Krista

Sorry, the story is completed. Elias 'crossed over,' or 'left for another place.' It did leave Asher a bit of a wreck, but he found a new purpose with helping the museum. Coming out to his parents, so he could move on and not have to hide. I felt that was the biggest reason why he grasped/held Elias so closely towards the end. Elias was something/someone that only he could have, to talk to, etc. Even though the ghost didn't understand everything he said, he still felt a bit of a connection. So Elias leaving kind of forced him to cope with that change, but he also couldn't exactly go back either. In other words, for the time he knew Elias, Elias helped Asher be more himself than he ever was. Rhett Henry is his own person, he isn't the reincarnated soul of Elias. I left the story at the beginning, with a little bit of hope the guys would make some sort of lasting connection. Me writing it on from that point - to me, wouldn't be something I would be interested in doing. My interest was in Elias and Elias' story is over. If I were to move on, I would have to either move Rhett down to Asher, or Asher up to Rhett and I didn't really think it would be realistic for either of them to do that at this stage of the story. They had only just met. As for the ring, I explained the ring. It was a present that Elias wanted to leave at his mother's grave stone. It wasn't fashioned correctly, it wasn't really technically a ring. Just a sort of token that Elias made for his mother. As for it being magically altered to fit Asher's finger, that was a last gift Elias left for him. I didn't specifically state that it was a gift specifically in the writing - but the ring was Elias' most prized possession after his death, so him doing that for Asher was significant. I hope this helps! Thank you for reading and enjoying the story. I am sorry about the ending being what it is. At this stage I 'think' the ending ended on an okay sort of idea/note.

and very much deserved. Welcome to the club.

I would have been like, bless you, you little angels. None of them would have failed or lost recess if they kept up those compliments - I very much can be bought...

Ensemble casts are the only way I write anything of length. Tons of dialog. It just eases the entire plot into a nice and natural flow. I find writing scenes with just my protagonist and his love interest alone for any significant stretch just taxing. Having to focus on the world around them in such a personal two person sort of way for pages of story just exhausts me. Although, I do have fun doing that some as well. The ensemble gets you more impact vs the effort you have to put into it. Especially if you have characters that aren't limited in areas that you have expressly limited your protagonist with. Ensembles just allows for balance. One thing that does put me off though, is introducing character after character with no real intent to invest anything into them what so ever. To the point where it feels like you're just listing a genealogy or something. I feel that is more common in world building in Fantasy and historical fictions. It is just bulky and I lose focus. If you can skip paragraphs of that nature and legitimately not 'lose' plot, then I have to argue the necessity of it. It very easily could have been spaced out a little bit more, with a little more effort.

Ahh the e-fiction days. Where the bulk of my writing took place. Makes me eternally grateful for the system we have now, mind you. We've come a long way and I do remember the struggle.

Okay, I broke from tradition of multi-quoting y'all. I hope the notifications didn't bother you too much. That's part of the reason why I hadn't responded individually, the other more important part is that I'm lazy. Also, I always felt it bloated the comment numbers with my responses and I kind of don't think they should count towards the total... but, that's just my hangups. I didn't realize that it wasn't that popular of a tool until I saw some commenting on it during discussions and then a loud assed Canadian told me he detested them too, so I'm starting to think it isn't a popular tool?!? So sorry for that throughout all of my years of comment quoting and responding. I broke from my original ending, it was supposed to end after Part 5. The end was supposed to be Elias leaving and the aftermath the suddenness that would have caused. So Rhett was bonus along with the actual unveiling of the Witch's story in full. I felt the story needed to be told, it helped tie up holes in the part before it, when all the information was coming out in strings of thought and dialog. It was actually @wildone that told me the retelling was necessary too, for me to change my mind and write it. If I'm remembering correctly anyway. After Elias left, I wrapped up the major plot points as well. Asher was no longer in the closet, he came out to his parents. He didn't have to hide himself and he could go forward and find somebody to be with, without fear. In hindsight that would have been the driving plot for me to continue the story, if I wanted to. Because that would be how Asher would need to grow as a character and that is how I would completely flesh him out. I already covered that though and he was already growing from both experiences - drunk tank and gravestone cursing aside - so I really don't have much of a story to write. There is no conflict and no plot left. Even when Rhett was introduced, he was introduced as a character that didn't bring any conflict to the story. He was just 'there,' and I'm glad you liked him and thought the characters hit it off. I thought they did as well. The back stories of both of them being connected throughout history though, was just flavoring. It isn't something a person could build a meal on. Personally, I don't see a story after Rhett. Unless I manipulate the timing of two lives in such a way that wouldn't feel realistic to me. Rhett lives out of town, he was there coincidentally as it was - to do research. He has a life outside of that research that he has to get back to. Asher doesn't have the means or the invitation to follow him along. Something would have to happen for them to be 'forced' together and to be honest, it would also have to create the entire plot for me to continue. Otherwise, it would feel very cliche' romance novel, where all they have is romantic banter, smiles, chemistry, but not much else. I don't know how long I could drag that along, or if I would even want to... and if by the end of it, you all would even want me to. I do realize the ending was abrupt along those lines. Maybe they should have parted ways after the show with an exchange of numbers and a smile instead of getting pizza, but it was Rhett that invited Asher out for pizza when he didn't have to as well. So there's not much of a difference between the two endings. At the end of the day, I just hope the ending had enough that it didn't feel like I threw the story away, that is definitely not a good feeling to leave anyone with.

