There’s an untold story here.
Actually, there likely are many.
The initial idea came a year ago as I was rereading one of my absolute favorite books, The Alchemist. The main character - a young boy (named Santiago, as I’ve now looked up; he seems so nameless in the book) - is on a quest to find his Personal Legend. Along his journey, he encounters the love of his life, Fatima. Fatima’s cameo by the watering well is brief, but impactful. Daresay life-changing for our ambitious protagonist.
I couldn’t help but wonder - did she have a Personal Legend as well? Does she even ‘get to have one?’ What is Fatima’s story? Could I be so bold as to create it?
I did a little research about her appearances in the book, as well as some brief brainstorming about what her story could have been. But I cast aside my musings - until last week when the same kinds of questions resurrected as I was watching Le Balloon Rouge for the first time. The balloon and his boy are clearly the central cast-members of the story, much like Santiago. But there’s this beautiful pause with the introduction of the blue balloon and the little girl holding it.
I’m therefore calling this my Blue Balloon Project. Exploring what could possibly be the Personal Legends of these girls/women who briefly, merely, but noticeably passed through our viewfinder, forever altering the dynamic of the story of our current focus.
First, I need to more examples than my sample-set of two. The best place to start is in famous works where a male protagonist drives the storyline. (ummmm...DUH. This isn’t hard to find). Catcher in the Rye... I don’t know - aren’t all major works of modern fiction and film largely about single, male protagonists? And I’m sure I can find 5 more of these Blue Balloon type characters in them.
Second. Characterize the possibilities of their Personal Legends. I don’t want to randomly think up stories. I’m honestly not that talented to simple say, “I’m going to write a short story about the girl with the blue balloon!” I can’t just dream that up. But I think I can start with a framework or matrix to begin exploring.
Third. I don’t know yet. This will sort of be it’s own journey without any certainty of destination. Maybe it’s a collection of thought-starters. Maybe it grows into it’s own manuscript. Maybe I’m the one who winds up finding her Personal Legend at the end. Maktub.
