Writing can be a lonely business. However, I’m fortunate to be supported by a cast of characters:
My mom, who always tells me how proud she is and keeps me laughing at her stories of accidentally stealing cars and hitching rides with ice cream trucks. (Where else would I have learned humor?)
To Bob, Mom’s husband, who is still trying to teach me to drive around the block. (It was a confusing block.)
My dad, who swears he’s entitled to half my royalties because I inherited my art of “making up crap” from him. (Well, he is a contractor.)
My supportive husband—model for all my heroes. (I told him you wouldn’t buy that.)
My son, who actually loves that his personal experiences are fair game. (I couldn’t make that stuff up.)
My daughter, who tolerates my taking pictures of her feet for my Web site. (Don’t ask.)
My son-in-law, who, as far as I know, has only denied knowing me twice. (My daughter chose well.)
My writing buddies, Jo Anne & Colleen, who listen to me whine and seldom hang up on me.
My Old Timers lunch bunch, who tolerate my endless chatter about writing, and love me in spite of my being the youngest.
My critique partners, Jody, Suzan, Nancy & Teri, who work diligently at getting the Alabamian out of my dialogue. (Their support is priceless—but I ain’t giving ’em a raise.)
To Faye, a co-writer on our nonfiction book, a critique partner from hell, and a sister in all my crimes. (She denies any affiliation with this book unless it gets good reviews.)
My police advisor, Lt. D. R. “Duke” Adkins Jr., HPD, who tolerates questions like, “What kind of gun would have a barrel about the same size as a super absorbent tampon?” (Thanks, Duke!)
My agent, Kim Lionetti, who admits I scare her but hasn’t fired me. Yet.
My editor, Chris Keeslar, who wasn’t sure about my definition of a thingamabob and can’t understand how my heroine could spend $500 at Victoria’s Secret but bought my books anyway.
To editor Leah Hultenschmidt, who threatened to buy me if Chris didn’t, and to the amazing Dorchester team who make me look good.