Help with my book please??

Question

Set in English 1831

An inspector finds a prostitute unconscious nxt to an abandoned Inn. The prostitute gets amnesia, forgets her past, becomes as innocent as a child (is this possible?)She's forgotten how to read or write,but knows how to talk. So, basically, she symbolizes how humans were before they were affected by the ways of society. Anyways, the inspector hates her at first, because she is, after all, a prostitute, but later on comes to love her-of course, this happens towards the end of the story. Anyways, what should the mystery behind her having been lying unconscious of next to an abandoned inn be?Who tried to kill her?Why? And should I have the inspector find a diary of the prostitutes which tells of her life before she got amnesia,like, the story will change from the present to the past, narrated in first person by the prostitute (her diary)And also,should I have her memory return later?How should the story end?Turn her back into a prostitute,by the influence of society

Should she have a diary, and WHY???
And if she does have a diary, why had she gone into prostitution when she was able to read and write???

And what should the inspector's surname be? Frederick...what?? Gerald? Grammond? Garamon? Lydgate? Garth? Renfield??? Any suggestions??

Also,what should the relationship be b/w the prostitute and the inspector?Should it be tragic,like,the woman only views him in a fatherly way,but he really loves her??? (though he despises her at first,as he is against prostitution)

Answer 1

Very respectfully, the fact that she is a prostitute is not enough of a reason for the inspector to "hate" whoever in the first place. I think it's naive of you to think it is. And even more naive of you to assume that a prostitute can neither read nor write or, that anyone capable of reading and writing would not want or choose to be a sex worker. Have you thought about money? Psychology?
Prostitution is perfectly legal in many places and is often, albeit not always, an honourable proffession carried out by health conscious, socially responsible, honest, tax-paying and highly paid individuals.
The 1950's and 60's are long gone and, while you were perhaps busy learning to be more judgemental, the world has moved on. People no longer employ the services of a prostitute simply because they HAVE to. In the year 2006, they are doing it because they CAN. To illustrate my point, let's compare it to ordering a pizza... When it's dinner time, you have an option to cook something and you have an option to order in. Wether one is better than the other is irrelevant here. Its purely an available option.
I know your book is a period piece, set in days gone by when attitudes were very different but your readers are modern day people and I feel that you must consider these things first if you intend to take them back in time convincingly.
Perhaps a topic more relevant to your own life's experience would read more credibly? If it seems that I am poo-pooing your ability or validity as a writer, let me assure you that I have no intention of doing so. On the contrary, I encourage you whole-heartedly. I love fiction and I love people with stories to tell and ideas to share. Even crazy ideas!
What do YOU know? What have you come to know from YOUR experience of life so far? How did you learn it? How has what you've learnt/seen/witnessed/been through changed you or made you feel? Fiction or non-fiction, past or present day, build your story around the answers.
Anyway, whatever you choose to write about, I wish you enjoyment and success.
P
x

Answer 2

When you are writing, be sure to verify what you are writing is accurate. By this I mean; if she talk but can't read and write, is that medically correct? Do speach and writing come from the same hemisphere of the brain as reading?

You need to figure out all of these plot and character facts on your own or it's not your story! I suggest a couple of things; get some good books on writing, focus on history, since this takes place in 1831 verify historical facts, medical facts, etc. Then take a writing class and join a writing group. Good luck.

Answer 3

Here is an ending for your story: The inspector marries her, and soon after finds out that he has received both Aids and Hepatitis C from her, both incurable diseases common among prostitutes. Instead of berating himself for having sex with someone that was almost guaranteed to have these diseases, he gets drunk and viciously murders her. In the morning one of his coworkers arrives at his house to see why he has not shown up at work, only to find him still drunk on the floor with the murder weapon in his hand, next to her mutilated body. His coworker calls for backup, he is tried, found guilty and spends the next 30 years on death row fighting both the death penalty and large angry fellow prisoners that are raping him in his jail cell.