RIFF: Research into Fiction

By: Nicholas Ciambrone

The RUNNING
BACK DIARIES
Literature for Young Adults
English 385:01
December 1st, 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Questionnaire Samples2

Questionnaire Summary12

My Ideas on Genre Study15

Chapter Sample16

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Questionnaire Samples
Please answer these questions fully and honestly. This information will be used to
generate ideas for writing a young adults novel for Literature for Young Adults.

1. What hobbies (sports teams, clubs, activities, etc.) do you participate in?

2. What genre (fantasy, science fiction, mystery, romance, tragedy, sports, fiction,
nonfiction, etc.) of reading do you most enjoy?

3. What is the last book you read outside of school? Why did you enjoy this book?

4. What is the last book you read in school? Did you enjoy it?

5. What types of characters do you most enjoy in a book?

6. What do you want to be when you grow up?

7. What type of music do you listen to?

8. What sports do you like?

9. What else would you like to say about yourself?

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Questionnaire Summary:

Football is popular among boys and girls

Diary of a wimpy Kid is a popular book

Romance and sports books are popular

Hip-hop and rap is a favorite type of music

Funny characters are a hit

Books
QB1: Mike Lupica

Crash: Jerry
Spinelli

Back-up
Quarterback:
Eleanor Robins

Content
Lots of narration, very little
dialog, mostly about the
football field, very little
outside of the field

Organization
Chapters following
a sequence of
events, makes
logical sense.

Style
Third person point of
view, a bystander was
looking in but they
knows what everyone
is thinking

Lots of dialog, talk about

sports, competitive main
character

Chapters with
Dates, follow
logical sequence of
events
Chapters with a
sequence, follows
logical order

Narration from main

character, dialog with
friends, antagonists

Lots of football talk, friends

are present and supportive,
work with the protagonist

Lots of dialog, with

narrator filling in gaps

Similarities:
These books all have a major focus on the aspect of sports. Each book
focuses on characters that are facing some sort of adversity in the sports realm.
These characters are all relatable to children who read them. They all face the
same type of situations in their lives. The books all follow a similar sequence. Each
text is organized in chapters that follow a logical sequence from the beginning of
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the story to the end. They do not jump around a lot and stay very organized
throughout. Each book also used dialog to tell a big part of the story. The
characters have conversations with their friends and enemies. Seeing the
interaction of the characters is important to each book. I would like to capture
these aspects in my young adult chapter. They will allow me to properly focus on
formulating a well written sports book.

Differences:
Each book and author uses their own stance on how to go about writing a
sports novel. Crash used a technique that makes the main character seem like a
misfit kid. As opposed to the other books, Crash utilizes this technique, which
allows young adults to connect to the main character. As they grow, young adults
often feel like a misfit and dont fit in with the other kids. Seeing character
overcome obstacles is exciting to young adults. I would like to try to capture that
in my own writing. In QB1, the book is told from the third-person view. The story
takes the reader as a by-stander to all the action, as if you are watching the
scenes take place. This works well for this book, but is something I dont want to
do in my writing, because it restricts how much the reader knows. I want to write
my chapter from the stance of a main character telling the story. In the book

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Back-Up Quarterback, the writing is in the same style as QB1. Again, I am going to
do that differently in by book. Back-Up Quarterback uses a lot of dialog, which is
something I want to do in the book. My characters will be talking much more than
in Crash and in QB1.

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My Ideas on Genre Study:

All of these books focused on male characters. I think it would be
interesting to take on writing about a female football player. The plot would be
that the girl is in middle school and is playing football. When she goes to high
school and is a freshman, she again signs up to play. By the time the first game
comes around dissatisfaction comes from opposing teams and they make a
complaint to the league. Because there is so much opposition from opposing coaches
and players, the league makes an agreement that she cannot play. After this, she
faces ridicule in school for acting like a man, but a few people in the community
rally behind her. They work to getting her back onto the team that she worked so
hard to be on. As the story progresses, more people support her cause and the kids
that had made fun of her in school begin apologizing to her. At the end of the
story she is allowed back on the team to the dismay of the opposing coaches. I plan
to organize my writing similar to that of the studied texts. I will work to
incorporate a logical, sequential pattern in the book, while also splitting it into
chapters. Immediately there will be a twist in my book, which will change all events
afterward. The content will involve a sports theme, as well as show the main
character under distress. This will allow the book to be very similar to those I have
studied. The characters will be young adults, as well as figured that young adults
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often have in their lives (parents, coaches, teachers, etc.). The style of the book
will capture that of other young adult texts that I have studied. It will place a
focus on the grammar that young adults are accustomed to, as well as create a
parallel to my readers lives. Doing so will allow the reader to develop friendships
with the characters and connect with the book.

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Ch.1
The Decision

Comment [N1]: ORGANIZATION: The books I

studied were all broken up into chapter, and the
majority had title names. I decided to, and found it
appropriate to use this same technique for my
piece.

WHITTEN! GET OVER HERE!!!

