9.1 KiB
Book Outline:
Working Title: The Difference Between an Idiot and a Moron
Step I -- the 'Big Idea':
'Adir's spectacularly mediocre lifestyle is unsuprisingly jeopardised when he's drafted into nature's dumbest animal -- the military'
Step II -- Plot Outline:
I. The Big Idea
"Adir proudly leads a nice, coushined life: he's chosen his future profession, he hangs out at his friend's house every now and then, and he kinda likes serving coffee to nice strangers. Obviously ready for an outstanding grown-up life, he's drafted into the military like everyone else his age, perfectly prepared to complete his civil duty and achieve the 'Meaningful Service'."
II. Structure:
I. The Naivete
"Yes, I'm just going to tell them I'll do whatever. I like hard work. It's going to be so cool!"
II. First Contact with The Beast
"No, I never jaywalked. Should I have said I had to get a good role?"
III. I'm Not Scared; I'm Amused!
"Hey, look! The're giving us guns! It's so cold! Cool! I don't need that much sleep!"
IV. Big Things Are Coming
"Yes, I'm learning computers. It's very difficult, because we'll be the center of the universe."
V. ...Big Things Are Coming, Right?
"This is just a temporary stopgap. It doesn't stay this boring. Right?"
VI. Of Course I Have A Say! I'm Just Being Civil.
"Now that we smoothed things out and compromised, that big role is coming!"
VII. I'm Starting To Think It's Best We Seperate. ['Bleakest Moment']
"I'm just going to Uni real quick. You guys don't mind, right?"
VIII. Nature's Dumbest Animal
"You have got to be kidding me."
IX. How Is This Still Going On?
"I have no shame, nothing to prove, and will never get up from this beanbag"
X. Your Maw Stinks But So Does Mine
"So long, and thanks for -- um, nevermind"
Summarized:
Act I-IV -- The Naivete
Act V-VII -- The Helplesness
Act VII-X -- Belly of the Beast
III. Characters:
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The Protagonist:
What does the character want/need? Why?
Just like everyone twice his age, Adir just wants things to line up nicely, and to be left in relative peace in his comfort zone.
What/Who is preventing that?
The country's sacred tax that all citizens go through three years of stupid, and it's enforcers insistince that you see how awesome it is, too.
What personal flaws does this reveal? How does it hinder?
Appearently, Adir's gentle mediocre soul is of an idealist mule, and Adir is a smug, selfish idiot.
What will be done to accomplish the goals?
Every loop hole, mental shortcut, and all stages of depression will desperately attempt to seize control of the situation.
What qualities emerge?
The smug, selfish idiot idealist mule becomes an extremely smug, passively selfish, sobered up idiot idealist.
IV. Plot:
Adir is quite the standard, mild and boring teenager/young adult -- he's just finished highschool, awaiting his drafting into the military, just like everyone else. He's lined up a suprisingly good role in the military because he eagerly told the Human Resources Commander Who Is Not An Officer he likes assembling computers to play video games on, and because he went to those prep things. He won't have as much time to play it now, but it's okay, because afterwards he's scheduled himself to go forth, earn lots of money, fund his Biotech degree and go about saving the world.
Here comes the Sacred Cow, and that 'Meaningful Service' everyone's on about. What could go wrong?
V. Setting:
The story takes place in a series of ridicolous army bases -- the Spring Buds Rookie Base, the Defense Force Cyber Academy of Computing Proffessions, the Hutspace Base Cluster, The Borough, and finally, Job Field Airbase. While fundamentally different, each is a manifestation of a trait of the army -- the pointlesness, the false hopes, the neglect, the arrogance, and a mix of all.
VI. Main Characters:
Adir -- a soft, unwisened but optimist teen who seeks to lead a meaningful life, and do so fairly comfortably. He sees himself as an iron wall -- whatever he decides comes to be -- but that doesn't mean he's looking for confrontation. Or does it.
Gilad Ben David -- while they share a core, Gilad is Adir's military opposite -- he's wisened up and pragmatic, held fairly high -- but not too high -- by his commanders, and always willing to just keep his head down until everyone just shuts up -- his greatest wish. He is just as bitter, and though he'll never admit it -- just as passionate.
