I firmly believe that every human being is touched by inspiration—some often, some rarely. But we all have our moments when we have a big idea, a stroke of inspiration, or a moment of insight. Making those ideas reality is where the real struggle begins, and it’s a struggle that cannot be waged alone. It’s not enough to call on the Muse. The Muse has to answer and say, “You have my attention, and I am listening.”
I have been fortunate throughout my life to have had people around me who have encouraged my bouts of creativity. My mother and father, Faye and Eugene Wiegenstein, supported every crazy idea I came up with as a kid, and the sense of empowerment they gave me went a long way toward making me the person I am today.
The good people at Blank Slate Press—Kristina Blank Makansi and Jamey Stegmaier, by name—have been extraordinarily helpful in getting this book in shape for publication, with ideas and information, thoughts on character development and plot structure, never settling for the “just okay” but always pushing toward the “just right.” I am grateful for all they have done.
My wife, Sharon Buzzard, read every word of the manuscript more than once, and her suggestions and comments were always made with a keen literary sense and a belief in the power of storytelling. My gratitude for her contributions to the creation of this book is impossible to express.
