Polarity
Submision Type
book
Logline
The Polarity series tells the story of Sara Jane Spencer, M.D., a bright, beautiful, and sympathetic heroine in search of love paired with alternate sexuality (kink) and power exchange. Erotic and intelligently written, this is "the thinking woman's Fifty Shades."
Genre
Romance,Erotica,Adventure,Drama
Short Summary
Sara Jane Spencer, a 40-something "alpha woman" (ER doctor), waits at the Richmond Airport to meet Gayle Gentry for the first time—he's sexy, fascinating and the best prospect she's found in her online search for a kink-friendly life partner. "Dear God, please let him be real," she prays.
Setting
Richmond, the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, California's Sonoma Coast
Based on a True Story
No
Plot - Premise
Quest,Internal Journey/Rebirth,Overcoming Monster/Villain,Other
Plot - Other Elements
Meaningful Message,Philosophical Questions,Twist,Other
Mature Audience Themes
Nudity, Language/Profanity,Sexual Abuse
Main Character Details
Name: Sarah Jane Spencer
Age: 49
Gender: Female
Role: Protagonist
Key Traits: Adventurous,Charming,Empathetic,Engaging,Sexy,Romantic,Educated,Insecure,Funny,Sarcastic
Additional Character Details
Name: Gayle Gentry
Age: 51
Gender: Male
Role: Mentor
Key Traits: Adventurous,Badass,Charming,Decisive,Empathetic,Flexible,Gracious,Heroic,Masculine,Patriotic,Romantic,Secretive,Seductive,Sophisticated,Leader,Unapologetic
Additional Character Details
Name: Dieter Wolfe
Age: 55
Gender: Male
Role: antagonist
Key Traits: Aggressive,Charming,Confident,Educated,Masculine,Narcisstic,Sexy,Seductive,Sophisticated,Lone Wolf
Additional Character Details
Name: Valerie Spencer
Age: 52
Gender: Female
Role: sidekick
Key Traits: Empathetic,Faithful,Gracious,Funny,Romantic,Honorable
Genre
ROMANCE, MATURE AUDIENCE, DRAMA
Brief
Sarah Jane is disheartened after her husband leaves her for another man. But instead of giving up hope, she embraces her true sexuality and starts experimenting in the kink world. She struggles to find the right dom who can balance real-life relationships with satisfaction in the bedroom. One goes to far, but another saves her in more ways than one.
Overall Rating
FAIR
Narrative Elements
Authors Writing Style: FAIR
Characterization: FAIR
Commerciality: GOOD
Franchise Potential: GOOD
Pace: FAIR
Premise: FAIR
Structure: FAIR
Theme: GOOD
Accuracy of Book Profile
The book profile reflects most of the story. The logline talks about the series rather than the particular book. The short summary only discusses the last half of the book rather than Sarah Jane's entire journey. By explaining her motivation behind BDSM and how Gayle enhances that, but the conflict their relationship faces because of her past.
Draw of Story
Sarah Jane's curiosity brings her new experiences, but she is very selective and clear in what she wants out of life.
Possible Drawbacks
Some of her relationships are meant to add depth to her character, but are not influential to the plot such as her children and some of her trial doms such as Lucas. Although he presents an interesting character, he is not a consistent influence once Gayle enters the picture. By either adding purpose to each side character or only including purposeful side characters, the narrative will be easier to follow thematically with continuously building pacing.
Use of Special Effects
THE STORY RELIES A LITTLE BIT ON SPECIAL EFFECTS
Primary Hook of Story
The hook is that Sarah Jane is an alpha sub so she wants equality in everyday life and to just submit in sexual exploration. The creates tension with her lovers who are mostly used to having all control at all times.
Fanbase Potential
This has the potential for the same fanbase as most sexual thrillers or mainstream BDSM movies. It could be popular especially given the ages of the characters being more in line with the audience for these types of films.
Awards Potential
Due to its genre it is unlikely to gain nominations for prestige awards, but depending on the themes and graphic nature of the depiction, this might win awards within its niche.
Envisioned Budget
LOW BUDGET
Similar Films/TV Series
FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, SECRETARY, 365 DAYS, LUST CAUTION, BELLE DE JOUR
What’s New About the Story
The originality stems from the balance between Sarah Jane's romantic relationship along with her sexual relationship. By focusing on side characters that influence her inner conflict, the narrative will feel more cohesive and the pacing will build more consistently.
Lead Characters
Sarah Jane is capable, curious, and hopeful. Gayle s guarded, generous and patient.
Uniqueness of Story
This has some neat explorations of side characters and really advocates for not settling for less than what you want, but certain developments could strengthen the story. Making sure that characters outside of the protagonist have inner conflicts and transformations will make them seem more realistic as well as give them purpose to the narrative.
Possible Formats
Film: Studio, Indie, Streaming
Analyst Recommendation
WORK IN PROGRESS
Justification
While the story has many positive points, it has room for improvement (see possible paths below). If you can't change the story at this point, my suggestion is using your notes as a guide to highlight the best aspects of it when taking the next steps, either putting a pitch page together, a treatment, or a presentation.
Tips for Improvement
By creating inner conflicts for the side characters and or only using influential characters to streamline the main conflict, the pacing will consistently rise more and the narrative will be easy to follow.