What part of Deanna is represented and embodied in the "surfer girl" or "the girl on the waves?" What aspects of her life and experience are reflected in her relationship with the surfer girl, both in terms of what she writes about the girl and the different ways she treats what she writes?

Consider and discuss the parallels and differences between Deanna and Stacy. In what ways are their situations and attitudes alike? In what ways are they different? In what ways are the actions taken by Deanna to change her situation similar and different to those taken by Stacy?

Have you ever had an experience, either positive or negative, that you feel has unfairly defined your life? An experience you have felt necessary to try and escape? Discuss that experience, how people reacted to you because of that experience, and how you managed...