Struggling Writers discussion

I'm writing a book about foster sisters in a crap situation. The lead foster, Paige, gets adopted by a cop and a doctor. She goes on to become a good kid and a prodigy pianist. Out of nowhere, he bio mom pops back into the pictures and the adoptees kind of accept this which pisses Paige off.

Suddenly, I have no idea where the story is going. I want her to noticeably rebel but not by partying, smoking, drinking or having sex. Nothing crazy but i don't know what. I was thinking the silent treatment indefinitely. I really wish I could TALK to someone about this. That'd be easier. Willing to also give advice or what have you.

In my experience, the way “good girls” like to rebel is by changing their appearance as radically as they dare. We get hair cuts short and dyed. Wild makeup. Try new styles of clothes. I guess it’s to assert control over ourselves and outwardly signal that we want to be seen differently.
The important thing is, that these things don’t have bad effects on our health and safety in the way going down the drinks and drugs route would. Also, being a “good girl” up to this point means we probably haven’t acquired the street smarts yet to act like a real “bad girl” yet lol.
We also might try listening to different genres of music, start questioning opinions and try and form our own view of the world, you know, all the growing up things.

Love the plot idea! I think it really depends on the backstory between the lead foster Paige and the bio mom/parents. Did the bio Mom abandon the kids because she was an addict or neglectful parent? Or was it a decision she was forced to make because she just couldn't raise them? The circumstance of her giving them up for adoption would definitely play a huge role.


If I were writing it, and the Bio mom was a bad parent (and in this the other adoptees are just too young / naive) Foster girl may lash out by constantly putting down any effort the Bio Mom puts to make up for the past, or misdirecting her anger/emotions in School, Friends, Love Interest, etc. However you decide to show her "rebellion", it's important to communicate her emotional spiral as well as her physical.

Good luck!