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Here’s a different kind of snippet – the first few lines (very
much first draft i.e. written off the top of my head late last night!) of a new
novel that is rumbling around in my mind. The names are also ‘draft’ at
present.
“Nicholas Anthony
Delacroix? No way.”
After one glance at
the application form, Ellie Barton tossed it on the reject pile on the table.
There could only be one person with that name, and he was the last person she
wanted to employ.
Sarah, her assistant,
picked up the form. “You don’t like his name, huh?” She scanned the form and
her eyes widened. “Hey, come on, this guy sounds good. Started with the
National Youth Theatre, B.A in Drama at Goldsmiths, several roles at the
National Theatre and in touring productions, and some supporting roles in
television dramas. What’s not to like?”
Ellie could tell her why
but chose not to give her real reason. “With that resume, why is he applying
for a job teaching drama at a new Performing Arts School in a seaside town in the
north of England?”
Sarah shrugged. “He
wants some sea air? He’s always wanted to teach drama? Does it matter? You need
someone like him on your staff when you open your school. Think of the advertising,
even the articles in the local papers – “Star of Stage and Screen Comes to Town
to Teach Drama”. You can’t seriously be thinking of turning him down?
“I can, and I will.”
Her assistant’s eyes
narrowed. “Don’t tell me you had a mad passionate fling with him in your youth,
and he abandoned you for some sexy pop star.”
“I’ve never met him.”
“So why are you
refusing to consider him?”
Okay, that’s it. I have my ideas (some very vague, I admit!)
but here’s a challenge for you! Based on the fact that Ellie has never met him,
why is she so adamant about not employing him in her new Performing Arts
School? And why is he applying for the job when he has an obviously successful
acting career?
I’ll be interested to see if any of your ideas are anything
like mine!
An interesting problem! I think this is going to be a great read!
ReplyDeleteIt might be, if I can decide whereto go with it from here!
DeleteI think that although she doesn't know him, he does know of her. So maybe he has an ulterior motive because of something she inadvertently did years ago. .
ReplyDeleteNow that's the opposite from my thoughts, Margaret, as I was thinking it might be something he did, or caused accidentally, to one of her family.
DeleteI think Margaret has a good idea there. Approach it from a different angle!
DeleteI think he has a reputation she's aware of and wants to avoid. Or he's familiar with a friend of hers and she overheard something that makes her dislike him. As to why he's applying? To get away from the fame and the grind.
ReplyDeleteHis reputation is an interesting idea, Jen, but I want something stronger than simply disliking him. Agree about getting away from the fame, but again I'm thinking of something stronger than that!
DeleteHe broke the heart (or worse) of her best friend (or a friend's best friend). The unstable girl ended up killing herself
ReplyDeleteAnd she blames him, not knowing all the facts.
ReplyDeleteBlaming him (for something similar to what you said, Ana) without knowing all the facts is what I have in mind. And it might be a family member, and not just a friend! So many possibilities to choose from now :-)
DeleteI am tickled to find out why she dislikes him so much having never met him. The doing a family member wrong is a good angle for sure.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Starting a new project is always so much fun.