Uplifted Spirit

Scary, I'm glad to see that you're moving through the story and express your honest opinions because I'm no longer a teenager and I always welcome the opinion of a teenager. Keep writing me and let me know what's on your mind. It may improve and affect what I write in the current chapters in Knots 4. You may be surprised what course these boys take in their lives. Maybe you're already there. I know it surprised me when I wrote it. You may be disappointed in Matt and Andy. I know I was. There were a lot of doubts that ran through my mind about writing it, but I like to write about the unexpected because it makes for interesting reading. A number of readers have pointed out that they don't like what's happened to Matt. But sometimes a character has to fall in order for the writer to give him or her chance to redeem themselves. A lot of teens feel they can't talk to their parents because parents would rather not hear what their son or daughter has to say or they feel ill-equipped to deal with it. Teens don't like talking to their parents because they're embarrassed. I agree. But unfortunately, a lot of parents are clueless. But then, they are only human. Keep writing. I like your honest opinions.

Scary, I appreciate your comment. I tend to want to end the conflict and move on even though I should continue with it. But then, my name's Uplifted Spirit so I like to uplift people's sprits and make things work out. But you're right, I may do it a bit too quickly. I like to go with the idea that sometimes people do what is right even though it's not realistic. I appreciate your honesty. I always want to improve my writing so feel free to express your concerns about a chapter. I welcome them. Thanks

Scary, I'm glad you like the quotes. I had a reader tell me he didn't like them, but I've continued with them. I'm a great lover of quotes. Sometimes it's hard to find the right quote for the chapter and not repeat myself. I'm a retired teacher and I blame schools for allowing bullying to go on. Sometimes they look the other way. Well, too often they look the other way.

Lisa, thanks for reviewing and making a comment.

Scary, sorry I didn't get to you sooner. I was writing the next chapter of Knots and writing a new story. Thanks for taking the time to write and for your comment. I'm going to respond to your other comments now.

Scary, thanks for letting me know about the double printing. I thought I'd corrected this mistake, but evidently not. I'll check it out now. Glad you liked the chapter.

Jaro, glad to hear you find Knots a breath of fresh air. There would be no story if our characters did the expected and were perfect human beings. Characters need to reflect the best and worst parts of our nature.

Randy is an idiot, but you know idiots usually don't know their idiots until later. Look at Matt and Andy. Matt has been the most loved character in the story and many readers hated to see him fall so far. But for all of us there should be a little redemption. Andy too. Andy was short with Jason, but he had other things on his mind.

Knots 4 Chapter 11 Matt I was actually looking forward to Friday’s game even though I wasn’t starting. I might have even cheered Frank Kutcher on if he wasn’t such an asshole. But instead, I walked the sidelines waiting for my chance. We were behind 14 to 13 at halftime because of a missed extra point. Coach Gilbert gave us a pep talk during halftime and looked over and winked at me. That made me think that Kutcher was toast, and I was going to get my shot. But Frank started

Knots 4 Chapter 10 Matt I was glad to see last week end. The next week was a little better, but to be honest, I kept thinking about Dr. Walker putting me on meds. I wasn’t going to let him. The filing deadline for junior class president was Monday and I waited until the very end of the day to talk to Mr. Lynch, the student activities director. He was also the GSA advisor and wanted to know how I was doing. I stood in front of his desk. “I’m getting a

Thanks Lisa. Walker also get me, the author to think about the difference between regreat and guilt. I had to do some research. Andy can show some maturity at times, but he is true to his character most of the time while Matt suffers because he realizes how much he's strayed from who he thought he was.

Jaro Thanks for the note on Wheeler. I'll change that. Glad you like Dr. Walker. This is all a little like court except now their aren't the serious consequences. The problem I'm faced with is just how many session are readers willing read? I didn't have any in the next chapter, but I have something about Randy. I've been thinking it time to add some subplots back in. Thanks for writing.

