THE BACKSTROKE synopsis

LOGLINE

In a rain-drenched pool watched over by unseen Water Spirits, twelve-year-old Abigail Apple battles fear, discipline, and self-doubt—until a single shimmering race reveals her destiny: to rise from the water as the Butterfly.

 

PITCH

When twelve-year-old Abigail Apple joins the swim team, she’s convinced the pool is alive—enchanted by ancient Water Spirits who test young swimmers for bravery. While her tough coach drills her relentlessly in The Backstroke, Abigail secretly teaches herself The Butterfly, the stroke that makes her feel like she could grow wings. At her first swim meet, her determination, imagination, and heart merge in one breathtaking race—and the water itself rewards her courage.

 

SYNOPSIS

Twelve-year-old Abigail Apple joins her local swim team on her birthday, certain the outdoor pool holds a secret. While others see only water, Abigail senses enchantment—a sacred place watched over by ancient Water Spirits who test swimmers for courage and heart. She believes the ripples and reflections respond to her emotions: the water storms when she’s discouraged, and glows when she’s focused.

 

Her tough coach, Stacey Smoothers, pushes the team like a drill sergeant. Abigail finds the cold pool intimidating and the coach’s commands harsh, but she tries to stay positive, believing these challenges are part of her test from the Water Spirits. When Coach Smoothers assigns her to perfect The Backstroke—a stroke she struggles with—Abigail obeys, though she secretly dreams of mastering The Butterfly, her favorite. During practice, Abigail battles exhaustion, collisions, and self-doubt. She performs endless pushups for mistakes and endures hitting her head on the pool wall during turns. Still, she imagines unseen eyes beneath the water urging her onward: left, right, left, right. Each night, she trains in secret, teaching herself The Butterfly with fierce determination. In the rhythm of the strokes, she feels her spirit lift—as if wings might one day unfurl from her back.

 

At the end of the month, the team competes in its first swim meet. Abigail is assigned to The Backstroke but convinces Coach Smoothers to let her swim The Butterfly as well. Nervous but determined, she finishes last in The Backstroke, then steps onto the starting block for The Butterfly like an underdog with something to prove. When the gun fires, she dives and soars through the water, finding her rhythm and power.

 

Neck and neck with her competitor, Abigail pushes harder than ever. As she touches the wall, the scoreboard flashes a new record: 24.00 seconds—Women’s 50 Meter Butterfly. Her teammates and coach cheer wildly. As she catches her breath, the water around her begins to shimmer. Tiny silver bubbles swirl like fireflies, and wings of light unfold from her back. Before the stunned crowd, Abigail rises into the air—transformed into a radiant butterfly.

 

In that moment, Abigail realizes the Water Spirits have rewarded her perseverance and courage. She is no longer just a swimmer chasing ribbons; she has become what she always believed she could be—the Butterfly.    

Copyright 2025 Jennifer Waters

"I'll Be Your Cowboy," A COUNTRY SONG

VERSE:             

When the sun drops low on the horizon,

And the tumbleweed rolls by slow, 

If you’re alone and tears start fallin’,

I’ll be your cowboy.

 

VERSE:             

I’ll lasso your broken heart to my buckle.

Sing you songs by the campfire glow.

I’ll ride through dust just to find you.

I’ll be your cowboy.         

 

CHORUS:          

Coyotes howl in the darkness.

Lonely mesas go on for miles. 

Postcards from the trail are forgotten,

But my love for you still runs wild. 

 

VERSE:             

The barbed wire will not hurt you, 

Or the wind by night that blows.

My cracked boots will be stronger.

I’ll be your cowboy. 

 

VERSE:             

I’ve thrown out my whiskey bottles. 

I’ve survived like a black crow.      

I tip my hat against the twilight.  

I’ll be your cowboy.         

                        

CHORUS:          

Coyotes howl in the darkness.

Lonely mesas go on for miles. 

Postcards from the trail are forgotten,

But my love for you still runs wild. 

 

BRIDGE:           

There’s room for you on my saddle. 

Just let me hold the reins. 

You can wear my bandana. 

We’ll triumph through the plains. 

 

CHORUS:          

Coyotes howl in the darkness.

Lonely mesas go on for miles. 

Postcards from the trail are forgotten,

But my love for you still runs wild. 

