Fiction Now, Fact Later | Writing | Manifesting | Vision Board
An Outline: My Life in 2035.
A series of dribbles (50-word stories) and drabbles (100-word stories) cast a vision of what I might be in ten years. Come, dream with me. Can you see it, too — my bright future?
1. Exposition: Scarlet Ibis James takes the genre by storm
In her mid-fifties, Scarlet Ibis James emerged fully formed into the romance fiction world. James, a Black American woman, published her debut novel in 2025, captivating readers with her raw and riveting contemporary love story. Her sophomore effort followed in 2029, solidifying her place as a bonafide star in the genre.
Now, at age 65, she shows no signs of slowing down. James continues to write spectacular novels and is nurturing the next generation of writers through workshops and mentorship programs. With a cohort of other Black authors, she ensures the genre continues thriving with diverse and vibrant voices.
2. Rising Action: She ends one life and begins another
The weight of the nameplate felt foreign in her hand. “Scarlet James, Senior Vice President,” it boasted, starkly contrasting the worn paperback cradled beneath it. At 57, James had traded the sterile, agile office space for the sun-drenched corner of her quaint Harlem apartment. Fear, a constant hum throughout her corporate climb, had been replaced by a quiet thrill. With the publication of her debut novel, James was finally laying claim to Scarlet Ibis, the writer. It wasn’t easy, but the courage to answer her calling, she realized, was lighter to carry than the weight of an unfulfilled dream.
3. Climax I: In the beginning, she learned that balance is constant
Scarlet is a mature woman who has fallen into a writing routine, being a wife and mom, and thriving in New York City. She worries about not being enough. She juggles the different aspects of her life, sometimes feeling off-balance but always striving to find balance again and again.
4. Climax II: She returns to her roots in Trinidad
After publishing her second book, James felt called to return to her childhood home in Trinidad. Her husband stayed back in America to fulfill his career goals. Will 2,217 miles become an insurmountable obstacle, or will their love prove strong enough to weather the test of separation and individual growth?
5. Falling Action: She changes and becomes full
Her life becomes joy-filled with work, travel, and teaching. James and her husband settle into a lovelife between island and city. Her sons flourish personally and professionally.
In her third novel, she weaves in these experiences. It reveals the challenges and celebrates Black family resolve within a sweet cultural context with universal appeal.
She and her husband do experience career highs and lows. Nevertheless, their success has allowed them to cultivate a fulfilling life with multiple residences in Africa, the Caribbean, and America, frequent leisure travel, and peaceful retreats every other year or so with extended family and friends.
6. Resolution: Beyond the Page: The Enduring Power of Scarlet
Scarlet Ibis James curated and manifested the last decade of her life with clear intent. Calibration of family matters and self-blooming took equal priority. She enlisted each family member to resolve every issue (they will come) with creativity and kindness.
Her literary journey is a testament to the power of perseverance. Her tales are gut-wrenching and heartwarming and offer comfort and escape to the readers. They rock the imagination of fans worldwide who find representation and wonder in her words.
She says, “Until I take my last breath, I will continue to become all that I must be.”
© Scarlet Ibis James, 2024: All Rights Reserved.
This story came as a dream in response to a call by Toni The Talker to take a quantum leap.
It is an outline in the format of Freytag’s Pyramid. My full vision will emerge from it in the coming weeks.
CLICK to: 🆂🆄🅱🆂🅲🆁🅸🅱🅴 🆃🅾 🅶🅴🆃 🅼🆈 🆂🆃🅾🆁🅸🅴🆂 🅸🅽 🆈🅾🆄🆁 🅼🅰🅸🅻🅱🅾🆇 and get them when I publish.
THANK YOU FOR READING UNTIL THE END. YOU BLESS ME ✨