Four years later, I sat down to write the story that had been consuming my thoughts but continued to evade me whenever I sat down to create. Not because the story wasn’t ready. I wasn’t. Writing it took over my life for two years. But at the end of it, I realized it wasn’t just Lana’s story, it was mine. And that’s why I needed to be patient with it – so I could be true to myself. And open a door I feared opening for many years.
I wrapped this story in fairytales. Ideals of what I, as a young girl, believed love to be. True love’s kiss. Being rescued by a prince. Living happily ever after. Then I allowed Lana to shred those illusions apart. Emerging as the slayer of her own dragons. Protector of her own heart. And her ending was that of courage, friendship, empowerment and love. Not all of it was pretty. Or happy. But it was honest.
This was an emotional journey for me as the creator — but also as a believer. Love is powerful. It is an honor to share the love I have for storytelling freely with my readers. I give you my heart on every page. Thank you for being so passionate about every word.
I could not have written a single word without the encouragement and love of my friends: Kathleen, Dina, Tarryn, Paola, Leah, Nichole, Katie, Amy, Kiki and Janet. You listened. You hugged. You advised. You celebrated. You never gave up. Thank you for loving me.
Thank you to Jovana and Hang for making this story perfection through and through!
Kim, you sank into this story from the very first page. Explored every word and advised on how to make it stronger. More powerful. Thank you for your honesty. Your beautiful heart. And for not allowing me to falter in my pursuit to tell the truth.
Thank you to the team at Trident Media Group, including my agents Erica and Adrienne, for supporting me over the years it took to create this story. And allowing the world the opportunity to read it.
This story takes on another life that I find myself getting lost in whenever I listen to it. Thank you to the team at Brilliance Publishing for bringing Lana and Faye to life through the magnificent talents of Phoebe and Lauren.
Brian, you are my champion. You challenge me to be a better person every day that I am your mom. Thank you for your patience and encouragement. Your belief in me helps me love what I do. We will see the world together – I cannot wait!
Elizabeth. We create magic, you and I – sometimes it feels like it’s out of thin air. But when it appears, it shines so bright. And it is a spell that can only be cast by two, never one. You hold my words with reverence. And spin them around until they enchant every eye that beholds them. Thank you for sprinkling your love on every line of every page. We created something unforgettably wonderous!
Rebecca Donovan, the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling YA author of The Breathing Series and What If, lives in a small town in Massachusetts with her son. Influenced and obsessed with music, Rebecca can often be found jumping around at concerts, or on a plane to go see one. She’s determined to experience (not just live) life. And then write about it. Follow along: www.rebeccadonovan.com
The Cursed Series, Parts 3 & 4: Now We Know/What They Knew Page 42