Rewind to last summer when I thought it would be "fun" and "cute" to take the course, Intro to Creative Writing, as an elective in school. I thought: Oh, this is right up my alley, maybe even an easy A. I was wrong. Ironically, this is one of my courses that I had to put the most effort in, so it was definitely a reality check.
I can't be too bitter about it, though, because I got a pretty good Creative Writing Portfolio out of it, including the short story I am sharing with you now. The idea of writing a short story, around 30 pages long, was extremely daunting to me, and I didn't know where to start or what to write about. Lucky for me, a screenplay-worthy story already exists in a life not too far from mine. My grandparents eloped in the 60s, and because I didn't feel enough creativity to create my own plot, that's what I rolled with. However, the story took a turn of its own and formed into one that was almost all crafted from fiction, with only bits and pieces referencing the story of my grandparents. Let's just say, I got lucky. I basically winged it throughout the whole writing process, spent hours on this rather than focusing on my other finals, did many revisions, and thankfully, it worked out in the end. By no means is it perfect, and this is the first story I have ever written, but it always feels nice to complete something that always seemed unattainable.
The story, How to Not Be A Runaway, takes place in the suburbs of Philadelphia in the 1980s, and follows the teenage couple, Danny and Rosie. We get a glimpse into Danny's mind while he tries to cope with the long-lasting effects of his past trauma that are bleeding into his troubled home life. The only person that brings Danny happiness and a feeling of escape is his girlfriend, Rosie. In order to gain a grasp on life, Danny proposes to Rosie and suggests they elope. The story portrays the obstacles and conflicted emotions of their relationship, along with the growing pains that come along with the journey of self-acceptance.
Is that a good summary? Who knows, only you can tell me once you read it!
I hope you enjoy.
Oh, and Happy New Year!
Click the link below to read:
