(I drafted something similar out for Cornbread and it was very helpful. I seem to be a bit stuck with revision of Little Lolo Stories Project so maybe this will help with ideas. I am especially stuck with the early chapters even though the arc is there. Now, of course, the language needs work but the arc is there.)
Prologue-
This is the intro to Mitedio’s Coco stories and the brief look into the boys’ life on Spruce. Introduces Lolo and older brother Relles.
1. Lolo lapping Milk
Here we learn Lolo is very scrawny and causes the Jefe some shame. Lolo embarrasses himself in front of the Grandfather.
2. Tattoos
We learn Lolo is obsessed with the Jefe and Mitedio’s tattoos–also bringing home spiders and snakes.
3. Lolo breaks wrists
This is a short chapter that follows Lolo on a night bike ride to box elder where he breaks his wrists.
4. Jefe’s ears and list
Here we learn the Jefe cannot work too much because of his ears–he is asked to go home and come back but his shifts are cut back which means he will increase amount of side-jobs.
5. Jefe mows lawn
Jefe is at home more and more and working on his yard and seems to take it out on Lolo–we also leanr he steals. This contradicts later chapters and I need to work on that.
6. Multi Purpose Belt
This establishes Jefe as very strict and the boys as causing a bit of trouble.
7. Las Dias
Here the birthday events are introduced–the Ortiz family time together.
8. Rabbit Story
Flashforward and intro of 1st person–Lolo tells Manito story of Jefe fathering a child outside of marriage. Lolo never tells what he sees until years later.
9. Crew of Fosters
Introduction of Jefe as frugile and Jefita takes in fosters to make money.
10. Mitedio plays with boys
Jefe has work and discipline but this chapter shows Mitedio as sympathetic to the kids.
11. Lolo around the neighborhood
Lolo rides around neighborhood–some interesting spots are inroduced– and he looks for Mitedio out drunk
12. Lolo and Chickens
Lolo cries when chickens are killed for dinner–hates to see animals hurt but then he grows colder to violence. This should come earilier too perhaps.
13. Boys play in snow
14. Jefe in Burma
Flashback giving a bit of sympathy to Jefe
15. the Bear
Jefe trashes Lolo’s teddy bear he sleeps with (Perhaps this should come earlier?)
16. the dog
The boys and Jefita take in a dog
17. driven to the fields
Jefe takes boys to side-jobs
18. Mitedio Returns from Korea
Introduces Mitedio as war vet and Korean War pow
19. Mitedio moves to Spruce
Mitedio’s wife puts him out and her brothers kick him out of San Luis Valley.
20.-24. Juanita’s Boy
Mitedio watches boys as Jefe and Jefita head to funeral–Mitedio is not allowed in his mother’s home because he is a drunk and thief. He is last resort for the Jefe and the Jefita in emergency.
25. Mitedio’s Fishing Trips
Mitedio takes the boys out and shows them more freedom than their Jefe.
26. Mitedio’s Fight
Shows Mitedio to be a drinker and unstable/also lonely
27. Rock in the Beans
Mitedio finds a rock in Jefita’s beans and is kicked out of Spruce
28. Lolo fractures skull
Lolo and the crew of boys argue more and more after Mitedio is gone.
29. Jefita pregnant
Jefita comes from doctor and the news is very sad news–another child will strain the family;s already thin budget.
30. Mitedio in prison
The Jefe tells the boys about Mitedio sentenced to jail.
31.-32. Jefita in Colorado Springs
The Jefe has to work more and more side-jobs after Mitedio leaves and after finding out a baby is coming. Jefita goes to visit her sister to deal with the pregnancy–perhaps considering leaving the Jefe.
33. Jefe and Crew Hunting
The Jefe and crew stop for some hunting after they work in the lettuce fields. Lolo falls down a hill and then shows some toughness–wins over Jefe’s affection.
34. Jefe returns
When Jefe comes back from trip he finds the chickens and rabbits dead and blames Jefita. They argue and Jefita argues for Jefe to change his ways before new baby comes.
35. the fight
Jefe out to dinner with Jefita–thisis their makeup dinner–and then fights with Avellanos who is drawn as desperate and violent.
36.-37. Flashback
Young Mitedio and Jefe/Luis fight and scene shows Jefe similar to Lolo at young age.
38. Jefe gets stitches
39. Mitedio Calls
Mitedio calls while the Jefe and Jefita out and catches up with boys.
40.-41. Colorado State Penitentiary Visit
Jefe and Jefita as well as the crew of boys head out to visit Mitedio.
42-43. Jefe Arrested
Jefe arrested over fight with Avellanos.
44. Jefe Interviewed
I have the Jefe interviewed by the CJA and being asked questions about his family. He is pushed to speak about his family–jail time has broken him and forces him to see clearly.
45. Jefe plays in backyard
Resolution where I have Jefe playing with the boys–a pretty small gesture–but after time in jail he is ready to play. I still need to resolve the ears/hearing situation I set up early on.
Yes–this is a good idea, and it helps to see it out like this.