Writing this story has been an incredibly unique journey for me. I've explored writing in a new style as the characters I have created required a lot of description. When both characters don't speak, it limits a lot of the creativity of a writer and being able to write from that perspective has personally taught me lots. I'd like to thank Target for this opportunity. This story has been quite an adventure and I'm grateful for the many things I've learned about being a writer.

Some key things I'd like to clear up in this note. The ages of my character were implied when Belle in a sophomore year of high school (when she met Zach), but I had purposely left it open-ended for readers as they deserve to create the characters just as much as I have. Being able to imagine the characters and what they are going through is such an invaluable journey.

The names of the chapters are in French. Yes, it's not English, but the Beauty and the Beast originated from the French author, Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and was published in 1740. I had chosen that this French novelist deserved credit for this magnificent fairytale, and so Belle's last name in this story is Villeneuve. Honestly, I learned little bits of French to be able to write this story.

Getting a chance to really tear apart this fairytale and look through it scene by scene, gave me a new perspective about fairytales. It's not just a desperate princess saved by a daring, courageous prince. There's more to it. Every princess stumbles through their own obstacles; whether it's being locked in a tower or having to build a restaurant and business all by yourself. Princesses are all pretty, but not perfect. That's the beauty of all fairytales. They teach us that there's a lesson to learn from every obstacle. By the end, there'll always be a good outcome for your hard work and struggles.

Something beautiful about the Beauty and the Beast is the fact that the fairytale teaches us that love doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be true. Some of the people that we come across are hurting and it all comes down to us to help them, care for them, and love them. Beauty and the Beast shares an invaluable lesson with us all and my story was just a small interpretation of what I've learned.

I hope you guys enjoyed reading this novel and thank you so much for being supportive!

Lots of love,

The Author 

"There is the great lesson of 'Beauty and the Beast,' that a thing must be loved before it is lovable."

― G.K. Chesterton 

La Belle et la Bête, 

A story that lives long.