Re: The Magnificent 7th Graders

Now, keep in mind I haven't read The Magnificent 7th Graders yet. You know what? It didn't matter. I found this really cute and I like it. :) I had only three little nitpicks from a writer/editor standpoint.

1) The bit about Stanley's security system: I'm thinking maybe it could be introduced a lot earlier and as something in passing, as in perhaps he's up on a ladder poking at the camera when Zander, Kiki and Jimmy first burst in (with him falling off the ladder in surprise onto a well-worn couch; don't want him breaking his head right away ;) ), or even someone noticing the camera during one of the group sessions at his place and asking him casually about it. Just something that doesn't necessarily hint at it being so important later on; perhaps there's doubt that it even works at all because the wiring on it is so screwy-looking.

2) Zander's apparent lack of reaction when Stanley tells him, 'That's the movies.' I was wondering how anyone could not be discouraged by this, no matter how supportive, stubborn or upbeat they usually are -- hell, I was temporarily discouraged by it! I know Zander's been through a lot so it might take more for him to doubt Stanley, but I'd like to see him deal with it on his own before he assembles the group in the evening. Perhaps he finds something among Stanley's collection that he takes inspiration from (a documentary or something), or maybe he's even borrowed The Seven Samurai or The Magnificent Seven from Stanley and watches it. Another possibility could be that Stanley's DVD equipment isn't in the best shape and sometimes it starts up playing by itself, usually at inconvenient times ('I swear this thing's possessed,' Stanley declares as he shuts it off again. 'It hasn't behaved properly since I played 'Poltergeist' in it.'); maybe Zander's moping around the place when the machine starts up and begins playing a random scene from one of the two movies that he finds inspirational.

3) The principal gets maybe two mentions throughout the whole thing. I realize you mean him to be ineffective in the conflict, but he basically disappears between the beginning and the end; I noticed that not even Coach Elliott or his Raiders try to use him for anything. Maybe he could be a pleasantly senile fellow who mishears things -- 'They tried to beat us up!' 'Someone broke my coffee cup? Can't be, it's right here.' -- forgets things shortly after hearing them correctly, and/or doesn't believe a bad word said about anyone? I can see Zander trying to convince him of Stanley's innocence and not only be extremely persuasive, but also succeed in winning him over -- only to have the principal turn around at one point and ask politely, 'Oh, young Zander. I didn't hear you come in. Can I help you?' From a plot standpoint, I might have Zander go to Stanley's place after this point to mope (where the possessed DVD player then offers random inspiration).

Or something. Feel free to ignore me anytime. I'm just throwing out a bunch of thoughts here. :)

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