Once Upon a Fantasy

I'm working on a new story currently called Once Upon a Fantasy.

Annabelle is worthless. That's the only reason she can come up with for why her life is the way it is. She's never quite healthy. She was formerly abused by her dad who has just been released from prison. She's virtually ignored at home. She's bullied. She has no friends at school.

Her only consolation is the collection of fairy tales she begins to write. It's a way to shove her daily life into a manageable container and keep herself from panic attacks that visit her frequently. It's her lifeline. She keeps it a secret, morphing herself into a princess, her problems into dragons, her life into a fairy world, inventing mythical ways to get her out of where she's at. 

As she begins these stories, someone finally goes out of their way to know her. A boy named Brenden, who claims that he felt as though God told him to talk to her, because all she really needed was someone to care. And although the idea of a loving God appeals to her, it sounds too much like a fairy tale and she knows from personal experiences that fairy tales never come true. 

Although she's never been healthy, after receiving the news of her dad's release from prison, her health rapidly declines, beginning to manifest itself in symptoms that leave her unable to even walk. Doctor after doctor after specialist draw up short in diagnosing her and she begins to wonder what the point is if she's so messed up that even doctors can't figure her out. Where is the god Brenden keeps talking about? 

Dawn

So I thought I'd take a second to give you an overview of this book so you know what's happening when I begin to rant about my characters. So here's the synopsis:



        Chris always told Aura about God and she just accepted it, but never felt the connection. When he dies in a car crash, she doesn't know what to believe anymore. Where is his faithful God? Unknowingly, she shuts everyone out, trying to get rid of the pain. 


       Aura's brother, Ray, is convinced Chris's death is his fault. After all, he was the one driving when he wasn't supposed to be. Maybe if he hadn't insisted, he would have died instead and saved everyone the pain. Plagued by guilt, he begins to get into trouble and starts contemplating suicide. 

I'm currently blocked at 42,700 words and 161 pages. It's aggravating. This story is kicking my butt. The current title is Dawn. If you want to suggest a better name for it based on my synopsis, feel free to, because this title is by all means not permanent.