What the heck you doing over there? You wanted on varsity, you cant be goin off
whenever you want like this is JV. You dont practice you dont play and its back to
JV. Dont make me disappointed I let you on Varsity.
Coach, I know. I just needed some water.
You see these boys drinkin water? Nope. Cause they are tough. Those are some
big boys and they are sweating like a rat trapped in a wool sock in July, but they
aint stopping to drink water.
I know, I know, sorry Coach.
Ahh its alright. You are a freshy and girl. How much could I expect?

Yo Kristin, over here!

****

Coming Scott!

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Comment [N2]: STYLE: I used this idea from

Crash. The main character immediately introduces
themselves in that book, and I liked the concept of
doing that. It immediately makes the reader
connect with the character by knowing a little bit
about them. As opposed to the other texts, I wanted
to focus on a strong female lead character. This
would allow the book to be more than just a
football book.

Comment [N3]: CONTENT: A hard riding coach

was an important aspect in QB1, where there was a
competition to be the first string quarterback. It was
important for me to include this in here, to show
that Kristin has to practice just as hard as the boys
on the team. This creates equality throughout the
text, and showing much more that is unfair that the
district would kick her out of the football program.

Ready to run these drills? Coach said we need to practice a bunch because you are
gonna start this week.

Comment [N4]: ORGANIZATION: These inserts

are to act as Kristin directly talking to the audience.
This is done in Jerry Spinellis Crash. For my book it
allows the audience to feel connected and become
her friend. The connection helps the audience get
behind Kristin when things go awry.

Yeah I am ready.

Comment [N5]: CONTENT: Stereotype many

people carry about girls who play sports. Using this
stereotype helps set the tone that where the story
takes place is a small, conservative town. This helps
the reader understand why it would be a big deal
for a girl to be playing on the football team.

Who is that with Coach?

I dont know, Scott? Someone from the league trying to see how we look this
year.
Damn. They walking this way. Maybe its a recruiter for me. Make me look good
here Kristin.
You hand me the ball and I run. They might be recruiting you for back up.
Oh shut up. You cant carry the team; we need a quarterback to do that.
Really? Because we never need to gain yards on the ground.
Whatever Kristin... Hi sir, I am Scott!

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Kristin, this guy is here for you.

What? But Im a freshman. Its too early for anyone to be looking at me.
No, he isnt a recruiter.
Hi Miss Whitten. How are you this evening?
I am doing good. Just practicing drills with Scott, its a big game Friday.
Yes, yes it is. That is actually what I can to talk to you and Coach Stewart about.
Im sorry Kristin, I really cant do anything.
What are you talking about Coach? What is going on?
Well Kristin, you cant play on Friday. You cant play football period.
What????!!! My grades are good, why the heck cant I play.
You are a girl. The other teams voted and find that it is not safe to let you play.
You do understand that everyone else is a lot bigger then you, and well, a man. Girls
dont play football. They are the cheerleaders. I arranged the cheerleading coach
to let you on the team without trying out. That is more... where girls belong.
Are you fucking kidding me?
You will not talk to me like that! With that attitude I am surprised you were even
let on this team. This is a district decision. There isnt anything your coach can
really do. We voted, and you cant play. We all find it unsafe for you to play.
Now it is an issue? Where were you guys in middle school? This wasnt a problem
then.
Kristin, we need to hold the integrity and reputation of District III football. And
you just dont fit that. You are a girl; we cant let a girl play a mans game. Give it
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Comment [N6]: ORGANIZATION: Using dialog to

tell a story was taking from Quarterback Sneak. A lot
of the book is told through direct conversation
between the characters. I wanted to include this in
my book to help the reader feel they are in the
story. I want to connect to something personal for
the reader that will facilitate them making a choice
on whether they think it is okay to let a girl play
football.

Comment [N7]: CONTENT: The same reaction

young adults would have in real life. While I am not
using swear words throughout the book, I find it
appropriate here based on the situation.

Comment [N8]: CONTENT: Conservative view on

the world. Emphasizing the story takes place in a
rural community. This was added to help build my
story. It was not taken from my genre, and may
even skew away a bit to tackle a big topic like this.

sometime and think. It makes sense, and it is for your best. You dont want to
embarrass yourself.

Kristin you okay.

No. I,... I cant play.
Yeah you can! You are the best person on the team.
No Im not. I am not on the team. That guy said I cant play.
WHAT! Why not?
It will ruin the integrity and reputation of District 3 football.

Let me take you out, I will ask coach if I can leave practice early.

I dont know Scott. Im not in the mood.

It will be fun. You deserve it. It was a long day.
Alright. But can we just get a pizza from Nicks?
Hell yeah! They got the best pizza around! Way better than anything up in
Billsport!
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Comment [N9]: CONTENT: Through each of the

books, and others of this genre, the main character
appears self-conscious of what others think about
them. I wanted to include this here to show that
Kristin felt the same way, even though she had
feelings for Scott. Later it will come out that Scott
doesnt feel this way.
Comment [N10]: CONTENT: Capitalizing on the
sad moment that just occurred, Scott now is trying
to take Kristin on a date. This will give him the
opportunity to support her and work towards asking
her out on a real date. This love story will progress
throughout the story to balance out the harshness
that Kristin is facing after not being allowed to play
football. I used my own style on this one, as I think it
creates a nice balance for both boys and girls to
read the book.

