Acknowledgments
Writing Winning Love was the biggest challenge I’ve faced, so far, as a writer. I worked on this book, off and on, for over a year, which included two tornado seasons. The EF-5 tornado in Moore struck when I was just starting the writing process. Then El Reno, where three well-respected research chasers lost their lives when that tornado took them by surprise. Most recently, the tornado outbreak at the end of April that caused extensive damage across multiple states and over thirty-five deaths.
Each instance has given me pause. I found it difficult to write. I worried over every word and I doubted. What kept me going was reminding myself there are people like me who don’t truly understand the devastation these storms cause. We see it. We watch it. We pray for those affected, but there’s not a true understanding. I hope that the feelings of those who have lived through the experience, crawled out of debris, who have lost loved ones to the fury of Mother Nature, or lost everything they own, comes across in this book. My heart goes out to these people, and my ultimate goal was to respect the tragedy they’ve experienced.
With that said, I’ve wanted to write a storm chaser character for a very long time. From the many years I’ve spent watching storm chaser-related documentaries, YouTube videos, and reading blog posts, I became aware of how the media sensationalizes what storm chasers do and how most chasers resent it. Are there thrill-seeker chasers? Of course. But the vast majority of these men and women are not cowboys, yahoos, or any other name that has come to be associated with storm chasers.
People do not realize the amount of science that goes into chasing. Days of planning, watching, waiting…calculating. I had the most exciting interview with Gerard Jebaily. Gerard works as a meteorologist in South Carolina…and he also chases. It was an amazing interview with some great stories I won’t forget. I thank him immensely for taking the time to speak with me and answering my questions.
Now to take a few moments to thank those who helped and supported me during the writing of this book.
To Liz Pelletier—thank you for being super excited over the proposal. Though I spent most of the time while writing Winning Love repeating, “What the hell have I done?” and doubting my ability to accurately portray tornado destruction and storm chasing, I challenged myself as a writer and, in the end, I am very proud of this book. Winning Love, in my opinion, is one the best books I’ve written to date.
To Nina—thank you for being one of the best editors a girl could ask for. As always, your editing and suggestions helped me take the book that step further. We’re a kickass team.
To the art department–I was only halfway finished with the book when I received the cover. The TRUST tattoo was a surprise for me. But it unleashed a torrent of ideas for Mac that added a level to him that I wouldn’t have achieved if you guys hadn’t put it there. Thank you.
To my fans—I love each and every one of you. Thank you for loving my writing, for anticipating the releases, and just being awesome. Without you my dreams wouldn’t be coming true.
To my CPs, Angie, Christina, Christyne and Tina—I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, and I’ll say it with every future book—I wouldn’t know what to do without you girls.
To my parents, sister and friends—thank you for being supportive. I know I’m an ogre when I’m under deadline, you guys just wave it away, knowing that’s not typically me. I wouldn’t know what do without that understanding and support.
A special thank you to Chad—I always acknowledge those who inspire me to be better. I once sent you a cryptic text saying, “Thank you for making me a better writer.” I wouldn’t elaborate on how. Mostly because I was waiting to write my acknowledgment to do so. I told you before there is always some truth behind a book. An insight into a writer’s mind, their thoughts, insecurities, desires, and their past. Unfortunately, sometimes we haven’t experienced something or it’s been a very long time since we have and we’re disconnected from what we are trying to convey. We have to make it up as we go and keep our fingers crossed that we’re doing a good job of it. I’ve been doing this for years in a couple of areas. You coming into my life gave me the ability to filter more reality into my writing. I’ll never forget that. Thank you.
As always, I will complete my acknowledgments by thanking my kids. They are last not because they are a side thought, but because they are the most important. My final thoughts will always be sharing the love I have for my children and how damn lucky I am to be blessed with two amazing kids. I love you.