sometimes following you dreams means breaking your heart
Page 27
Now, I have to thank two people for this book in particular, and they are two people who will never ever pick up this book, but I have to thank them anyway.
Charlie and Julie Wright.
Thank you for the many years I spent in your guest house in Blackpool, hatching ideas back then that I didn’t realise would one day turn into Driftwood. You’ll never know how much of your little B&B made it into this book, but to me, the Driftwood will always be run by you in my heart. Thank you for your kindness and your words of optimism when I told you I wanted my own B&B. You were amazingly kind people, and I wish I could find you today, just to say thank you if nothing else.
My dream team.
Two people who without, this book, or any of my many manuscripts, would never see the light of day.
My editor Kim Young. Not only for your amazing editing skills, but your help and guidance in all things publishing. Before I was even a client, you steered me in the right direction, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Becky Strahl. You are still helping me to this very day, as I sit here writing this, you have been messaging me today, helping me yet again!
Without either of you, I would not be here, I would not feel this brave without the two of you behind me, answering all my stupid blonde girl questions. Thank you so much. XxX.
Now the big one.
Do you have any idea how much time it takes to write one manuscript? And I mean not including the endless hours editing, or pining over characters. I mean just the writing part. Well, it takes a long time, and so far I have written ten. None of which have drained me and broken my heart like Driftwood has. Through all of them I have had my amazing husband Mike Gough at my side. He has put up with a sheer amount of crazy, and still he stands by me, supporting me, pushing me forward. He has put up with crying, mood swings, pilgrimages to places fictional characters live (Cowley), or other places they mention or visit.
Writing all these books takes time, time he has given me without a second thought, and that means the world to me. I know sometimes I am sat next to you and I’m not even in the same room, and you’re ok with that because you get me. I need this, I need my writing, so thank you so so much for giving me that, for letting me pursue it.
I love you no end and can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me with my writing. You even bought me the laptop I’m writing this on because you believed in me so much. Thank you, Mike. I love you with all my heart, always will.
Every single one of you that has read this far. Thank you for your support, believe me when I say it means the world to me that you picked up my book baby. Thank you for joining me on this journey. There will be no stopping me now. See you in the next book.
Thank you.
Claire XxX
Driftwood Playlist
I am nothing without my music. Each book I have written has a special soundtrack to me. Songs that I listened too while writing the book that will forever be linked with the story for me. So, I thought I’d share some of them with you in case you’d like to check them out.
Stay High (Habits remix) - Tove Lo.
Holding Back The River - James Bay.
Scars - James Bay.
Tether - CHVCHES.
Wonderful Land - The Shadows.
When You Sleep - Longview.
Oceans - Seafret.
Runaway (U & I) - Galantis.
Only Love Could Hurt Like This - Paloma Faith.
Jealous - Nick Jonas.
Heart Hope - Oh Wonder.
Sober - Broods.
About the Author
Claire Lives with her Husband Mike in Birmingham UK and has been creating love stories in her head since she was old enough to know what boys were. She started out just day dreaming, until she reached the age of fifteen when she started writing down her little stories for her own enjoyment. After sharing one story with a friend, she was told she should take her writing seriously, and that’s exactly what she did. To date she has written ten manuscripts, Driftwood is just the first of many from this author.
Follow Claire.