Gratitude

Writing may seem like a lonely enterprise. In fact, I have become more introverted over the last year since I changed day jobs and started to focus on writing. On the whole, practicing writing means lots and lots of thinking. I’ll spend days working out all the implications of a character’s decision, let alone the time hunched over the keyboard.

What often rejuvenates my spirit along the way is the incredible support friends and strangers have shown me. My first book is odd. I should only expect a flippant laugh when I describe the premise. Yet people actually read the damn thing and give me beautiful advice. I am full of gratitude to them.

And before I say anything more, know this: if you are an aspiring writer, there is a huge, generous community ready to support you. Put in the work, and you will also be surprised.

My first and biggest supporter is my wife. Rachel has read my book twice already, including its roughest form, and she still wants to be my best friend. She is patient when I space out at the dinner table or on a hike, waiting for me to return from story-land. She is kind and knows exactly when something is too weird and needs cut.

My beta readers are superstars. They have taken time out of their busy lives for my strange book. I am indebted to everyone’s specific feedback — bringing a perspective no one else could. If you’re still reading now, rock on! 🙂

My #1 cheerleader, Aaron, who asked me every day for months, “Is your book done?” Now it’s ‘is your query letter done?’, and so on. He always listens when I’m wrestling with next steps. Some day we’ll write another play/screenplay.

Lastly, I have had the privilege of receiving feedback from strangers online. From places as far-flung as Texas and New Zealand, writers have volunteered to look at my work. Sometimes we swap query letters or first chapters. Once, I paid a professional author to give me feedback (Mindy McGinnis, and she was excellent).

Here are the websites of the incredible people who have helped me so far. (There are more who I couldn’t find online. (Isabeau?)) All of them should have been paid but helped out of the kindness of their hearts.

Cory Leonardo – Guided my query like a boss.
Morgan Hazelwood – runs a good FB group for Pitch Wars YA writers. provided some sweet query edits.
Dawn Husted – gave me a really focused query edit
Casie Bazay – was generous with her time working on the query
Jerome Blanco – my BIL. Someday he’ll have an awesome website of his own. Someday.
I am in awe of the writing community. If this small sample is a good representation, then the coming growing years will be blessed. Thank you all for your support.