[Writingworkshop] outline / synopsis for novel

[Adam Holland]

Thanks for taking the time to read and comment so quickly, Neale.  You're an
inspiration as always
I've thought about both the sex aspect and the taboo aspect.  I hadn't
thought of getting all Studio 54 with it.  :)

As for breaking your body while training or racing the idea is that as soon
as the race is over, you're handing the body off to its purchaser, so you'd
want to avoid any permanent damage.  But there is probably something there.

I sure* hope *I can make the action adrenaline pumping, and not dry, or
overblown.

You're absolutely correct about th wish fulfillment.  the key being that
it's only available if you're willing to keep starting from scratch. Sort of
the opposite of Tithonus, who asked for immortality, but forgot to ask for
youth, so he stays alive and continues to age until he turns into a
grasshopper.


Thanks for the food for thought.

AH

On Mon, Jul 28, 2008 at 12:26 AM, Neale Morison <neale at nealemorison.com>wrote:

>  I really like this. A kind of SF motivational for the thinking person, a
> thought-experiment that shows that while the body is important, the mind is
> the key. The way you get the main point of the story to tie with the
> climactic moment in a race is excellent. Lots of visual and visceral
> excitement, adrenaline-pumping heart pounding action, then a Zen moment to
> fling us over the line. Some great wish-fulfillment, with the live forever,
> be young again, get your second chance. Nice defamiliarization with the
> clone tech grafted onto normal life.
>
> There are some side issues to the idea that struck me. There are bound to
> be some kind of right-to-lifers who think it says somewhere in Leviticus
> that you can't replace a mind, even on a clone. And if it's possible to
> replace your body, you can afford to break it in the final race, if not in
> training. Another barrier removed. And it's kind of seventies of me to say
> this, but there would surely be some weird sex opportunities with clones. Go
> fuck yourself takes on a totally new meaning. But, you know, don't muddy the
> purity of the original concept.
>
> Stories on somewhat related concepts:
> Kurt Vonnegut piece in Welcome to the Monkey House: Unready to Wear? -
> people discover how to slip out of their bodies and exist independently.
> **Never Let Me Go, (2005), novel by British author Kazuo Ishiguro. Just
> read it. Amazing book. Clones but no tech to speak of.
>
> The POV question is interesting. It would be fun to experiment with a clone
> blank brain POV. Stream of unconsciousness.
>
> Anyway, the outline is inspiring and I would love to see the book and the
> movie.
>
> Neale
>
> Adam Holland wrote:
>
> Hi, everyone.
> I finally got off my ass and started trying to put some stuff down on
> paper.
> So far it is bordering on stream of consciousness, but something is better
> than nothing, and I can always refine it.
> Can't edit blank pages.
>
> I attach the long-ish outline I wrote for Joe last fall.
> I think it pretty much covers everything I'd like to accomplish, in terms
> of the themes and ideas I'm trying to express.
> If you want, I can get you what Joe had to say about it, but just like in
> workshop, I'd prefer to hear your ideas first.
>
> I'm interested in anything anyone has to say, but will say up front that my
> main stumbling block right now is the overall structure.
>
> I do not think it can be told in one narrative voice, (althought sometimes
> I think it could work in first person, like a detective story)  but am not
> sure what the multiple voices would or should be, and whose.
>  I think each interwoven thread will probabaly have a different voice, but
> again, whose?
>
> some of this is defintiely going to be in first person/ the protsgonist.
> But some could conceivably be first person, someone else, like a reporter
> or something, or the guy's wife.
> There's probably a place for some 3rd person omniscient as well.
>
> So, thoughts on that would be especially welcome.
>
> also, how much detail you think is necessary about the tech making this
> possible.  I'm leaning towards almost none, but it could be fun to talk
> about it a little.
>
> finally, I am not sure from how far into the future past th events in
> question to tell the story, if at all.
>
> Looking forward to hearing what you have to say,
>
> Adam
>
>
> --
> The anticipation of outcome guarantees, if not failure, the absence of
> grace.
>
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> --
> Neale Morison
> neale at nealemorison.com
> http://www.nealemorison.com
> 35 Frazer St, Leichhardt NSW 2040
> +61 417 661 427
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-- 
The anticipation of outcome guarantees, if not failure, the absence of
grace.
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