Setting,+Theme,+Introductory+Hook,+Title

- the story starts off with a letter arriving for Ben - he opens the letter-it's the invitation to go to Argentina or - he's at soccer practice  - after practice his coach tells the team about the trip to Argentina in a huddle - Dallas, Texas - his parents are oil workers - August-December 2001 - people change over time - don't get caught up in the past - parent's fears for their children - acceptance of diversity
 * a. Compose an introductory hook (or narrative lead) that draws the reader into the story.**
 * b. Describe a convincing setting that fits the plot.**
 * c. Leave the reader with a central message (theme)**
 * d. Agonize over the perfect title--one that invites the reader into the story.

Possible Hooks:**
 * The white and black ball flew through the air to land at his feet. He dribbled past the defense until all he could hear was the ragged sound of his own breathing. He shut out everything else. It was him and the goalie. One on one. His feet moved on instinct. The goalie’s mouth curved into a smile as the ball hit his hands. Defeated, the player sank to his knees as the goalie was congratulated by his teammates. The goalie and he had never liked each other, even though they were on the same team. It was only a scrimmage but it felt like he lost a championship game of the season.
 * He zoned in on the ball; it was all he was worried about. It flew through the air right near his goal. He focused his line of vision on the ball and where it would hit the grassy field. A player flew into the ball, a look of ferocious determination on his face. As the player’s head collided with the ball, the goalie felt a sense of panic wash through his whole body. He was used to the thrilling feeling. He jumped as if his life depended on it, reaching an appalling height of 2 ½ feet. A smile formed on his lips as the ball fit right into his hands. The ball in his hands felt like it belonged there. As these thoughts ran through his mind, his knees bent to absorb the fall. It was perfect. It was what he lived for every single day at soccer practice.
 * The coach watched as one of his best players dribbled up the field. Ben was amazing at soccer. The boy had determination, talent, grades, everything. He could become a professional soccer player. He could play internationally. The coach fixed his eyes on his best player as he scored another goal. Again. //What a shame// coach thought //to waste such talent//. The only thing stopping Ben was his parents; they had no intention of letting him go to Argentina, where his career in soccer could really start. The coach’s team was invited to go to Argentina for a tournament. He was dreading the moment when he would tell Ben and his teammates. His star player would be ecstatic, only to realize that his parents were adamant on not letting him anywhere near Argentina.

Rough Draft - 2 scenes (Flashback & overheard conversation) [e-mail to Zack at 5:00 on Sunday] He silently walked down the stairs and headed towards the kitchen. He heard lowered voices and whispering, so he slowed down and listened by the door. “Should we tell him?” “No, he doesn’t need to know.” “But what if he asks us to explain ourselves” “We don’t need to tell him everything” “I don’t want him thinking that we’re unreasonable…do you remember what happened?” “How could I forget?” The full moon lit the way on the dark streets. We were walking to the store late at night. I wanted to buy clothes for the little baby inside my womb. [Name] thought that the baby would be a girl, but deep inside I knew he was a boy. My baby boy would be the best baby alive, and I intended to spoil him to death. Baby Gap was only 3 blocks away from our apartment, so we decided to walk. As we passed a dark alleyway, figures emerged from the darkness. They were all wearing dark suits, and I thought they all looked Hispanic. As my heart started racing, we hurried along trying to pass the group of foreigners. “Hold up. Where do you think you’re going?” a tall man came out of the group and spoke to us with a thick accent. We were silent as we tried to find a way around the group of people now surrounding us. My husband stepped in front of me and backed up into the wall that was next to us. Now I couldn’t see anything because his back was in my face, but I could hear. I could hear the sarcastic tone in the leader’s voice as he said “I think we should play with them a little bit. Don’t you think so, boys? Let’s give them a little Argentinean welcome? Yes?” “Sí!” replied the gang. I still couldn’t see anything, but I could hear the groans of pain coming from [Name], who stood in front of me. I felt so helpless; I wanted to help him. The time passed, and with every groan of pain, I felt a pain of my own. Finally, I heard the sound of feet retreating into the alley. [Name] staggered a couple feet in front of me. He was a mass of bruises and blood. There was no way I was letting him walk home, even if it was only a couple blocks away. “Taxi” I yelled as I saw two pass. The first taxi sped on, but the second one stopped for us. After we got off the elevator, [Name] dragged himself into the apartment. I helped him onto our couch as I put ice into bags for him.