I dedicate this post to…

Today’s post on Bookends talks about how Lit Agent Jessica Faust checks the Acknowledgments page of her author’s books when they come in.  (And yes, that in itself tells you that I came up with today’s post topic on the fly.)   In the book she’s discussing, Farm Fresh Murder by Paige Shelton,  she discovers that though her name is absent in the acknowledgments, the book has been dedicated to her.  So it made me think about the acknowledgments and dedications pages of our books.  How much thought do you put into them?

One thing about the writing industry, is that for all the solitary moments sitting at a desk tapping away at a keyboard, this is not a solitary profession.  Most often, we can’t –and don’t need–to do it alone.  From the very beginning, there are people there to support, to teach, to help us learn, to help us grow.  And truly, an acknowledgments page is about honoring those folks.

So today, I’m creating the acknowledgments for this blog post.  Because this blog, my writing, none of it would be here without the people in my life.

I acknowledge my blog mates.  When I decided to turn my blog into a group venture, I didn’t understand how truly fabulous it would be to share on a daily basis with the wonderful women who post here with me.  Past and present, you make this place fun and enjoyable for me to keep up with.

I acknowledge my family, who supports me in those crazy moments when I’m trying to figure out the plot elements or character elements — usually outloud and as if I was talking to real people.

I acknowledge the writing community, where I’ve found invaluable friends and mentors willing to share their experiences, offer suggestions and help, and most of all, a never-ending supply of support.  Agents who share their tips.  Editors who offer contests, advice and more.  Writers and authors who give their time to help others.  I hope as I go through my career, I can provide all of that to those who need it as well.

I acknowledge the webmasters of the world who maintain all the websites that I spend so much time researching things, checking things out, looking into things.  Without their information at my fingertips, it would be a much harder job.

I acknowledge the makers of facebook, twitter and other such evils, for giving me something to play on when I’m procrastinating.

And last, but absolutely not least, I acknowledge you.  The folks who are reading, commenting and lurking.   If you didn’t keep giving me pretty stat numbers to look at every month, I’d probably call the blog a wash and go knit. (Okay, and if you know me, you know how totally idle a threat that is.  My one venture of knitting is a monster blanket that still sits in the closet unfinished from, oh,  about seven years ago…)

So…in the vein of thinking of all those who have helped us in our work, how do you create your acknowledgments?   Care to share?