The Knowing
ACTION ADVENTURE BIOGRAPHICAL DRAMA EPIC FAMILY FOLKTALE FUNNY HISTORICAL FICTION
19th Century
Cherie Mitchell
Logline
The Beecroft family embark on a wagon train journey to California. This is no ordinary family as both Mary and Lucy have the gift of second sight. As they tackle the challenges of the trail, otherworldly assistance is there to support them - even through the sorrow of the ultimate tragedy.
Genre
Action,Adventure,Biographical,Drama,Epic,Family,Folktale,Funny,Historical Fiction
Short Summary
As Norton prepares to take his family to California, he is shocked to discover his daughter shares her mother's gift of the Knowing. His unease increases when he realizes his wife his hiding something from him - and that can only mean trouble ahead.
After facing numerous challenges and the devastating loss of Norton in the flooded Larambie River, the little family finally reaches the new settlement of Cutter's Mill. However, Norton and other beloved family members are still with them in spirit, ready to support, help and sometimes hinder.
Setting
The Oregon Trail /The CalifornianTrail
Based on a True Story
Yes
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth,Quest,Tragedy
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age,Happy Ending,Meaningful Message,Philosophical Questions
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Norton
Age: 30
Gender: Male
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Charming,Complex,Confident,Decisive,Engaging,Faithful,Flexible,Heroic,Honorable,Leader,Masculine,Modest,Obedient,Patriotic,Selfless,Skillful,Romantic,Strong Moral Code
Additional Character Details
Name: Mary
Age: 30
Gender: Female
Role: Mentor
Key Traits: Aspiring,Charming,Complex,Confident,Decisive,Empathetic,Engaging,Faithful,Flexible,Gracious,Heroic,Honorable,Leader,Modest,Obedient,Patriotic,Selfless,Outspoken,Visionary,Secretive,Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
Name: Lucy
Age: 11
Gender: Female
Role: emotional
Key Traits: Adventurous,Aspiring,Complex,Confident,Empathetic,Engaging,Insecure,Patriotic,Outspoken,Funny,Visionary,Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
Name: Nellie
Age: 60
Gender: Female
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Badass,Aggressive,Complex,Confident,Crazy,Decisive,Engaging,Villainous,Blunt,Outspoken,Funny,Sarcastic,Unapologetic
Development Pitch
Norton Beecroft is an honest and proud man. He loves his wife Mary, the girl he married on her sixteenth birthday, with a fierce passion despite his uneasiness over her gift of second sight. He dotes on his ten-year-old daughter Lucy and the six-month-old twins and he wants only the best for them all. In Norton’s opinion, a new life in California is what they deserve. Mary’s constant companion is her often cantankerous and sarcastically witty paternal grandmother, Nellie Jones, a woman who died some years ago. Unfortunately for Norton, she is coming along for the ride. The wagon train, a temporary community of mixed personalities who would never be likely to live in such close company under normal circumstances, sets off for California. The trip is arduous and long, and the external difficulties the party faces along the trail are complicated by continued troubles within the camp. The wagon train suffers its own share of tragedies and triumph until Mary takes Norton aside and finally tells him of what she has been afraid of all along; he is about to lose his own life and he must promise to return to her side once he passes over. He drowns during a dramatic and disastrous river crossing. At this point in the story, the tale switches to Lucy’s POV as she deals with the loss of her beloved father and her increasing acceptance of the Knowing’s place in her own life. The family finally reach the new settlement of Cutter's Mill and start to settle into a new life out West.