an idea for a story I have.. what do you think?

[Potterdude1991 a.k.a. Josh]

I really enjoy writing and for a little while now I've been wanting to write a story with a naturist theme/message. This is the skeleton of a basic plot I have:

A new kid arrives in tenth grade in high school and the first friends he makes are a group of guys. All of them are really nice and seem to the main character like they're a good "clique" to join. So one day they decide to hang out and someone in the groups's house. That's when they tell the main character that he seems like a guy who seems mature enough to handle the truth: they're nudists and whenever the group hangs out together when they're not at school, they do it naked.

And that's all I have so far.. I'll post more ideas later. Do you guys have any suggestions?

[Potterdude1991 a.k.a. Josh]

I really enjoy writing and for a little while now I've been wanting to write a story with a naturist theme/message. This is the skeleton of a basic plot I have:

A new kid arrives in tenth grade in high school and the first friends he makes are a group of guys. All of them are really nice and seem to the main character like they're a good "clique" to join. So one day they decide to hang out and someone in the groups's house. That's when they tell the main character that he seems like a guy who seems mature enough to handle the truth: they're nudists and whenever the group hangs out together when they're not at school, they do it naked.

And that's all I have so far.. I'll post more ideas later. Do you guys have any suggestions?

[Journeyman]

As a writer myself, I'd say that research is the key for you at this point. Do some Googling and learn about the origins of naturism in Europe (and later North America), and you'll definitely get some more ideas. Younger people need to understand the health benefits (physical and emotional) of naturism and you may be one of the few teens to get this off the ground. Good luck!

[jon71]

Writing like any skill is improved with practice. Go for it.

[herooftime8]

Not just writing, but also read other, more modern works. I would strongly advise taking a creative writing class--I did myself--and have your work looked over by fellow writers.

Also, is this a short story, or a novel? Because if it's a short story, try and submit it to a literary journal or something.

Already, it sounds like it has a good storyline, but you need some conflict. Is the acceptance among nudists the conflict, or the journey to nudism?

Sorry if my comments seem unduly harsh or anything. Nudist fiction is rare; I only know of Stephen Crowley's Loxie and Zoot and Neil's Hogwarts Exposed series on Schnoogle. It (HE) is also on a Yahoo! Group you need a membership to join.

[Potterdude1991 a.k.a. Josh]

I couldn't find the Hogwarts Exposed series...

And I think the story will be novel-lenghted... and conflict will probably be a journey for acceptance... I plan it to be mostly character-driven.

Also, I'm writing a Harry Potter fanfic. It's my version of book 7, as in what I want to happen in it. I am going to try and incorporate some nudist themes in it, like to gain entry to a certain dungeon one must strip... and some other stuff I think...

[LamontCranston]

Robert Heinlein has novels featuring nude characters. They are described as nude just as an author would describe any manner of dress.

He makes it a natural side-effect of a work/play environment.

I think it's in The Cat Who Walks Through Walls and others.

There's also the classic Pink Panther movie A Shot in the Dark (1965) where the investigation takes the characters into a nudist camp.

I'm not sure 'group acceptance' is a strong enough motivation for your plot. Maybe use nudism as a metaphor for drug use or teen sex. You could explore peer pressure with a positive outcome.

[Bob S.]

I am currently writing a trio of stories about three siblings (13-brother, 11, 9-sisters) who are all introduced to nudism.

The youngest when she stays over at her friend's house and seesher brother naked during a late night bathroom run. She later talks to her friend about it. Goes to her friend's birthday party at nudist park.

Thje middle when her best friend announces during a sleepover where she and their two other friends give a secret about themselves. She has a sleepover with her best friend where she sleeps naked and spends part of the day naked with her friend and her sisters.

The brother I haven't decided how to introduce him. It'll probably be when the brother of his youngest sister's best friend gets himj to go skinny dipping.

I also am planning another story about two fourteen year-old friends who end up on some other world where nobody wears clothing. Everyone there worships them as saviors in their religion. But that story is a part of a series of stories a la Madaline L'Engle and her "Wrinkle in Time" series. I am writing the introduction story that has the two main characters, both 11, living through the worst year of their lives and then getting another chance to live through that same year, making any changes that they want, having only to rely on theire instinct, not their memories, to make the changes.

Maybe I could do some HP nudist fanfic, too.

Bob S.

[Swimguy]

I think this sounds like a great idea, Potterdude. Perhaps the conflict could be that one of the parents of a nudist boy is accused of being a pedophile because they allowed their boys to be nude at their house. The main character's parents then have a problem with him being around his new friends.

I would advise you to be careful about sharing too much too early. And if you use other people's suggestions, make sure you document that they gave you the suggestion for your story. So many people wind up gettnig sued later when a successful story has been published. You have permission to use or ignore my suggestion, btw.

[Potterdude1991 a.k.a. Josh]

quote:

Originally posted by Swimguy:
I think this sounds like a great idea, Potterdude. Perhaps the conflict could be that one of the parents of a nudist boy is accused of being a pedophile because they allowed their boys to be nude at their house. The main character's parents then have a problem with him being around his new friends.

I would advise you to be careful about sharing too much too early. And if you use other people's suggestions, make sure you document that they gave you the suggestion for your story. So many people wind up gettnig sued later when a successful story has been published. You have permission to use or ignore my suggestion, btw.

Hey, I like your suggestion and your advice. I think I'll use it, but I swear I'll say a big thanks to you... but I'm still thinking of some other conflicts to use, but that was a geat suggestion nonetheless.