will learn to be confident and at peace with herself. She and Kate will move to An Island in the Sun to start new lives - independent and happy.
QUESTIONS:
1. I like to use sarcasm, in writing and in life, is the narrator's tone too flippant in the opening scene? I don't want to discredit the narrator, at the same time, I don't want the story to be perceived as too serious. I would like the piece to have both satirical and serious elements. My intention is to have fun with this by mixing laughter with tears.
2. I realize that part of the storyline is cliche' - wifey catching her husband in the act - yet, as most cliche's go, it happens all the time. My life often feels like a cliche' and my character will admit to having those feelings within the story - does it work or lessen the story?
3. I think my "place" is transformation. Transitions are difficult and often cause people to re-examine their lives, their beliefs, and values. Is transition the place, or am I missing something?
4. Do the pictures in the first part of the story convey the emotions of depression, turbulence, fear, and anger?
5. Should I keep the diary entries between the pictures or use them some other place? Should I scrap them altogether? Are the pictures enough?
6. I used the diary entries to tell missing pieces of the story, should I have shown those missing parts some other way?
7. The Divorce Decree and the Prenuptual Agreement are both satirical pieces. I would like to convey that the words on the documents are Mae's perception and not the actual text. Is this understood or do I have to point it out to the reader? Does it matter if the reader gets it?