Awesome! Are you doing okay?

Yeah just upset. Lets go. I want to get out of here.

So.. How about that weather?

Weather? Hahahaha. Thats what you want to talk about?
Well... no, but I just wanted to make some conversation. It was really quiet.
Its okay. I thought maybe you wanted some time to think about everything. I
know it isnt easy to hear what that dude said.
Im so many emotions I dont know what to feel. You dont need to listen to this. I
will be okay.
Im here for you Kristin, dont say that. I know you are upset. Thats why I wanted
to take you out.
I appreciate it. Nothing makes me feel better like Nicks Pizza.

What do you think your parents are going to say?

I can only imagine. I will not be surprised if my dad tracks the guy down and beats
him up. He is very protective of his little girl. My mom, she always told me I can do
whatever I set my mind to. She is not going to let this slide either. I guess I am
lucky in that way.
Yeah. I wish my folks were still together.
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Comment [N11]: CONTENT: That awesome

adolescence confusion about relationships. I wanted
to capture this to connect personally to the reader,
whom may feel the exact same way about someone
in their life.

Oh they got a divorce?

Yeah a few years back... For a while I thought it was my fault... But I guess it isnt.
My mom was cheating on my dad. Its not right.
Im sorry Scott. How is your dad?
He is okay. I know he still gets upset about it. He loved my mom with everything
he had.

Comment [N12]: STYLE: This sentiment is

something many students may feel. Its important
for young adult literature to work towards helping
students understand life better. This wasnt
included in the books I studied, but I wanted to
place this in my attempt. It allows the reader to feel
connections to the characters.

Do you think he will find someone else?

I hope so. He seems lonely. Honestly, I sometimes get worried. But enough about
me. How are you doing Kristin?
I think Im going to try to get back on the team. I dont see a reason why they
cant let me play. The stuff they said like reputation, imagine if the news hears
about this! It will be all over the place. I dont really want that. Hopefully we can
end it quick so it doesnt get there.
You think they will change their mind? You how our district is. They are insane
about football and being the best.

Comment [N13]: ORGANIZATION: This back and

forth dialogue is a features of the books I studied.
Without having a he said . Or Kristin said .
Allows the reader to feel as though they are there
listening in on the conversation.

I dont know. Its not like I am bad. Im just a girl.

You play better than most of our team. You got legs of steel and sex appeal.
You seriously just said that?
Ummmmm... yeah... Im sorry. I didnt mean to.
Hahahaha. Its okay. I needed a laugh.
Yeah. Definitely a joke. Hahaha.

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Comment [N14]: CONTENT: Awkward young

adult comment. Adds some humor into a tough
conversation about not being allowed to play
football and divorce. This also builds on the
romance that is being set forth for Kristin and Scott.
It works to build on connecting to the reader.

Comment [N15]: STYLE: Quirky teenage girl,

getting side tracked by a conversation. This
continues to build on the perspective that Kristin is
talking directly to us. I used this idea from the books
I had studied that show the characters as still being
kids.

Thanks Scott.
Youre welcome. I figured you need some pizza.
Well, and for taking me out here. It is very sweet of you. It takes my mind off
getting thrown off the team.
You are still on the team. Dont worry; we will get you back on. I promise.
How can you promise that? You dont know what the district is going to do. Plus you
heard him; I wont be allowed to play no matter what.
Just wait and see. Wait until the paper gets this. They will blow this up. It is
2014, not the 1950s. Remember that equality stuff they did the assembly the
first day of school?
Yeah, I am just worried. I dont want to be all over the news.
You wont be. The district is the ones that will get hated on. Everyone will rally
behind you.
I dont want this to be a big deal. I just want to play football.
I know Kristin, but dont worry. I will be by your side through this.

Hey Kiddo! Whats cookin?

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Im okay.
Whats wrong? You look upset. Practice go okay today?
Practice was good. For a little. But then a man from the district came to talk to
Coach.
About?
He said I am not allowed to play because I am a girl. That it would ruin the
reputation of the district if they let me play a game on Varsity. Dad, what do I
do?
Comment [N16]: CONTENT: The tough exterior
girl still cries. Something I used from the texts I
studied to show the emotional side of all the big,
bad football players. The romantic relationship also
builds this emotional side.

Kristin, what do you think about that?

Dad, I am just upset. I want to play football, and now it is this big thing. I dont
think its fair.
It isnt fair. We need to do something Kristin. It is not fair to do that. They have
no right to kick you off the team!
So what do you want to do?
I know a guy down at Lakeside Gazette. I can call him and have this in the paper in
the morning. That will get people talk about this. The district wont stand a chance
once the public get a hold of this.
But Dad, I dont want this big.
Do you want other girls to go through this same thing? If we can change it here,
we can change it for a lot of other schools.

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Okay. Are you sure this is the best idea?

I wouldnt steer you wrong. I know it will be hard, but we can do it honey. Dont
worry. I will always do the best for you.
Alright. If you think its best dad. Lets do it.

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