If you’ve been riding with me for some time, then you probably know about my book Tempting The Player (TTP). It was the third book I ever completed (I think), and it did very well on Wattpad. It is now nine years since the book was written, and I thought that it was time to renovate it so that it better reflected by journey as a writer.
The new version of Tempting the Player is similar in many ways but also different in particular ways. Sounds complicated, but if you’ve read the book, I’m certain you kind of know what I’m saying. Speaking of which… if you haven’t read the rewrite of TTP, then you should probably do that because there will be lots of spoilers in this post.
Okay, now that I’ve warned you, let’s go behind the scenes of TTP.
1: MEET THE LEAD CHARACTERS
30 year-old CHELSEA ‘CHESS’ WINTERS grew up with a father who was never there for her, and a mother who made excuses for the deadbeat. She swore that she’d never end up with someone like her father, and yet somehow she ended up pregnant by a man who, in her opinion, was just as irresponsible.
In the end, she chose to be a single mother rather than deal with her son’s father. Was it the right decision? Some might think so and others would disagree. Still, she’s done her best over the years to provide her son, Jay, with the best life she can afford.
No one is more aware of how time can change someone than 30 year-old TAZEEM KHAN. When he was younger, he was the quintessential playboy, flitting from girl to girl and avoiding any sort of commitment. So his deep feelings for Chess were unexpected and quite confusing. And when she revealed her pregnancy, it was like getting hit by a thunderbolt. It took him a minute to adjust.
He, himself, would agree that he wasn’t a perfect partner. But does that justify what Chess did? He doesn’t think so.
2: MY OPINION ON CHESS’S ACTIONS
So we all know the main conflict of the novel… Chess lied to Jay that their baby was dead, and proceeded to raise the child on her own. The whole premise of the novel caused a lot of in-fighting in the comments section of Wattpad. Some readers enthusiastically agreed with her decision, others violently disagreed. What’s my stand? Well, I understand but do not agree.
Back then, neither her and Tazeem’s communication was appalling. They had mismatched expectations of what their relationship should be and were constantly fighting. Neither of them knew what the other was thinking, and neither of them shared their thoughts. In the end, it was these misunderstandings that led to Chess’s decisions.
Still, I feel like saying the baby was dead was too cruel. Even if Tazeem was the deadbeat she presumed, she should’ve at least given her son a chance at having a father. Of course I may be wrong, but that is my opinion. What is your opinion?
3: CHESS’S FATHER IS STILL ALIVE
In the book, I mentioned that Chess and Senia haven’t seen their father, Gerald Winters, since their mother’s funeral. One would think that that’s because he’s dead because what kind of father would just disappear on his kids for 12 years. Well, Gerald is that kind of father. Rather than acknowledge and make up for his sins, he’d rather ignore his kids and pretend they don’t exist.
As is common for ‘men’ like him, he has other kids by other women (three to be exact). That means that Chess and Senia have half-siblings out there. They haven’t contacted the sisters though so… great?
4: A STORY FOR SENIA?
Senia is a really, really interesting and fun character. Also, she’s very smart. And not just because of her (strange?) job. Even though she is the youngest in their family, she was the first to realize that their father was an emotional vampire, and the first to step back. As a teenager, she was the silent helper to her single-mother and sister. As an adult, she’s done a lot to improve their family’s standard of living. In summary; she’s an admirable character.
Her personality, history and job would make for an exciting story, and to be honest, I’m very tempted to give her one. Should I? Let me know in the comment section.
5: DERRICK DIDN’T DESERVE HIS END
Now, now, now… I know some of you scoffed when you read that title. The guy was scum. He cheated on his sick wife and betrayed his best friend. But hear me out, I still don’t think he deserved to die.
Even though he was a villain, he was a victim in some ways. Evie only seduced him because she wanted to use him to win the job. Meanwhile, the poor sod actually fell in love with her and thought they had a genuine thing going. Worse, she ended up dumping him when he was at his worst and eventually killing him.
Doesn’t that warrant some pity?
No?
Okay, I’ll let you be. Lol
6: RICHARD HUSKLE IS A TERRIBLE BOSS
I know that the man was our girl Chess’s biggest fanboy but let’s not lie to ourselves; he’s the worst kind of employer. He was always pitting his employees against each other and did very little to control employees who crossed the line.
Take the example of Mark; he sabotaged Chess so many times and yet when she went to HR they just tried to sweep it under the rug. Plus, consider the whole speech he gave Derrick about him not being good enough to be a team director and to just focus on riding Chess’s coattails. Then we have Evie who practically rocketed up the ladder just because she’s a family friend. If that ain’t the markers of a bad boss, then I don’t know what is. Who wants to work in a company like that?
Honestly, I’m surprised that it took Chess so long to jump off that crazy train. But then we have to remember that she’s a single mother with a kid to raise and a mortgage to pay. She can’t just quit her job willy nilly.
7: ‘LOST ON YOU’ BY LP WROTE THIS BOOK
I know this song doesn’t match the overall tone of the book (forgiveness) but the beats, the voice, the lyrics, the vybe… they worked wonders when writing scenes where Chess and Tazeem were fighting. Listen to the song tell me what you think:
Have you read Tempting The Player? Learn More About it
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