That to this…

I envision and hope for my final thesis to be equal parts creative and analytical.  Kinda like me.  

In three short weeks, I have eliminated 4 of my original 5 potential thesis topics.  Replaced one of the eliminated topics with a completely (sorta) new topic .  And, most recently, have managed to combine the “last two standing” into a project that truly makes my heart race.

There was this eerie (dare I say serendipitous??) moment on the phone with Alan when I realized part of my thesis was literally tattooed to my foot. The words:  Your Father.

And so, with a little help from Alan, some soul searching, and web surfing, I have finally begun to see the possible shape of my project.  I am eager to move on the next phase(s) of this journey and can honestly say that I am thrilled with where this may lead me….

Thesis Concept: A little hard to describe.  In short, it’s a mixed-genre, low-tech, multimodal narrative.  I would further categorize it as a creative nonfiction memoir, perhaps.  I will reflect both on the creative writing process and the possible implications of such activities with regard to coping with the loss of a loved-one.  

Creative Aspect:  Basically, I intend to create a series of fictional “conversations” (think epistolary form) with my father–beginning on (or around) the day after he died (9-11-01) and ending in the present time (2017). However, throughout the course of this 16-year span of interactions, the mode of communication used would evolve to reflect the most socially-prevalent and accurate one of the time.  For example, my father did not have a cell phone in 2001, so text-messaging would not be an accurate depiction of the time.  I was thinking of starting with letters to my father, then emails, followed by text-messages and ending with tweets to each other.

Analytical Aspects: I am interested in reflecting on a number of things related to this project. Some things to consider:  

• What does it take to recreate a realistic version of a real person? (memory, analyzing artifacts such as letters, notes; watching old home movies, etc.)
• How does the chosen mode of communication affect the narrative? (paying attention to the semiotics and nuances of the medium may produce shorter/longer, formal/informal, more/less frequent intervals of communications)
• How does the device/tool used to compose a narrative impact the creative process? (ex: should fictional narrative letters be drafted, edited and revised with pen and paper?  Should an author composed text-message simulations on a cell phone in order to recreate an authentic experience and thus, believable output?, etc.)
• Is it possible to help others recreate this process?
• How can writing this type of memoir aid with the healing process after the loss of a loved-one?