Chapter Three

This one was wrote quickly, because as weird as this is going to sound, it came first!

This book all started with a writing prompt. So I took that prompt and formed two characters and a small story around it. What was supposed to be a two page writing exercise turned into the book I'm writing now. And I'm three chapters in.

So enjoy the chapter that started it all! The first section of it is all from that one writing prompt. I have a passion for this book that I can't explain. At times I struggle with self-confidence... But for the first time ever, I thought to myself, "Wow, this is actually great." I was proof reading this chapter and the thought hit me like a freight train. At first, I was embarrassed to have those thoughts. But then...I am the author of this book in progress after all. Maybe I'm entitled to that thought...

Anywho, I'm babbling! So without further ado, the link you've been waiting for. Enjoy chapter three!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q8nTNPJNRagHh1WmdMem5Hcth8FilNrM1IhaR-cvbcw/edit?usp=sharing

My Sincerest Thanks,
Karen M.T.

D&D (Daniel and Destin)

To those who got my nerdy reference in the post title, I love you.

Time to introduce some new characters! So you've now met four important characters in this book (6 if you count Scarlett's teachers, but they aren't as vital as the four I'm referring to). We've talked about Scarlett and Noe. Now let's talk about Daniel, Scarlett's father, and Destin, the boy pining for Scarlett's attention.

Daniel Thompkins is a loving father who is devoted to raising his daughter. From the time she was an infant, he has raised Scarlett as a single father. No woman has ever passed the test since Caroline, Scarlett's mother, walked out on them. Her abandonment left him with some major trust issues that he can never quite get past, but that isn't the reason he's still single. Although he's dated, he has yet to meet anyone he thinks would be worthy of helping to raise his daughter. He has picky standards when it comes to her and he doesn't want to wound her further by introducing a mother figure, only to have her leave too. He works as a financial advisor in a national bank in Atlanta, GA, which is only a short distance from Acworth. (Top Picture)

Destin is a sweet boy who would do anything to be Scarlett's boyfriend. He has admired her from a distance for years. He's never had the courage to ask her out on a date, although he's thought about it countless times. He was raised by his mother from the age of 3. His dad was a massive drunk and his mother divorced him when he started to develop violent tendencies toward their son. Being raised by his mom has made him into the fine young gentleman that he is today. He was taught to have manors and be kind to ladies always. He has always valued his mother's advice and looks up to her greatly for being a successful single parent. Destin works at Pizza Joe's with Scarlett and several other people from school. He likes sports, but doesn't play them. He prefers to spend his time playing guitar and other related instruments (such as the ukulele). (Bottom Picture)


Well, there you have it. Two more characters in the bank for you guys! I hope you have enjoyed what you've read so far. I am diligently working on chapter three at the moment. I should have it posted here by next weekend at the latest. Thank you all so much for your support and positive feedback. It means more than you could ever know!

Sincerely,
Karen M.T.

Chapter Two

Hello dears! I posted on my social media pages yesterday about proofreading, so I'm sure there have been a lot of anxious folks awaiting this chapter. I read through it and was delighted to find that there were not nearly as many errors in this chapter as there were in the previous one. I did change a few things in it that I felt made the words flow a little better. So I hope it will be a good read!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Qo6DIEN3fft_etGLls-AGdOQQnitiMyu5csbxoXt1mI/edit?usp=sharing

The above link will bring you to the document I have saved for chapter two. I want to say thank you to all of the folks who have encouraged me to write again. It has truly been a blessing to see just how many people support me in this. I can only hope that my writing lives up to your expectations. And please, do not hesitate to give me you constructive criticism at any time. I want my writing to be the best it can be for my readers.

Also, the next post will be about a couple more of my characters in the book. Destin has been introduced into the story, and in this chapter, you will meet Scarlett's dad, Daniel. So the post will feature these two fellas.

Thanks again,
Karen M.T.

Chapter One

Well, without further ado... I bring you the first chapter of my book!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/108dHVD9_X3eYIsNTBn7HrCHXpbQs8QcaZU88KKl4MtM/edit?usp=sharing

I'm writing it on Google Docs, which (in my opinion) is one of the best places for word documents. It has an auto save feature, so you never have to worry about losing your progress! I also love that you can share with limits (i.e. I can share with people and allow them to edit, comment, or just view the document.).

