The Prettiest Thing - Chapter Thirteen

Chapter thirteen of The Prettiest Thing is now posted on AFF.net so read it, review it, and let me know what you think. Thank you a thousand times to Lauren for making the piece of art of Ella below. Please enjoy the chapter. I am already working on chapter fourteen and I am also working on chapter four of Ghetto Gospel so I will let you know when there are more updates. Thank you.

Profiles

So this is probably one of the most random things I have ever done but I made profiles for the four main, main characters of The Prettiest Thing. I don't know why I did this but I just wanted to get their basic facts down on paper and this is what came of it. Sorry chapter thirteen is taking me so long. My computer has been acting up lately and it is becoming a pain to deal with but I promise that the new chapter will be up soon. You have my word. Have a wonderful Thursday everyone. It's almost the weekend! Below, enjoy the randomness that is me.

Name: Brett Dawson
Age: 18
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Blue
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 200 lbs.
Marital Status: Single

Favorite Food: Cheeseburgers and French Fries
Fav. Drink: Mountain Blast Powerade
Fav. TV Show: The Wire, The Shield, Friday Night Lights
Fav. Movie: Scarface, American History X
Fav. Band: Smashing Pumpkins, Evans Blue, Foo Fighters
Fav. Song: "Everlong" by Foo Fighters

Personal Quote: "The pursuit beings when this portrayal of life ends." - Evans Blue

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Name: Trevor Scott
Age: 18
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 190 lbs.
Marital Status: Single

Favorite Food: Chicken Quesadillas
Fav. Drink: Coke
Fav. TV Show: ESPN, Cops, Friday Night Lights, The Wire
Fav. Movie: The Lost Boys, The Godfather, Pulp Fiction, Boondock Saints
Fav. Band: Avenged Sevenfold, Beastie Boys, Kanye West
Fav. Song: "Almost Easy" by Avenged Sevenfold

Personal Quote: "All in the game." - Omar Little from The Wire

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Name: Ella Scott
Age: 17
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 115 lbs.
Marital Status: Single

Favorite Food: Chicken Sandwiches, French Fries, Hershey Kisses
Fav. Drink: Dr. Pepper
Fav. TV Show: 30 Rock, The Office, Supernatural, Friday Night Lights
Fav. Movie: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Princess Bride, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure
Fav. Band: Incubus, New Found Glory, Aqualung, TV on the Radio
Fav. Song: "Echo" by Incubus

Personal Quote: "Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end. Then stop." - The King from Alice in Wonderland

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Name: Joy Benson
Age: 18
Hair Color: Blonde
Eye Color: Brown
Height: 5'3"
Weight: 102 lbs.
Marital Status: Dating

Favorite Food: Red grapes, Peanut Butter, Spanish RiceFav. Drink: Raspberry Iced Tea
Fav. TV Show: Bones
Fav. Movie: Moulin Rouge
Fav. Band: Mazzy Star, Portishead
Fav. Song: "1,2,3,4" by Feist

Personal Quote: "Everything is beautiful at the ballet." from A Chorus Line

Inspiration

I was on the internet a few months ago, randomly looking for something, when I stumbled across this picture. I wanted to post it since it has inspired me with a lot of my writing since then. I can't explain it but ever since I found this picture, I have stared at it frequently and many story ideas have come from it. I had the name of it written down but now I can't find it. If anyone knows the name of the photograph, please let me know. I believe it is from the 1970s but I would really like to know the title. Thank you and I hope you like it as much as I do.

Random Post

Happy Tuesday everyone. I woke up, trying to convince myself that it was Wednesday, but alas, it is only Tuesday and I have about a foot of snow out my front door so I am trying to put off shoveling by posting on my blog. I hope everyone is doing well. I am working on chapter thirteen of The Prettiest Thing and I think I have finally accepted the fact that pleasing everyone is damned near impossible. I received a lot of criticisms for chapter eleven and how choppy it felt as I jumped from Ella to Joy to Lyla back to Ella again. Few people seemed to actually like that chapter. So for chapter twelve, I focused on Brett and gave more insight into his mind and actions. People didn't like that chapter either because they wanted to know what Trevor and Alex were thinking too. I just cannot win with some of you it seems lol.

