Sometimes I know early on in the writing process to whom the final book will be dedicated; sometimes I don't know until the book is ready to be printed. I had thought that I would dedicate The Unfinished Angel to my granddaughter Pearl, who inspired this book when she told me her first story: "Once upon a time in Spain there was an angel, and the angel was me."
But then, in January, 2009, when I was about to finalize the dedication page, four people dear to me died within a span of three weeks. I felt as if I had to gather them together on this dedication page as a way of keeping them 'alive.'
Dennis W. Creech: my brother, eleven months younger than I, he was the middle child of five. I love this photo (below) of us. We look rag-tag and a bit devilish:
Mary Crist Fleming: 96 years old, the founder of the TASIS schools in Europe. She was a charismatic educator, my husband's and my 'boss', friend, and muse for the past thirty years. She lived in the villa attached to the tower in which the Angel lives in The Unfinished Angel. Mrs. Fleming was living in that villa while I was writing the book, and she told me, "I will be that angel some day, and I will live in the tower." I bet she is there now.
Kate McClelland and Kathy Krasniewicz: Most people in the children's book world knew or had heard of these two women, both librarians, both supremely dedicated, generous and loving. I admired them both but knew Kate best: she made me laugh and she made me think. Kathy and Kate died in a tragic car accident en route to the airport following the annual ALA conference.
What a beautiful dedication. Thank you for sharing the story behind it. -- Jeni Bell
ReplyDeleteAhh. Just a sigh. Thank you for this post.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. Also, I enjoyed Chasing Redbird, Heartbeat, Ruby Holler...CR reminding me of my childhood in KY. Mike McGrath (my bro-in-law)saw you in DC, but I came by too late. My book, To Come and Go Like Magic, will be published Feb. 9 by Knopf. I hope I can inspire a fraction of the young people you have touched.
ReplyDeleteahhh. when i first began my novel, i had no idea who to dedicate it to. but as i wrote, i realized that i was truly writing for someone. i just had to dedicate it to them.
ReplyDeleteInteresting insight into this dedication... and a different slant on the writer. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm with brattcat...aaahhh...sigh. This is what makes books the threads of our being. The fact that you share these tidbits makes me cherish your work that much more. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYou have no idea how excited I am to find your blog, and you online in general. I read just about every book you wrote when I was little, and I have a story of how one especially inspired me which I will tell you soon. I was so saddened to hear about Mrs. Flemming's passing as well; all of us students were. I'm hoping the new year finds you well, Katie King.
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your comments, most treasured.
ReplyDeleteThat was a really beautiful dedication. My mother also knew the women who died in the car crash. I think they'd be happy.
ReplyDeleteThis is really a dumb long shot, but I haven't heard TASIS mentioned for years, so here goes: any chance you crossed the path of Jake Jacobusse, who taught at the TASIS school in Athens in the 1980s? He was a friend.
ReplyDeleteAlso, how do you like Chautauqua? As a college kid, I was a lifeguard there one summer, have only been back once, for an hour, but have wondered what it would be like there as an adult with some years on him.
BANJO52: I've heard the name, Jake Jacobusse, but didn't know him. And we like Chautauqua Lake v. much, tho we are not in the Institute. . .
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