A father's redemptive arc

[Joe Washington]

In my story (yes that one), I've decided to let the father not die of cancer and instead spend the rest of the story making efforts to repair his deeply strained relationship with his children. I'm trying to figure out how to do this without making the father's redemption feel too easily gained and the children too easily won over. How do you suggest I do that? How much time should I spend on the father's redemptive arc?

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I think you might be approaching this the wrong way. The situation may be too far gone for all his kids to be willing to forgive him and accept him into their lives again. It shouldn't be easy for him to get back in--he should be rebuffed repeatedly. And even then, there's no guarantee he will succeed.

In the end, though, he can only forgive himself for any wrongs he's done. He can't rely on the forgiveness of others. Has he truly changed? Is he really a better person for his experiences? Those are the questions that matter in terms of redeeming him.

 

[sidious618]

I'm starting to wonder if you're having us on with this novel. There sure seem to be a lot of big plot threads in it.

 

[gturner]

I think you need to make him die sceaming from rectal cancer for criticizing Sean Penn's Haitian relief mission. You could have him do it from a prison cell, where he's doing hard time for calling Hugo Chavez a dictator.

That would make the story edgy and politically relevant, with Hollywood overtones.

"Do I hope that those people die screaming of rectal cancer? Yeah." -- Sean Penn

"Every day, this elected leader [Chavez] is called a dictator here, and we just accept it and accept it. And this is mainstream media, who should - truly, there should be a bar by which one goes to prison for these kinds of lies." -- Sean Penn

 

[Joe Washington]

sidious618:

Because I'm plan on making this a series, which gives me room to have these kinds of plot threads. And I've decided not to put my story in book form. I'll have it in TV form, web form, or comic form. Either way, I'm making it a visual story.

And this isn't a lie or a joke. I do intend on making this story a reality and believe me when I say I would value any of you guys' comments on this. I'm really desperate for people's thoughts.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

sidious618:

Because I'm plan on making this a series, which gives me room to have these kinds of plot threads. And I've decided not to put my story in book form. I'll have it in TV form, web form, or comic form. Either way, I'm making it a visual story.

And this isn't a lie or a joke. I do intend on making this story a reality and believe me when I say I would value any of you guys' comments on this. I'm really desperate for people's thoughts.

Do you know how to make a TV show, or draw, or use Flash?

 

[SiorX]

Have you considered a plotline about regenerating Velociraptors? One of them could have a drug problem.

Everything is cooler with raptors.

 

[Joe Washington]

Robert Maxwell: No, I don't have much, if not any, experience in doing of those things which means I would have to work on it with some people whichever way I decide to go with the story.

 

[Kestra]

If this is for real, you might want to consider dropping back to your own experiences instead of relying as much on other people's. Or do proper research and read other books on these particular situations. Write what you know.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Robert Maxwell: No, I don't have much, if not any, experience in doing of those things which means I would have to work on it with some people whichever way I decide to go with the story.

If you're going to work with others, it's best to get them on board sooner rather than later. Very few people are going to want to help you get your pet project off the ground, not when they have zero stake in it.

 

[Joe Washington]

I already have someone in mind but in my meantime, I'm working on refining the story's outline and the father's redemption plays a role in the story, which I want to make effective so the audience would be moved by it.

 

[Joe Washington]

I already have someone in mind but in my meantime, I'm working on refining the story's outline and the father's redemption plays a role in the story, which I want to make effective so the audience would be moved by it.