Self-conscious kid

Many ‘everyday life’ stories are in the first person – the protagonist telling you about their life. So, obviously, they introduce themselves, using a lot of ‘I’ messages. I know, I feel, I wish...

But they’re also self-conscious. They know what is ‘ordinary’ about themselves, and what is not. And it’s on their mind.

Have a read.

I know I’m not an ordinary ten-year-old kid. I mean, sure, I do ordinary things. I eat ice cream. I ride my bike. I play ball. I have an XBox. Stuff like that makes me ordinary. I guess. And I feel ordinary. Inside. But I know ordinary kids don’t make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. I know ordinary kids don’t get stared at wherever they go.

If I found a magic lamp and I could have one wish, I would wish that I had a normal face that no one ever noticed at all.

Wonder(2012)

Here is an example, using this image as a starting point.

I know normal people aren’t called ‘Zombie’ (it’s one of my nicer nicknames, believe me), but I’m weird. Look, I like skateboarding. I check my phone. I play basketball. I’m learning the guitar. They’re normal things. Plenty of people do that stuff. But nobody I know falls asleep in class every day. Nobody I know collapses in a basketball game and gets played around until he wakes up. And nobody I know has an ambulance called because they can’t be woken up at a metal concert.

If a genie suddenly appeared with the whole three wishes thing, as well as asking for Shaq’s reach and Jordan’s… everything (of course), I’d just want the ability to get through the day without feeling tired.

Now it’s your turn.

Write a self-conscious character introduction, based on the picture. Describe what they see as ordinary and what’s not. Finish with a heartfelt wish for change.

Everyday Life Genre (Middle Years)

Self-conscious kid