Genie

The story I decided to pursue researching is the life of ‘Genie’, in particular the time that led up to her discovery by authorities: November 3th 1970.

As an opinionated writer, I plan to consider alternate perspectives to the story, such as professionals involved in the case, as well as Genie’s family.

According to Lee Gutkind, ‘truth to the traditional reporter encompasses objectivity, meaning that the reporter must not allow personal feelings to enter into the writing of the story.’

Perspectives I aim to consider when describing Genie’s life include:

 

Her father, Clark Wiley. After 20 months of Genie’s birth, he believed that she was ‘mentally retarded’ and isolated her from society.

He kept Genie’s mother and brother, John, captive. He kept her strapped to a potty and ordered them to never speak to Genie.

He spoke to Genie most of the time in growls and barks, and spoon-fed her milk. He even would sit all day with a loaded gun on his lap.

Her mother Irene, who was nearly blind and was rarely given permission from Clark to speak or go outside. She took Genie with her to seek financial support at a Welfare Office, and a social worker raised a concern after noticing Genie’s appearance.

The first authority figures to see Genie, including detective Sergeant Frank Linley.

Lee Gutkind considers the truth to often be ‘larger than any single fact, not a cut-and-dried positive or negative value. It is quite elusive and, like, beauty, in the eye of the beholder.’ Perhaps readers can find deeper meanings or reflections about society through seemingly minor details in Genie’s story…

 

What Makes a Good Story?

If it’s stuck inside a paperback, even the most incredible story can have its impact hindered by its label of ‘fiction’. That’s what makes unbelievable true stories so frightening.

Suddenly anything is possible, and everything you know to be true is under question.

So, what are some true stories that caught my interest?

Rachel Nickell

In 1992 that the body of a young mother was found, Rachel Nickell.

As the media increasingly built pressure on the investigators to solve her murder, the police became more desperate.

But desperate enough to name an innocent man as the killer?

British readers may be particularly interested in her story as she died fairly recently, lived in London, and her murder reveals great flaws in the British police of the time.

Although the story has been well-documented, providing good resources to write about, there may be limited angles I can take to bring something new to the story that hasn’t been explored before.

 

Joyce Vincent

When Joyce Vincent was discovered dead in 2002, sitting in her London flat opposite her TV, forensics made a shocking discovery: she had been deceased for over two years without anyone noticing.

The television was still on when she was found.

Like Rachel Nickell, Vincent’s story may resonate particularly with British readers. Despite this, the mysteries of her life may leave readers unsatisfied with too many unanswered questions and lack of action.

Genie 

Disney films teach us that Tarzan and Mowgli we able to grow up in the wild, and go on to happily learn English and sing the bare necessities.

 

But what if a real child was raised without human contact, would they really be able to fit back in with society?

In 1970 we got our answer, in the form of a timid teenage girl from the US.
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A famous case, even readers who are familiar with the girl known as ‘Genie’, they may not be aware of the fascinating details. Although British readers may find less relevance with an American girl, readers may find the internal (and external) conflict in her life intriguing and informative.