This story is my own and I am going to write the chapters however I feel like. I also need to apologize for the past few chapters being less than perfect. I had some point out that my grammer wasn't the best or my writing not being necessarily good and I suppose that I was thinking faster than I was thinking. I know you all want me to post as soon as possible so I think I was just typing so fast and posting afterwards that I didn't read and edit as closely as I usual do. I apologize for this. I suppose I'm just so busy, I get so excited to post a new chapter just like you are excited to read it. I will take more time on my writing from now on.

Also, in regards to Ghetto Gospel, for the few people who read it and like it, thank you for letting me know what you honestly think of it. I know some are having a problem reading it because of the less than perfect English but I am trying to be realistic and this is how some of these characters would actually speak if they were in fact real. I understand that it might be difficult to read but thank you for trying. I knew when I started that not a lot of people would like this story but I am glad some of you are enjoying it. In regards to chapter thirteen of The Prettiest Thing, we are going to have a Trevor and Joy talk as well as a Brett and Ella talk. Remember that this is going to be a long story so the pacing is a little bit more slow than my other stories. I am building different storylines up and I know already that there are going to be some things in this story that people won't like but remember that I already have my outline so I am sticking by my stories and will not change any of the plots just to please.

I suppose writing and posting on-line is a double edged sword. I love writing and I love posting my stories for anyone to read. And I have some of the best readers in the world. I consider you all to be my friends. But posting on-line, I am opening myself up to a lot of criticism and some less-than kind emails. I appreciate the CONSTRUCTIVE criticism and take it all to heart and keep it in mind as I write but it is the cruel criticism that hurts me. Just remember that I don't have to post my stories. I think my skin finally might be getting a bit thicker though which is good. The picture posted below is a piece of art Alessandra made for me of Amelia Aldridge-Reed and I love it so thank you once again, Alessandra, for making it. Have a great day everyone and I will let you know when chapter thirteen is complete.

Ghetto Gospel - Chapter Three

Chapter three of Ghetto Gospel has just been posted on AFF.net. I also tried to post it on Fictionpress.com but was having some problems but I will try to post it on that site as well later. Please read and review. I know that the story is not as well liked as some of my others but I know that some of you are really enjoying it so please keep reading it and letting me know what you think of it. Thank you to Lauren for the fanart of Preston and Jane below and also are pictures of Jerome King and Tim Benedict, the two men who will have their own war between them in this story. Thank you.

Jerome

Tim

The Prettiest Thing - Chapter Twelve

Chapter twelve of The Prettiest Thing has been posted on AFF.net and you know the drill. Read it and let me know what you all think of it. This story is progressing nicely and once again, I am proud of this new installment. In this chapter, a painting named Angel by Abbott Handerson Thayer was mentioned and I posted a print of it below. I just want to thank everyone who is reading this story and letting me know what you think of it. It means more to me than you would ever think. Please continue to read and I hope the newest chapter is enjoyed by most. This chapter, Brett begins to find himself become jealous over Ella's new friendships and of Trevor's football future. I am already excited about the next chapter. Thank you in advance for reading and reviewing for me.

"Angel" by Abbott Handerson Thayer

The Prettiest Thing FanArt

I wanted to post this piece of fan art by Alessandra when I posted the announcement for chapter eleven but the site wasn't allowing me to post pictures at the time so I wasn't able to. I want to post it now for everyone to see and enjoy. Lauren also made me some art for Ghetto Gospel which I will post when I let everyone know when chapter three is complete. I love all of the art I get from all of my incredibly talented readers and I love you to death for taking the time and making all of these for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Hands On Me

Despite the few reviews I received, for the most part, people seemed to have chapter eleven of The Prettiest Thing. And if you have ever seen "This is Spinal Tap", you can just picture me then saying the infamous 'these go to eleven' scene whenever I write about chapter eleven. Wow. That was random. I am really tired. Anyway, most people seemed to really dislike this chapter considering I received hundreds of hits and thirteen reviews. It actually hurts my feelings a little bit. I love this chapter. I thought it was one of my best-written... possibly ever. I wanted others to love it too. I think people except action in every single chapter and while I could do that, that's not what this story is. It's about every day life in high school. Was every day in your high school action-packed? Mine certainly wasn't. This story is about Brett, Ella, Trevor, Joy and everyone else just getting through each day with decisions they made the previous day. Like I have said, chapter eleven is actually very important to the overall story.

