Jen Again

Sounds good Mike.

I'm not sure about my character quite yet. I keep trying to think about the meeting, and develope a character that works there, but I'm changing back to my original idea of all of us just developing a character that works for us, getting to know them, and when we 'meet' in the story, we'll let it play out. Also, what we may do when we get to the meeting point is each develope a non-Eye character to write for the wake/funeral. And that's how we'll craft the civilians and their dialogue. So I'm still thinking, but will introduce her (I am sure I want it to be a female).

The timeline sounds good, too. We definitely DO need the drinking scene, and the wake could work for that, too. And as far as romance, I totally think we have time.

I think it may help us all to agree on theme, so we're on the same wavelength as we write. I really want to use this to tease out the difference between online relationships vs. real life. I personally love stories that don't have an opinion and don't privelege one over the other. The just tease out the interesting differences and also where they overlap. The universal qualities of bonds, on or offline.

That said, obviously I don't plan on my character or anyone in her life 'stating' these things explicitly. I like the idea of the opening for all characters exposing and introducing their online time at PE, what it means to them, and how it fits into their online relationships (as Mike does with the dog, the book-lined wall, and the procrastinating his own writing—is that what you meant, mike?) That very simply and subtly hits on the theme of how we use online time. I love it.

I also like the idea of opening on a picture of a typical day or night at the Eye. Nothing about the death right away. Just to firmly establish WHY we're all there, which will help establish why we would go to the funeral. Does that make sense? The two will work together. If, for example, my character is at the Eye because she's going through a divorce and appreciates that she can talk about it anonymously there, perhaps the thing that will convince her to go is a big, finale-type fight just before she learns of the death.

And how will we all learn of the death? I personally like the idea of it being someone he knew in real life who jumps on and tells. Like Houseguest did with Stoney yesterday. I think that's perfect.

Thanks, Mike. Good starting points.

J