Yes, this was an anthology. I started it I think - within the same week of the Anniversary anthology deadline. I think I ended up writing almost 30k words in a span of three days. I was actually amazed with myself for doing something like that.

I must say, this is a compelling argument. With the catchy title. I am glad that you liked my little not-so-ghosty-ghost-story and the not-so-mysterious-mystery. Also thank you for the cute lil .gif.

Thank you for reading DaddyDave and leaving a comment/reaction.

Thank you for reading and leaving a comment, they are always appreciated.

Thank you for enjoying the not so mysterious ghost story, story. I feel that most of you were polite in actually calling it a mystery.. lol. I was a little wiggly when most of you guessed the plot after the first two or so parts and in true mysteries, that can't really happen. 😮

Well Marilou did kind of clutch her pearls. If she was wearing them, that's how I imagined her reaction. And, in the south when-st a woman clutches her pearls, you know she is surprised. Those pearls are the only thing keeping her from hitting the floor. Also, I guess she had the wits about her to not bring attention to someone that wasn't looking for it, and to focus on the rest of the evening that a lot was riding on. If it were a more casual setting, I would have written the scene more akin to a clucky hen coming out of the coop in the morning. (I hope you enjoyed how southern I went with this comment, if not, I fear I have failed) Thank you for reading!

To be fair, like the doggo said, unless Rhett brought attention to himself, like maybe taking a selfie with he portraits, or having a larger reaction, people would have taken more notice. Also, during all of the unveiling and story telling, Rhett was on the floor in the front row, all people saw were the back of his head and that's only if they looked down. and I agree, there is nice chemistry between them. Thank you for reading and leaving a comment.

“The witch under the stone,” Marilou started after taking another quick drink as the crowd swelled and settled. “Her name is Margret Appleby, a young widow, her maiden name being Young. She and her husband moved east of here from a little town named Lawrenceville, to settle on fertile ground and start a family. The winter that year was harsh though and while working the land her husband Michael Appleby died, his records indicate that it was likely from frostbite and pneumonia. He left behind a y

Congratulations! Time to parrrrrty!

If I wanted your advice, I would ask for it. If I wanted good advice, I'd talk to myself. --- A little living in cliffhangers never did anyone any harm, y'all survived the Goat, you can survive my one or two a year. No harm in that, is there? Really? And! What do you mean reposting for future references?! I didn't say I am promising a story entitled Ellis, I just said it would probably be my next writing project after TBY. Don't hold me to it, I am if anything, about as predictable as the weather even I surprise myself.

Ellis I think is an adorable name. If I was still in the process of making babies, a boy might have found his name to be that. I did save one of my children the grief of being named Jackson Daniel (it did not really occur to me until some time later, that his name would be Jack Daniel and people would totally add the S and call his mother a drunk...). So you know, happens to the best of us.

Happens here as well. I am finding it more and more, I guess you can say concerning, in my own way of naming characters and how much I've been attempting to come up with odd names. Kaelie in of itself is modern, I see it, but it is still odd. Asher is old and odd. Ridley, admittedly had some significance, but it was still an odd sort of name. I have a story that I think I worked one day on where the brother and sister both have out of the norm names. Ellis and Mavis I want to say. That is my next project after, The Best Year. Odds on favorite it will be entitled Ellis, as of right now the working title is, "I Don't Know..." Bunker Hill is rather unfortunate, I must admit. Bunker without the Hill attached is bad enough. (sorry if you're a reader Mr. Bunker).

I need to read the book. I've been meaning to, I like classics. I am familiar with the quote, it was everywhere when I was growing up for some reason. I think even Bugs Bunny cartoons??? Lol. Maybe I'll find the film on a streaming service somewhere and watch it.

