Friday, March 13, 2009

Purge Writing: Invisible Girl

This chick is driving me nuts. She's floating in my head tempting me to ignore revisions and play in firstdraftland again. She doesn't even have a NAME yet, and she's super strong. This means there will be a book at some point. Because I am crazy enough to write this.

Transparent:

The second I was born, I almost died. Doctor dropped me. It's not his fault though. When I smacked the floor and let out a screeching cry, all anyone could see was the semi-transparent umbilical cord, taut and bloody. Poor guy scooped me up, grasping at my invisible body in shock. They guessed I came out breech, because my spine was fractured and the bruising to my head wasn't enough to kill me.

I spent a year in the hospital—not because of injuries. They had to study me; Mom and Dad wanted a cure. They wanted a normal baby. You know, one that flies or can read minds. Instead they got the first invisible child ever. I was famous. The faceless baby.

There was no curing to be had; the supernatural specialists tried everything. The only contraption in the whole place that could capture an image was the x-ray machine. So they had a lot of pictures of my bones and a few face molds. When they gave up trying to bring pigment to my body, my parents took me home. They still got mobbed by paparazzi. Yes, they took pictures of an "empty" car seat, a blanket covering the girl who would never be seen.

Sixteen years later, all I know about myself is that I am five foot eight, a hundred and forty pounds, and the owner of one rocking wardrobe (when all people see is your clothing, it's important, trust me). The most recent mold of my face suggests a nose it's a shame no one can see. The button kind people pay for. My lips are lacking, but I can't know for sure. I took in a mouthful of plaster once and have clamped my lips shut since. Eye color? No clue. Skin? I try to keep it soft, at least. Sometimes I pretend I have freckles, but I could be purple for all I know. Hair? Wavy, wiry. Possibly curly if I had any clue how to style it.

It's not so bad, right? That's what people say if I complain. Brady Mitchell can't see me blush every time he passes me in the halls. And no one can ever say I'm ugly...though no one will ever tell me I'm pretty either. I can literally disappear when I don't feel like dealing with Mom. It's easy to be comfortable naked when no one can see. And I don't have to shave my legs. I hear that sucks.

And yet sometimes I dream about someone who can see me. Someone who could tell me what my eyes look like open. Someone who could describe the tint of my skin. Just so I could know. It's hard enough figuring out who I am on the inside. Maybe it would be easier if I knew who I was on the outside.

30 comments:

  1. Natalie, I love this! Strong voice, intriguing concept. Keep going with this one. It has crazy potential!

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  2. Oh Natalie - that is so cool! I mean - what a brilliant idea. You are queen of amazing ideas. (There's a lot of royalty among the MoMos).

    I did the same thing today. I'm stuck on my WIP and this new story has been driving me crazy so I just went ahead an wrote the first 700 words today in the hope it'll leave me alone for a while so I can get on with "Poppy". I hope it works.

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  3. AWESOME beginning. Definitely a future book.

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  4. Ren, I'll definitely continue. You know I can't leave weird ideas alone:)

    Janey, good luck with Poppy! I do have to purge my new ideas sometimes. They tend to be more patient when I get a few words down.

    Tara, thanks:)

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  5. One that can fly or read minds...bwa ha ha!

    Love this. So much.

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  6. This ROCKS. Especially that last line -- wraps it all together in one perfectly intriguing invisible package. Love it! (And not just because I'm working with my own sort of invisibility for "Web" ;) ).

    The best part: Whereas most allude my artistic abilities, this is an MC I could TOTALLY draw ;)

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  7. Excellent start!! Can't wait to read it.

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  8. What a great concept! Can't wait to read it too. Don't lose focus though with the high of a new story. I'm still wanting to read all about Tosh.

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  9. Don't worry Lois! I have 11 pages, then I have to enter them and it's done:) You should have the ninjas by tomorrow, hehe.

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  10. Totally understand the temptation to work on this rather than edit. It's amazing! I'm dying to read more!

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  11. Very well written.

    Can she see? If she can, wouldn't she be able to see what she looks like in the mirror? Maybe I missed it...

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  12. Peggy, she can see, but she's invisible to herself as well. All she see in the mirror is what she's wearing at the time.

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  13. Ah, I see (hahaha). Very interesting!

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  14. You really need to write that book because I, like, really want to read it now. I was upset when I finished reading it. Jen needs more!

    :) AWESOME beginning.

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  15. Just one more voice in the crowd: This is an amazing idea. I love the description of the birth, the clever ways she tries to find out what she really looks like, and at the end, her desire to be seen.

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  16. The way you started this was so cool! It's been said 18 times already in this comment section, but I'll say it again, great idea!

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  17. Natalie, this is beautiful. Can I volunteer to be a beta reader when you're finished? :)

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  18. love. you were meant to be a writer, natalie! i'm in awe!

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  19. You guys are so great for my self-esteem! Thanks so much, and here I thought this was a silly idea. heh.

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  20. You are a crazy awesome girl. Seriously. I love that you take any random thought in your head and turn it brilliant. Great job.

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  21. Ooh! I came on over from Keirsten! LOVE LOVE LOVE this! It sounds awesome! And so unqiue! Jenni

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  22. this is good. When I stated reading it I head the voice of the girl who was a zombie.

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  23. Okay... you've got me hooked. Where can I buy the novel? ;->

    Seriously, good luck with this one, it seems like it's here to stay. At least I hope so!

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  24. Wow! I'm 12 so I'm guessing YA fiction is directed at people around my age and up, and to tell you what- I love, love, love this! You must feed me words! No, seriously, this is such a great idea. When you get one of your books published (which you will- you're so much better than half the writers who's books are in book shops) I am so going to buy it! Maybe two copies.... or three... Anyways, I love this and all your novels sound amazing! I really really wanna read more!!!

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