Writing fiction was how I started as a writer. It was in grade 10 and my English teacher was Sue Kuindersma. I had a bit of a crush on her. Thanks to my overactive imagination, I was always able to conjure up scenarios in my head and I had a gift for writing conversation. Mrs. Kuindersma taught me the word “colloquial” and made me happy when she used it to praise my dialogue saying it was very natural, very realistic.
I turned out a few original short stories in high school but I also recall writing variations on the action I saw in films. I remember turning in something I called “Carlotta’s People” that was basically a retelling of the movie Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid. So, writing fiction based on other sources (and poetry) is where I came in.
As a consumer of film, I often while away the hours after watching a movie imagining what might have happened to these characters after the events of the film. Often this wondering takes the form of “does this couple stay together?”. Based on the screen story, considering what we have learned about the characters – are they suited for the long haul or was their coupling transitional and therapeutic? Johnny and Baby, for example. There’s no way they stay together after that summer of 1963 we saw in Dirty Dancing. I guess what I am describing is a sequel, basically. I’ve always thought it would be interesting to write something akin to a sequel to many of the films I have loved – what happened afterwards? Fast forward to the winter of 2023 and me losing my mind.
My regular readers will know that my life was greatly impacted at that time by my discovery of the 1973 Universal film Breezy. I knocked out three articles on the film in short time and even after “getting it all out” I still thought about the characters and the story almost all the time. Then I recalled someone I had interacted with in a Dragnet group on social media. Kristy wrote Dragnet fan fiction consisting of the further adventures of Sgt. Joe Friday and his navigating a blossoming romantic relationship. I consulted with Kristy through messaging and she encouraged me saying that fan fiction can be whatever you want it to be. I decided that I was invested enough in the story that screenwriter Jo Heims presented in my new-favourite, Clint Eastwood-directed film. I decided that I had some ideas and I thought it would a good creative exercise for myself to enjoy – even if no one else would.
This is a quick note then to announce that I am embarking on the venture of telling the back stories of Edith Alice “Breezy” Breezerman and Frank Harmon, giving my take on how they got to the events that we see at the beginning of the film. Also I will be presenting my theories on how they spent the rest of their days. The exciting part for me and for those who have a good understanding of the movie lies in the fact that there are parts of the screenplay that give hints as to the earlier lives of these characters, hints I could build on to tell a story. There are other minor characters that might play a role in their later lives and there are seemingly trivial things mentioned in passing in the movie that gave me things to work with. It has been fun to explore this middle ground between commentating on “vintage leisure” like I do here and straight-up, created-out-of-thin-air fiction.
This has been an easy way for me to get back into writing fiction, something I may or may not explore further in the future. I didn’t feel pressured to come up with original characters and the spine of “my” story is the one that was created by Ms. Heims for Clint to direct. Let me encourage you to watch the movie. To enjoy this tale I will be telling, it may not be essential to know the story of the film but it will certainly help. So, for those who follow the website, I hope you will indulge me, join in and walk with me through this diversion of mine.
I hope you will enjoy Breezy: Hello, My Life
You may prep for this journey by watching the film or by reading my articles on it. Here are links to the Breezy chronicles.
SoulRide 