 

VERSE:             

You’ll see our silhouette on horseback.

We’ll take the long road home. 

My hands may be rough, but I am gentle.

I’ll be your cowboy. 

 

VERSE:             

When the stars go dark in the desert, 

And the cattle try to kick and roam,

I’ll hold you close, oh my cowgirl.

I’ll be your cowboy. 

 

TAG:                 

Baby, I’ll be your cowboy.

I’ll be your cowboy. 

 

Copyright 2025 Jennifer Waters

"My Yuletide Lullaby," A MERRY CHRISTMAS CAROL

VERSE:                          

Tonight, I hold you in my arms,

Soft and tender.

I try to keep you from all harm,

Love you forever.

 

PRE-CHORUS:                

You are my son.

You are a savior.

You are my love.

You are a baby.

 

CHORUS:                      

So, I sing this cradle song.

Watch and guard you all night long.

I soothe you as you cry,

With my yuletide lullaby.

 

VERSE:                          

You are not mine; it’s understood.

Time has a purpose.

I give you back to God for good.

I must have courage.

 

PRE-CHORUS:                

Sleep in peace.

Peace be still.

Sleep and dream.

Dream God’s will,

For the world.

 

CHORUS:                      

So, I sing this cradle song.

Watch and guard you all night long.

I soothe you as you cry,

With my yuletide lullaby.
My yuletide lullaby.

 

BRIDGE:                        

I bless you with my silent tears.

My heart will not give way to fear, oh.

 

CHORUS:                      

So, I sing this cradle song.

Watch and guard you all night long.

I soothe you as you cry,

With my yuletide lullaby.
My yuletide lullaby, my yuletide lullaby.

Copyright 2019 Jennifer Waters 

"Hold Me 'Till I Let You Go," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:

Hold me ‘till I let you go.

Hold me ‘till I let you go.

I don’t want to be alone.

Hold me ‘till I let you go.

 

VERSE:

Hold me ‘till I feel no fear.

Hold me ‘till I feel no fear.

Say you'll never disappear.

Hold me ‘till I feel no fear.

CHORUS: 

You don’t know how much I need you.

You don’t know how scared I am. 

I don’t want to ever leave you.

You tell me you love me, and I believe you.

 

VERSE:

Hold me ‘till I’m strong again.

Hold me ‘till I’m strong again.

When I am weak, be my defense.

Hold me ‘till I’m strong again.

 

CHORUS:

You don’t know how much I need you.

You don’t know how scared I am.

I don’t want to ever leave you.

You tell me you love me, and I believe you.

BRIDGE:

One day, I hope that I can stand. 

Until then, I'll need your hand. 

I'll let go if I can. 

 

VERSE:

Hold me ‘till I let you go.

Hold me ‘till I let you go.

Walk with me this lonely road.

Hold me ‘till I let you go.

 

TAG:

Hold me ‘till I let you go.

Hold me ‘till I let you go.

'Cause I don't ever want to leave you . . . 

 

Copyright 2025 Jennifer Waters

THREE SHIPS synopsis

LOGLINE 

Three ships come sailing in on Christmas Day in the morning!

 

PITCH

On the first Christmas morning, three ships come sailing into the Land of Judea. On one ship, the Holy Family with baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph sail with a donkey. From that ship, Mary can see another ship of astrologers with great treasure and a third ship full of criminals. When sailing into the harbor, the ship with criminals crashes into the stone jetty, and the astrologers give Mary their treasure to help her escape the dangerous men. She leaves the gold, frankincense, and myrrh on the beach as a distraction for the criminals, and she slips into the cheering crowd with her family to journey to Bethlehem. 

 

SYNOPSIS 

One cold winter morning, three ships sail into the Land of Judea. As the sun rises over the horizon, the sound of a baby crying comes from one of the ships. A young mother named Mary, and her newborn child Jesus, huddle in blankets on the side of the deck. She feels tired and cold after spending the night giving birth to her son. A donkey snuggles up next to Mary on the ship. Joseph, her husband, holds her hand. He often kneels in prayer beside Mary and the child. Waves crash against the boat, and the wind blows harder than expected for a clear morning. Every time Mary feels afraid, she sings, “I saw three ships come sailing in on Christmas day in the morning.” After all, this is what the angel Gabriel told Mary would happen. Gabriel told her she would conceive and give birth to a son, and he would be the Son of God, and she was to call him Jesus. 