Below, I have posted a song: "Hands On Me" by Vanessa Carlton. I have been listening to it constantly lately and every time I hear it, I think of both of my stories right now. I think of Brett and Ella and of Preston and Jane. Give it a listen below and let me know what you think. I am actually working on a soundtrack list for The Prettiest Thing. Every chapter is named after a classic rock song and then on top of that, there are songs I hear that remind me of the story so there will actually be two soundtracks coming soon. Now tell me how crazy I am and how I just need to ignore people in the comments section but also let me know what you think of the song. Thanks everyone. Have a magnificent Thursday.

The Prettiest Thing - Chapter Eleven

Chapter eleven of The Prettiest Thing is now officially finished and posted on AFF.net so check it out. As I already said, this chapter focuses on Ella, Joy and Lyla, giving some deep insight into all of their characters and I hope that it is enjoyed. I know it may not seem like it when you are reading it but it actually is a very important chapter but it won't be obvious until later in the story. This story makes me smile and I am so excited when I look at my outline and see everything that is to come. I hope everyone is excited as well. Please read and review chapter eleven for me. I didn't have the best day but some kind words from the best readers in the world will certainly help me. I am already in the middle of writing chapter twelve but no promises as to when I will be posting that. I am working on chapter three of Ghetto Gospel at the moment so that will be posted first and then will come a couple more chapters of Ella, Brett and Trevor. Thank you everyone in advance!

The Girls of The Prettiest Thing

I am working on chapter eleven of The Prettiest Thing and I am really loving it so far. It's going to really be a focus on Ella, Joy and in Seattle, an insight into Lyla and Andy's marriage. We are going to see more of Corey and Monty, this time at their home, and we're going to see how Ella and Joy both deal with the aftermath of their two homecoming incidents. I am really excited to finish this chapter and have it posted for you all to read. Thank you for all of the kind responses this story has been getting. It means more to me than anything. Please remember to review for me after you read. It drives me crazy when I get hundreds of hits and only a handful of reviews. Thank you and be on the lookout for chapter eleven, which hopefully will be posted either today or tomorrow.

Ella

Joy

Lyla

The Prettiest Thing - Chapter Ten

Chapter ten of The Prettiest Thing has just been posted and it is the longest chapter so far of this story. I absolutely love thist chapter and I hope others will too. I have made a slight change to the story outline and that change involves Lyla and her husband, Andy. It will be more detailed next chapter. Please read and review for me. I am loving all of the feedback and encouragement I have been getting for this story and I thank all of you for that. Below are pictures of Ella and Joy's homecoming dresses, Andy Novak - Lyla's husband - and the song "So Sorry" by Feist which the couples dance to. Also, in this chapter, there is a sex scene and I know that it seems sudden but honestly, this is the exact pacing of which the story has been going in regards to this particular story line. I didn't particularly want to write a love scene. I wanted to write something a bit more realistic. You'll hopefully see what I mean when you read it. Please read it and review it for me!

Ella's Dress

Joy's Dress

Andy

Story Details

Okay. Let me explain something about The Prettiest Thing since I received a review and several emails about it. In this story, without a doubt, the main characters are Brett Dawson and Ella and Trevor Scott. Some feel that when I write about Alex, Lyla, Nick and Connie, I am shining too much light on supporting characters and taking too much focus away from the three main ones. I have explained this but I am going to do so again. Every character in this story is important. We're only nine chapters in and for some people to tell me how to write my story and what characters I should focus on is ludicrous. If you don't like fleshed out characters and something more to your stories than boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, cliched drama, happy ending, then don't read my stories. Easy as that. The Prettiest Thing is going to be my longest, most detailed, and most intertwined plot I have ever written and I know most of you are excited for it.

