Short Story Research

For my Short Story final piece a theme i wrote about was the condition Multiple Sclerosis and the effect it has. Knowing little about it, I researched the condition in terms of treatments and symptoms to include in my story as well as gain background knowledge of the condition.

MS Society -
To research the condition in general as well as more particularly the symptoms of the condition i used the website for the MS society. I researched the symptoms of Tremors, sight problems, cognitive degeneration and fatigue. In my piece I focused on the tremors because they are uncomfortable to see, and also made reference to these other symptoms.

MS Trust -
To further my research and obtain a reference of an actual MS drug, i went to the MS trust website. I found out that 'Clonazepam' is used to treat tremors. I decided to use this one because the side effects suggest fatigue and depression, two other aspects of the disease i mention in my story.

NHS Support -
When developing my idea of the story, whilst doing research I found that for some MS sufferers they have permanent mobility constraints due to the condition. Through researching the support sufferers can get from the NHS i found that commodes were issued. This aspect because of this research became key to the plot of my story.

Boston Globe -
The main focus of my short story is obtaining the weed (marijuana) to relieve the symptoms of MS. upon doing research into this treatment i found that in Boston, America it is used by people with MS. Although there are mixed opinions on whether it works or not, Dr. Barbara Koppel suggests that cannabinoids found in cannabis can treat MS symptoms with less side effects than other drugs. Because of this I chose to include the weed (cannabis) in the story as compared to the prescribed Clonazepam it may be more beneficial because of the less side effects.


The form of the story:
The Piece I wrote took main inspiration from a grime/rap song called "Wild Boyz" by rapper Mic Righteous about two brothers, one who passed away. the prose format of my story reflects this.
 The genre of the piece could be classed as Modernism/Post Modernism writing, as Malcolm Bradbury suggests that this style of writing is a response to "the scenario of our chaos" (Bradbury 1991: p.27).
The main character is an example of this theory as he is an example of the "destruction of traditional notions of the wholeness of individual character" (Bradbury 1991: p.27).

Bradbury, M. & McFarlane, J. (1991). The Name and Nature of Modernism. In: Bradbury, M. & McFarlane J. Modernism - A Guide to European Literature 1890-1930. 2nd ed. London: Penguin Books Ltd. 19-56.

never give in [writing task sixteen] (Villanelle)

When life strikes you take it on the chin
absorb it all and you'll be fine
remember: never give up, never give in.

And when your patience is wearing thing
with calmness you must align,
when life strikes you take it on the chin.

And when their words penetrate your skin,
where all your pride is on the line
Remember: never give up, never give in.

When you find that your head is in a spin
start thinking straight, just like your spine,
when life strikes you take it on the chin.

Start to think: losing control is a sin,
it is us our actions do define,
Remember: never give up, never give in.

In the end you will be first to grin,
your character will forever shine.
When life strikes you take it on the chin,
Remember: never give up, never give in.

you [writing task fifteen] (ballad)

I wait for my screen to light up
and then i see your name,
I read your message with a smile
I hope you feel the same.

I had to make sure I was sure
That how i felt was true,
But you just bring me so much joy,
I grin because of you.

We joke and say some stupid things,
'broken' you label me,
but my judgement is clear as day,
you're silly, you don't see.

You make me laugh and I want to try
and make you do the same,
I just hope my stupid attempts
don't make you think i'm lame.

I wouldn't say I need someone
to base my life around,
but for you and your companionship
i'm mighty glad I've found.

Go back to you're own country [writing task thirteen]

I believe it's hardly fair to blame
if they come for a better life,
upsticks and leave their family
to remedy their unemployed strife.

I too would leave a system
where there is no welfare state
and i'd work for pittance a day
to keep food on my plate.

I wouldn't want my children
to grow up and go without,
but we are far more concerned
by the nation's money going out

of a country so patriotic that
they don't celebrate their own saints day
and then complain when any other
nationalities get their own say.

"Go back to your own country"
a vocal tirade of abuse,
and use the fact it's where they were born
as a grounds and justifying excuse.

So when you blame them for taking
all 'our' work and jobs,
instead see them as actually trying
to be less like you benefit slobs.

My Grandad's shoes [writing task twelve]

Virtual blue, 208 active
with that lion badge on the front and back
the same one on my favorite childhood videotape,
and that Remote control car you bought me for Christmas; 206 W.R.C edition,
and the others that also parked on this drive.
fourteen hundred you say, two door, nippy, sporty.
ninety-five brake, nought to sixty-two in eight, I mention.
It's not the GTI model, but to me it might as well be,
fourteen grand you paid, my early nineteenth present,
you didn't want me to break down going to uni.
I joke about coilovers and new alloy wheels.

I wear your shoes that you used to take me back to school in,
you don't want my feet to get wet
or me to wreck my 'new' trainers.
We are the same height now, and neither of us stops being busy.
You're the reason i'm here, we are here,
the car is here.

I pop the bonnet and you top up the screenwash,
then hoover as you damp cloth the plastics
and shake out the mats as you wipe the seals.
Quick spray with the hose.
"mind yourself, you'll get wet"
you say before you almost drench me.
Lather up the shampoo and apply panel by panel,
Clean off the mud and unspoken words of the last 200 miles,
and rinse.
"It's a bit damp, too damp for wax today."
We spread the water with Nan's old pajamas,
using then for now.
Paintbrush the alloys and rinse,
stand back,
Admire.

"It's a good little car"
Thanks for doing this,
"it's a pleasure."

Think [writing task eleven]

Don't you think we have an uncanny knack
of saying things before we think or
have thought them through, although
they do contain a degree of truth?
A prime example:
through the tears and screams
you jump conclusions and say things
as they seem,
without full judgement. One sided. Defense or Prosecution.
But who are we to judge by evidence worded,
with more emotion than self-control
or regard for the future that might unfold
and present moments that are all around.
How can we admit what it is we want
When we don't know or feel
all our thoughts touch ground?
And yet we think we know what it is we want
but really we only think that we think we know,
What we want and what we actually get is
a product of uncontrollable factors, a huge budget
we never feel amongst our fingers.
And through a lack of thinking the truth upsets
and a lack of composure wraps us up in regret
you should forgive as well as forget
because it's harder to absorb than it is to deflect.

the Dichotomy [writing task ten] (sonnet)

Just like the living need warm sun rays
to warm the blood around their heart,
just like the nights require the days
we believe we need a counterpart.
Some dreams are too selfish to share,
I want to become all I long to be
as well as find someone to care,
I must appreciate me for me.
We must be similar to work
herself she must be to be my lover,
I will embrace all of her quirks
we must accept all of the other.
But it's all facade to reject the known
that we are all born to die alone.