The write start - Jennifer Hallissy 2010

Acknowledgments

MY PROFOUND appreciation goes to my editor, Jennifer Urban-Brown, and everyone at Trumpeter Books, for embracing a little book about learning to write, right from the start.

Thank you to my parents, who started it all.

To my mother, who (among many other things) taught me to write. She also served as a proofreader, consultant, and writing role model. Most of all, returning a favor, her confidence in me shamed me into completing this book.

To my father, who (among many other things) taught me to fish. Although seemingly unrelated, the many hours we spent honing the art of baiting hooks, casting out, waiting patiently, untangling lines, and having faith prepared me for the craft of writing a book (and for life). Though we never caught much, I sure learned plenty.

Thank you to everyone else, who kept me going.

To my sisters, Maria and Megan, who are relentlessly supportive and have never let me down.

To my dear friend Regina Bast, who listens to my chatter and tolerates my quiet with incomparable grace and understanding.

To Elizabeth Eskanasi and Rya Levin, my first readers (and cheerleaders). To Renee Lockhart, whose persistent question, “How can we be most effective?” has become my touchstone. To Nora Strecker, who shares gentle wisdom on publishing, parenting, and life. To Allison Gillis of Wondertime, for graciously initiating me into the real world of writing. To Christina Katz, who provided pitch-perfect advice. To the online community of bloggers and blog readers, some of the most intelligent and creative people I’ve never met. And to all the children I’ve worked with, who have been my wisest teachers.

I give thanks and my heart to my children, my reason to be. To my son, Jack, who has been with me every step of the way, learning with me, inspiring me, and harboring unwavering faith in me. And to Gracie, for devoted lap warming and back patting (while also nursing her own editorial aspirations by marking up my manuscript and reorganizing my pages).

Above all, I thank my husband, Bruce, without whom, nothing.