1.    Protagonist - Description

        Brenda Hill, a bright, 20 year old student, has long blonde hair that curls past her shoulders, rich brown eyes and her warm smile makes her face glow in loveliness. She is driven to be the very best at everything she does and faces each new challenge with gritty determination; her toughest test before her, sitting quietly outside the hangar of the airport.

2.    Protagonist - Objective, Goal, Intention, Desire

        Brenda survived the plane crash that took the lives of her mother and father ten years ago. Looking at a photograph of her parents, she promises she will conquer her fear of death and flying.

Note: Brenda not only wants to face her fear by flying, she is also determined to become a commercial pilot. Brenda's external conflicts would be the written and practical tests of flying. Experiencing simulator and in-flight situations/problems would flow along side her internal struggle with her parents death and her survival.

3.    Preventing Objective(s)

        Brenda Hill has recurring nightmares of the crash and constantly questions her mortality.

4.    Protagonist's Actions

        Brenda visits the airport and watches the planes land and take-off, eventually building up her courage to walk into the flying school and sign up for lessons.

5.    Action of Obstacles
 
       The theory of flying will change to practical and Brenda will struggle with her fears as she steps into the cockpit with the instructor. The progression from instructor assistance, to solo, to commercial pilot flight simulation and finally to pilot an airline jet will test her abilities to grow and survive.

Note: I am a beginner but would like to add the following:

6.    Obstacle's Obstinacy

        Brenda is doing the things she has to do to overcome her fear of flying i.e. doing the things necessary to obtain her pilot's licence. Flying obstacles such as wind sheer, turbulence, in-flight emergencies and her plane crashing are a few of the many possibilities of external conflict. Her fear of death (internal conflict) is also very difficult for her to deal with and she may go from palm readers, to yoga, to therapy.

Extra Credit: This story is one of adventure and inspiration. It could also 'morph' into romance. Brenda could become 'interested' in another pilot or some other person (possibly her instructor) and their schedules could conflict with their views of marriage and family. Another possibility would be for her plane could crash and she would be in charge of the survivors, which includes her romantic partner. External and internal conflicts would develop as he questions her decisions and leadership abilities.

Copyright © Greg Anderson 1999

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