Preface
I printed out a copy of my novel for my mom (and I'm sure eventually my step-dad) to read. Even though writing acknowledgments usually comes when you're, you know, actually getting a book published, I decided to write one and include it with my mom's copy. I thought she'd get a kick out of it, and it allowed me to reflect on the process. I also played with my webcam and took some ridiculous pictures of myself to include.
When I was in second grade, I finally knew enough about sentence construction and had a large enough vocabulary to start writing stories. Even way back then, my imagination naturally created fantastic tales. Somehow, my parents weren't scared of me, but rather encouraged and supported my bizarre love of "scary stories." But, based off of the Stephen King novels I grew up seeing around the house, I wonder where I got it from.
With few exceptions, my written works have always been horror, or straddling the line between that genre and something else. Based on my past, I think it only natural that the first novel-length plot bunny I got was a horror tale.
The Man started as the briefest wisp of an idea, and I told myself that I would start writing it when I got a laptop. Once that arrived, I wrote a few scenes, but kept putting it aside. Back then, in 2008, it wasn't working because it wasn't right. The plot was vastly different from what it wound up being, and I'm really glad that I didn't push through that particular stint of writer's block, because if I had, I might never have gotten the chance to write it this way; the right way.
When I moved to West Des Moines, I was starting a whole new life. I was months away from getting married, becoming a homeowner, and starting a new facet of my career by signing up to be a substitute teacher. A new chapter in my life was beginning, so I thought it was time to start taking my writing more seriously. The decision to participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) was easy. I'd heard about it in the past, had toyed with the idea of signing up, but in the fall of 2009 it was finally the right time.
While navigating the NaNo website, I found that I could sign up to be a member of my local region called the Central Iowa Authors. Bravely, I went to the kickoff party at the end of October, and--to steal an overused, yet accurate cliche--the rest is history.
In the Central Iowa Authors, I've found myself as a writer. I've gained confidence. I wrote over 100,000 words in the month of November. I finished my novel, and have been participating in a critique group with other CIA members. And, I've had the incredible benefit of meeting and getting to know all of these wonderful, supportive, and helpful people over the last several months. If I hadn't decided to sign up for NaNo, I never would have met them. The belief in fate has always been alive and strong in my life, and this experience has strengthened it significantly.
My wonderful husband has been supportive throughout the process. The poor guy didn't know he was marrying a crazy writer, but he's been very understanding about my needing to make time to write, doing bizarre research on the internet, and well, everything else that comes with being a writer. Thank you for supporting me as I work towards this dream. Hopefully, it will be realized and someday I can take pictures of myself holding a real bound copy, not one in a janky binder.
My mom and dad have always supported my writing, even considering getting me published back in junior high when my teacher recommended they do so. Thank you so much to all of my parents for listening to me ramble about this mysterious novel I wouldn't let anyone read, asking me questions because you know how much it means to me, and being supportive of my efforts, even though I'm the first person in the entire family to venture into this crazy world of writing.
Finally, thank you to my best friend, Becky. She was the one who read this story as I was writing, and the encouragement she gave me provided me with the strength I needed to keep going. She read it at its most messy, when the words were fresh off my fingers and I hadn't had time to do even a first edit yet, and she still told me she loved the story.
Thank you to all of you. I know that novels are usually only dedicated to one person, but this one goes out to all of you. I couldn't have done it without you.
When I was in second grade, I finally knew enough about sentence construction and had a large enough vocabulary to start writing stories. Even way back then, my imagination naturally created fantastic tales. Somehow, my parents weren't scared of me, but rather encouraged and supported my bizarre love of "scary stories." But, based off of the Stephen King novels I grew up seeing around the house, I wonder where I got it from.
With few exceptions, my written works have always been horror, or straddling the line between that genre and something else. Based on my past, I think it only natural that the first novel-length plot bunny I got was a horror tale.
The Man started as the briefest wisp of an idea, and I told myself that I would start writing it when I got a laptop. Once that arrived, I wrote a few scenes, but kept putting it aside. Back then, in 2008, it wasn't working because it wasn't right. The plot was vastly different from what it wound up being, and I'm really glad that I didn't push through that particular stint of writer's block, because if I had, I might never have gotten the chance to write it this way; the right way.
When I moved to West Des Moines, I was starting a whole new life. I was months away from getting married, becoming a homeowner, and starting a new facet of my career by signing up to be a substitute teacher. A new chapter in my life was beginning, so I thought it was time to start taking my writing more seriously. The decision to participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) was easy. I'd heard about it in the past, had toyed with the idea of signing up, but in the fall of 2009 it was finally the right time.
While navigating the NaNo website, I found that I could sign up to be a member of my local region called the Central Iowa Authors. Bravely, I went to the kickoff party at the end of October, and--to steal an overused, yet accurate cliche--the rest is history.
In the Central Iowa Authors, I've found myself as a writer. I've gained confidence. I wrote over 100,000 words in the month of November. I finished my novel, and have been participating in a critique group with other CIA members. And, I've had the incredible benefit of meeting and getting to know all of these wonderful, supportive, and helpful people over the last several months. If I hadn't decided to sign up for NaNo, I never would have met them. The belief in fate has always been alive and strong in my life, and this experience has strengthened it significantly.
My wonderful husband has been supportive throughout the process. The poor guy didn't know he was marrying a crazy writer, but he's been very understanding about my needing to make time to write, doing bizarre research on the internet, and well, everything else that comes with being a writer. Thank you for supporting me as I work towards this dream. Hopefully, it will be realized and someday I can take pictures of myself holding a real bound copy, not one in a janky binder.
My mom and dad have always supported my writing, even considering getting me published back in junior high when my teacher recommended they do so. Thank you so much to all of my parents for listening to me ramble about this mysterious novel I wouldn't let anyone read, asking me questions because you know how much it means to me, and being supportive of my efforts, even though I'm the first person in the entire family to venture into this crazy world of writing.
Finally, thank you to my best friend, Becky. She was the one who read this story as I was writing, and the encouragement she gave me provided me with the strength I needed to keep going. She read it at its most messy, when the words were fresh off my fingers and I hadn't had time to do even a first edit yet, and she still told me she loved the story.
Thank you to all of you. I know that novels are usually only dedicated to one person, but this one goes out to all of you. I couldn't have done it without you.