The Love Curse
Page 24
Still, gravity pulls me hard to my knees, and I fall …
… landing on Ben, and Eros.
And the unmarked grave.
[To be continued …]
We’ve come to the portion of the novel where I, the author, am to find a witty way to express my gratitude for all those who’ve helped me reach this wild dream of publishing Arrowheart. Having tried many, rather unsuccessful attempts at such appreciative wit, I’m retiring to the tried and true thank you list. I have three thank yous to make:
1. First, I must thank my parents, without whom I would literally not be here. Mom, it was your love, support and unwavering belief in me that brought me through my hardest trials, including chronic illness, to achieve my dream of being a writer. Knowing you thought so highly of me, helped me find value in myself. You are the fiercest woman I know. And Dad, though we don’t always see eye to eye (I had a short joke here, but Dave made me take it out) it is your stubbornness that I inherited. A stubbornness that’s kicked my butt every step of the way and made me want to be the best writer I can be. For that I’m thankful.
2. The second most important thank you goes to David. While my mother taught me I could do anything, and my father taught me to pursue excellence in all I do, you taught me I can be anything. And your example in my life has taught me that I want to be the best person I can be. You once told me that you wake up every day with the goal to leave the world a better place than you found it, but you didn’t need to tell me that. I’d already seen it in the way you loved the world and everyone in it, and the integrity and kindness that is foundational in your soul. I never thought I’d meet someone like you. Getting to do life together makes me the luckiest girl in the world.
3. Those of you who know me well know that three is my favorite number. Therefore, it’s safe to assume this thank you means a whole lot to me too. And since I still have so many people to thank I’m cheating on my three thank yous … slightly:
a. My grandfathers, who aren’t here to see this, still I’m hoping this reaches you, wherever you are: Papa, it was your love for the written word that introduced me to the beauty of prose, and Opa it was your ability to spin a ‘Flax-Golden Tale’ that made me want to get lost in the wonder of stories. I miss you both dearly.
b. My grandmothers: I never questioned my value as a woman thanks to having you two inspirational role models. Nana, thank you for teaching me that kindness and generosity is a most powerful magic, and Oma thank you for teaching me that hard work and a bit of housework is a form of magic too.
c. My brother, Little Buddy: It’s arguable I wouldn’t be a writer without you. It was our mutual love of books, actually any form of imagining, that opened this door for me, and your strong encouragement pushed me through it. Thank you for helping me follow my heart. I’ll be forever grateful.
d. My sisters – Megan, Emma, Hannah, Rhea: You all mean so much to me. Life is never lonely with you. I know that no matter what I do, if I needed you, you’d all be there. It’s like having four personal assassins. *insert appropriate gif*
e. Victoria and Isaac: I’m so proud to be your aunty. You never cease to remind me that wonder is magic. I can’t wait to see which wild dream settles in your heart. I’ll be the one yelling, ‘You can do it!’ and stuffing you full of candy before sending you back to your mother.
f. My foster siblings: My life was enriched by growing and learning and doing life alongside you all. I love you like you’re my blood.
g. Pat (and Steve): You gave me the best gift ever with raising such a stand-up son. You also embraced me as a daughter and have supported and encouraged me in this journey. You taught me that anything is possible with a well-thought plan. Thank you!
h. My Step Dad: Thank you for loving my mom and my family. We’re so lucky to have you in our lives! You really are Superman.
i. Erin, Monica, Leah, Lindsey and Fallon: You complete me. You’re my writing soul sisters. Love you forever.
j. To my agent Sarah Manning, who is as brilliant as she is hardworking: I’m convinced Shakespeare was picturing you when he wrote his iconic line, ‘Though she be but little, she is fierce.’ Thank you for taking on whatever unusual thing I throw at you, you’re the best.
k. To my editors Sarah Lambert and Naomi Greenwood, and to Kate Agar, Sarah Jeffcoate, Natasha Whearity, Samuel Perrett and the rest of the team at Hodder: You made this dream come true, and you’ve taught me so much already. It’s been a treat working with you and watching you do your bookish magic.
l. To Durriya, Natasha and Alka: Thank you for sharing your heart, life and experiences with me, and helping me make Rachel’s story the most authentic I could.
m. To my Wattpad family: I found myself when I started writing, and I started writing on Wattpad. HQ (the CIA), my writer friends, and of course my readers, your support and encouragement has made me excited to get up each day and keep pouring everything I have into my stories. You will forever be treasured by me.
n. The writing community, specifically #1linewed, Electrics, and the Pitch Wars crew: I am so lucky to do what I love, and I’m even more lucky to be a part of such a kick ass community. Writers/Readers truly are some of the best people in this world.
o. To Vinoo and Juli: Thank you for making my world a bigger place.
p. To my friends and family not mentioned (Aunty JoJo, Funky, my cousins, Aunty Lynda, Uncle Ernie, Genny Penny, K$, Nicole, Tiff, Debbie, Ali and more): I’m sorry I’m an author-hermit and don’t see you as often as I’d like. I promise, you’re all important to me.
q. And finally, to my readers, the ones who’ve been there from the beginning, and the ones who just found me: I can’t wait to get to know you all better and hear your thoughts on Arrowheart. Thank you for supporting me, it means more than words can express.
Never forget to follow your own arrow!
All my love, Rebecca
For the girls who
feel like they don’t
fit in, with their Converse
sneakers, big dreams,
and brave
hearts
!
<---and for Dave … always<<
HODDER CHILDREN’S BOOKS
First published in Great Britain in 2018 by Hodder and Stoughton
This eBook edition published in 2018
Text copyright © Rebecca Sky, 2018
The moral rights of the author have been asserted.
All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved.
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ISBN 978 1 444 94006 0
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