Yoav -- upbeat, brilliant, sensetive, fiercy loyal and ill-lucked, Yoav is constantly trampled by the military's worst, who take advantage of his non-confronting nature. He's almost helpless -- but he always sticks up for his friends despite his own real troubles and self doubts.
Max - severely depressed and hit worst by the army's blaring insensitivity, max has a soul like no other -- rife with wit, cynicism, unbeliveable resillience and lots of great memes. He is the greatest passive-agressor known to man.
Ana - A periphery girl in all her heart, Ana has grown up in the military and can't see what all the bad fuss is about. She is incredibly fair, reasonable and welcoming, which throws absolutely everyone off guard -- to her confused dismay. Life absolutely refuses to give her a break.
Gilad Henessee -- A recently promoted officer who believes in discipline, values of service and properly shined shoes, which naturally makes him Adir's archnemessis and generally dislikeable to all. Gilad has taken a sacred vow to educate Adir to the greatness of the military, while Adir has taken a sacred vow to make Gilad at least as miserable as he is at all times.s
Ronen -- a salt of the earth, blindly positive and very highly self-esteemed NCO in command of Adir's Job Field Squad. Ron sees himself as the penultimate educator, and his soldiers as gooselings to take under his wings. Ron is absolutely fantastic and very kind, so long as you lead your life and service exactly as he graciously envisions them for you.
Johnny -- if the army's a game, then Johnny is the MVP -- and he's stayed here so long because he knows how to put out fires. Just keep it down, and he'll cut you a deal -- so long as you remember he sets the price. His ultimate goal is to retire early to a fat pension -- help, and you're a friend. Hinder, and you'll find out who really is the commander.
Current Outline
The book will constantly go back and forth between the three acts -- Naivete, Helplesness, and the Belly of The Beast. Within each part, the plot will be somewhat linear -- but events will reference each other across acts.
Opener [4]-- Adir wakes up particularly grumpy after a Job Field Saturday, desperate for peace, when a drill -- the absolutely worst day -- starts.
Link: Character Contrast
Chapter I [An Elephant Tranquiliser To Remenber]-- Undrafted Adir is working the afternoon at the coffeeshop and chatting with his coworker. They reminecse about this peaceful time against his upcoming drafting. He folds it up at the end of the day feeling satisfied with a day's work, and excited for the future.
Chapter I [Go Home, Kid] -- Adir goes through the transition from a CFDS to a rookie in a turbulent day -- his very first contact with the beast.
Link: Needle bruise in Adir's shoulder
Chapter II [The New Cyber] -- Adir writes his first stupid poem in service -- one of many -- about the new Cyber coursemates which everyone seems to hate. He is struggling to keep his initial optimism, and the course's intensity wears him down despite support from his coursemates.
Link:
Chapter III [The Grand Computing Conference Room] -- In the midst of a surprise drill, Adir rallies up his squadmates and then his platoonmates, where they try to escape the amok of the commanders. These encounters bring to light Adir's troubled relationship with his commanders.
Link:
Chapter IV [Machine Is Perfect] -- Adir is at the gunrange, at a day which encompasses the quintessential rookie experience. He starts coming into grips with the incident, from which begins his slow sinking.
Link: Miserable Dinner
Chapter V [Cat Fall Break Ceiling Again] -- Adir is eating a late miserable supper with a few of his coursemates, reminescing about the gunrange, how stupid it's been and how it's all about to get better. He is reminescing about this from the Pit, writing a stupid poem.
Link: From Pit to Post-Exile
Chapter VI [Tears of the CSU] -- Adir returns from a long exile into his first day at Job Field airbase. Wounded and solitary, he establishes a relationship of trust with his squadmates and his commanders -- only one of which will last.
Link: New Beginnings -- first and last stop.
Chapter VII [Touchscreen Showers] - Day old rookies at the Spring Buds Rookie Base are awaiting their promised transfer out to INBA City, where they'll enjoy touch screen showers and waffles. The days go by until they realise that bus isn't coming.
Link: Wretched Bus.
Chapter VIII [Line 6] -- Adir goes through the ordeal of getting to the wretched Hutspace base complex, only to arrive and realise no one noticed his absence. He stays the weekend in comfort at the 'office', only for everything to sink in when he makes his way home, bleeding randomly.