As for Ghetto Gospel, it is not going to be like Romeo and Juliet. I love Shakespeare but I hate the fact that anytime two different people fall for each other, they instantly think of that play. Preston and Jane are two very different people, yes, and there are going to be a lot of complications in their love story but aren't a lot of love stories like that without instantly being compared to Romeo and Juliet? I am writing this story because I have never written something like it before. I wanted to explore stereotypes and hidden prejudices that every race has about others. I wanted to write a story about two people finding one another that normally neither would have ever thought of. I think finding love in something unexpected is beautiful. And a little spoiler - Preston and Jane won't be killing themselves at the end of it.

What it comes down to is this and it's rather simple. If you don't like my stories, don't read them. If you want the typical high school romance, go to Fictionpress.com and click on nearly any story there. If you want authors that throw characters in for no apparent reason and then have them quickly disappear, read something else. I am going to defend this story and these characters to the death because I am so in love with every thing I am writing right now. If someone wrote a story about me, yes, I would be the main character, but I wouldn't be the only one. There would be others with their own stories and their stories would relate back to me.

How does Alex dating have nothing to do with Brett? Alex is his father and Brett is deeply hurt by this action. How does Lyla's marriage have nothing to do with Trevor and Ella? They are all close siblings and Lyla is going to begin to set a rift between herself and her parents in an otherwise extremely tight-knit family. Every character is important to the three main ones. I know the summary seems simple to The Prettiest Thing but it is so much more than Brett falling for Ella and vice versa. I just hope that enough of you stick around to read and find that out.

Ghetto Gospel - Chapter Two

As promised, I have uploaded chapter two of Ghetto Gospel on both AFF.net and Fictionpress.com so read it if this story interests you and review it for me. Also, don't forget that I updated The Prettiest Thing as well and I would really appreciate it if you read both of these stories for me and let me know what you think of them. Thank you!

The Prettiest Thing - Chapter Nine

I really love this new chapter. Chapter nine of The Prettiest Thing is now posted on AFF.net and I am quite satisfied with the way it turned out even though most of it was written last night when I couldn't sleep. It is definitely a Brett chapter with a little bit of everyone thrown in for good measure. You get to meet Corey Carcetti, Monty's twin sister, and there is a mention of a new character, Joanna, who will be very important to Brett and Alex Dawson's story. Please read, review and be on the lookout for chapter ten, which will be all about the Homecoming dance and Lyla making her big secret announcement. I also hope to have chapter two of Ghetto Gospel posted tomorrow sometime as well.

Corey

Joanna

Trouble Sleeping

It's the middle of the night and I can't sleep so I did the only thing I could think of doing. I'm listening to music and writing chapter nine of The Prettiest Thing. Now, writing a chapter when I'm tired but can't sleep may either be the best chapter ever or a very interesting read. We'll see when I post it though because what I'm writing, I love so far. We get to see a little bit more of Alex Dawson and see him as a person more than just Brett's father. I think that a lot of times, we forget that our parents are actually people instead of just mom and dad. And in chapter nine, Brett is going to be reminded of this. Also in this chapter, we're going to have more Monty and his sister, Corey, and at the end, we're going to have a sweet moment between Brett and Ella. These two make me smile and I think it's because of the whole pace of their relationship that I have set. And according to my outline and plans I have for this story, the night of the Homecoming Dance is going to be quite important for almost every character so the entirity of chapter ten is going to be dedicated to it. I am so excited for this story and I love it. I really do. It makes me happy to write - even when I feel like I'm about to fall asleep at my desk.

The Prettiest Thing and Ghetto Gospel

Thank you so much to Alessandra for making me the fanart I requested for The Prettiest Thing and Ghetto Gospel. Thank you for taking the time and doing those for me. It means a lot to me. I am working on chapter two of Ghetto Gospel and chapter nine of The Prettiest Thing, though judging from the lack of reviews I received for chapter eight, I don't know if this story is what people want anymore. I know everyone is busy in their lives but I hope it doesn't take too long to review for me and let me know if you like the chapter or hate it.

