Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Worst Possible Scenario

Some of you know that I love writing. Last year I attended the BYU Writer's Conference and that was incredible. I loved every minute of it, and if I can swing it, I'd love to go again this year. I've started about 6 novels. Started. Finished? Nope, I said "started." I'm not sure how to finish them. Mainly, I have a good idea, but I then I don't really know where to go with it...things change. I've lost my vision too many times. So, I pose this question and earnestly seek any suggestions:

* What is the worst possible scenario that you can imagine for a teenager?
* What is a teenager's biggest fear?
* What is the worst thing that could ever happen for a high school kid?


It can be funny or sad or scary or whatever. I have had some thoughts, like I said, I've started about 6 novels, but it's not getting me anywhere. So, tell me. Think back. It could be something you experienced, or a friend, or completely hypothetical. And hey, if your idea sparks something and I get published, I'll dedicate it to you. And, if a movie is made from the book, you can walk the red carpet with me! (Didn't I just post about big dreams the other day? Well, a girl can't just have one. And if I do win that house in Sonoma, I need to have the big bucks to pay for living expenses...so a movie made after my book is actually quite appropriate considering the current situation of dreams.)

10 comments:

Heidi said...

To answer all three questions--something embarrassing. Oh--you want specifics! Hmmmm, something embarrassing. Mom can die and that would be harsh but if she died in a weird stupid embarrassing way that everyone knew about, wayyyyyy worse. Kids are pretty shallow that way.

Erin said...

I remember one day, it had rained earlier in the day. I was outside of the school one day, and I was flirting with a guy, and started walking down the hill to my car and slid on the wet grass and had brown mud stains all on my butt and everyone was laughing. :) That was pretty bad. haha

Emily said...

I think the ultimate teenage nightmare is when a group of kids befriends you under false pretenses only to make fun of you at some event. Like Drew Barrymore in Never Been Kissed. Remember when the guy came to pick her up for prom and then threw eggs at her on her front porch? That is the kind of stuff that makes me want to cry.

Lant Family said...

I guess when I think of these questions now I am thinking more as a parent. I am also not thinking like any of the other comments. I think any stupid mistake--Drugs, alchohol, sex resulting in pregnancy or anything like that. Of course they can be worked out but these things really change a family. I was thinking just today about a boy who I went to HS with and he was a real athlete and everything. One day he skipped school with some friends and went to the gas staion to get a soda and they were in a car accident. This accident completely changed his life. He was seriously injured and was in a coma for a very long time. He will never be the same--he has brain damage. To me that was a stupid mistake, skipping and no seatbelt with careless driving! I Just think something like that would be so sad and really change the family and for sure the teenagers life.

Cristine said...

I think a fear/worry all teenagers have in common is worrying about not being accepted.(I am a horrible speller, so right now I'm wondering if it is excepted or accepted...this is why I am not writing a book.) :) Cristine

nateandrebecca said...

I agree that not being accepted is horrible for a teenage. Actually, its bad for people all over of all age groups. Not being accepted and being the laughing stock of a school or class is particularly bad. I think it is a real fear for most teenagers. If it wasn't, peer pressure wouldn't be such a factor. Nobody wants to feel alone or ostracized. I struggled with having friends all through school, and I know of others who had similar situations as well. People will pretend to be your friend on the surface and do whatever they can to deface you when you aren't looking. Or sometimes they do this in front of your face in such a way that completely humiliates you, like having a "friendly" conversation in front of a bunch of other people that's entire purpose is to make you look really bad. Sometimes they go back and forth between being your "friend" and treating you like dirt. After being horrible to you they apologize for the mean things they have done and are suddenly your "friend" again. I have had people tell me so many lies that I stopped believing anything any kid told me, even if it was true or they were actually trying to be nice or helpful.

mj said...

BRILLIANT! Thanks for your walking advice. I did keep getting nervous she would hurt herself with the pen.

And I'm a closet writer as well. Not of books, but of shorter articles, etc. I've considered freelance and have a "secret" writing blog. :) Sorry I don't have any ideas for you though. I'm pretty sure I wasn't a normal teenager. I was deathly afraid of getting bad grades. :)

The Utah Arthurs said...

The problem is I will be winning the house in Sonoma. Sorry!!

Anonymous said...

Yours and my dreams are very similar Jenny! I have many ideas for books too, but have never gotten them really started. One I did at least outline... one day I will get there. Hmmm. the worst thing that could happen to a teenage kid...Unfortunately I knew about 4 kids in Highschool who committed suicide. I didn't know them well, but at least knew of them. One kid was in my ward growing up. I have a cousin who had a best friend commit suicide and he really struggled with that. I believe he even attempted it. I think that would be a very terrible thing to have to deal with. I also know of someone else who desperately wanted attention so she began to cut herself and cipped safety pins through her skin just to get a rise out of people when she showed them. She was also bulemic. These are all very serious problems, but you asked for the worst things. These could be a few. You should read the teenage version of Chicken Soup for the Soul. It has LOTS Of stories about kids and the things they deal with. One of my favorites talked about a boy who's mother was a drug addict and kept getting pregnant. She used the money she got from welfare to feed her addiction and never took care of her kids. One day a man came after her and she took of leaving the kids to fend for themselves. The oldes was 9 - and there were four others. He basically raised the other 4 until he was the age of 18. Those books could give you the inspiration you are looking for. I loved them.

Anonymous said...

as a teenager i think the worst case scenario would be getting raped or something like that. i think that is way worse than not being accepted.

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