Ok, enough endorsing. I hope you enjoy chapter one! I'm still working on a title, but you guys will be the first to know when I nail one down. :)

EDIT (1/24/16): I proofread this weekend. And I noticed soooo many errors and mistakes I missed. So, I fixed them all and the link is now updated with the REVISED and correctly edited version of Chapter One.

Thank you so much,
Karen M.T.

Introducing My Main and Her Main

She took the time to roll her icy blue eyes at me and flipped her blonde hair back from her face. “Whatever,” she remarked. “Oh! Can you give me a ride home?” Not even waiting for an answer, she tossed her skateboard into the floorboard next to me.

“One of these days I’m going to say no and you’ll have to ride the bus . . . like you’re supposed to,” I mumbled the last part while shoving my phone into my bag, still clutched in her hand. Grabbing it from her and slinging it over my shoulder, I got out of my car, locking it behind me.

We started walking towards the school building just as the first bell sounded. “Ha! Ha, ha, ha! Like you could ever muster up the balls to be that gutsy, Carl,” she mocked.

I made a disgusted sound, “Don’t call me that.”


Meet Scarlett, the main character of my book in progress, and her best friend Noe (pronounced as Zoey). 

Scarlett Thompkins is a young girl just trying to survive her senior year of high school and discover the truth about her absent mother. When she was an infant, her mother left she and her father, with no explanation. This is all she knows at present, but on her upcoming 18th birthday, her dad has promised to tell her the full story of her mother leaving. Scarlett likes to keep to herself and describes Noe as her only friend. And although that sounds like a bad thing, she prefers it that way. She is also an aspiring artist and has plans to go to an art college after graduation. Scarlett has a love for gentle indie-folk music and would rather spend her time inside listening to her favorite band and drawing/painting than anything else in the world. To make a little spare change, she works at a pizza place part time, where she is frequently visited by Noe - who begs her for free slices.

Noelle (Her full name, although don't call her that unless you want to lose a couple teeth) Jones is best described as the opposite of her bestie, Scarlett. She is loud and outgoing. Most people at school know her as a rebel, as she is consistently getting detention for her stubborn attitude and apt for showing up late. She loves parties and is often trying to convince Scarlett to go with her, to no avail. Even though she frequently embarrasses her timid friend, Noe sticks up for "Carl" in every situation. She says that she is the only one allowed to publicly shame and humiliate her.

These two characters are two of the most important in the book and so I thought it would be a good idea to acquaint you with them first. There will be more character profiles like this later on, but for now I shall be spending time on the first chapter!

Edit: To put a visual with the name and personality I like to find picture references of how I imagine them. So below are my picture references of Scarlett and Noe. The picture for Scarlett is basically perfect, but Noe's eyes aren't the right color in the picture for her.

Background Check

Hello readers! So I just wanted to start off with a little self introduction.

My name is Karen Turnage and I'm 21 years old. I only write for a hobby, but my day job as a preschool teacher is wonderful. Don't want to give my specific location, but I live in the state of Mississippi. P.S. I can assure you I am the exact opposite of the typical redneck stereotype people automatically assume of the people that live here. (More personal information can be found in the "About Me" Widget on the right! - Or below if viewing on a mobile device)

About 4-5 years ago writing was like a job to me. Although I didn't get paid for it, it's what I did all the time. Almost all of my spare time was consumed by it. I loved creative writing and my plan was to go to MSA (Mississippi School of Art) and then go to college and become a writer. But, that idea fell to pieces when I was not accepted into MSA my sophomore year in high school. For a long time I let it get me down. I put down my quill and never even looked it. I never thought about writing. I only thought about my failure and how I must not have been good enough if a school like MSA didn't want me...

However, today I have overcome those horrid thoughts and I have my confidence back. I LOVE WRITING! I will shout that simple statement to the world!! And I am writing now because I love it and it is something that I enjoy with every fiber of my being. While bouncing back, I started out simple with small writing prompts. Then a great story idea grew from one of them and here I am now. I am currently writing from that prompt, and I plan to turn it into a book of my own.

Publication is not really a goal of mine, but if someone from the business comes along and likes my work, I certainly would not turn it down. Haha. For now I plan to post the story by chapter to this blog, and I will do this with other stories/books I choose to write. The one I am working on now does not yet have a title, but I'm working on that.

So look for the posting of Chapter One! But until then I will be posting small dialogue scripts from the different characters to help you become familiar with the enticing personalities within it.

Thank you for joining me on my journey of getting back into things and I hope you genuinely enjoy what you will read here!

With all of my heart,
Karen M.T.