Creative story about an athlete?

Question

I want to write a story about a basketball athlete who faces major dilemmas and problems and stuff. I was mostly thinking about making the athlete face an anger issue and having to overcome it but i need ideas about how to make the athlete have that moment of realization or epiphany about how their anger is ruining their athletic career..and the career is highschool baskertball..any helpful ideas? Like a situation where the anger could somehow harm a some of her friend's and maybe herself as well?

Answer 1

Perhaps the girl's anger could cause her to do something on the basketball court during a game that costs her team a win. Possibly, she could intentionally knock someone down, giving that person foul shots that enable the other team to win, or something along those lines. If she's a really good player perhaps she could get suspended, and the team loses a championship or play off game because she isn't there.

Answer 2

When I want to get ideas for my stories I run them in my head like a movie. I close my eyes and play the movie out start to finish creating the conflicts as I go. If something really stands out I jot it down real quick and continue the movie in my head till it is screaming to be put on paper. Perhaps like the previous poster suggested she is getting rough on the court when they start losing but maybe with her OWN team mates. At one point she could get frustrated with one of the other players who she feels isn't playing as well as she is and wants the ball so she clips her and ends up injuring her. That would be the last straw for the team and she has to prove she has changed to earn a chance to play with her team in the championship match at the end of the year. It could go any where!

Hope that helps. Good luck!

Answer 3

Before you start, go to the library and thumb through "Counting Coups" by Larry Colton.

But what about a different approach? What about a novel about sports in the age of genetic engineering where a fetus is designed to develop into a specific type of super-athlete. One character is designed to be a Forward, another is designed to be a Guard, another is designed to be a Center, etc. It could develop into a sort of Harry Potter type of storyline where a school is designed to develop athletes' genetically programmed capabilities. You could then deal with anger, alienation, and forgiveness as a sub-plot within the character arcs of the story.

Answer 4

Well, when I read your question I immediately thought of the movie Drumline.  It isn't about an athlete, but is about a boy who has attitude issues and it derails him.  I would reccomend watching it for some inspiration.  Break out the popcorn!