Starfish On Thursday
GENRE
MEMOIR
Core Theme
GROWING UP, AMERICAN CULTURE, GUILT VS. INNOCENCE, CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
TIME PERIOD
1980s & '90s
COMPARABLE TITLES
TINY FURNITURE, RUNNING WITH SCISSORS, LADY BIRD
CHARACTER LIST
• YOUNG AMIE: 7. OBSERVANT, CURIOUS, LOVEABLE.
• TEENAGE AMIE: 15. EMOTIONAL, INTELLIGENT, HONEST.
• ADULT AMIE: 20. CYNICAL, INDEPENDENT, LOVING.
Logline
Seattle girl tells stories of growing up in the 70s and 80s while dealing with abusive pillhead mother.
Target Audiences
Age: 18-34
Target Gender: Universal
Setting
Seattle, WA, USA
Based on a True Story
Yes
Publishing Details
Status: Yes: self-published
Year Published: 2015
Starting Description
x
Ending Description
girl is adult, accepts life is imperfect and often funny
Group Specific
Information not completed
Hard Copy Available
No
ISBN
Information not completed
Mature Audience Themes
Extreme Violence, Language/Profanity, Substance Abuse
Plot - Other Elements
Coming of Age
Plot - Premise
Overcoming Monster/Villain
Main Character Details
Name: Amie
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Role: Emotional
Key Traits: Aspiring, Charming, Desperate, Engaging, Funny, Adventurous
Additional Character Details
Name: Linda
Age: 45
Gender: Female
Role: Antagonist
Key Traits: Badass, Charming, Greedy, Manipulative, Unapologetic, Villainous, Crazy, Criminal, Desperate, Insecure,Crazy,Manipulative,Villainous
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Additional Character Details
The author has not yet written this
Brief
With incredible humor and cynicism, Seattle girl Amie Ryan tells real life stories of growing up in the
70’s and 80’s while dealing with an abusive pill-popping mother. From Amie’s childhood to the
disappointments of adulthood, the story paints a satirical picture of growing up in America.
What We Liked
Amie’s reflections and observations feel honest and familiar, they are very insightful and sincere. Her
topics, range from humorously naive perceptions of suburban life to cynical notings of modern
American society. The strength of this protagonist driven story is Amie's unique voice sprinkled with
sarcasm and wit.
Film: Starfish on Thursday gives way for a coming-of-age film about growing up in Seattle and
showcasing one young woman's fascinating take on the world around her.
TV: The female-driven story is a comedic take on adolescents and the nuances of what it's like
dealing with wacky family members and people in the community. The distinctive nature of Amie’s
voice lends itself to opportunities for strong talent to showcase their abilities in various storylines.
Synopsis
Growing up in Seattle in the 70’s and 80’s gives Amie Ryan a peculiar view of the world. Her childhood
is filled with misadventures and painful realizations that those around her are riddled with their own
problems. Her parents’ narrow perceptions of life are misleading, and they are quite inadequate too;
meanwhile, her sister is a pessimistic grouch.
Interactions with African-Americans in her neighborhood force Amie to see the errors in her family’s
racial mindsets, as well as in her own. Amie weaves her way through neurotic teachers, vindictive
aunts and schoolyard bullies; not only can she make friends with bullies, she begins to wisen up and
accept the constant ironies found in life; such as her guitarist friend, whose misogynistic thinking
causes him to quit the one female punk band in Seattle that goes on to be a huge success.
Amie carries these observations into adulthood and gains new ones. As a single woman, she realizes
that most men are inept, and that being wealthy isn’t a foolproof guard against feeling suicidal. She
eventually comes to terms with the fact that the security of American life is nothing but a scam as
she grows into the roles of being mother and wife. On her journey through the noise and chaos of life,
she finds liberty through cynicism.