I know everyone says that I need to write for me and I do write for me but if only a handful of people are going to review chapters I post, what's the point of me taking the time out to write and post stories? I'm sorry. I sound like such a bitch right now. I'm going to blame that on lack of sleep. I just want people to review my stories for me. I love feedback. I crave it and it inspires me to write the next chapter all the more faster. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed both of these stories for me. It really does mean the world to me. I love writing and I love these two stories immensely. I just hope everyone else does too. Have a great Thursday everyone and Happy Valentine's Day!

The Prettiest Thing - Chapter Eight

Thank you to Lauren who created the picture of Nick and Connie Scott posted below. I always feel so bad asking you all for fanart but I have to admit that I love every picture that I get. Chapter eight of The Prettiest Thing is now on AFF.net and I have to say that I love this chapter. You are introduced to Lyla Scott and her background and character as well as a few plot developments that are beginning to set things up. Check it out and review the chapter for me. Thanks!

Lyla

Ghetto Gospel on AFF

Much like the title of this post says, I have posted the first chapter of Ghetto Gospel on AFF.net so read it if you are interested and review it for me. I have edited the mistakes on found so I hope it is well-written and more smoothly now. I know a lot of people don't like interracial stories but I hope of those that aren't bothered by it will read the first chapter of the story for me and let me know what you think of it. Thank you. Also, the eighth chapter of The Prettiest Thing is almost complete so be on the lookout for that soon.

Ghetto Gospel

I have another profile on Fictionpress.com under the name Helter Skelter Romance and I posted my first story under that name today. Now, a lot of you know my love for music and how I will listen to everything. I am actually a big Tupac fan and was listening to his song "Ghetto Gospel" yesterday which also features Elton John and a story idea popped into my head. I have always been fascinated with criminology and sociology but I have never written a story using those interests before. Ghetto Gospel is definitely going to be a love story - a love story set against a complicated backdrop - but I wanted to post something completely different. I wanted to try writing something completely different.

I don't know if it is going to work or not. I don't know if anyone is going to like it but I wanted to write it for me. I wanted to take my books and my studies and turn it into a love story. I wanted to blend black and white and write something that still is not accepted by a lot of people today. If you are interested, please click on the link to the right, Helter Skelter Romance on Fictionpress, and read Ghetto Gospel for me. I know it won't be popular. I know people are going to read it and be confused that Templeton21 wrote it. Below are pictures of Jane and Preston, the main characters, as well as the music video for Ghetto Gospel, which stars JD Williams, the actor I imagine portraying Preston. For those not at all interested in this story, do not worry. I am working on the eighth chapter of The Prettiest Thing. Thank you in advance to those who will give Ghetto Gospel a chance.

Preston

Jane

The Prettiest Thing - Chapter Seven

I have just posted the seventh chapter of The Prettiest Thing on AFF.net and I am really loving writing this story. It is just fun with drama mixed in. I hope everyone is enjoying it as well. As always, read and review for me. Check out The Homecoming Queens Myspace page and listen to their songs featured. Lauren, a fan of my writing, is the drummer and I am now a fan of hers. I have given the band a shout-out in the seventh chapter and thank you to Lauren and the Homecoming Queens for letting me do that.

A new character is introduced in this chapter: Monty Carcetti. I have mentioned before when discussing The Prettiest Thing that Ella is going to be meeting new people that will both be her friends and give Brett some competition. Below, is a picture of how I imagine Monty to be. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. This weekend is pretty mellow for me so hopefully, I can have a couple more updates in the next couple of days.

Monty

A Fairy Tale - Chapter Eleven

I just posted the eleventh and final chapter of A Fairy Tale on AFF.net and I hope everyone likes it. I love in fairy tales when they end, everything is explained and of course, it ends happily. The last chapter is very much that. I wanted to explain everything from the previous chapters of this story in the last chapter and I wanted to give it that happy ending. A Fairy Tale was a simple and straight forward love story and I hope I was able to get that across in the eleven chapters. Please read and review it for me and thank you to everyone for supporting this story since the beginning. Now, with this story complete, all of my concentration at the moment will be on The Prettiest Thing so expect an update soon on that story. Thank you again.