 

Looking from her ship, Mary can see two other ships sailing next to her. On one of the ships are three wise, old men who have chests of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The men have looking glasses used to watch the stars at night. She thinks they must have been trying to receive messages from God. They sing about finding “Our Savior, Christ, and His Lady on Christmas day in the morning.” Listening to their song, Mary thinks the astrologers must have heard about the coming of Jesus, her son, similar to the way the angel Gabriel visited her. On the other ship, she sees thieves and murderers that were chained to the hull of the boat. Unlike the astrologers, the criminals do not raise their voices in song. 

 

As the three ships dock on the coast of the Land of Judea, miles from Bethlehem, a crowd of people sing on the shore. All of a sudden, a gust of wind blows the ships to shore. When she looks up, the prison ship crashes into the stone jetty. She covers her ears at the crunching sound of the boat hitting the hard stone. Surely, this will allow the prisoners to escape. As Mary and Jesus disembark from the ship, the young mother and her child look tired and rugged. The father leads the donkey by a cord while carrying two knapsacks on his own back. Mary sees the astrologers from the one ship talking amongst themselves and looking at her. Then, a wise astrologer stuffs Joseph’s bags with treasure, and the astrologers run as fast as they can from the disembarking prisoner ship in fear. When she sees the third ship emptying, she thinks that she must give the astrologer’s treasure to the prisoners to keep them at bay. Joseph dumps the treasure from his bag on the beach. Then, the family hurries into the cheering crowd to Bethlehem. Mary kisses her son on the forehead, aware of the man that Jesus will one day become.

Copyright 2025 Jennifer Waters

"I Must Be On My Way," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:                                     

Kiss me one last time,

Before I leave.

Distance calls me.

Fate befalls me.

I never thought I’d see,

This day unfold.

My heart is breaking,

But there’s no mistaking.

 

CHORUS:                                  

I must be on my way.

It’s not right for me to stay,

Here with you.

I must be on my way.

I hope and wish and pray.

Your dreams come true.

 

VERSE:                                     

The memories we share,

Are bittersweet,

Full of passion,

Fading faster.

Hold me in your heart,

With faith and know.

You’ll move onward.

You’ll grow stronger.

 

CHORUS:                                  

I must be on my way.

It’s not right for me to stay,

Here with you.

I must be on my way.

I hope and wish and pray.

Your dreams come true.

 

BRIDGE:                                   

The roads we’re traveling, 

Took different turns,

But I won’t regret,

The fire that once burned.

 

CHORUS:                                  

I must be on my way.

It’s not right for me to stay,

Here with you.

I must be on my way.

I hope and wish and pray.

Your dreams come true.

 

VAMP:                                      

I must be on my way.

I must be on my way.

I must be on my way.

Copyright 2008 Jennifer Waters 

"Whisper," A LOVE SONG

VERSE:                                     

I want to tell you I love you.

I want to tell you so much more.

Don’t know if I have the words.

Don’t know if I have the courage.

 

CHORUS:                                  

So don’t mind me if I whisper.

Please find a way to listen.

I have so many secrets,

That I’ve been keeping.

If I talk too loud,

My heart starts to pound.

Don’t mind me if I whisper.

 

VERSE:                                     

I could scream from the mountain.

I could shout from the 50th floor.

But silence speaks louder sometimes.

And I don't need to shout anymore.

 

CHORUS:                                  

So don’t mind me if I whisper.

Please find a way to listen.

I have so many secrets,

That I’ve been keeping.

If I talk too loud,

My heart starts to pound.

Don’t mind me if I whisper.

 

BRIDGE:                                   

I’ve been pushed. 

I’ve tried not to shove.

I’ve been beaten.

I’ve tried on some gloves.

I’ve been knocked down.

I’ve gotten back up.

I’ve been standing tall.

I hope by now I’ve seen it all.

 

CHORUS:                                  

So don’t mind me if I whisper.

Please find a way to listen.

I have so many secrets,

That I’ve been keeping.

If I talk too loud,

My heart starts to pound.

Don’t mind me if I whisper.

 

TAG:                                         

I'm ready to be heard. (Listen for the whisper.)

I'm ready to be heard. (Listen for the whisper.)

Copyright 2010 Jennifer Waters