She's Our Escape: An Introduction

Emma
Jun 15, 2020
7 min read

Updated: Aug 10, 2020

Kia Ora!

I don't know if it's just me but when it comes to writing books, it's quite a creative process which doesn't always involving a lot of writing. I recently thought up a new idea for a story, in which a girl named Bailey Duke and her childhood best friend Sebastien Miller attempt the Pan-American highway from Toronto to Buenos Aires in a converted Kombi Camper. The Pan-American Highway is a stretch of road that connects Prudhoe Bay, Alaska all the way down to Ushuaia, Argentina. It's known as the longest road in the world.

So, personally, I have a big problem with only writing the bits I want to write, and then giving up on the story altogether, which has happened with at least 3 books now. Partly because my crazy mind loves sci-fi and coming up with plots that can't actually be scientifically justified... anyway, that's a story for another day. I began writing this novel as I believed it was a good break from unrealistic plot lines, and is actually something I personally would love to do if I ever got the chance.

You may be reading this thinking, well hey, if she hasn't written anything, and has a habit of giving up, then why is she writing this post?

Because I swear I'm determined to finish this one. I'd like to use this post partly to keep me accountable for a first draft. Also, if it inspires people to write their own stories, even better.

I can't give you much of a synopsis of my story at the moment, as it's changing all the time, but I'll tell you what I can about the characters and the adventure they went on.

On to my favourite part; the mood board.

I have a particular aesthetic for organized pinterest storyboards which help me visualize my story in my head. All the books I have in draft have a board each.

- VAL THE KOMBI -

- SEBASTIEN MILLER -

Sebastien is the kind of guy that makes sure he is always surrounded by people that he gets along with. When it comes to being by himself, he tends to get into a hole he can't get out of. He knows nothing about fixing things, but can sort out any problem with people. He comes across stable and well, with good relations with family and friends. His family are supportive and loving, however his younger sister passed away two years prior to the story-line.

- BAILEY DUKE -

Bailey is the sort of person who doesn't like big crowds, lots of people stress her out. However she is an expert with machines and anything with an engine and parts. Her home life is complicated, her dad passed away prior to the story-line and she was never close to her mother. Bailey hopes to find stability and closure from a recent tragedy through the trip, and perhaps find herself through travelling.

I've included snippets of interviews I did with each character below.

- BAILEY -

What is your full name? Do you have a nickname (if so, who calls you this)?

My full name is Bailey Duke. I don't have a middle name for some odd reason, I guess my parents didn't think it necessary or just forgot... In terms of nicknames, Daisy and Bee are the most common ones, although my dad occasionally used to call me Duchess.

Where and when were you born?

I was born in Vancouver, Canada on the 16th of September, 1996. My family moved out to Portland before I turned three however, so I don't really remember living there.

Do you have any siblings? If you do, what are/were they like?

I'm an only child, unfortunately. I'd love to have a younger sibling, but I think one child was hard enough on my parents.

What is your occupation?

I'm supposedly a part-time photographer for a small magazine called "The Call," however it takes up so much work to get the right shots for each project, it may as well be full-time. Good thing I also get paid by the hour... Although, because it's my passion I don't really notice the time going by.

Okay, now onto the more personal questions;

Is the glass half full, or half empty?

It all depends on your perspective...Though I guess that is the purpose of the question isn't it? To find out my perspective? I'd say I'm a realist, so the glass is a glass of water.

What is your greatest fear? Which other person knows about this fear of yours? Who do you not want to know about this fear of yours, why?

I had a huge fear of large crowds before Seb and I went on our trip, but he managed to convince me to go to a music festival, and I guess having him there helped me to conquer it. In terms of recent fears, I've got to say I cannot deal with needles. I believe I've fainted in 9 out of 10 appointments, including at the ones Seb and I got for travelling the borders into South America. I don't think I've ever woken up to someone laughing so hard. So to answer your second question, Seb knows about both, and he's probably the only person I trust besides my best friend Ava to not be a douche about them (most of the time.)

Do you like to read? If so, what do you like to read? Do you have a favourite book?

Of course! Reading relaxes me so much, I don't know what I'd do without books. Personally I'm a fan of a bit of realistic fiction, with a hint of sci-fi. Anything to do with space I'm interested in, but it can't get too impossible, or I start to lose interest. I think I imagine best when I can see the situation actually happening if that makes sense. In terms of a favourite book, I have to say I really enjoyed The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, I think those two tie for first place.

Are you spontaneous, or do you always need to have a plan?

I wouldn't say that I'm spontaneous, I get too stressed out for that, but I don't mind deviating from the schedule a little, I think travelling helped me realise that.

What was your favourite memory about travelling down the Pan-American Highway?

There's too many to count, honestly, but I really enjoyed the diversity within the places and people. Funnily enough, even though it was my favourite memory, it was also the things that scared me the most, I could never predict what was going to happen. Despite this, it made me realise how many different types of places we can travel to within a week. There was some really incredible things that I experienced of which I would never have seen if I had stayed home.

- SEB -

What is your full name? Do you have a nickname (if so, who calls you this)?

The names Miller, Sebastien Harley Miller. Everyone calls me Seb though. It's funny, I don't think anyone except my mother calls me Sebastien frequently, but I think that's simply because that's what she calls me when I get on her nerves...

Where and when were you born?

I was born on the 8th of January, 1996. Born and raised in Portland.

Did you enjoy school? If not, why did you struggle?

Yes and no. I loved PE and and art, but I wasn't very good at maths or science. I did okay at English, but Bailey definitely saved my butt on more than one occasion over the more logical subjects.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I have an odd memory of wanting to become an astronaut, I used to draw them all the time, but I think that's before I realised becoming one meant excelling at the two subjects I couldn't pass to save my life in.

Are you right- or left handed?

I'm left handed. Pain in the butt for writing, but I have a steadier hand for drawing with my left. I think I read somewhere once it means I'm supposedly more creative, but honestly there are some days I'm really questioning that theory.

Do you have a motto? If so, what is it?

Uh, probably that one from Point Break; "Fear causes hesitation, and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true."

Do you have a criminal record?

Hahaha, funny you ask that. Yep, I went skating with my mates in the middle of Portland one night and got caught. We were about an hour in and some cops pulled up. So we're mid-chase and classic me got a little cocky and attempted to jump this wire fence. I misjudged and my foot got stuck on the top, holding me there. My mates split and left me, so I ended up spending the rest of the night in the holding cell.

Do you care what others think of you? Why or why not?

I mean yeah, to a certain extent. It all really depends on who the person judging is to me, if that makes sense. If it's a complete stranger I'm gonna have an easier time seeing past their opinions than someone close to me.

If you were to die and come back as a person, animal, or thing, what do you think it would be, and why?

Oh definitely a turtle. I've only seen them once, but honestly they're such amazing animals, photos don't do them enough justice. I don't really know why, I've always felt a connection to the ocean, so if it wasn't a turtle, it would definitely be something that lives in or near the water.

Anyway... I have a few chapters under my belt for this story now, and I'm really excited to see where it goes. If I can satisfy myself enough with the drafts, I might post a few snippets here and there, but no guarantees. Because it's easy enough to post about stories, I might also head up some introductions into my other 'works in progress.' Of which take a more futuristic turn and are no where near as simple as this story.

Here is the link to the pinterest board where I save everything that gives me inspiration for this story ----->

Hope you enjoyed reading about this story! And please, please, keep me accountable, I so want this story to be a finished one!