Reflection 1

     I have decided on a “novella” format for my project, as it is much more definite and “success” can be more easily defined than in the vaguely described proposal. I want this novella to stand for something and not just be a carbon-copy work of fiction written to make money or to gain attention. Originality is also a significant necessity, as creativity is the basis of most successful writing.

     This week, I spent my time in and out of class brainstorming ideas for said novella (though said time was limited due to a drastic increase of work I missed while I was sick); despite pneumonia-induced setbacks, I have come up with several ideas for the plot of the novella-in-progress. My personal favorite, and the one that shows the most potential, takes place in a pseudo-fantasy world slowly slipping into death. Civilization has long since collapsed, and the humans that survive fight over the few remaining resources to continue their meager existence. The plot centers on a small group of battle-hardened and weary survivors directed by a silent, disturbing spirit known as “The Carrion Man” who collects their bodies and souls when they die. Each “adventurer,” as I will undoubtedly end up referring to them as, each represents a different flaw of humanity: for example, a previous highwayman may symbolize greed, an insane doctor will sacrifice anyone and everyone around him in his pursuit of knowledge, a once-famed man is a braggart and a drunkard, and so on. It needs to be a dark story, relatively simply written (simple, but not unintelligent or dull; similar to The Road) but with a wide vocabulary. Other story ideas are not developed enough to reflect upon at this time, but the current tale—possibly called “The Carrion Man” or “A Trail of Carrion”—is most likely the one I will turn into the final product of this project.