I wanted to share the storyboard for my next YA story: Wicked Game.
The storyboard was made, I believe, last year. However, I never got a chance to share it on my blog. Wicked Game is an old-sort-of-newish story. I say old because when I wrote the first three chapters, the MC's background was Indian (as in South Asian/Desi) instead of Guyanese.
Why? It was easier writing the character as South Asian/Desi than explaining Indo-Caribbean/Indo-Guyanese/ West Indian/Guyanese.
Guyanese trace their ancestry back to India as well as England. Our culture and tradition are much like India but have a Caribbean fusion. Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America (formally British Guiana.) Miss Guyana 1967, Shakira Baksh (wife of British actor Michael Caine) placed 3rd in the Miss World pageant held in London. That was a huge recognition for us. Most of the time when I say "Jim Jones," then do people know what country I'm from--though I usually make people guess first. It's fun when I'm at work and my customers ask me where I'm from. I never tell them--I'll give hints, but if they don't get it, I tell them it's that's their homework; they have to come back and tell me once they know the answer. LOL.
Back on topic.
When I first began dabbling with writing, I would write about these super awesome young female Guyanese characters. However, it changed after learning the term "Mary Sue Character." Of course, my characters will be similar to me because who else will write about us? That term stuck with me for the longest. It was only last year that I decided I'm no longer going to let it stop me from writing characters who are like me.
I have many unfinished stories and new ones where the characters are Indian. However, I'm changing that and making them Guyanese. Each writer/author is part of something he or she writes--that story stems from his or her DNA (cue BTS! LOL.) But, with that being said, I say write what you want and don't be afraid of placing a part of your heart into that story to give it life.
Some will love it while others hate it.
Remember everyone looks at art differently.
A friend of mine, Sheri, reminded me that as a writer, I start with a blank page--it's my canvas. I have to tell the story the way I see it. Aspiring writers, please remember that. We are writers, but we are artists, in a sense, when we sit in front of a blank page to write. That blank page is our canvas.
Now. The storyboard! I am so excited about this story! MC is an ambitious, headstrong, passionate young Guyanese girl whose dream is to become an astronaut. However, she's still far away from achieving that dream, and her first step is getting through her senior year of high school. It sounds easy, but when she catches the attention of the most popular boy in school, things become intriguing. She has zero interest in being in a relationship or having a boyfriend because she wants to focus solely on her studies--plus her gut feeling in not trusting him was right. Everything to him is a game including her.
See, I'm horrible at explaining the story I'm writing LOL. However, I really do believe and feel that this IS the story--the one that will land me an agent and a book deal.
The current goal is to have it completed before the next PitMad event in September. I'm going to do the best I can. I'm eight chapters in so far--plus, I've gotten a few future chapter scenes written. The problem is time. It's a challenge with working full time and also studying. I just got to keep it in prayer.
I do hope the storyboard tickles some interest in people wanting to read this story.
Stay safe & God Bless.
Kindest Regards,
Mischa
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