OCA Part 5 Project 4 Ex 3 Part 2

The Middle

"Where is it where is it?" Diana's voice rose as she began to panic.
"What's wrong dear?" her mother asked as she peered around the half open door.
"I can't find my key mum, have you seen it?" Diana rummaged frantically in the shoe box.
"What key dear? I don't go anywhere near your things." As her mother left the room Diana emptied the contents of the box onto the floor. The trinkets and small prices of paper landed on the old fraying carpet. She sifted through the scattered items, her fingers searching desperately for the key.

Holding back the tears now welling in her eyes it began to dawn on her that she couldn't remember when she had last seen it. As she lent against the side of the bed the tears began to flow down her cheeks.

"Ive brought you a cup of tea dear, oh..." Her mother put the cup down on the bedside cabinet and sat down on the side of the bed. Diana lay her head on her mothers leg and sobbed.
"It's gone mum, I can't find it."
"Shhh....we'll find it, it must be here somewhere." Her mother stroked her hair.

The familiar feelings of panic began to rise in her chest as she gasped for air. Her mother, sensing the onset of an attack ran from the room and returned with a small paper bag. Diana breathed into the bag while her mother rubbed her back.

"Oh Di, come on dear, that's it, slowly."

When Diana had finally calmed down she surveyed the mess around her.

"I'm so sorry mum, it's just, it's all I have left."

"I know dear. You don't think Gareth took it do you?"

Until that point, Diana hadn't even considered that her son would have taken it.

"No....surely not....I don't think I ever told him about it, well, perhaps when he was little..."

Diana stopped mid sentence. "No, he wouldn't."

"Wouldn't what dear?"

Diana turned to her mother, a look of horror on her face.

"Go to Italy?"

OCA Part 5 Project 4 Ex 3 Part 1

The Character:

Diana Rogers is 41 years old. She works as a housekeeper for a City Banker who owns a large house in Hampstead. Divorced, she has 1 son (Gareth) who is at Uni studying English Lit. When he comes home he stays at his grandmothers, Diana's mums. Diana's employer is a Mr Windsor who lives alone, is also divorced and in his late 50's. She has her own room in the house but most of her possessions are stored at her mothers.

Her ex husband isn't the father of her son, their relationship broke down when she had an affair and became pregnant. She's had a few relationships since, but nothing serious.

Her son was conceived in Italy, where she and her husband were working at a hotel. She had an affair with an Italian man who also worked at the hotel.

She enjoys reading and gardening but gets little spare time. On her days off she takes her mum out shopping, they are very close.

Petite, she has mousy brown hair and blue eyes but wears little makeup. She wears a small pair of gold stud earrings and is most at home in jeans and trainers. She hates getting dressed up.

She has a best friend called Leah who she has known since school. They speak regularly on the phone but only get chance to meet up every few months as Leah has 5 children.

Diana is an only child, very quiet and private. She suffers from OCD when it comes to cleaning, something that suits Mr Windsor very well.

She likes classical music and as a child was very talented at playing the piano. She drives a Fiesta (that comes with the job) and loves her job....it gives her a sense of purpose.


The Item:

I was given a list of items, talismans, things that could be important to a character. For Diana, I chose the "key".

Why is this item do important to the character?

It's all she has as a reminder of the man she loved in Italy, her sons father.

What is the history of this item in relationship to the character?

It was given to her by the man she loved in Italy, at the time he said it was the key to his heart. She's had it for 19 years. She was so in love with him, and to a certain extent, still is......

Why is this item such a strong need?

It reminds her of her youth. Happy sunny days in Italy. It reminds her of the love she felt for Gino (might change that....but I can't keep calling him the Italian lol) and the love he showed her. She'd only been married to her ex for 18 months and the marriage was doomed from the start (he was a womaniser). They would of parted anyway, the affair with Gino and pregnancy just speeded things up.


Soooo....now I have to create a scene which is kind of in the middle of the story, where she's lost the key.......

OCA Part 5 Project 4 Ex 2

Beginnings: Dialogue

"I can't do this anymore Ross." She stuttered as the tears ran down her face. I felt ashamed, guilty. I tried to hold her.
"Don't touch me you bastard. You promised me. I won't do it again you said." She pulled the suitcase from under the bed and unzipped it ferociously.
"Woah, hold on Sally, please don't leave." I begged.