A Fairy Tale - Chapter Ten

Thank you very much to Lauren for the art of Andrew seen below. Chapter ten of A Fairy Tale is now posted on AFF.net so read, review and let me know what you think. This story is nearly complete and then I can focus on The Prettiest Thing completely. Thank you in advance for reading and giving me your feedback and opinions.

Happy Tuesday

Happy Fat Tuesday, everyone! I hope everyone has a good day today. I promise you that I am working on both new chapters for A Fairy Tale and The Prettiest Thing. The weekend and yesterday had just been crazy for me but hopefully, things are slowing down, somewhat, and returning to normal. Hopefully, a new chapter to one of these stories will be posted tonight. Keep your fingers crossed and I will try my hardest to not disappoint any of you.

One reader, Danielle, emailed me with this question: "Are Ryan Reed and Brady Reed related at all?"

I was wondering how many people would have this question after I created the character of Ryan and gave him the same last name. At first, I was going to have them be cousins and have Brady make a cameo in Circle Park but at the last moment, I edited it out and decided to have no relation between the two. I was just feeling uncreative with last names and recylced one. Sorry about that but Ryan and Brady are not related to one another.

Also, another reader, Paula, sent me an email as well: "I was listening to some music and all I could think about was The Prettiest Thing when I was listening to 'It's High Tide Baby' by The Blackout. If you haven't heard it already, maybe you'd like to check it out?"

Below, I have posted the song and I love it after listening to it about ten times. Listen to it yourself and let Paula know what you think of her song. Remember, if you have any questions or song suggestions or fan art, please email me. Thank you.

Wonderwall FanVid

Thank you so much to bulma-veggie for making the below video for the Wonderwall series stories. It is beautifully done and she even added Chester and Eve in it. Please watch it and let her know what you think of it in the comments section. Thank you a thousand times, bulma-veggie. I was so excited when I woke up this morning and saw it in my email inbox. You're awesome.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Characters of The Prettiest Thing

I have a feeling that a lot of people have read the new chapter of The Prettiest Thing and since it was a Trevor/Joy centric chapter, not too many people enjoyed it. I am sorry about that. I know a lot of you could care less about these two characters - judging from some of the emails I got - and that you want all of the focus to be on Brett and Ella. I am sorry you feel that way. Every character I am writing, they are going to be very important throughout the story. The story isn't just about Brett and Ella finding something in one another.

It's going to be about Trevor going through a major transformation during his senior year. Every thing he thought he wanted his entire life is going to change. Same thing with Joy. Alex Dawson is going to be thinking about dating again and Brett is going to have a problem with it. Connie Scott is thinking about wanting another baby and how Nick reacts to it. Mrs. Moone is going to be helping Trevor when no one else can seem to. Brett is going to feel pressure about the scouts and Trevor's entire life is going to be turned upside down by one singular event. Ella is going to try and put herself out there to meet new people and make new friends. She will even have another boy interested in her, which will complicate even further the already delicate relationship between herself and Brett.

Every character in this story is important and every action they take is intertwined with every other character in this story. It isn't just about Brett and Ella and their hestitant love story. I can't just jump into them being madly in love when the story is only six chapters so far. Everything must be built up. The story must be set before everything starts moving forward.

Every character I have created has their own story to tell which will change everyone else's story around them. The Prettiest Thing is about a group of people with their own individual connections to one another and who will be responsible for changing everyone's lives around them in the course of a year. I am excited to write such an intertwining story and it is going to take me some time to tell it. I suppose the point of this entry is just to tell everyone is:

Every character in this story is important. Brett, Ella, Trevor, Joy, Alex Dawson, Nick Scott, Connie Scott, Mrs. Melissa Moone. And even Lyla Scott, Trevor and Ella's older sister, will come into play as well. I am creating entirely new lives out of my mind and these lives are going to be complicated and sometimes, you won't always read what you want.