Paths
Logline
A loving mother of a college student, newlywed wife and full-time firefighter in the small community she grew up in, Stacy strives to find balance while holding on to her integrity. Throughout a summer of twists and turns, attitude is the ultimate challenge when others' choices affect all around.
Genre
Family,Romance,Other,Drama
Short Summary
Just as Stacy settles into the comforts of her changing life, WHAM! the first of many emotional punches to her gut begin. As summer opens so does the erratic behavior of a hidden past, the precious loss of life, a potentially fatal accident destined to destroy lives and truth that saves another.
A solid foundation doesn't always lead to a happy ending. Stacy finds herself by means she never thought conceivable and ultimately makes decisions for her own happiness and stability. Love actually can survive even after years on a path of dirt, rocks, puddles and potholes.
Setting
Central Florida
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Internal Journey/Rebirth
Plot - Other Elements
Happy Ending,Meaningful Message,Twist
Mature Audience Themes
Information not completed
Main Character Details
Name: Stacy Stevens
Age: 42ish
Gender: Female
Role: Logical
Key Traits: Faithful,Religious,Blunt,Selfless,Outspoken,Flexible,Gracious,Strong Moral Code,Leader
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Development Pitch
Combining my faith and heart for people, I have given everyone another glimpse into the life of Stacy Stevens, in Paths, a follow-up to my first book, Stages. Set in a small town in central Florida, Paths weaves a tale of mystery, love, action, faith and compassion by giving the reader a look at how connected a small town is. We learn through Stacy, just how integral one person can be to everyone around them, even if unintentionally. I want to keep you intrigued with my characters from beginning to end. In addition, the message of hope, love, faith and forgiveness never waivers in this absorbing story. There are plenty of options readily available for hate, violence, vulgarity and over-all negativity. However, what I see always selling and receiving good reviews (on streaming media) is a relatable feel-good story that actually hits multiple emotions and not leaving the viewer depleted. There doesn't have to be harsh language to tell a good story, look at the avengers! There doesn't have to be an active sex scene to be a good romance. People want to get lost for a few hours and yet feel they understand and "know" the characters true experiences. Millions of dollars are wasted on movies and shows that produce cancellations or 2 star ratings, due to poor content. Just as every parent will spend money on the newest animated feature, most adults will opt to watch a movie/TV show without worry of what their children will see and hear as the walk through the room
Genre
DRAMA
Brief
A newlywed woman finds herself in the middle of a dramatic turmoil when her husband goes out on an unannounced quest and a storm approaches the little town she lives in. In the end, with her marriage broken and away from her hometown, her son and her activities as a firefighter, she finally finds some peace and the promise of love in the future.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: FAIR
Characterization: GOOD
Commerciality: FAIR
Franchise Potential: FAIR
Pace: GOOD
Premise: FAIR
Structure: GOOD
Theme: FAIR
Accuracy of Book Profile
Yes, it is accurate, but the summary lacks some details and there are no descriptions for supporting characters.
Draw of Story
The concept of how what seems to be a dream life can go sour with a few decisions from some people around.
Possible Drawbacks
There are too many plots and subplots that aren't very important to the story but take a lot of the attention away from the main narrative.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
A mother and newlywed having to deal with so many unexpected changes to her life, that ends up being turned upside down.
Fanbase Potential
Not a large fanbase, but it could attract people looking for a more familiar, intimate drama.
Awards Potential
Not really, because the story feels a bit too melodramatic to earn Awards.
Envisioned Budget
MEDIUM BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
IT'S COMPLICATED - A MOVIE ABOUT A DIVORCED COUPLE THAT FINDS PASSION MANY YEARS AFTER BREAKING UP. MARRIAGE STORY - IN THE FILM, A COUPLE WHO STILL HAVE MUCH LOVE FOR EACH OTHER BREAK UP DUE TO IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES AND CONFLICTS.
What’s New About the Story
It is a story about a mother and wife who defies expectations professionally, but leads a common life, having to deal with the problems with people who surround her. It could further explore the protagonist's personality and develop the narrative less traditionally.
Lead Characters
Stacy is a loving and very courageous woman, who deals with her problems in a direct manner and tends to be strong-willed in most situations.
Uniqueness of Story
Not really. The general tone could be better worked upon in order for it to become more unique and interesting.
Possible Formats
Film - Streaming, Film - Indie
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
While the story has many positive points, it has room for improvement (see possible paths below). If you can't change the story at this point, my suggestion is using your notes as a guide to highlight the best aspects of it when taking the next steps, either putting a pitch page together, a treatment, or a presentation.
Tips for Improvement
First of all, the story should be told in a more unique manner. This doesn't mean that the author would have to make it more violent or "adult" in any way, but that the general atmosphere and the way characters act could be written to feel more personal and creative. The way it is now, while competently developed, it doesn't differentiate so much from many other books and narratives out there in the way it chooses to tell its story. Also, while there are reasons for the book's development to be broken into different points of view, something that surely helps telling every character's side of the story, this choice also makes the narrative more fragmentary and difficult to follow. In an adaptation, the viewer could be confused when trying to determine who is the protagonist. Therefore, while the choice is certainly valid and shouldn't be changed, the author should try to display more details that make clear that Stacy is indeed the main character. Getting her to do more and be more active in the central plots would be great. And finally, while Stacy's general arc is compelling, it is hard to not be more interested, for example, in Scott's journey to discover the truth about a tragedy from his past. This plot actually does overshadow the main arc throughout the book, an issue that should be reflected upon by the writer. She has to decide either if she wants to make this part of the narrative even more important or if she has reduce it so that the protagonist's arc doesn't feel like a letdown. The way it is now, the narrative seems a bit unbalanced.