A Very Special Thanks

              Whenever you read a book there is normally a place at the end for acknowledgements. The author normally says something about how this book would never come together without all the help of all these people, and then goes on to list at least a page worth of them, if not more.

                I’m not familiar with the process of actually getting the book to the book shelf yet, but it has always surprised me how many people make the acknowledgements list. Coming up with ideas and writing seem like such solitary things, right?

Over the last couple of months, I’ve begun to understand the need for an acknowledgements section. Back in March, I had a group of sixth graders volunteer to read and review my children’s novel Flame. They were incredible.

They slogged through thirty-three chapters of not so perfect writing. I was running out of time to edit and still give them enough time before the end of school to read it, so there were still mistakes and an ending that wasn’t very stellar. It takes a long time to read someone else’s work, think about how it could be better, and then write it all down, and they did it.

They wrote me all kinds of comments and thoughts that encouraged me, made me laugh, and helped me to make the story stronger.  

I really appreciated their honesty and enthusiasm. Actually, I cannot say how much their honesty helped.  One student mentioned a part being “stupid”, and although it may seem harsh, it was actually good for me to go back and go through that part. The boys said they liked it, but they needed more blood and guts to make it exciting, so yes, more battle scenes have been added! Of course, several of them mentioned that I may want to work on the ending too!

Although adults may like a book, kids really get into it. They were really excited about the characters and all had different favorites. One student “looooved” one of the male characters (this cracked me up). Another student liked the dynamics of the family because it reminded her of her own. Two of them loved one of my minor characters so much, that I’m going back through to give her some bigger moments. One student wanted me to write about a handsome funny character who just so happened to have his name (oh so funny)! Another student told me I couldn’t give away free copies, because if I did I wouldn’t make money, and if I didn’t make enough money I wouldn’t be able to keep writing stories for them to read (that student received a hug)!

I have also spent the last few months being badgered for the next story in the series and about whether or not I’m published yet. All of the badgering has pushed me to keep at the next one and get the first one out to agents!

I write children’s stories because I hope to get kids excited about reading and delight them with a story, but I never considered that the kids would give that back to me. It has been nothing but a joy and delight to work with all of them! My acknowledgements section starts here- this book would not be possible without the help of Miss Halle Frodge, Mr. Jaedan Laswell, Miss Kylie McFatridge, Miss Scout Puterbaugh, Mr. Wyatt Reyburn, and Mr. Noah Stamm.



Showing off their silly sides at our pizza party!



I also need to give a special thanks to their teacher Mrs. Richardson who made this possible! She allowed the students to read during school hours, read the book herself, and let me take up precious time in her classroom to do things like give instructions and chat with the students.

Thank you to all of you for your help!