[Writingworkshop] outline / synopsis for novel

[Neale Morison]

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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