Preheat oven to 350°F, with rack in upper third of oven. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Form the dough into 2 tbsp balls and place on cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
Bake for 12 minutes, turning once during the bake, until golden and fluffy. Cool on pan for 5 minutes before moving to wire cooling rack.
These cookies will store, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days at room temperature.
The unbaked cookie dough balls can also be stored for up to 2 months in the freezer. Frozen cookies should be baked for about 14 minutes.
32
The class rushed through the discussion onDear Martin, as they were anxious to discuss what to do with Michael’s book. I dismiss the rest of the class who haven’t participated in the storyboarding.
Samuel strides up to the whiteboard, writing the names of the three main characters on the board. “Alright, give me your candidate to die and why.”
“Who’s teaching this class?”
Samuel points the marker at me. “You teach class, but this isn’t class.”
“Fair point.”
Lily raises her hand. “Adrian, obviously. The story wouldn’t feel complete if he lives, that a threat would still be there.”
I nod. “Unless he gets a redemption arc.”
“There’s no redeeming qualities to his character.”
“I think either Teddy or Felix needs to go,” Noah says, flipping through to a page in the manuscript. “If you kill Adrian, the reader is going to be happy with the outcome. I thought we were going for a gut punch.”
“Fair,” Samuel says, “so can we agree that of these three, only one will be left standing.”
Everyone murmurs in agreement. Samuel moves down the board. “Next is the setting for the final battle. Michael haswritten up to the fight but has kinda left it open ended and we can go either light or dark.”
“Makes sense to have it in the Dark Land. They are more powerful there, so the battle would be more epic.” Delilah puts her head down on her desk. “Wow. I sound like a nerd.”
“Nerds are having a moment,” Samuel says, writing Dark Land on the board. “How long should the battle last? Like chapter wise.”
It was a good question. Some stories the whole journey leads to the final battle, and it can be over in a single chapter. Other series can have the final book essentially be the entire battle. Which leaves the interpretation up to the reader whether it was a slog to get there, or if it was wrapped up too quickly.
“I’m thinking,” Lily approaches the board, “it should be four chapters. The first being the lead up to the pseudo-battlefield. Chapters two and three take the brunt of the action, with chapter two seeing our heroes seeming down for the count and chapter three when there’s an impassioned turn of events. Leaving chapter four as the final battle with Adrian versus Felix and Teddy. Any more than that will seem too long.”
I watch the students brainstorming back and forth, and it’s quite the sight. These kids have done more for this novel than they’ll ever realize. Something, personally, I would have gotten stuck on. Too afraid to not honor Michael’s vision.
But it gives me an idea. A future course where the students work together to write, or at least outline, a novel. They would work all semester to bring the draft to fruition. It would publish and they would all get copies. Maybe it’s self-published through an account linked to the program and the proceeds could be used towards scholarships for future students.
It’s certainly something to bring up with Moira the next time we meet.
“Last thing,” Noah says, tapping a marker against the whiteboard. “What’s the true ending? Like, after the battle. Is it an epilogue? If so, how far in the future? I don’t think it ends on a cliffhanger because, without sounding callous, Michael won’t be writing another one.”
“I think I know how the story should end. It’s a bit crazy though.” Hughie walks up to Noah and whispers in his ear. Noah’s eyes go wide.
“Little lad…that’s…just amazing. And perfect. Did you come up with that on your own?”
Hughie nods, and then turns to tell the rest of us his idea.
It’s unexpected. It’s perfect.
***