Knots 4 Chapter 9 Matt Sunday was a quiet day. I went into the garage and worked on the lathe and found myself every now and then looking at the place where I’d hidden the money. Images of the older men and guys Andy and I had sex with slithered into my brain like snakes. The picture of Andy broken in pieces made me think of how stupid we were. But the real problem began when I got to school on Monday. You know how children always say they’re bored. That’s exactl

Jaro, thanks for the comments. Like I said to Paul above, I'm never quite sure how I can keep the story interesting and moving ahead. Matt and Andy have done some pretty wild things so what now? My thought is that they'll have to do some healing, but it might not be as easy and anyone would like, including their parents. We'll see.

Thanks Paul. I was starting to think that the story might be getting weaker because so much has happened and I'm just not sure what these boys will be up to next.

I love writing characters like Dr. Walker. Maybe it's the teacher in me, but I also like my characters, even though they stupid things sometimes, to show some character and that's why they accept responsibility. We could have gone on for 3 chapters before they finally did. But that's just not the way I write.

Thanks Lisa.

Knots 4 Chapter 8 Andy Matt’s pretty much told you what happened, but I thought maybe I’d let you know what I was thinking. When my dad first told me we had to go to counseling, I wasn’t too happy about it. I had the idea Dr. Walker was going to talk to our parents about what went on because they were paying the bill. But once I found out it was all private, I felt more comfortable. The way I opened up surprised me. I think it’s because, unlike a lot of guys, Matt and I talk

Lisa, like I said in my last comment, "The truth shall set you free." In this case it would only work if the parents didn't go after Derrick. Andy and Matt would be exposed and probably arrested for prostitution. Often the police overlook and try to get help for kids who prostitute themselves when they've been kicked out of the house and living on the street, but this sure doesn't apply to Matt and Andy. So they would have been exposed to another trial and maybe some jail time or probation. Not a good idea.

The Bible says "the truth shall set you free." Does it? We'll find out. I agree, the time spent between Matt and Andy was special. Who knows what lies ahead.

Lisa, this was a hard chapter to write because I love my characters and hating it when they do stupid things. But all of us do stupid things and these boys are as human as the rest of us. It will be interesting to see how they find their way out of the mess. Emily is less judgemental than Gina. Sometimes I think Emily is a lot like Andy and Gina a lot like Matt in many ways.

Lisa, you are so right about what it would be like to have a boy like Matt do what he did. Andy too, but he's always been considered the wilder one so maybe it doesn't come as quite a surprise for him to do what he did. Dr. Walker is pretty good. I'm currently wondering what Matt will say or if he'll be quiet and withdrawn. Thanks for writing a comment.

Jaro, thanks for the wonderful comments. You had asked where the story could go after the boys had prostituted themselves and I wondered myself what could happen. I''m glad you like the way the story is going. It was enjoyable to write and I too am wondering what Matt will say. I believe he'll be more guarded than Andy.

Knots 4 Chapter 7 Matt I forgot to tell you what happened after we left Andy’s. I let my parents walk ahead of me and enjoyed the silence as I wondered what I was going to do about the money. Should I give it all to them? Was my first question. How was I going to keep them from knowing the total amount I made or how would I separate some money out if they followed me to the garage to get it? Maybe I should tell them I don’t want them to see my hiding place because it’s pr

Sammiam, thanks for the review. When I started writing Knots I'd only planned on writing Knots 1. Then I thought well, why not keep going until we get to where the boys are today. What happens, is an author you want the story to remain interesting and when you write one novel or even two, it's not too hard. But by time I got to Knots 3, I was beginning to wonder where the story could go. Where they ended up surprised me as much as you. The idea of something going on with Derrick occurred to me when Derrick and Matt were talking in the restaurant. I wasn't sure if I should follow that story line or not. I do not agree at all with what they did. But as I've learned in life, some people do some of the stupidest things when they should no better. All of expected more from Matt. So here we have these two boys, one who most readers have admired throughout the story turning to prostitution. Not because they were poor and kicked out of their homes for being gay, but because they were lured by the idea of sex with older guys and the money. Eventually, it all becomes about the money I suppose. But of course the boys can't spend it. So what good is it to them. The question for me as a writer and for you as a reader is how will they save themselves or will they save themselves from the knots they've tied. I have made an attempt in the next chapter to begin to solve that problem. It should be posted today. Sorry I didn't get right back to you. I realized you'd written when I came to post the next chapter. Again, thanks for commenting.