Words are inadequate to convey my gratitude to Jill Corcoran, my wonderful agent at Herman Agency. I will always love her for announcing on Twitter that she’d just found a diamond in the slush pile—at a time when I was starting to feel like a writerly lump of coal. Her enthusiasm and energy inspire me to write more and better. Jill is the perfect blend of wit and wisdom.
My daily life is enriched beyond measure by my inner circle. I am so thankful for my husband, David; my mom, Martha Brigman; and my family, Drew McDowell, Emily McDowell Elam, Cason Elam, and the always entertaining Jack Elam, for their faith, enthusiasm, editorial advice, and technical expertise. They are the heart and soul of everything that’s good in my life.
My sister Susan Siniard’s delight in the accomplishments of others is generous and genuine; she’s an amazing nurturer of family talent—mine included. Her husband, Tommy, is “practically blood kin,” as we say in the South, and has done more for our family than I can say. My sister Julie Moreau shares the family writing genes; I’m grateful for her insightful suggestions and NOLA hospitality. My brother, John, knows how to do most anything and helps us keep our lives in order. Close friends Geoff and Emily Evans, Megan Mercier, and Hannah Cail have played key roles in my writing path and are loved and appreciated “family” members, too.
For this work I’m indebted to Christopher George for his generous gift of time and friendship in helping me understand some of the nuances of a soldier’s life. Many thanks are due to my cousin Jeanne Wilson, a beloved first grade teacher, for wonderful stories from the trenches. Thanks also to Wendy Stephens, dear friend and talented librarian. I hope I did half the job she does of matching kids to books when I was in the classroom. And Shari George deserves thanks for being such an enthusiastic force on the hometown team from the very beginning. I love her amazing energy.
Many friends have lifted me up when I needed it. Thank you, Jim Sherwood, Jerry Whitworth, Beth and Walter Thames, Lula Mae Martin, Mike Chappell, Mike Patton, Michael Walker, Nichole Liese, Dena and Barry Schrimsher, Jerry Barclay, Carol Dayton, Turner Moore, Ben Morehead, Shaw Bowman, Alice Evans, Michael Kamback, Andrew Cotten, Russell Goldfinger, and Aaron Byers. And thanks to Raymond Harrell, Zach Hagin, and Jordan Hall for the great work on NotRequiredReading.com.
I doubt I would have ever written a word without the encouragement of wonderful hometown mentors R. A. Nelson (Teach Me, Breathe My Name, Days of Little Texas, and Throat) and Hester Bass (The Secret World of Walter Anderson). And I owe much to the Southern Breeze chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. “Join SCBWI” was some of the best advice I heard as a beginning writer.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
IF YOU SUFFER FROM POST TRAUMATIC STRESS disorder (PTSD)—whether you’re a military veteran, victim of a natural disaster, sufferer from domestic abuse, or a survivor of an act of terrorism or other trauma—there are trained counselors in your area who can help you. You can access these professionals online or through your local doctor or mental health center. Please seek treatment; let others help you find the strength to rebuild your life.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome affects 1 in 100 teens. If you feel you may have POTS symptoms, seek medical help. Insist on a thorough examination for any physical or psychological problem you’re experiencing, and see other doctors if you don’t get satisfaction from your current ones. Trust your instincts when your body says something’s wrong, and be persistent in seeking answers. It’s a very manageable condition once you understand the symptoms.
This Is Not a Drill Page 16
