November 11th, 2013

“The rain was coming down heavier now, like machine gun fire from the sky” With that first sentence in 2013 started this journey of attempting to write a story, not a book. One sentence turned into a paragraph, then a chapter and 5 years later a book. Though that first line has changed many times, the story remained the same.

As I am on the verge of publishing that story which started out as “The Shadows of War” and has now become “The Bones of Saint Pierre”, I think about all the people who have helped along the way. I only told a few people I was writing a book, because I wasn’t sure I would ever finish it. I wrote on and off for 5 years and edited countless times.

I have a long list of people I would like to thank: Lori, you convinced me to write that first line and encouraged me to keep going. You were my editor, spellchecker and my grammar police. This does not happen without you. My sister Carolyn, who edited the first 10 chapters and gave me the first writing advice I ever received. She now lives in Japan and I can’t wait for her to read what this has become. Paul McMahon, you took the time over a two hour phone call to give me your opinion and we went over the chapters one by one. Your insight was truly appreciated. I still remember the last thing you said to me on that phone call. “I want to know what happens to Mason Wright.” As a writer that’s what you hope, after someone reads your words, they want more.

I sent chapters to many people, once I told everyone I was writing a book. Some read 3, 6, 10 or as many as 20 chapters. The one prevailing theme from everyone, is they wanted more. Holly and Nancy, I had to cut you off at 20 because I wanted to leave you hanging. My brother John kept emailing me while he was on vacation in Alaska to send more to read. Rich, Catherine, Tony, Kellen, Travis, Ellen, Lois, Abes, Gabor, Dana, Marian, Jerry, Mileidy, Lisa, Bob and everyone else who helped along the way. I can’t thank you enough for taking the time to read something that was still a work in progress, and for offering your opinions as I furiously sent you cover choices.

Though my name is on the cover of the book, a part of all of you helped make it a reality. I really hope we can enjoy this ride together. I have a call with the publisher tomorrow to discuss the book launch. Stay tuned…