Thanks to... Brandi

This week on Wordwranglers, we're discussing ONE person we're the most grateful to in our writing world. There are a lot. I've dedicated my books to some of them. My friend Kim, my writing friend Kristi, My editor, Jennifer Lawler, all deserve mention. Margot Early, who got me going down this path. They all qualify.

But this post is supposed to be about ONE person. The one who inspired you more than any other. So, without a doubt, that person is my daughter. I started on this journey toward publication when she was small. Very small.

She was so excited! I was going to have a book! With my name on it. She took me to one of her elementary school classes where I explained what I did, and showed the kids a printed out manuscript. They all oohed and aahed. It was fun.

Publication became a dimmer and dimmer hope as I got rejection after rejection after rejection.

Brandi's faith never once failed. "You'll get the next one, Mama." or "It was too good for them."

The story of my heart is named Mississippi Blues. It's set in the south, and there's a line in there-- "How's your mama?"

My daughter must have quoted me that line in her best (very good) southern accent a million times. She also read and reread that manuscript.

That book comes out next year, in July.

When I got the call, (email), Brandi was in the room. She celebrated with me as first cried, then danced and shrieked! There wasn't anyone else I wanted to tell more.

Since publication, she celebrates with me when I get a review, mourns when I don't. She's so excited for my book covers with my name on them. Disappointed along with me when I get another rejection.

The one person in my writing life I owe more to than anyone is my daughter. She's grown now. But she's been my rock and I couldn't do it without her.

I love you, Brandi.