“God is stretching you as a writer.”
I can’t tell you how many times my friend Sara said those words to me over the year it took to write (and rewrite) Someone Like You. Stretching feels good when we stand on our toes and raise our arms as high as we can. That gentle pull releases tension and makes us hum with pleasure. But there’s another kind of stretching, the kind my son experienced in physical therapy for a knee injury. That kind of stretching pushes us well beyond the limits of our respective comfort zones.
The stretching involved with Someone Like You falls into the second category.
This was a tough book to write, and I wouldn’t have survived it without the love, help, and prayers of family, friends, and writing colleagues.
Sara Mitchell, play the tape. Play it every day and believe it. When my creative mind shut down, you came alongside me in a way no one else could. You shared your ideas, logic, wisdom, love, and faith. Adjectives and adverbs too! I couldn’t have written this book without (wait for it) . . . someone like you.
Deborah Raad, thank you doesn’t begin to express my gratitude. You brainstormed with me, read lousy first drafts, and proofread when I couldn’t tell a comma from a question mark. When I lost enthusiasm, you encouraged me. When I felt like banging my head against the wall, you laughed with me at Panera. Friends forever!
To my editors at Bethany House Publishers: Charlene Patterson, I owe you a huge debt of gratitude. No editor wants to write an eight-page revision letter. And Raela Schoenherr, thank you for supporting me through this process. You both know the first version of this book was a mess. Your insights made all the difference. I also want to thank editor Jessica Barnes for catching some very embarrassing mistakes and making the writing shine. More than any book I’ve written (and this is number seventeen), Someone Like You was a collaborative effort. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
A host of other people helped bring this story to life with their prayers, encouragement, and insight.
Monica Mynk, friend and fellow Kentucky author, when I was at my wit’s end, you offered to read through the mess I thought was a book. Your insights breathed life into those early chapters. Thank you!
More gratitude goes to my agent, Pattie Steele-Perkins. Pattie, we’ve been together a lot of years now. Your sage advice and encouragement are constant blessings to me.
And to my prayer partner, Ginger Burns: I didn’t realize it at the time, but the seeds for this story were planted in the Centerpointe prayer room. I miss you, friend!
My parents are no longer on this earth, but their encouragement echoes in my mind every single day. So does my dad’s wisdom and my mom’s insight into people. I wouldn’t be a writer today without their special blend of logic and empathy.
I’m so grateful for my family.
A big thank-you goes to Mom and Dad Scheibel, Peggy, Kathy, and Patti. I love you all. Another shout-out goes to Gary and Katie Hailey, my uncle and aunt. Katie, you’ve been in my life longer than anyone else. To my stepdad, George McLeary, thank you for loving my mom and joining our family. And last, a big hug to my brother, John, and his wife, Angie. Time and miles mean nothing when you’re as close as we are.
To my sons and their wives: Joe and Meredith, you made me a grandmother for the first time and in a spectacular way. Twin girls! Big hugs to Kennedy and Corinne. Grandma loves you. Dave and Whitney, you inspire me with how you love and support each other. That love shows in everything you do. I’m proud of you both and am overjoyed to be your mom.
And finally to my husband, Michael: There’s a reason this book is dedicated to you. Four words: dorky pink hair bow. (Here’s the story for those who don’t know it: When I saw the cover for my second historical, I didn’t like it at all. “It’s all wrong!” I complained to Mike on the phone. “My heroine would never wear that dorky pink hair bow.” Two hours later, he walked through the door with a bouquet of pink roses wrapped with dorky pink ribbon.) Honey, you’re the best. I cherish your prayers, your wisdom, and every minute of our marriage.
A lot of thought goes into the title of a book. I was particularly pleased with Someone Like You because it works on so many levels. Sara got the first shout-out, but those three words apply to every person on this list. I couldn’t have told this story without the support of each and every one of you.
I’ve been blessed in so many ways. With my heart full, I bow my head to the greatest Someone in my life and say, “Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your grace.”