Each Tuesday, rather than a POSSIBLY IRRITATING ESSAY, I'd like to both challenge you and lend a helping hand. I generate more speculative and teen story ideas than I can ever use. My family rolls its collective eyes when I say, "Hang on a second! I just have to write down this idea..." Here, I'll include the initial inspiration (quote, website, podcast, etc.) and then a thought or two that came to mind. These will simply be seeds -- plant, nurture, fertilize, chemically treat, irradiate, test or stress them as you see fit. I only ask if you let me know if anything comes of them.
F Trope: heroes
Current Event: http://www.reallifesuperheroes.com/2011/07/05/nyx/
I know this is much like the previous entry in which I directed your attention to a similar subject last week – but these are people who dress in “outfits” like Flash and Green Lantern and other super heroes.
Now, I’ve read my fair share of comic books. I’ve worn my share of super hero outfits months after Halloween was over. I’ve even made paper masks from old grocery bags…
I was roundly laughed at and chased back into my bedroom until I “got real”.
So here we have heroes who DRESS the role – nicely I might add – who have no super powers or anything else to distinguish them from the rest of the masses of Humanity.
So here’s the challenge: in an average high school, in an average suburb, an average principal and an average teaching staff have pretty much let things slide and their school is lower-than-average. Kids get harassed (fat ones, skinny ones, GLBTC ones, jocks, geeks and well….everyone) until ONE finally gets tired of it.
No, he/she does NOT bring a gun to school and start shooting people. They read the website and come up with a solution. They become a hero…
WHO WAS THAT MASKED PERSON? What do they do and HOW do they do it?
2 comments:
Not to be a cynic, but I've been to that school and I've seen that student in action. They get reprimanded by the staff and administration. Although the cited reason is different, it is because they are disrupting the culture of the school.
Such a story would require the student to go to school board meetings to really shake things up. Frankly, the board wouldn't likely listen to him unless he offered "real solutions". (That means money.)
Recharging from his daddy's trustfund, the Green Student!
OTOH, a number of Masked Folks have been a) wealthy; and b) cynical.
As to disrupting the culture of the SCHOOL...what about the culture of the society that fosters sameness and mediocrity? Most schools are little more than mirrors reflecting the surrounding community, either a microcosm of "reality" or a continuation of "reality" writ small.
So -- take THAT! cynicism -- and see what you can grow when you heap more bs on it!
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