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In Loco Parentis

The term in loco parentis, Latin for "in the place of a parent", refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent. Originally derived from British common law, it is applied as a broad provision allowing such institutions to act in the best interests of the students as they see fit, allowing what would otherwise be considered violations of the students' civil liberties.
- Wikipedia


I won't even admit how long I have had this story working. It runs around in my little head almost non-stop. Still. I have to finish it. I have to put it behind me. Some time soon, even.

The parts of this story have grown over the years. Originally, the section in the first chapter where Grant (the protagonist, who you'll meet in every nook and cranny of this book) is awakened by a storm and thinks at first he hears the last name of one of the other characters (Broussard, to be exact) was - at one point - the opening of the story. It is now firmly planted on page 15 and following. (The original sur-name? Boulard, not Broussard.)

You aren't introduced to the story's minor protagonist in person until Chapter Two, although you learn a lot about him in a round-about way from the first paragraph. His name is Adrian now, but originally it was Geoff. The names Grant and Geoff were too similar, and not in a complimentary way (like Lila and Leon). So I turned Geoff into Adrian. (Thank you "global find and replace"!!!)

I currently have approximately 80,000 words of this story in draft form. Another 30,000 will be needed to finish the draft. I have dozens and dozens of pages of scribbled notes; notes on everything from character development to setting improvements to obvious plot points that the initial draft(s) have lacked. Some of the notes are in formal notebooks, some on scraps of paper ripped from rolls of damaged paper during the two summers I worked at a paper factory during college. (Yes, the genesis of this story is THAT old.) I even have a couple thoughts on a napkin or two, grabbed in haste when inspiration struck.

I post this now to, hopefully bring the beginning of the end into sight. It is soon time to finish this. To move on. To allow Grant and Adrian and Lila and Jade and Cory their freedom. They have been at my beck and call for too long now. Soon they will go free.

I don't know how many of the chapters will end up here. It seems a bit presumptuous of me to think someone would steal this story, but by the same token, it seems reckless to put it out here in its entirety without protecting my interest. For now, I'll post a chapter or four, as they are ready for consumption. If you read, and enjoy, this story, I'd love to know that. It's much like a parent being told that his child is good at something: I can't take all the credit, but it is still nice to hear.

ESW -  Saturday, May 26, 2007

In Loco Parentis is the property of Eric S. Wyatt, and may not be reproduced without the consent of the author.

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