Lol, y'all give me too much credit. I had no idea who Rhett Butler was, I had to google him. Rhett is a growing first name down here actually. Rhett and Beckett, which are typically last names. Soooo... no. Rest assured that I am not that clever. Also, I saw a question about the ring. J for James, M for Maggie/Margret. It was still his mother's ring. I 'almost' put two sets on it. J+M and E+A, but decided against it. But yeah, that's the only significance of the letters on the ring, just a way for Elias to honor his Mother and his father, and to finish actually making the ring into an actual wearable ring. (Maybe I shouldn't have explained it yet - I don't think it is a major spoiler)

It was a couple weeks before I picked up the ring on my nightstand again. I was angry and wanted to put it out of my sight. When I looked at it, I looked at the inner circle and I saw a set of initials. J and M. Neither of them were on the ring before so I knew it was something that he was somehow able to do before he left this world for the next. It also miraculously fit comfortably on my index finger so I wore it now. He didn’t just leave though, he ripped himself away from me and I knew that

@wildone You pay those fees and send me those chocolates is what you do. I am worth every looney or twooney - whatever little currencies you Canadians have up there.

Thank you for the wonderful comments! I won't let my head swell too much.. lol. I'm glad you're enjoying the story so far. I have written up to.. chapter 49, which is almost finished. I made it a goal not to post any more until the entire story is finished, so I can get it on a edited schedule and posting on a specific day of the week. I feel after all the knocks and delays this story has received, y'all deserved the last chapters of it to be out at a regular interval... just the wait until that is accomplished might be a bit of a long one unfortunately. To be honest, publishing has never been a goal of mine. I have thought about maybe retaining a story and writing it for the purpose of publishing, but that would take a lot of time and energy and I don't know if I have it in me. lol. It will also require me to break a lot of bad habits.

Yes, that is true. He was saying that Maggie/Margret was never there with him in spirit. Which, to be honest I don't know how she had found peace at the end of her life. If Elias got stuck at the stone for what he was feeling - or seemed to be unfinished with. Margret had an entire son that she wouldn't have wanted to leave. But... that's going to remain unanswered completely... because I didn't write that anywhere in the next part. LOL Thank you for reading and enjoying this story so far. Poor Marilou, that had to be a rollercoaster of emotions for her. Excitement, worry, fear, agitation, maybe a little paranoia... the biggest story of their whole town was finally discovered, but some blockhead kid walks through her door with information she thought well hidden. I would be as flustered as Blanche Deveraux at a Santa Convention (If you know you know), if I was sitting on that potential gold and some brat kid threatened to ruin it for me. I can't say much about the rest of your comment, because I honestly don't know what I have included in part 5, so I don't want to potentially spoil anything. ----- I also want to say, since Status updates are pretty much useless on here now ---- there will be a delay with Part 5. I am dealing with some real life issues among other things and I just haven't been able to devote any time to getting this part finalized and read through, etc. I do apologize for that, maybe it will be out later this week, or next Tuesday, or maybe later than that. I'm not sure. Just wanted to make y'all aware of that, since it is Tuesday and still no part 5.

Hmmm.... chance encounters happen every day. *whistles* You've been sniffing around the entire plot all story, so I'm glad I still have some twists to throw you off the scent a little. (And yes, those puns are completely because your name is weinerdog and your picture is that of an adorable wee little one) Maybe after that shocker, he might not want to... lol. I personally didn't feel much when I wrote that section, unlike with Ridley when I bawled periodically through parts. Not comparing the two. I did find it sad, but I also found it... I don't want to say peaceful, because it was anything but that, the almost violent way he left. Just a release, like a held breath I guess... is how I would explain it. A held breath that you fought to hold onto, knowing you couldn't? If that makes sense. Thank you! I'm glad you are reading and liking the story so far. Thank you for reading and enjoying the chapter so far. I would love to see Elias as a mortal myself. To know if those lingering questions some of you have can be answered or not. The intrigue with the entire thing and how it would have to play out around him, as he is just living his life. To me, it sounds interesting anyway. But knowing how it ends for him... sucks. LOL Thank you for your above comments on my characters, I do write characters first... and I like hearing that people enjoy them and that their emotions/plots, etc are realistic and a bit more true to life. That is a goal with everything that I have written so far, good, bad, or otherwise. So thank you for that. I think Elias repeating that he was falling in love with Asher, was more for himself. As he was scared that he would forget, because he wasn't sure what was happening to him. Then the last one, was spoken to Asher directly telling him. I'll explain a little on this after the story, but I changed this scene a couple of times. I just don't want to give anything away for now. I'm sorry, but not sorry in the same breath. I'm glad you are enjoying the story! I do have one more part left to post. The last two parts (this one and the next) are the most worrisome for me, for a lot of reasons. Sorry, but not sorry to you too. I honestly thought you read the entire thing already, before posting. Until you told me that you didn't until you edited... I think I was in the process of being sarcastic when you told me you wanted to be a reader too, and only read what would be going public. 😮 I will never have the restraint to not read ahead that you seem to do.