"I don't like it Mark. Can we go home now?"
"Oh for gods sake Beth, this was your idea, let's go camping you said."
"I know, I know." Beth whined as she wriggled in her sleeping bag.

"Please don't slurp your soup, people are looking." James ignored his mothers scornful look as the waiter poured them each a glass of Chardonnay.

OCA Part 5 Project 4 Ex 1

Beginnings: A Sense of Place

Two am on New Years day. The odd drunken part goer making their way home through the deserted streets. The fireworks, all finished, just their smoke hangs in the air. The New Year has finally arrived bringing with it new beginnings, a time for change. The old year hurries out the back door as she sits quietly in the dark, watching the Christmas tree lights twinkle.

"Ashes to ashes,funk to funky." Bianca sings as she hurtles down the motorway. Her hair blowing behind her like a jet stream. The car windows wound down fully to take advantage of this close August day.

The tube was packed as usual and Val had to stand. Her feet ached, her husband had told her this morning that she'd regret wearing those heels to work.

The man lay on the bed, half way between life, and death. His mother sat on the hard wooden chair next to him and sobbed quietly. The room was stark. A bed, small bedside cupboard, and the chair, now occupied by the plump blubbering woman. The smell of disinfectant was overpowering, masking the sweet scent of the tulips she was holding.

The rain splashed onto the road, rebounding onto my stockined legs as I walked the short distance from the crematorium to the large hole that had been dug for you .

OCA Part 5 Project 3 Exercise

I chose to use a story board for this exercise. I've never used the technique before and it was far from being a success lol. I don't think it really works for short stories. I probably could have gone into more detail, but, I dunno, I just didn't gel with it :o(

OCA Part 5 Project 2 Ex 1 Part 2

Poor old Stephen......

He discovers that his wife Emma is having an affair with a single dad she met on the school runs. He discovers this when he comes home late (as usual) one night and there is a note from Emma on the kitchen table. She says how tired and worn out she feels. That she feels neglected and sought attention from somewhere else. She apologises and says she's going away for a while, to get her head straight and decide what she wants to do. She'll be staying with HIS parents in Spain. Stephen is more angry than heartbroken and when the au pair quits the following morning, he suddenly realises that he'll be doing the school run. Perhaps that's not so bad, he can try to find out which one of the dads has been sleeping with his wife and punch him!

So, poor Stephen has now found himself in the position of being carer for 5 children he doesn't even know. How will he cope? How quickly can he find another au pair? What about the business? And of course, will Emma come back, if he changes his way? ;o)

Really enjoyed doing this one, and it just goes to show, if you create a character, then apply a 'What if?' you can end up with a whole story :o)

OCA Part 5 Project 2 Ex 1 Part 1

This exercise was to use a character I've created and apply a 'What if?'

The character I have chosen is one I created recently:

Stephen Saunders:
Owns a cider making business in Kent. It's been a family business since the early 1800's and he's very proud of it. Married to Emma, they have 5 children aged from 18 months up to 10 years. Stephen spends as little time as possible at home, preferring the company of his apples. He has a very hands on approach to business and can often be found in the orchards. Emma complained that he was no help around the house so he got her an au pair. Standing 6 foot 4 in bare feet, he is heavily built (overweight Emma says) with a receding hair line. He looks his age, 43, and his hair is greeting at the sides. Large brown bushy eyebrows that he plucks, over deep set hazel eyes, he is not the most attractive of men, but seems to get a lot of attention from the ladies. Always dressed smartly, he is Mr Charm personified, and even old Gertie the tea lady blushes when she hands him his morning tea and biscuits. He has 2 sisters, who take no interest in the business and 5 years ago his parents moved to Spain to enjoy their retirement, leaving him in charge. In his spare time he plays golf and once a month takes his BMW for a spin round the track at Brands Hatch. He has a fiery temper, and is very strict with his children. He likes to get his own way and must always be right, especially at home. Often spending time in London, repping, he has been known to use lap dancing clubs and prostitutes. He always pays with cash so that nothing shows up on the company credit card bill. He justifies this as being ok because it's just sex.

My What If? Choices:
1. What if my character was forced in a different direction?
2. What if their circumstances suddenly changed?
3. What if someone - their boss, their spouse - was cheating on them?
4. What if they lost something - job, handbag, child?

Well, the one that's crying out to me is that his wife could be cheating on him with a single dad she met on the school runs ;o)

*goes off to make some notes*