I am taking a writing class with hopes of getting better at writing for middle school-aged kids. Right now, I'm thinking about the theme friendship-- or more specifically BEST FRIENDS. I recall feeling pressure to have a best friend and wanted to explore that.
The main character of my story is a vivacious 9-year-old girl named Lenny. I know Lenny pretty well because she was the main character in my last story too. That story was a failure and I didn't think I'd see Lenny again. Turns out that unlike me, Lenny doesn't give up so easily. Here's the gist of her new story..
Lenny has lots of friends but starts feeling insecure by other people's reaction because she doesn't have a best friend. She observes her friends who have succeeded in finding a best friend and tries to become more like them. She vows to: -learn to like tacos and sushi more than cheeseburgers -improve grades, -learn left from right, -stop wasting time making dumb videos, -giggle at everything as often as possible -change her disgusting, sneaker shoelaces once and for all, and then perhaps she'll finally be enough to find a best friend. Her friends Dolly, Peg, and sister Ellie are always there to help Lenny out in a pinch. We'll meet Diva, a charismatic neighbor who goes to a different school and the not-so-charismatic crossing guard's son Tommy aka Thomas Hardboiled Egg.
I'm really eager to draw her friends. Here are some super rough sketches from her last story with her buddy Kelly. Let's hope this story takes us to the finish line.
Some other themes within the story..
Acceptance
Belonging
Community
Conformity
Fear
Goals
Gratitude
Humility
Independence
Individuality
Interdependence
Isolation
Kindness
Loneliness
Self Discipline
Self Esteem
Tolerance
Willpower